Acts 4

Acts 4:1-12

11. THE NAME THAT IS ABOVE ALL NAMES Acts 4:1-12 The religious leaders at Jerusalem seem to have been stunned and confounded by the great out-pouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost and by the conversion of so many to Christ. But they quickly rallied their forces against the apostles, as they had against Christ, and attempted to silence the gospel. Their efforts were futile. As always, the powers of darkness were confounded by the Prince of Light. Study this record of the first persecution of God’s servants and be assured that the cause of Christ cannot fail. The God and King whose cause we serve rules this world in absolute sovereignty. He must prevail! It is written, “He must reign till he hath put all his enemies under his feet.” PETER AND JOHN WERE FOR THE GOSPEL (Acts 4:1-4). The powers of darkness were against them. They had invaded the very domain of satan. They were in the temple at Jerusalem preaching the gospel of Christ! They could not do otherwise. This is what the Lord had sent them to do. After healing the lame man, while they had the attention of the crowd, they preached Christ to them. WITH GREAT THESE TWO MEN BARE WITNESS TO CHRIST IN THE MIDST OF HIS ENEMIES (Acts 4:1-2). The principle point of their doctrine on this occasion was the resurrection of the dead. “They preached THROUGH JESUS the resurrection of the dead.” Peter and John knew their business. They did not meddle in the affairs of the state. They did not seek, or become involved with social reform. They did not even attempt to shut down the dens of vice in Jerusalem. These men were preachers. So they preached. They pointed sinners to Christ and proclaimed him as the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25). Declaring only what they had seen and heard, they preached the fact of Christ’s resurrection from the dead. To preach the resurrection by Christ is to preach these five things:
12. The Death of Christ as the Substitute for Sinners (2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13; Acts 3:13-15).
13. The Resurrection of Christ as the Representative of God’s Elect (Hebrews 6:20; Ephesians 2:5-6; Acts 3:13).
14. The Exaltation of Christ as Lord over all (John 17:2; Romans 14:9; Acts 2:32-36).
15. The Second Coming of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Acts 3:19-21).
16. Salvation and Eternal Life to All Who Trust Christ (John 11:25; Romans 10:9-13; Acts 3:19; Acts 3:26). The gospel which Peter and John preached was made effectual to many by the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:4). Though the preachers were persecuted, the Word of God grew and prevailed. A few days earlier three thousand souls had been converted by the grace of God (Acts 2:31). Now faith had been granted to five thousand more. Two sermons were preached in the power of the Holy Spirit, and the church grew from one hundred and twenty to more than eight thousand believers in Jerusalem! Yet, to the religious leaders of the city the gospel of Christ was an offense (Acts 4:2-3). The doctrines of Christ’s substitutionary atonement, resurrection glory, and free salvation were offensive to the pride, religious works, and self-righteousness of these men. They were grieved by that which should have made them rejoice. They were grieved by the glory of Christ! Not only were they offended by the message of salvation by grace through the merits of the crucified Substitute, they were also fearful of losing their hold on the people. So they arrested Peter and John.

For the present, these faithful servants of God only had to suffer imprisonment. Later, they would be put to death for preaching the gospel. The Lord wisely trains his people for suffering by degrees. He sends lesser trials to prepare them for the greater. From the very beginning, the history of God’s church has been a history of suffering at the hands of persecutors. It is a history written in blood.

The cause of the persecution is the preaching of the gospel of the free grace of God flowing to sinners through the merits of Christ’s precious blood. This message is an offense to self-righteous, religious people (Galatians 5:11). THE LEADERS OF THE NATION TRIED TO PETER AND JOHN INTO SILENCE (Acts 4:5-7). These “rulers, and elders, and scribes” were the men of greatest respect, power, and influence in the nation of Israel, the sanhedrim. They asked Peter and John, “By what power, or by what means have ye done this?” Had they replied, “Jehovah, the only true and living God, did this,” their answer would have been true; but it would have been a denial of Christ! The sanhedrim would have said, “Bless his name,” and the affair would have ended. But Peter knew that the object of their hatred was not God as they conceived him to be, but God in the flesh, the Lord Jesus Christ. He had faced those men before and wilted (Luke 23:54-56).

