The story in chapter 3 continues in chapter 4.
Pastor reminds us of the story from last week and the miraculous healing of the lame man. After the healing the people, the healed man and Peter and John, they all gathered in Solomon's Colonnade - an area inside the Temple walls.
Chapter 4
As Peter and John were talking to the multitude teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus' name the resurrection of the dead, the priests, the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees come and they are greatly disturbed by what Peter and John are preaching. So they seize Peter and John and put them in jail until the next day. Yet many who had heard their message believed and the number of believers grows. The message of Jesus is spreading quickly.
- Prophecy
- Then: using the prophetic scripture they tell people the gospel message quoting Genesis and Isaiah showing them that Jesus was the fulfillment of the scriptures. God's prophecies of a Savior were fulfilled in their lifetimes. In Luke 12:11-12 Jesus' prophetic word to His disciples were not to worry when brought to authorities because the Holy Spirit would teach them what to say. In verses 5-9 we see Peter and John brought before authorities and "then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit" just as Jesus had predicted.
- Now: Today in our lifetimes we've not only seen these same prophecies fulfilled in the scriptures by Jesus, but also we see those things spoken by Jesus coming to fulfillment. And like Peter we too are filled with the Spirit as Jesus prophesied would happen.
- Power
- Then: Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and accomplished God's divine purposes through the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Now: We too are filled with the Holy Spirit and are to keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit's power. We are to allow the Holy Spirit to have control of our lives because that is how we accomplish divine purposes through the Holy Spirit's power.
- Proclamation
- Then: Peter proclaims to the authorities and the people that it is by the name of Jesus Christ, whom they crucified (but God raised from the dead), that the man was healed. He tells them that they have rejected the Cornerstone (Jesus). Peter ends with, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 Peter shares the gospel message. Jesus is the perfect sacrifice who saves us. Peter proclaims the Name of Jesus and the gospel message: Death, Deity and Resurrection.
- Pastor does a dive into "the Name" used in the chapters 2-4 of Acts. There is power in the name of Jesus and no name above the name of Jesus (Philippians 2:9-11)
- Now: We are to proclaim the gospel today. Have we received the proclamation in our own lives? Because everyone who calls on Jesus' name will be saved. Is that proclamation guiding and controlling and directing our attitude and speech? Is it how we deal with others? Jesus' name is a powerful name that brings healing and forgiveness and gives certain and sure hope for all eternity. We are called to respond to the proclamation - the gospel message. The gospel message always demands a response.
The Dilemma
Acts 4:13-18 - what could the authorities do with Peter and John? They decide to warn them not to speak to anyone any further in "the Name."
- Passion
- Then: in Acts 4:19 Peter and John reply "Which is right in God's eyes: to listen to you or to Him… As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." (They were eyewitnesses to Jesus' life on earth) Peter and John have given everything for the Lord Jesus.
- Now: We too are called to do the same, to yield and surrender our lives to Him. To be filled daily with the Holy Spirit and live a life of service, joy and peace even in opposition.
In the end the authorities could not decide how to punish them so they let them go, because the people were praising God for the miraculous healing of the man who had been lame for 40 years.
There's more to this chapter! There's a 5th "P" to go along with the four P's Pastor shares today. If you are wondering what the 5th "P"is check out our Bible Class Dig Deeper playlist for the title: "Together in Prayer" https://www.awakeusnow.com/dig-deeper
This week's READING ASSIGNMENT:
Acts chapter 3-4 (read and reflect on these two chapters together)
Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE.
Check out this video series from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/god-acts-then-now
Or watch from our Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@AwakeUsNow/streams
Join us Sundays live or on demand from our website
https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service
