It has been forty days since the resurrection of Jesus from the sealed and guarded tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, Acts 1:2-3. During this period, Jesus had made many visible appearances to his disciples, Matthew 28:8-10 / John 20:11-18 / Luke 24:34 / John 21:1-14 / 1 Corinthians 15:5-6. He had talked and eaten with them, giving infallible proof that he arose from the grave.
According to McGarvey, it is May 18, A.D. 30, that Jesus has his final meeting with the apostles just before his ascension to heaven on the Mount of Olives just outside of Jerusalem.
He commands them not to depart from Jerusalem but to “wait for the Promise of the Father,” Acts 1:4-5, or as Luke records, “till endued with power from on high,” Luke 24:49. He further tells them, “You will be baptised with the Holy Spirit not many days from now,” Acts 1:5.
Anticipating something important was going to take place, they asked Jesus, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:6. In their minds, they were thinking of an earthly kingdom with Jesus ruling just like in the days of David and Solomon. How wrong they were. Jesus would establish a kingdom, but it would be a spiritual kingdom.
Sometimes we wonder how they could have been with him for over three years and not understand the nature of this kingdom. He had often described its nature in His parables, but they still misunderstood. He plainly told them, “My kingdom is not of this world,” John 18:36.
The Jews in general had been waiting for a Messiah. From passages like Isaiah 2:2-4, they awaited one who would establish a political kingdom and rescue them from Roman oppression.
When Jesus came, they thought he did not have all the qualifications and attributes an earthly king would have; they rejected him. Because of His miracles and teachings, many believed he would rule as a king. This was especially true of his apostles.
About a year before his appearance on the Mount of Olives (summer of A.D. 29), while in the region of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus told the apostles he was going to establish his church, Matthew 16:18, and in the next verse, Matthew 16:19, he tells Peter he will give him the keys to His kingdom.
One can see from these two verses that the words “church” and “kingdom” are used interchangeably. It is a simple fact. The church is the kingdom, and the kingdom is the church. You cannot separate them. They are one and the same.
Both John the Baptist and Jesus preached that the “kingdom of heaven was at hand.” On one occasion, Jesus told his listeners that some would live to see His kingdom come with power, Mark 9:1.
Even today, many are still confused about this kingdom. We must be careful that we are not led astray into believing the Lord is yet to come and establish an earthly kingdom.
To say He did not anticipate the rejection of the Jews, thus postponed the kingdom and inserted the church to fill the gap until the kingdom could be established, is nothing more than blasphemy against an all-knowing and all-powerful God.
Jesus tells the apostles that the date of His coming was in the hands of God, but they would receive the Holy Spirit and become witnesses of His resurrection in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria and even “to the end of the earth,” Acts 1:8.
Little did they perceive what all this would involve. Guided by the Holy Spirit, God would give these simple, uneducated men the task of bringing the church into existence and spreading it throughout the world.
Suddenly, the Lord begins to ascend upward, disappearing in a cloud from their sight, Acts 1:9. Can you imagine what a stunning sight this must have been? As they saw Jesus disappear suddenly, “two men stood by them in white apparel”, who obviously were angels, Acts 1:10. Angels often appeared in such apparel and were always men, never as women.
They are told that this is not the last time they will see Jesus, but that he will return in the same way he had gone into heaven, Acts 1:11. Heaven is always represented as up.
Greatly amazed by what they had seen and heard, they returned to Jerusalem and entered a room where they met with some of the faithful women and the family of Jesus, Acts 1:12-14.
At one time, Jesus’ family did not believe in him, but now there is no longer any doubt. With “one accord”, this little group of believers gave themselves to “prayer and supplication,” Acts 1:14.
Something great was about to happen. Everything is still a mystery. All they can do is wait and pray. They are now on God’s schedule and not their own. Some unfinished business still remains to be done.
Someone must replace Judas, who had hung himself. With a group of about one hundred twenty disciples present, Peter reminds them of Judas and his fate, Acts 1:15.
