The First Apostolic Witness
to the Jewish Authorities in Jerusalem:
The First Arrest and Subsequent Acquittal of the
Proclaimers of the Resurrected Jesus Christ of
Nazareth
Acts 4:1-22
1 And
as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and
the Sadducees, came upon them, 2 Being grieved that they taught the
people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3
And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was
now eventide. 4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed;
and the number of the men was about five thousand. 5 And
it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, 6
And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many
as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what
power, or by what name, have ye done this? 8 Then Peter, filled with
the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9
If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what
means he is made whole; 10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the
people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye
crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here
before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of
you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is
there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given
among men, whereby we must be saved. 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 knowledge of them, that they had been with
Jesus. 14 And beholding the man which was 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, 16
Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath
been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we
cannot deny it. 17 But that it spread no further among the people,
let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this
name. 18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at
all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered
and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you
more than unto God, judge ye. 20 For we cannot but speak the things
which we have seen and heard. 21 So when they had further threatened
them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of
the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. 22
For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was
shewed.
Introduction:
Reminder: Title(s) of Acts?
The Acts of the Ascended Christ through the Holy Spirit by His Apostles
Review Chs. 1-3
Compare the trial of Christ in
the past, the arrests in the future in the next chapter,
along with the murder of Stephen
and the arrests and trials of Paul in the future
Overview/Introduction of Chapter 4:
Patterns:
1. miracles → witness
2. preaching to the Jews → Gospel rejected by the Jews → preaching to the Gentiles
3. Jewish opposition to the Gospel and
persecution of the Christians →
the spread of the Christians and the Gospel
Significant events - Between the
first two “Pentecosts” (Jewish in Acts 2, and Samaritan in Acts 8), and following
the birth of the Church in Acts 2
Significant persons - Peter is
at the forefront here, later Paul’s ministry will be the focus
Geographical movement - still in
Jerusalem (Acts 1:8), soon to move to Judea and Samaria prior to the journeys
to “the ends of the earth”
Outline:
I. The Arrest and Incarceration of Peter and
John (4:1-4)
II. The Question of the Jewish Authorities to the
Apostles (4:5-7)
III. The Answer of the Apostles to the Jewish
Authorities (4:8-12)
IV. The Reaction of the Jewish Authorities to the
Apostles (4:13-17)
V. The Acquital of the Apostles by the Jewish
Authorities (4:18-22)
I. The Arrest
and Incarceration of Peter and John (4:1-4)
1 And as they spake unto the people, the
priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
2 Being grieved that they taught the people,
and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in
hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word
believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
1. The Apostolic
Sermon Interrupted by the Jewish Authorities (4:1, 3)
2. The Reason for
the Arrest and Incarceration (4:2)
3. The Success of
the Gospel in Spite of Opposition (4:4)
1. The
Apostolic Sermon Interrupted by the Jewish Authorities (4:1, 3)
The Sadducees opposition to the doctrine of the
resurrection of the dead
The Captain of the Temple was the “second in command”
under the High Priest
2. The Reason
for the Arrest and Incarceration (4:2)
Actually 2 reasons perhaps represented by the groups
involved in the arrest
3. The Success
of the Gospel in Spite of Opposition (4:4)
Is the 5,000 to be added to the original 120 + 3,000 +
daily additions, or is this to be understood as the total to date? Is this just a total of “men”, not including
women and children, or a generic aggregate?
What was the population of Jerusalem at the time, and how significant
was this number as a slice of that population?
II. The
Question of the Jewish Authorities to the Apostles (4:5-7)
5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that
their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and
John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest,
were gathered together at Jerusalem.
7 And when they had set them in the midst,
they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
1. The
Identification of the Inquisitors (4:5-6)
2. The Question of
the Inquisitors (4:7)
1. The
Identification of the Inquisitors (4:5-6)
Cp. the trial of
Christ in the Gospels
2. The Question
of the Inquisitors (4:7)
This is the issue for them!
III. The Answer
of the Apostles to the Jewish Authorities (4:8-12)
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said
unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
9 If we this day be examined of the good deed
done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the
people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye
crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here
before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of
you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for
there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be
saved.