He would never deny his Lord again! Picture Peter standing in the midst of this ecclesiastical court. He braced himself, planted his feet firmly, not knowing what they might do to him, but being fully aware of his own responsibility, he spoke as a faithful servant of God. BOLDLY, WITH DEFIANT , PETER CHRIST TO HIS , WITHOUT (Acts 4:8-10). He was filled with the Holy Spirit, who taught him what to say and gave him the courage to say it (Luke 12:11-12). He was altogether innocent of any evil in the matter at hand. He had done exactly what the Lord had commanded him to do. Yet, he knew he was in the place where God had put him. So he seized the opportunity and boldly confessed Christ in the very teeth of his enemies. (Read his confession in Acts 4:10-12). In this confession Peter places great emphasis upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, as do all the Scriptures (Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 1:21). “God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name!” His name is (Son 1:3; 1 Peter 2:7). POWER is associated with his name (Philippians 2:9-11). His name is the source and cause of the believer’s PARDON (1 John 2:12). We are saved by faith in his name (John 1:12-13; Romans 10:13). All that God does for sinners in grace he does for Christ’s sake (Ephesians 4:32). All true PRAYER is offered to God in the name of Christ, our Representative and Substitute.

To call upon his name is to trust him as our Savior. We come to God only in his name (John 14:13-14). The believer has PEACE through the name of Christ (John 14:27; John 16:33). The name of the Lord is our at all times (Proverbs 18:10; 2 Samuel 22:1-4). The of God’s elect, our eternal security, is in his name (John 17:11). What would become of his name, if one of his believing ones was lost?

His name is the theme of all true (Luke 24:47). In the Word of God, the name of the Lord Jesus Christ is always associated with (Jeremiah 23:5; Revelation 19:11-16). “The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.” “He shall not fail!” The Lion of the tribe of Judah shall prevail. The Lamb of God shall be satisfied. His people shall be saved. His cause shall be triumphant. His enemies shall bow before his feet.

His name shall be glorified (Revelation 5:9-14).