The thirty pieces of silver he had been given to betray Jesus had been used to purchase a piece of land where he would be buried. This event would become known to all those living in Jerusalem. The place would be called the “Field of Blood,” Acts 1:16
Why didn’t Judas repent and return to the Lord, begging His forgiveness? Was his sin greater than Peter’s denial? How tragic! But God already knew his decision long before Judas existed.
Peter, in Acts 1:20, now quotes Psalm 69:25 and Psalm 109:8 to show Judas fulfilled what the Holy Spirit had foretold through David. Someone must take his place, Acts 1:20.
The qualifications to be an apostle, one must have been present, “beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection,” Acts 1:22. Two names are submitted, Joseph, called Barnabas, and Matthias, Acts 1:23.
Prayer was offered seeking God’s help in selecting a replacement for Judas, Acts 1:24-25. We don’t always know what is in the heart of a man, Acts 1:24. Thus, they sought the help of God in the selection of a new apostle. They cast their lots (not dice), and the “lot fell on Matthias,” Acts 1:26.
How did Joseph take this? Did he feel rejected by God? The office and work of an apostle was a grave responsibility. They would be called upon to make great sacrifices and important decisions. They will live almost daily under the threat of imprisonment and death.
Among the one hundred and twenty who were present, no doubt there were others that might have been selected. They did not need another Judas situation. There is no greater honour than being a servant of Christ.
There is no indication that anyone was jealous or resentful over Matthias being appointed to take the place of Judas. How different from previously, when they argued among themselves who would be the greatest. Just to be called “a servant of the Lord” is great enough.
The waiting continues. There had to be some fear as well as excitement as to what the Lord had in store for them. They would be “baptised with the Holy Spirit.” We are not certain that they fully understood yet who the Holy Spirit was. They are ready to take part in whatever it was the Lord was going to do.
Little did they know that they were waiting for the great day that God had been preparing for throughout eternity, the establishment of His church, the kingdom. After their experience in the garden when Jesus was taken captive, they all fled. Peter even denied the Lord three times, Luke 22:54-62.
Jesus’ resurrection changed them from men of fear to men who are now willing to lay down their lives for the Lord and His church. So, they wait with great anticipation.
Today, we too wait. We wait for heaven, a place the Lord has prepared for us. While we wait, we faithfully serve the Lord out of appreciation for what he has done for us.
It has now been ten days since the ascension of the Lord to Heaven. It is the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:1, one of the three major feasts of the Jews. It is a pinnacle day of God’s eternal plan for the salvation of man. Pentecost means “fiftieth”, which signifies it was observed fifty days after the Passover. It was a day when thousands of Jews poured into Jerusalem.
God had chosen the Feast of Passover as the time for Jesus’ crucifixion. He chose the Day of Pentecost as the occasion to establish His kingdom. The apostles were all together in one place.
Little did these simple, uneducated men from Galilee realise this would go down as one of the greatest days in the history of mankind. Even today, many who are considered scholars in the Bible are not aware of the significance of that day.
Suddenly, without any warning, there is a deafening noise like a mighty wind, Acts 2:2. It probably sounded like a hurricane or tornado. There was no real wind, but it sounded as if there was wind.
Next, there appeared over each apostle what appeared as divided tongues that looked like fire, Acts 2:3, although it was not real fire. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in the various languages that were present on that day, Acts 2:4. It may have been as many as fifteen different languages, Acts 2:9-11.
Luke tells us that there were Jews from “every nation under heaven,” Acts 2:5. The crowds are drawn toward the noise. They are amazed that each one could understand what the apostles were saying in their own native languages, Acts 2:6-7. This probably took place in the Temple area, Luke 24:53.
These three miraculous manifestations certainly got the attention of the people. They were simply amazed at what they were seeing and hearing. They became aware that the apostles were Galileans because of their accent, Acts 2:7, which was distinctive. The apostles were uneducated men.
How could they speak in so many different languages? What is going on? What does all this mean? By now, the apostles would have remembered the words Jesus had spoken to them just before he ascended to heaven, “You will be baptised with the Holy Spirit not many days from now,” Acts 1:5.
