Name of Jesus
Acts 4:1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
Acts 4:2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
The captain of the temple refers to the "police force" of the temple precincts: The captain, together with the priests and the Sadducees, all came together to arrest Peter and John.
The Sadducees would be greatly disturbed that Peter and John preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead; they did not believe in the afterlife or resurrection at all.
Acts 4:3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
They put them into custody until the next day because it was illegal under Jewish law to have a trial by night, though this is what the Jewish rulers did to Jesus.
Acts 4:4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. The Lord added 5000 believers. A handful opposed , but 5000 received Jesus.
Acts 4:5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
Acts 4:6 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.
The same group that crucified Jesus.
Acts 4:7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
There is power and authority in a name...In Jesus' name.
Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
Acts 4:9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
We are being examined for a good deed done to this crippled man. Remember the fruit of the spirit? Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23) He has done good, and they accuse him. These were as the ACLU in our nation, always opposing Jesus.
Acts 4:10 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.
There is your answer, Jesus of Nazareth, by that name this man is a made whole. Remember that name? You crucifuied him, but God has raised him from the dead.
Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
He quotes a familiar Psalm to those who were keepers of the law;
Psa 118:22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
A beautiful witnessing verse. There is no other name by which we must be saved. Only in the name of Jesus.
Mat 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Phil 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Phil 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
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 knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
They had been with Jesus, oh that others would say this of our witness. We are the representatives of Jesus in the world. Does the world see a difference? Do they see unity and love? Or division and strife? Do they see the character of Jesus, or greed and selfishness and lack of control?
Acts 4:14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
Jesus healed the man, in his name he was healed, by a little faith from the disciples. The evidence was in front of them.
Acts 4:15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, Acts 4:16 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.
They denied the miracles of Jesus. They said the were from the devil.
Mat 12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
Mat 12:26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
Mat 12:27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
Mat 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
Acts 4:17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
Acts 4:18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
Acts 4:19 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.
Acts 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Peter speaks boldly by the Holy Spirit.
Acts 4:21 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.
Acts 4:22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed.Boldness to Witness
Boldness to Witness
Acts 4:23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
They went to the gathered followers, but with threats from the religious authorities. They were not to speak the name of Jesus, and of the resurrection. This is the gospel message of power, what else can we teach? To preach love and tolerance as many do, without the blood of Jesus and his resurrection is to have no hope based on truth, no power to become children of God.
Acts 4:24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
YES! They called on the all powerful Father God as Jesus had taught them, in unity, making their requests known, as Paul would write later;
Phil 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Acts 4:25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
Psa 2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
Acts 4:26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
Psa 2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, ...
Acts 4:27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
John 10:30 I and my Father are one.
John 10:31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
All were guilty by their own free choices and became allies in their determination to destroy the anointed Jesus. They were not forced to kill the Messiah, they listened to the voice of the destroyer instead of the voice of God.
Acts 4:28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
determined - predestinated, the crucifixion was the plan of God...The leaders, both Jew and Gentile crucified Jesus, but were acting on their own, they were not forced to do this. Their sins remain.
The disciples spoke in faith reminding God of his great wonders and how evil people have threatened his work, even killing Jesus, only to see him risen from the grave. They call on the one who has the power and the life and the truth.
Acts 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
They bring their concerns in unity to the LORD God. They wish to be able to speak the word in boldness. Is this your desire? It is my desire. To speak the powerful and life changing word of God. They were threatened by powerful and influential men...God is greater.
Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Acts 4:30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. They prayed for healings and signs and wonders, not by the outstretched hand of man, but of God through faith. It is God's outrtretched hand, not ours that will bring strength and healing. Ohhh, that we would always speak faith. Faith "by the name of thy holy child Jesus." It is Christmas season when we think of the baby Jesus, but the holy child refers to the Holy Son, the only begotten of the father full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
"The word boldness means lucid and daring statement. In the Greek the word is parresia, ‘telling it all.’" Once again their prayers in unity were answered by an outpouring of God's grace.
1. The place was shaken, God chose to shake their building
2. All were filled with the Holy Ghost
3. They spoke with boldness, not tongues, but the word of God as they had requested. The spoken word, is the power of God.
1 Cor 14:19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Was this an early form of communism? There is a contrast between communism and koinonia: the Greek word for fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation
"Communism says, ‘What is yours is mine; I’ll take it.’ Koinonia says, ‘What is mine is yours, I’ll share it.’"
Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
No longer were these cowering students of Jesus. They were given peace and power. (John 14:27). They had become apostles of the Lord who by faith received great power to witness of the Lord Jesus and his resurrection. These were not eloquent educated men, they had no cleverness. As the malicious leaders earlier commented:
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 knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
They simply were filled with the holy Ghost, witnessing the gospel message. Most would be killed eventually as they finished their work. Do we have this same desire to witness for Jesus or do we seek our own things? They gave out the message, calling on the people to repent and confess Jesus and be saved from hell.
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Acts 4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
Note, that for a Jew to sell their land in Israel was as selling their inheritance and birthright promise.
Acts 4:35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
This was not done by begging or controlling words of man. This was given willingly as the Holy Spirit gave them direction. When we pray "guide and direct"...will we obey the Spirit?
The generosity of the early church led Paul to put guidelines to giving in later letters;
Paul's directions are that the church must discern who the truly needy are (1 Timothy 5:3). If one can work to support himself, he is not truly needy and must provide for his own needs (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, 1 Timothy 5:8, 1 Thessalonians 4:11). If family can support a needy person, the church should not support them (1 Timothy 5:3-4). Those who are supported by the church must make some return to the church body (1 Timothy 5:5, 10). It is right for the church to examine moral conduct before giving support (1 Timothy 5:9-13). And the support of the church should be for the most basic necessities of living (1 Timothy 6:8).
Acts 4:36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
Acts 4:37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
He gave all that he had from selling his land. He was from Cypress. Being a Levite, he had no portion, no distinct inheritance in Israel. This man had a good compassionate heart, He gave all he had to the Lord and the Lord increased his ministry.
Joses Barnabas, the son of consolation. This is the Barnabas who had mercy on Saul who would be named Paul, and introduced him to the church.
Acts 9:26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
Barnabas and Paul teamed up
Acts 11:25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Later they would separate over allowing Mark a second chance, having failed to continue with Paul, Barnabas had compassion on mark while Paul left them behind in his missionary journeys. In the end Mark was one of his few friends.
Ministries; both Barnabas and Paul gave all they had to the Lord in their commitments. They had different callings, but each boldly obeyed the Lord's commands for them. The church must be bold, each following the Holy Spirit. We cannot lie to God and be successful in our ministries. He is the Spirit of truth.
Peter and the apostles assembled in Jerusalem met their first roadblock, but God gave them a strong anointing of his grace to continue. We shall obey God as he leads us along the perilous places and by still waters. All were of one accord and as one heart with all things, almost all.
Thank you Jesus, In the name of Jesus is power and boldness for ministry.
Amen
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