Acts 4:13-22

12. WHAT DOES MY LIFE SAY ABOUT CHRIST? Acts 4:13-22 Several things in this paragraph need to be carefully observed. Each is a matter worthy of more detailed study than can be given here. First, Neither the gospel that Peter and John preached, nor the miracle they performed could be denied. The evidence was undeniable (Acts 4:13-16). These men had honored God. They faithfully confessed Christ, bearing witness to him before his enemies, and God honored their faithfulness. Though they were now prisoners before the Sanhedrin, the Lord was with them. As he had promised, the Holy Spirit gave them the wisdom and the words they needed (Matthew 10:19). GOD ALWAYS HONORS THOSE WHO HONOR HIM (1 Samuel 2:30). Second, When there is a conflict between the will of God and the laws of men, the believer must obey God, regardless of cost (Acts 4:17-20). In all things regarding civil life and government, believers are to be subject to the power and authority of civil rulers (Romans 13:1-4). However, if we are required by law to do that which is in direct violation of the Word of God, we are bound to obey God. Third, All who serve the cause of God in this world will be protected by God and the cause they serve will succeed (Acts 4:21-22). God will be glorified! In his wise and adorable providence God makes all things work together for the spiritual, eternal good of his elect and the glory of his own great name (Psalms 76:10; Romans 8:28; Rev. 4:12). He always does that which is best. At this time, it was best for Peter and John to be released. Later, it was best for them to be beaten and imprisoned. Still later, it was best for them to be brutally killed for the testimony of Christ. However, the thing that seems most significant in this paragraph is recorded in Acts 4:13 - “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and THEY TOOK OF THEM, THAT THEY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS.” Those men who had no reverence for God, no regard for Christ, and no interest in the gospel, took notice of Peter and John as being men whose lives were manifestly under the influence and control of the Lord Jesus Christ. Their communion and conversation with Christ so influenced their lives, their speech, and their conduct that even their enemies acknowledged them to be followers of Christ. Here is a question that ought to pierce every believer’s heart - What does my life say about Christ? What does my behavior say to the people around whom I work and live about the Christ I profess to trust, love, and serve? This much is certain - If a person truly knows Christ, if a person lives in communion with Jesus Christ by faith, Christ will be manifest in his life. Paul knew the Thessalonians were elect of God because Christ was manifest in them (1 Thessalonians 1:3-10). Give thoughtful consideration to the following questions: WHAT IS A ? A Christian is a person who has been chosen by God in eternal election as an object of his love and grace (Ephesians 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13), a person who has been redeemed from the curse of the law by the blood of Christ which was shed for the satisfaction of divine justice for God’s elect (Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 3:18), one who has been regenerated by the Holy Spirit through the preaching of the gospel (1 Peter 1:23; James 1:8), a person who by the irresistible influence of God the Holy Spirit freely acknowledges his sin and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, confessing him as Lord (Romans 10:9-13; 1 John 1:9). A Christian is a person in whom Christ dwells (Colossians 1:27; 2 Peter 1:4). The new birth is nothing less than Christ coming into a sinner’s heart, taking possession of him, ruling him, and causing him to become a follower of himself (Matthew 12:29; Luke 14:26-27). Anything less than this is not Christianity. A Christian, a true believer, is a man or a woman who desires and seeks the perfection of Christ’s character in himself (Philippians 3:10; Colossians 3:1-3; Hebrews 12:14). Perfect conformity to Christ cannot be attained in this life, but that fact does not hinder the pursuit of it. The believer longs to be like Christ, to walk in his steps, to follow his example (John 13:15). Here are four things that characterized our Savior’s life. These four things will, to one degree or another, characterize all who know and follow him:
13. Unflinching boldness for the honor of God (Matthew 21:12-13).
14. Gentleness and love (John 8:1-12; 1 Corinthians 13:1-8; Ephesians 4:32 to Ephesians 5:1).
15. Self-abasing humility (Philippians 2:5-8).
16. Righteousness (Luke 2:49-52; Ephesians 4:17-32). Find a person whose life truly exemplifies these characteristics and you have found a person who has evidently “been with Jesus”. Those who bear the fruit of the Spirit are born of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Good works have nothing to do with salvation. We are saved by grace alone. But grace always produces good works (Ephesians 2:8-10). WHEN SHOULD STRIVE TO BE LIKE CHRIST? I hope this question appears to be redundant to you. Yet, there are many who seem to think that Christianity is for Sundays and for church, but should not greatly interfere with a person’s life. If your religion does not interfere with your life, your religion is a sham (2 Corinthians 5:17). That person who knows Christ strives to be like him at all times, in all places, in all circumstances.

• In The House of God (1 Timothy 3:15-16).
• In The Daily Affairs Of Life (Matthew 15:14-16).
• In The Home (Ephesians 5:22 to Ephesians 6:4).
• In Heart and Attitude (Psalms 139:23-24). WHY SHOULD THOSE WHO LOVE CHRIST STRIVE TO BE LIKE HIM? The believer’s life is not motivated by law, but by grace. God’s people do not serve him for fear of punishment or in hope of reward. And they certainly do not do what they do to be seen of men (Matthew 6:1-18), but they do seek to imitate Christ in all things. Earnestly strive to be like Christ in all things FOR YOUR OWN SAKE. Your happiness in this world greatly depends upon your obedience to Christ. Your spiritual health, in great measure, depends upon your willingness to follow your Savior. Imitate Christ in all things FOR THE GOSPEL’S SAKE (Titus 2:10). The gospel you profess to believe will gain or lose credibility in the eyes of men by the way you live. Strive to conform your life to Christ FOR CHRIST’S SAKE. Loving gratitude demands it (2 Corinthians 5:14). Child of God, never forget who you are and whose you are (1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Corinthians 7:23). HOW CAN A PERSON BE LIKE CHRIST? Many who admire the love and purity of Christ’s life try to follow his example. But they are building without a foundation. The house they build will soon crumble around them. It will do you no good to mold your behavior to the example of Christ until your heart is renewed by grace. “Ye must be born again!” Only Christ can make men and women to be like Christ. He does this by four mighty works of grace.