What they were able to do immediately would give them the courage and confidence that they could declare the fact of the resurrection of Jesus. There are always sceptics. Some said, “They are full of new wine,” Acts 2:13.
How could being drunk enable the apostles to speak in all the languages that were heard on that day? Peter now steps forward and explains what was taking place, Acts 2:14.
Peter denies the charge of being drunk. It is nine o’clock in the morning, Acts 2:15. Men are not drunk at such an early time of the day. Orthodox Jews would not eat or drink before 9 a.m. on a Sabbath or a holy day such as Pentecost.
Peter now begins a masterpiece sermon that they had never heard before. He is inspired by the Holy Spirit. He tells them that what they were witnessing was what Joel had prophesied, Acts 2:16. He then gives a lengthy quotation from Joel 2:28-32 to show that the miraculous things they were witnessing were a fulfilment of Joel’s prophecy.
Peter boldly affirms that he and the other apostles were speaking by the inspiration of the Spirit of God. He does not bother to explain the meaning of each sentence. Some of the things quoted by Peter, especially Acts 2:19-21, are highly apocalyptic language.
But the main truth that stands out is that they were witnessing one of the greatest days in history. The Lord would move heaven and earth to bring about the existence of the church he had prepared even before the creation of the world. Wonder what sensations Peter felt as these great truths flowed freely from his mouth as a result of the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Peter now begins to talk about Jesus, the one they had crucified. He had been accredited and proven to be God’s Messiah by the many miracles, wonders and signs that God had performed through Jesus, Acts 2:22. Jesus had done these things openly in their midst, Acts 2:22. This could not be denied.
What they did not know was that Jesus’ death on the cross was according to God’s “determined counsel and foreknowledge,” Acts 2:23. In their minds, the Messiah would come in some glorious way, ruling as the king of the Jews.
Peter declares that the cross did not invalidate Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah, but validated it because the cross had been a part of God’s plan from the beginning of time.
Not only was the death of Jesus on a cross a part of God’s plan, but his resurrection from the sealed and guarded tomb was also in God’s eternal plan. Death could not hold Jesus in the tomb because “God raised Him up!” Acts 2:24. This is the very heart and core of the gospel.
Peter in Acts 2:25-28, now proceeds to quote from Psalm 16:8-11, which was written by David who prophesied of the resurrection of Jesus. The keywords in this Psalm are Psalm 16:27, “Because You will not leave my soul in Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.”
Peter declares that David could not have been speaking of himself. David died and “his tomb is with us to this day,” Acts 2:29. They knew where David was buried. It was the only tomb inside the city. No doubt many had visited his tomb just as people today visit the tombs of famous people.
Thus, David’s statement necessitated a resurrection from the dead, and this had to be Jesus because it was a known fact by Pentecost that the tomb in which He had been buried was an empty tomb.
It is interesting that no one in Peter’s audience raised an objection or suggested his body had been stolen and buried some other place. Knowing of the severe opposition Jesus experienced during his ministry, you know if they had proof that he was not alive, someone by now would have spoken up.
Peter plainly declares that David was a prophet and knew that God would “raise up Christ to sit on his throne,” Acts 2:30. He would not be left in Hades (the place of departed spirits), and his fleshly body did not see corruption, Acts 2:31.
Furthermore, Peter said the apostles were witnesses of his resurrection, Acts 2:32. Also, they had seen Him ascend into heaven where is he was now seated at the right hand of God, Acts 2:33-35. This explains all they were seeing and hearing was an outpouring of God’s Spirit. It could be that the flames above their heads were still flickering, Acts 2:33.
This outpouring of the Holy Spirit was confirmation that what Peter had preached was true and that Jesus had been raised from the dead, with living witnesses to further prove his resurrection.
Peter concludes his sermon with a pointed accusation. “Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ,” Acts 2:36.
You wonder as Peter made this accusation if he pointed directly to his audience, which would have included some of those who cried out, “crucify Him,” Luke 23:21, and others who had openly spoken again Him? They had looked for and longed for a Messiah. He had come, and they did not recognize them. Instead, they crucified the one who was now Lord and Christ.