1. The Irrefutable
Evidence (4:8-9)
2. The Damning
Identification (4:10-12)
1. The
Irrefutable Evidence (4:8-9)
Cp. Lk. 12:11-12 - 11 And
when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take
ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
Lk. 21:14-15 - 14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not
to meditate before what ye shall answer:
15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your
adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
4:9 - made whole =saved
= delivered - same word in Gk. as salvation and saved in 4:12; different word in each case in 4:10 (whole), and 4:14 (healed).
2. The Damning
Identification (4:10-12)
4:10 - Nazareth - in Galilee!
Cp. Ps. 118:21-24 - 21 I will praise thee: for thou hast
heard me, and art become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders refused is become the
head stone of the corner.
23 This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our
eyes.
Lk. 20:17 - And
he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which
the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
1 Pet. 2:6-8 - 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the
scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he
that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto
them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is
made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even
to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were
appointed.
The absolute exclusivism of Christianity! Solo Christo! And it doesn’t matter who says differently,
whether it is a Billy Graham, a Rob Bell, or a Joel Osteen, the Word of the
Lord Himself stands against their false assurances of inclusivism!
Jn. 14:6 - Jesus
saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me.
Cp. also Mt. 11:27-30 - 27 All things are delivered unto
me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth
any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek
and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Jn. 5:19-29 - 19 Then
answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can
do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever
he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
20 For the Father
loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew
him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
21 For as the
Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth
whom he will.
22 For the Father
judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
23 That all men
should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not
the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and
believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when
the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that
are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the
resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of
damnation.
1 Tim. 2:5 - For
there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
IV. The
Reaction of the Jewish Authorities to the Apostles (4:13-17)
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 knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
14 And beholding the man which was 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,
16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for
that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them
that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
17 But that it spread no further among the
people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in
this name.
1. The Reaction of
the Inquisitors (4:13)
2. The Inability
of the Inquisitors (4:14)
3. The Decision of
the Inquisitors (4:15-17)
1. The Reaction
of the Inquisitors (4:13)
unlearned and
ignorant vs. boldness + they had been with Jesus
The blindsiding of the blind - the nature of the
witnesses
2. The
Inability of the Inquisitors (4:14)
The silencing of the Sanhedrin - Peter and John were not
alone here - the evidence, exhibit A, was standing there also!
3. The Decision
of the Inquisitors (4:15-17)
council =
Sanhedrin (HCSB)
The nature of the witness and the sign = front page news
with banner headlines
Logic + prophetic power did not result in a persuaded or
convicted Sanhedrin.
Faith is not produced by an accumulation of overwhelming
evidence and proofs.
V. The Acquital
of the Apostles by the Jewish Authorities (4:18-22)
18 And they called them, and commanded them not
to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said unto
them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than
unto God, judge ye.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we
have seen and heard.
21 So when they had further threatened them,
they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people:
for all men glorified God for that which was done.
22 For the man was above forty years old, on
whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
1. The Prohibition
by the Inquisitors (4:18)
2. The Refusal by
the Apostles (4:19-20)
3. The Release of
the Apostles (4:21a-c)
4. The Reason for
the Acquital (4:21d-22)
1. The
Prohibition by the Inquisitors (4:18)
The Attempt at Censorship of Christ
2. The Refusal
by the Apostles (4:19-20)
3. The Release
of the Apostles (4:21a-c)
4. The Reason for
the Acquital (4:21d-22)
Conclusion:
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of
you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for
there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be
saved.
[Sermon preached 18
AUG 2013 by Pastor John T. “Jack” Jeffery at Wayside Gospel Chapel, Greentown,
PA.]
Resources:
G. K. Beale and D. A. Carson, eds., Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old
Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007), pp. 513-606.
Darrell L. Bock, Acts, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, eds. Robert W.
Yarbrough and Robert H. Stein (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007)
F. F. Bruce, The
Acts of the Apostles: The Greek Text with Introduction and Commentary, 2nd
ed. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1951, 1952).