1. Blood Atonement (1 Peter 3:18).
2. Imputed Righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).
3. Regenerating, Sanctifying Grace (2 Peter 1:4).
4. Resurrection Glory (Philippians 3:21).

Acts 4:23-31

13. THE CHURCH IN PRAYER Acts 4:23-31 After their arrest and trial for preaching the gospel of Christ, Peter and John were released, but were given strict command by the Jewish sanhedrin “not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus” (Acts 4:18). As soon as they were released Peter and John went to the place where God’s saints were gathered for worship and told their brethren what had happened to them. Then the saints “lifted up their voice to God with one accord.” They had a prayer meeting. What a weapon! Nothing strengthens the hands of God’s church and his servants in the work of the gospel like prayer. I call your attention to three things in this passage. THE COMFORT AND JOY OF A REAL CHURCH FAMILY - (Acts 4:23). When Peter and John were released from bondage, they did not go home. They did not go to the courts to file a lawsuit. They did not do any of the things that many today do in the name of God when they feel that they have been wronged. (Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-4). Peter and John went to their family, the church of God, and told them what had happened. The Holy Spirit describes it in simple, tender terms. “They went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.” The saints of God were meeting together at the appointed place in the hour of worship. Peter and John went directly to the meeting place because that is where they wanted and needed to be. There is no joy that can compare to the fellowship of God’s saints in the house of worship. There is no comfort like the comfort of believing men and women as they sit together in fellowship in the house of God, singing his praise, calling upon him in prayer, and hearing the gospel of Christ preached in the power of the Spirit, worshipping the Triune God. When David was driven from his throne and forced to live in the wilderness for fear of his life, above all else, he longed to once more go with his brethren into the house of God to worship the Lord (Psalms 84:1-4; Psalms 84:10). The man after God’s own heart said, “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord” (Psalms 122:1). Nothing is more important and beneficial in the life of a believer than the assembly of God’s saints in public worship. Every true local church is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). Christ has promised to meet with every assembly of men and women gathered in his name (Matthew 18:20). You are most likely to hear from God in that place where men and women gather to hear the gospel preached (Romans 10:17; Ephesians 4:11-16). In the house of God the people of God gather to worship at the throne of God. In our songs of praise, in our observance of the ordinances, in our prayers, and in our preaching, our object is the worship of God.

The assembly of the saints is the meeting of God’s family. What can be more delightful and beneficial than a family gathering? When I am sick, in trouble, sorrowful, depressed, or rejoicing, I want to be with my family (Psalms 133:1). Paul gives us wise counsel when he admonishes us not to despise and neglect the assembly of God’s saints. That is the first step to total apostasy (Hebrews 10:24-26). We need those things God has provided for his children in his house more than we need anything else in this world: The ministry of the Word, the fellowship of God’s saints, the communion of Christ, and the worship of God. After spending two days and nights among the Lord’s enemies, Peter and John wanted, above anything else, to spend a little time in the house of God with the family of God. THE MATTERS OF GREAT CONCERN IN PRAYER - (Acts 4:24-30). After the Apostles told the church what had happened to them, with one accord they began to pray. They did not take up arms. They did not try to rally the nation behind the cause of religious freedom. They did not try to form a ministerial association so that the Jewish leaders and the apostles of Christ might learn to work together. They did not turn on Peter and John and ask them to resign because they could not fit into the community.

And they did not take a vote to form a committee to investigate the social impact of Christianity upon the Jewish world. THEY PRAYED!Obviously, one man led the congregation in prayer. Perhaps several led them at successive times. But they did not all audibly pray at once. In the house of God all things are “done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). No aspect of public worship is more important than public prayer.