The treatment of Jesus by the Jews is contrasted with how God treated Him. The Jews crucified Jesus, but God made Him both Lord and Christ. Peter’s sermon was a masterpiece. Yet it was not really Peter’s sermon but what the Holy Spirit had put into his mouth to say.
There could not have been a more dramatic conclusion. The guilt was now in their hands. Can you imagine how the crowd must have felt? A great number felt deep regret. Still others clung to their prejudices.
Peter’s accusation that they had crucified Jesus, who was now at the right hand of God as “Lord and Christ”, Acts 2:36, must have cut deeply. Many suddenly realise what a terrible thing they had done.
“Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do? Acts 2:37. Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,’ Acts 2:38.
We are told that the people thus cried out, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37. We are told they were “cut to the heart, Acts 2:37. It is obvious that belief (faith) has now replaced disbelief.
They are overcome with sorrow. Being sorry over sin is not repentance. However, “Godly sorrow produces repentance,” 2 Corinthians 7:10. Sorrow over sin can cause one to change their mind.
Thus, He tells them to repent, Acts 2:38. To repent is to change one’s mind. It must be a complete 180-degree turn. They were guilty of putting to death the Son of God; thus, they needed to make a major turn in their attitude.
Next, Peter says, “and let every one of you be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ,” Acts 2:38. There are no exceptions to this plain command. It is required of everyone.
Furthermore, it was to be done “in the name of Jesus Christ,” which means by the authority of Christ. No word in the Bible has been more abused than the word “baptise.”
The abuse began in the third century with a misunderstanding of how forgiveness of sin is obtained, Acts 2:38. People began putting off baptism until they were near death because they thought baptism only took care of their past sins, and nothing could be done about future sins. Some would wait until they were bedfast before being baptised.
The first known cast was a man named Novatian (A.D. 251), who was baptised by “effusion (pouring water) in the bed as he lay.” This became known as “clinical baptism.” This shows a complete ignorance of 1 John 1:7-9. After one becomes a Christian, if they sin, they are to repent, pray and ask God for forgiveness.
In the third century, the Didache, a kind of church manual, appears with instructions to “pour water upon the head in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”
Thus began the practice of pouring or sprinkling water on the head instead of immersion of the entire body. Romans 6:4 clearly shows that baptism was a burial in water.
The translators of the King James Bible had an opportunity to correct this error by simply translating the Greek word into English as immersed. For fear of offending the King and the Church of England, which practised sprinkling, the translators decided to give an English spelling to the Greek word, thus rendering it as “baptised.”
Unfortunately, this has been handed down to succeeding generations so that today the idea of baptism is that it can mean to sprinkle or pour. This is a tragedy.
The Greek word has always meant to be immersed in water. Later, infant baptism was introduced. While it was opposed by some, it seems that the main issue was how soon it should be done after birth.
An infant has no sins and cannot believe or repent. In every case of conversion in the New Testament, the person believed and repented before being baptised. Acts 2:38 clearly confirms this.
Peter goes ahead to say that baptism is, “for the remission of sins,” Acts 2:38. This can also be rendered, “for the forgiveness of your sins.” Martin Luther (1483–1546), the most prominent leader of the Protestant Reformation, gave to the world the false doctrine of salvation by faith alone.
Ulrich Zwingli (1484–1531), another noted reformer, said that baptism was only a symbol or sign that one had already been saved when they believed. It is argued that the word “for” in the Greek text is “eis” and can be translated “because.” Thus, one is baptised merely to show they have already been forgiven of their sins. Greek scholars as a whole do not support such an inaccuracy.
The teachings of these two men have led to the elimination of baptism as an essential part in the salvation of mankind, but the Bible indicates it is just as essential as faith, repentance and confession.
How can men ignore the plain words of Peter that we must “Repent and be baptised strictly for the remission (forgiveness) of sins”? Acts 2:38. Tragically, baptism is mocked and ridiculed by the Protestant world. Some still hold on to baptism but say it only puts one into their church, but argue it still has nothing to do with man’s salvation.
