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Acts 4 The Early Church and Persecution

1 Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin
The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people.

2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.

3 They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.

4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.

5 The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem.

6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest’s family.

7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!

9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed,

10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.

11 He is
“‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the capstone.’

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.

15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together.

16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it.

17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God.

20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.

22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

23 The Believers’ Prayer
On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.

24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.

25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:
“‘Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?

26 The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together
against the Lord
and against his Anointed One.’

27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.

28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.

29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.

30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

32 The Believers Share Their Possessions
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.

33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.

34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales

35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement),

37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

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Analysis of Acts Chapter 4

Acts Chapter 4 stands as a powerful testament to the birth and establishment of the early Christian church amidst significant opposition. This chapter highlights the courage, perseverance, and unity of the apostles as they navigated the complexities of proclaiming Jesus Christ in a hostile environment. The central themes of divine authority, boldness in witness, and communal unity play out vividly in this chapter, providing a rich tapestry for deep reflection and interpretation.

Context and Overview

Acts 4 follows the miraculous healing of a lame man at the temple gate, as described in Acts 3. Peter and John, the apostles involved in this miracle, are subsequently confronted by the religious leaders. The chapter opens with their arrest, follows with their bold defense, and concludes with the fervent prayer and unity of the early believers. This chapter can be logically divided into four key sections:

  1. The arrest of Peter and John (Verses 1-4)
  2. The trial before the Sanhedrin (Verses 5-22)
  3. The prayer for boldness (Verses 23-31)
  4. The unity and generosity of believers (Verses 32-37)

The Arrest of Peter and John

“The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.” (Acts 4:1-4, NIV)

The religious authorities, particularly the Sadducees who denied the resurrection, were greatly disturbed by Peter and John’s teaching. Their proactive arrest of the apostles highlights their urgent attempt to suppress this burgeoning Christian movement. Despite the arrest, the message of Jesus’ resurrection continued to spread powerfully, bringing the tally of believers to about five thousand men, not even including women and children. This initial section underscores the unstoppable nature of the gospel message even in the face of opposition.

The Trial Before the Sanhedrin

“The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: ‘By what power or what name did you do this?'” (Acts 4:5-7, NIV)

The following verses describe the Sanhedrin’s assembly, consisting of the high priestly family and other elders. Their questioning, focused on the power or name by which the apostles performed the miracle, centers on authoritative legitimacy. This highlights a crucial theme: the religious elite’s struggle to maintain control in light of a divine intervention that defies their jurisdiction.

“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: ‘Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 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 4:8-12, NIV)

Peter’s response, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is both a bold proclamation and an indictment of the religious leaders. He affirms that the miracle was done through Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they crucified but God raised from the dead. Peter’s reference to Jesus as the cornerstone (a quotation from Psalm 118:22) signifies Jesus as the essential and irreplaceable foundation of God’s redemptive plan. The exclusivity of salvation in Jesus Christ is emphatically stated, “for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” This Jesus-centric proclamation is central to Christian theology, emphasizing the necessity of Christ for salvation.

The boldness of Peter and John, despite the evident threats, astonishes the Sanhedrin:

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.” (Acts 4:13-14, NIV)

The transformation from “unschooled, ordinary men” to bold witnesses indicates the profound impact of their relationship with Jesus and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. The indisputable evidence of the healed man left the Sanhedrin with no grounds for a counter-argument, illustrating the undeniable power of divine work against human opposition.

The deliberations within the Sanhedrin depict their concern less for theological accuracy and more for political control:

“So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. ‘What are we going to do with these men?’ they asked. ‘Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.'” (Acts 4:15-17, NIV)

The leaders consider the undeniable miracle but focus on damage control rather than seeking truth. Their priority is stopping the spread of what they see as a threat to their authority. Their directive to Peter and John not to speak in Jesus’ name again highlights their fear of losing control over the populace.

The apostles’ response is resolute:

“But Peter and John replied, ‘Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.’ After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.” (Acts 4:19-22, NIV)

Peter and John place divine authority above human orders. Their commitment to their witness underscores the imperative of obeying God’s mandate over human decrees. Their release, due to the public’s positive reception of the miracle, reflects the tension between divine authority and human governance. It also hints at the revolution of values the Christian message was about to usher into the world: truth over tradition, and divine command over human edict.

The Prayer for Boldness

Upon their release, Peter and John return to their community and report the events:

“On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. ‘Sovereign Lord,’ they said, ‘you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.” Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’ After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” (Acts 4:23-31, NIV)

This section demonstrates the early church’s immediate and unified recourse to prayer. Their address to God as “Sovereign Lord” invokes divine supremacy and acknowledges God as the Creator and Sustainer of all things. By citing Psalm 2, they align their ordeal within the larger narrative of divine purpose and human opposition. They recognize Jesus’ sufferings within God’s sovereign plan, implying that even persecution fits within divine providence.

Their prayer request is notable: instead of asking for protection or deliverance, they seek boldness to continue their witness. They request God’s intervention through miraculous signs to authenticate their message. The divine response is immediate and affirmative: the place is physically shaken, symbolizing divine presence and empowerment by the Holy Spirit. The resulting boldness fulfills their prayer, manifesting God’s faithfulness to His servants.

The Unity and Generosity of Believers

The chapter concludes by highlighting the communal life of the early believers:

“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.” (Acts 4:32-37, NIV)

This final section illustrates the profound unity and generosity within the early Christian community. The description of one heart and mind reflects not only their spiritual unity but also their practical solidarity. Their communal sharing and sacrificial giving demonstrate the transformative impact of the gospel on their lives.

Material possessions were viewed as communal resources, signifying a radical redefinition of ownership and responsibility, essentially embodying Christ’s teachings on love and service. The apostles’ testimony to Jesus’ resurrection continues with great power, signifying the continued centrality of the resurrection in their proclamation and its transformative impact.

Barnabas’s act of selling his field and donating the proceeds becomes an emblem of encouragement and support within the community. The chapter names him specifically, perhaps foreshadowing his significant role in the spread of the gospel.

Conclusion

Acts Chapter 4 is rich with themes and lessons relevant for contemporary readers. It reflects the tension between divine mission and human opposition, the vital role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers, and the inseparable connection between faith proclamation and communal practice. The early church’s unwavering commitment to Christ, their boldness in witness amidst persecution, and their unity and generosity provide both inspiration and a model for modern Christian communities.

In summary, Acts 4 not only recounts historical events but also sets a paradigm for Christian obedience, the communal life of believers, and the transformative power of the gospel that transcends human limitations and opposition.