I. Howard Marshall, Acts: An Introduction And Commentary,
Vol. 5 in Tyndale New Testament
Commentaries, gen. ed. Leon Morris (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press,
1980; 2008 reprint).
David G. Peterson, The Acts of the Apostles, The Pillar New Testament Commentaries,
gen. ed. D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009).
John B. Polhill, Acts, Vol. 26 in The New American Commentary, gen. ed.
David S. Dockery (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, Publishers, 1992).
Eckhard J. Schnabel, Acts, Vol. 5 in the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New
Testament, gen. ed. Clinton E. Arnold (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012).
Hymns
based on Acts 4:12
Source: Cyber Hymnal at http://cyberhymnal.org/scr/acts.htm [accessed 17 AUG 2013], except for the first.
There’s Not A Name Beneath The Skies
Thomas Kelly, in A
Selection of Hymns for Public Worship, by William Gadsby (London: Gospel
Standard Publications, 1987; also, n.p.: Gospel Standard Trust Publications,
2000), pp. 699-700, Hymn #949. Meter:
L.M. See also Hymns 205, 208, 573, 585,
678, 789, and 935.
1 There’s not a name beneath the skies,
Nor is there one in heaven above,
But that of Jesus, can suffice
The sinner’s burden to remove.
2 Sweet name, when once its virtue’s known,
How weak all other helps appear!
The sinner trusts to it alone,
And finds the grand specific there.
3 ’Twas long before I knew this truth,
And learned to trust the Saviour’s name;
In vanity I spent my youth;
The thought now fills my heart with shame.
4 But since I’ve known the life and power
With which his name is richly stored,
The world can keep my heart no more,
Nor can its joys content afford.
5 The things I once esteemed the most
I now account as worthless dross;
Thy name, dear Saviour, is my boast,
For which the world appears but loss.
Conquering
Kings Their Titles Take
Words: Unknown author, in the Paris Breviary (1736), for the Feast of the Circumcision at Second
Vespers (Victis sibi cognomina); translated from Latin to English by John
Chandler in his Hymns of
the Primitive Church (1837).
Music: Innocents, The Parish Choir
(1850); harmony by William H. Monk, 1861.
Conquering kings their
titles take,
From the lands they captive make; Jesus, Thine was given Thee For a world Thou madest free.
Not another name is
given
Power possessing under heaven, Strong to call dead souls to rise And exalt them to the skies.
That which Christ so
hardly wrought,
That which He so dearly bought, That salvation, mortals say, Will ye madly cast away? |
Rather gladly for that
Name
Bear the cross, endure the shame; Joyfully for Him to die Is not death but victory.
Jesus, if Thou
condescend
To be called the sinner’s Friend, Ours the joy and glory be Thus to make our boast of Thee.
Glory to the Father be,
Glory, virgin born, to Thee, Glory to the Holy Ghost, Ever from the heavenly host. |
’Tis for
conquering kings to gain
Words: Anonymous, in the Paris Breviary (1736), Victis
sibi cognomina; translated from Latin
to English by John Chandler, Hymns
of the Primitive Church (1837).
Music: Vienna, Justin H. Knecht, 1797.
Alternate tune: Innocents, The
Parish Choir (1850); harmony by William H. Monk (1861).
’Tis for conquering kings
to gain
Glory o’er their myriads slain;
Jesus, Thy more glorious strife
Hath restored a world to life.
Glory o’er their myriads slain;
Jesus, Thy more glorious strife
Hath restored a world to life.
So no other Name is giv’n
Unto mortals under Heav’n
Which can make the dead to rise,
And exalt them to the skies.
Unto mortals under Heav’n
Which can make the dead to rise,
And exalt them to the skies.
That which Christ so
hardly wrought,
That which He so dearly bought,
That salvation, mortals, say,
Will you madly cast away?
That which He so dearly bought,
That salvation, mortals, say,
Will you madly cast away?
Rather gladly for that
Name
Bear the cross, endure the shame;
Joyfully for Him to die
Is not death, but victory.
Bear the cross, endure the shame;
Joyfully for Him to die
Is not death, but victory.