Finally, Peter offers a promise to those who are willing to repent and be baptised. He said, “and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,” Acts 2:38. It is clear that the giver is God and the gift is the Holy Spirit Himself. The way we know the Holy Spirit dwells within us is because, about a dozen times, the New Testament says He does.
For example, Paul writes, “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you,” Romans 8:9. The word “you” in this phrase refers to Christians.
The word “in” is a translation of the Greek preposition “en”, and Thayer, the noted Greek scholar, says it means “in the person.” “Dwells” simply means to abide. The indwelling of the Spirit is no more miraculous than the Word of God dwelling in us. We do not understand how our mind, our soul, dwells in us.
Peter declares in Acts 3:39 that the promise of salvation not only applied to that generation but also extends to future generations. It seems Peter did not stop preaching, but “with many other words exhorted them to “Be saved from this perverse generation” Acts 2:40, which referred to the Jewish nation that had rejected Jesus.
We are given the results of Peter’s preaching. “Then those who gladly received his word were baptised (immersed); and the same day about three thousand souls were added to them,” Acts 2:41.
We don’t know how many were present to hear Peter preach, but about three thousand had no problem with the command to be baptised and thus were added to the church, which is the kingdom of God.
Peter has now unlocked the door to the kingdom not only for his generation but also for generations yet to come. For the first time, we have the answer to the question, “What must I do to be saved?” Acts 2:37.
Immediately, these new Christians began meeting to hear the instructions of the apostles. They fellowshipped each other in partaking of the Lord’s Supper. They also engaged in prayers, Acts 2:42.
Each day they witnessed the “many wonders and signs” that were done by the apostles, Acts 2:43. They shared their worldly goods with one another, even selling “their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need,” Acts 2:44-45. The world had never before seen anything like this!
Most of them had been strangers to each other just a few days before. They had come from different backgrounds and cultures, yet they began to care for each other. They were now brothers and sisters in the Lord. They were dedicated to their worship of God.
They met daily with fellow Christians in the temple area, Acts 2:46, probably the only place big enough for all of them to be together in one place. They also met daily in their homes, Acts 2:46, getting acquainted with one another. They were all added by the Lord following baptism.
We do not know how much time has elapsed since the Day of Pentecost, probably a very short time. It was three o’clock in the afternoon, and Peter and John were on their way up to the temple.
These two men had been fishing partners back in Galilee, but have now become “fishers of men” as Jesus had told them in the beginning of His ministry, Matthew 4:19.
It is obvious that the reason for their going was that this is where they would find a crowd already assembled. People would gather three times a day at the temple to pray. They would gather there at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m., Acts 3:1.
This usually took place in the Court of the Women. It was at the 9 a.m. prayer time that the events of Pentecost took place. On this occasion, Peter and John were going up at the three o’clock prayer time.
A man who had never walked since his birth was around forty years old and had been carried there (some think he was thrown there), which was the gate called Beautiful, to ask for alms from those who would be passing through this gate.
It is said that there were nine gates in all that gave entrance into the temple area. Eight were forty-five feet tall, but the gate called “Beautiful”, Acts 3:2, was seventy-five feet tall and was made from Corinthian bronze. The gate faced the east, which means it was directly in front of the temple itself.
The beggar placed at this gate had never walked. Probably, his feet and ankles had never developed. He probably was dirty and looked more than forty years old. His skin may have been wrinkled, with his bones almost protruding through his skin.
Often, beggars would present themselves in the worst possible way. The people of the city knew him, for they had passed him many times as they entered the Temple area through the Beautiful Gate.
At the end of World War II, I was stationed in northern China. There were five of us who operated an auxiliary airfield. The governor of the province gave us a house to live in. One day, I heard a very mournful sound coming from over a wall in the back of our house.
I went to the wall and looked over, seeing a rather elderly looking woman sitting in a dirty, dusty street. Large tears were flowing down her cheeks. She suddenly stopped and pulled out a large roll of money from her coat, and added the bills of money that had been dropped by her side. A big smile crossed her face.