When a man leads the congregation in prayer, as he lifts his voice to God, the whole congregation ought to lift their hearts with his, ascribing praise to God, acknowledging his good providence and the blessings of his grace, seeking the power of his Spirit to attend the ministry of the Word for the glory of Christ. This is exactly what happened in Acts 4:24-30. They adored the supremacy and greatness of the Lord God (Acts 4:24). Nothing encourages people to do God’s work or to suffer for his name’s sake like the realization of his greatness. Our God is great! We may reasonably expect great things from him. He who made all things and rules all things has all things at his disposal (Psalms 135:6). Get hold of that and you will get hold of both courage and peace. The saints of God here acknowledged and bowed to the sovereign purpose of God revealed in the accomplishment of his providence (Acts 4:24-28). These men and women confidently believed that both they and their enemies were completely, totally, absolutely in the hands of God. That fact secured their hearts in peace. They believed his Word (Acts 4:25-26), submitted to his providence (Acts 4:27), and acknowledged his purpose (Acts 4:28). Nothing thwarts the purpose of God. Nothing escapes his absolute rule (Isaiah 14:24; Isaiah 14:26-27; Daniel 4:34-35). The purpose of God is the salvation of his people by the death of his Son. He sovereignly controls even the rage of ungodly, reprobate men to accomplish that great purpose! Then these saints of God asked the Lord to grant to his servants grace and strength to preach the Word (Acts 4:29-30). They made three simple, submissive requests of faith to God, whose cause they served, whose glory they sought.

1. They asked God to watch over them - “Now, Lord, behold their threatenings.” (See Zechariah 2:8).
2. They asked him to grant his servants boldness to preach the gospel.
3. They asked him to stretch forth his hand, to reveal his power, his grace, and his glory in their midst (Acts 4:30). They asked these things in the name of Christ and for the glory of Christ. THE LORD’S ANSWER TO THE CRY OF HIS PEOPLE (Acts 4:31). In response to their prayer, God made himself known in the midst of his people. The church was filled with the Spirit. The Apostles preached the Word of God with boldness. God was honored. Let every congregation imitate this congregation and God will be honored in his church today!

Acts 4:32-5

14. GRACE, , AND GREED Acts 4:32 to Acts 5:11 In the Book of Acts the Holy Spirit gives us a detailed picture of the early church. Like the church today, it was a mixed multitude. Tares grew with the wheat. Goats were mingled with the Lord’s sheep. Among the people of God there were, even in those early days, covetous, idolatrous hypocrites. Every Sunday school child has heard about Ananias and his wife, Sapphira.

Their story begins in chapter four, at verse thirty-two and continues through chapter five, verse eleven. In this story the Spirit of God gives us a striking contrast between true faith in Christ and a mere hypocritical profession of faith. True faith surrenders all to Christ. Religious hypocrisy merely pretends to surrender all to Christ. If you will carefully read these few verses of Inspiration, three things will catch your attention. AN OF GRACE - The first thing the Holy Spirit directs our attention to in this passage is an attitude of grace among the people of God (Acts 4:32-35). Believing hearts are gracious hearts. True faith really converts sinners. The person who is born again by the Spirit of God is no longer a selfish, self-centered, self-seeking, self-serving person, but a grateful, thoughtful, generous, serving person. All who live unto God die unto the world. The person who finds his life in Christ loses his life to Christ (Matthew 10:39).

These early disciples show by their example that faith lives not for material gain, but for spiritual good. Faith seeks not temporal riches. Faith loves not the things of this world, which are passing away, but the things of that world which is to come, which are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). Faith seeks the kingdom of God and his righteousness, not the mammon of unrighteousness (Matthew 6:24; Matthew 6:31-33). Faith in Christ produces an attitude of grace in the heart. Those who have experienced the grace of God are gracious.