Dost Thou, Jesus,
condescend
To be called the sinner’s Friend?
Ours, then, it shall always be
Thus to make our boast of Thee.
To be called the sinner’s Friend?
Ours, then, it shall always be
Thus to make our boast of Thee.
Only One Name
Words: Robert Lowry, The
Glad Refrain (New York: Biglow & Main, Publishers, 1886), No.
1.
Music: W. Howard
Doane.
There is only one Name
that the saints adore—
Jesus, our Elder Brother;
They give Him all the praise, now and ever more;
His Name is over every other.
Jesus, our Elder Brother;
They give Him all the praise, now and ever more;
His Name is over every other.
Refrain
Then lift the happy
strain,
And sing the glad refrain—
The Name, the Name of Jesus;
Then lift the happy strain,
And sing the glad refrain—
The Name, the Name of Jesus.
And sing the glad refrain—
The Name, the Name of Jesus;
Then lift the happy strain,
And sing the glad refrain—
The Name, the Name of Jesus.
There is only one Name
that the soul need know—
Jesus, the Lord’s Anointed;
He suffered to redeem us from sin and woe,
And bear us to the rest appointed.
Jesus, the Lord’s Anointed;
He suffered to redeem us from sin and woe,
And bear us to the rest appointed.
Refrain
There is only one Name
that the angels sing—
Jesus, the Lord of Glory;
They gather at His feet while they hail Him King,
And listen to redemption’s story.
Jesus, the Lord of Glory;
They gather at His feet while they hail Him King,
And listen to redemption’s story.
Refrain
To The Name
Of Our Salvation
Words: Unknown author,
possibly 15th Century (Gloriosi Salvatoris); translated from Latin
to English by John M. Neale in Mediaeval Hymns (1851).
Music: Triumph, Henry J. Gauntlett (1805-1876).
Alternate tune: Oriel, Caspar
Ett, Canta Sacra (1840).
To the Name of our
salvation,
Laud and honor let us pay, Which for many a generation Hid in God’s foreknowledge lay; But with holy exultation We may sing aloud today.
Jesus is the Name we
treasure;
Name beyond what words can tell; Name of gladness, Name of pleasure, Ear and heart delighting well; Name of sweetness, passing measure, Saving us from sin and hell.
’Tis the Name for
adoration,
Name for songs of victory, Name for holy meditation In this vale of misery, Name for joyful veneration By the citizens on high. |
’Tis the Name that whoso
preacheth
Speaks like music to the ear; Who in prayer this Name beseecheth Sweetest comfort findeth near; Who its perfect wisdom reacheth, Heavenly joy possesseth here.
Jesus is the Name
prevailing
Over every name by right; At this Name, in terror quailing, Powers of hell are put to flight; God, in mercy never failing, Saves by this Name of might.
Therefore we in love
adoring,
This most blessèd Name revere; Holy Jesus, Thee imploring So to write it in us here, That hereafter, heavenward soaring, We may sing with angels there. |
To The Name That Is Salvation
Words: Possibly by
a 15th Century German author (Gloriosi Salvatoris); translated from
Latin to English by Percy Dearmer (1867-1936).
Music: Oriel, Caspar Ett, Canta
Sacra (1840).
To the Name that is
salvation,
Praise and homage let us pay; Life of every generation, Law that all the stars obey; Love and light by Whose creation All that is stands fast today.
Fairest Name beyond all
speaking,
Fullest end of all desire, Close, yet far beyond all seeking, Goodness, beauty, truth, entire; Wisdom, never vengeance wreaking, Radiance never vexed with ire.
’Tis the Name of mercy,
speeding,
Just and unjust with His ray; Power that rules by patient leading, Not by force, the easier way; So that man, in freedom heeding, May the law of love obey. |
Name of awe and Name of
pleasure,
Glow divine of grace untold; Sum of values, whose full treasure Striving art can ne’er unfold; Sea of virtue passing measure, Life that doth all life uphold.
Hail, O Father, all
creating,
Now, as when the world began; Master Mind, amazed we hail Thee, As the light-year depths we scan; Spirit of transcendent union, True and just Thy ways to man! |
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