Acts 4:1–17: Confident in the Face of Adversity

Reverend Leo H. McCrary II

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Introduction

In this week’s Bible Study, we’re going to be studying Acts 4:1-17.  Do you know that you have the power to be confident in every circumstance, especially in the face of adversity?

Our study this week follows what happened after Peter healed the lame man and preached his second sermon.  Something that we will face on this journey is being thrown in situations that may cause great fear.  Yet, we must not fret because such fear can paralyze the believer who should always seek to press forward by faith.  So, let’s take a look at who can help us to keep pressing forward confidently in the face of great adversity.

Peter and John’s Arrest in the Temple

Acts 4:1-3 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.  And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.

• The priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees were all likely within the temple courtyard, as priests served in the temple and the captain of the temple was responsible for security.
• The Sadducees – a powerful political sect of Jews which consisted of the wealthy, high priests and their families, and wealthy merchants.
  • Their belief system:
    • Unlike the Pharisees, the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, nor did they believe in heavenly beings like angels.  
    • The Sadducees were incredibly strict to living according to the Mosaic Law and enforcing their beliefs, yet Jesus rebuked them for not knowing the law or the power of God (Matt. 22:29).
  • Their corrupt worldly ways:
    • They sought to maintain their ‘power,’ which is why they sought Jesus’ crucifixion; they feared Jesus’ fame, as the people praised Christ rather than them.
    • They had Peter and John arrested because they sought to kill any preaching of the name of Christ.

Acts 4:4 However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

• This reminds of those who began to believe in Acts 2; early believers were believing not simply because of miracles but because of the word, or the gospel being preached.  Let us keep in mind that the word of God’s salvation is what saves souls.

Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin

Acts 4:5-6 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 

• Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest, and was a former high priest and Sadducee who conspired with his son-in-law to find Jesus guilty of blasphemy (John 18:12-13).
• There’s no information on who this John and Alexander are, aside from being mentioned in this verse.

Acts 4:7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” 

• Peter and John were put in the midst of the Sanhedrin for the healing of the lame man and preaching healing in the name of Christ.
• The Sanhedrin was a judicial council that was made up of seventy elders and the high priest; it is often likened to being a supreme court.
  • The Sanhedrin ruled on religious, civil, and criminal matters.
  • Jesus stood before the Sanhedrin after His arrest (Matt. 22:57-68; Mark 14:53-65; Luke 22:66-71; John 18:19-24).
• The Sanhedrin asking “by what power or by what name” is essentially the same question that was asked John the Baptist and Jesus.
  • John was asked by what authority he baptized (John 1:19-25).
  • Jesus was asked for witnesses to His authority (John 516-46; John 8:13-20).
  • Jesus’ authority was also questioned by the Sanhedrin (see early reference of Jesus before the Sanhedrin).
• As a follower of Christ, when you testify of God and the truth, you should expect to face questions about what authority you minister under.

Peter Testifies of Christ Authority

Acts 4:8-11 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.  This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’  

• Peter’s answer highlights the authority given to believers through Christ, and why we shouldn’t worry when someone questions our authority.
  • Christ commissioned/authorized believers to baptize and teach in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19-20).
    • Note:  Whether you are a preacher or one who sits in the pews, you have been authorized by Christ to minister in His name.
• “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit” could mislead some of us to believe that the Holy Spirit had left Peter and then returned to Peter in that moment.  The Holy Spirit does not fill us and then leave us at times.
  • Jesus promised that the Helper (the Holy Spirit) remains with the believer forever, from the moment we make our confession of faith (John 14:16-18).
    • Never think for a second that the Holy Spirit leaves you when you are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16).
  • Luke reminds us of the Holy Spirit’s presence with Peter, noting that the Holy Spirit spoke through Peter, just as He had done in Acts 2-3.
• Let’s note that, in like manner, Peter was forcing the Sanhedrin to question whether or not they would rule against one doing a good deed, as they had done with Christ, who did much good in the name of Christ.

Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” 

• The Messiah and salvation through Him were prophesied throughout Old Testament times, dating back to Genesis, and by prominent prophets like Moses, Isaiah, and Jeremiah.
  • God promises the defeat of the serpent (Gen. 3:14-15).
  • Moses speaks of the Prophet (Deut. 18:15-22).
  • Isaiah prophesies of the Messiah’s birth (Is. 9:6).
  • Isaiah prophesies of the Suffering Servant (Is. 53).
  • Jeremiah prophesies of the Righteous Branch (Jer. 23:1-8).
• Jesus was/is a controversial figure for the Jews, not because they don’t believe there is a Messiah, but because of what they believed the Messiah would do to bring about salvation.  Their argument against Jesus was that He didn’t lead the Jews from under the authority of Rome and establish the kingdom of Israel.
• Salvation through Christ comes through His shed blood, which atones for mankind’s sins and reconciles our relationship with God so that we may inherit the eternal promise.

Boldness through the Spirit

Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. 

• Peter nor John were afraid of the most powerful court because the Holy Spirit was with them.
• Believers have no reason to fret because of anyone:
  • We are shielded and protected in the hands of God.
    • Jesus said to the apostles, “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand (John 10:28-29).”
• “They were uneducated and unrestrained” speaks of the apostles’ perceived lack of education by men who were taught, studied, and trained in God’s law.  We know that the apostles studied and learned under Christ for three years, and also had the Holy Spirit.
• Let us remember what the Holy Spirit does for believers, whether we are “educated” or uneducated.
  • He will teach you all things, and bring to remembrance Jesus’ teachings (John 14:26).
  • He will guide you into all truth (John 16:13).
  • He will speak truth through you (Matt. 10:20).

The Weakness of the Sanhedrin

Acts 4:14-17 And they realized that they had been with Jesus. And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.  ¹⁵ But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,  saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”  

• This verse highlights a couple of things about the Sanhedrin:
  • The council wanted to move against Peter and John.
    • The high priest, Caiaphas, went to the Romans to have the tomb of Jesus sealed because they didn’t want the disciples to steal His body and further preach/spread rumors about Jesus’ resurrection (Matt. 27:62-66).
  • The council was concerned about perception–playing politics.
    • They couldn’t hurt them after a lame man was healed, and about five thousand souls had been joined to them in faith the day before.
    • The council was still focused on maintaining power and control, once again, moving more as a politician than a spiritual leader.

You Have Power in All Circumstances

We believers, must walk in confidence today, regardless of the circumstance, the trial, tribulation, or affliction.  As a child of God, knowing that God is on your side, you ought never to give in to fear, stress, or worry.  Now, I know that is easier said than done, but I want you to at least put forth the effort of walking confidently in God’s deliverance.

I want to close this study by highlighting the response of the Sanhedrin to Peter and John’s boldness.  Their response is emblematic of how your adversaries, and our great adversary, respond when we are bold in our faith.  The only thing those men could do in that moment was threaten, because the truth of the matter is that none of them have any power to harm your soul.

Now, we are going to see these religious leaders once again, which is also emblematic of how unrelenting Satan is in his pursuit to turn our hearts.  Yes, there will always be more trials and tribulations on your journey, yet I say to you, the same way God brought you through yesterday, He will do both today and tomorrow.

So, keep moving forward in power and confidence because God walks with you, and there is nothing and nobody who can overcome Him.