Is this not the teaching of these four verses? Faith unites the people of God. Luke tells us that “the multitude of them that believed were of one accord” (Acts 4:32). All of God’s people truly are one in Christ. We are one family (Ephesians 3:14-15), a family of sinners saved by grace. Our hearts love one Person supremely, the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:8; 1 John 4:19). We are devoted to one cause, the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:10). We seek one thing above all other things, the will of God (Matthew 6:6). We have one dominating, ultimate goal, the glory of God (John 12:28). These things are true of all believers! Many other things, regrettably, may divide us while we live in this body of flesh and sin. But here we are one. Let every child of God endeavor, therefore, to keep “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-6). Faith in Christ makes men and women generous with their possessions - “Neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common” (Acts 4:32). These men and women were so taken up with the cause of Christ and with their love for one another that they placed no value upon personal property, personal wealth, or personal advantages. These believers were truly indifferent to such things. They did not even look upon their own possessions as their own. In their hearts’ affection they had forsaken all to follow Christ. They recognized that all earthly, material things are only temporary. They were so thoroughly united to one another in love that they each looked upon their own property as the common property of God’s people. These men and women had learned what every child of God in this world must learn - All that we have in this world belongs to God. God has entrusted each of us with certain of this world’s goods to use as stewards in his house. We are responsible to use them wisely for the advancement of his kingdom, the furtherance of his gospel, the comfort of his people, and the glory of his name. These men and women were willing to rob themselves of comfort, convenience, and personal satisfaction for one another’s good. Is it any wonder that the Apostles preached with such power, “when such great grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:33)? True faith actually causes God’s saints to prefer each other above themselves. This is manifest in Acts 4:34-35. These men and women sold their possessions, their houses and their lands rather than allow their brothers and sisters in Christ to be in need of the necessities of life! The grace of God still produces this kind of graciousness, mercifulness, and love (Philippians 2:1-8; James 2:14-17; 1 John 3:16-18). Their gifts were free, voluntary sacrifices of love. No one told them to give. No one told them how to give. No one told them how much to give. In the church of God giving is not regulated by law, but by love (2 Corinthians 9:7). The only constraint these people felt was the constraint of love (2 Corinthians 5:14).

They saw what the needs of the church were and willingly met those needs, without the least pressure to do so. Notice also that the people of God trusted the servants of God to distribute their gifts under the direction of the Spirit of God (Acts 4:35). Where the Spirit of God rules the hearts of men there is trust and trustworthiness! The Apostles of Christ were not (and his servants are not) greedy men. They took only what they needed to sustain themselves. Everything else was distributed as needs demanded. AN ACT OF - The Spirit of God inspired Luke to tell us about one man specifically, who was an example of the rest. Barnabas performed a great deed, an act of generosity (Acts 4:36-37). As one that was ordained of God to be a preacher of the gospel, Barnabas disentangled himself from the affairs of this world (2 Timothy 2:4; 1 Corinthians 9:6-14). Perhaps Barnabas did not know it at this time, but God was preparing him for the work of preaching the gospel. Indeed, all who are called of God to preach the gospel are prepared, equipped, and qualified by him to do so (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9). Barnabas was just the kind of man God uses in the work of the ministry.

God had made him such a man by his Spirit and by his grace. He was a peaceful man, one who comforted and encouraged the saints. He was a generous man, an example of Christian charity. He was willingly submissive to the Apostles, the servants of Christ (Hebrews 13:7; Hebrews 13:17). Barnabas was a man of good report, who in the providence of God gained the love and respect of God’s people. Then, after God prepared him for it, he was made a preacher of the gospel (Acts 13:2). AN ACT OF GREED - There was a wicked, hypocritical couple in the church, Ananias and Sapphira. When Ananias saw how greatly Barnabas was admired by God’s people, he was filled with envy. So he and his wife agreed to lie to God. (Hypocrisy is lying to God!). They made a great gift to the church, but their gift was an act of greed. They gave because they wanted recognition. At first glance they appear to have done a great thing.

They sold a piece of property to help the church. They gave a handsome amount of money, perhaps much more than Barnabas had given. But God looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). The gift Ananias and Sapphira brought revealed a graceless, greedy heart. They pretended to give all, when in fact they had given nothing. No one asked them to give anything.

Theirs was an unwilling sacrifice, given only in a hypocritical pretense, a sham, a show, a mockery. Their gift was an act of covetousness and greed, not of grace and love. They hoped to gain by giving, to gain the applause of men! Their gift was an abomination to God (Luke 16:15). Beware of covetousness and hypocrisy!