Then suddenly she started wailing again. I did not understand Chinese, so I asked our houseboy what was going on. He said that begging was her profession, and thus the crying, wailing and tears were a part of her profession. I had never thought of begging as a profession.
This may have been the case of the man Peter and John saw at the Beautiful Gate on their way into the temple area, Acts 3:3. It is not a coincidence that Peter and John healed this man, Acts 3:4. The healing was not an impulsive act on Peter’s part.
They healed him to draw attention to what would follow, and that was their preaching. Seeing Peter and John, he asked for alms, Acts 3:4. Peter and John fix their eyes on this man, and Peter said, “Look at us,” Acts 3:4.
The man, no doubt expecting to receive something from them, “gave.” Looking for alms, he received something far greater: the ability to walk to do something he had never done in his entire life.
Peter told him, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk,” Acts 3:6. This was not what the beggar had been asking for.
Later on, in his sermon, Peter said the man had been healed through the faith of the apostles. Peter then took the man by the right hand and lifted him up, Acts 3:7. The miracle was that his feet and ankle bones received strength, and he could walk just like everyone else, Acts 3:7.
This was an instantaneous and complete healing. He did not get up and shuffle along on his feet. Rather, we are told he entered the temple with Peter and John and began walking, leaping, and praising God, Acts 3:8. This really got the attention of the people.
They knew this man from the many times they had passed him at the Beautiful Gate, Acts 3:9-10. They knew the wretched condition he was in. Now, suddenly, his feet and ankle bones look normal, and he begins walking in a normal way. They were simply amazed that he could walk, even leap.
This caused the people to run to Solomon’s porch, Acts 3:11, where Peter, John and the beggar were by now. This was an ideal place to speak from. The porch was six hundred feet long and sixty feet deep.
It had two rows of twenty-seven-foot columns, covered with a cedar roof. Jesus himself had been there before. It became a favourite place for early Christians to meet.
The miracle had its desired purpose by drawing together a crowd, Acts 3:12. You don’t praise God like the beggar was doing. You are not supposed to show emotions as the beggar was doing.
This beggar cast all dignity aside. He would praise God with all his physical being. One thing is certain: no one could deny that a great miracle had taken place.
We now have the second recorded sermon of Peter. First, he lets them know that what they were witnessing was not the result of any power he or John had. This miracle was a result of the power of Jesus, the one the mob had delivered into the hands of Pilate, Acts 3:13.
Pilate did not want to put him to death, but because of their demands, he gave in and had him crucified. They had denied the Holy One and asked for a murderer to be granted to them, Acts 3:14.
He reminds them that the one they had killed, God has raised Him up from the dead, and the apostles were witnesses to this fact, Acts 3:15-16. Peter says that what they did they did in ignorance, Acts 3:17. However, ignorance does not excuse them of their wicked deed.
It was a fact that God had foretold through the prophets the very thing they had done, Acts 3:18. He calls upon them to repent and be converted so they could have their sins forgiven and experience freedom from their guilt, Acts 3:19.
Jesus will return again to call his own and then all things will be made right and once again man will be able to walk with God as Adam and Eve did in the beginning, Acts 3:20-21.
Peter reminds them of what Moses had said to their fathers, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. And it will come to pass that every soul who will not hear that prophet will be utterly destroyed from among the people,” Acts 3:22-23.
Jesus had been sent to rescue them from their sins. But the Jews had disregarded God’s prophets and rejected God’s promise of a Saviour, Acts 3:24. He also reminds them that they were descendants of Abraham and that God has promised that from Abraham’s seed (Jesus) would come, the one who would cause all families of the earth to be blessed, Acts 2:25-26.
But in spite of all the words that had been spoken by the prophets concerning the coming of Christ, they ignored their prophecies. Jesus would even come to the Jews first, to turn them away from their sins.
The tragedy was that in spite of all the many things the prophets had said about him, they did not pay any attention to what they had said; thus, they rejected Christ, even calling for his death on the cross.
The hundreds of predictions had been like a floodlight shining on Jesus, and still they had not been able to see that he was the promised Messiah. The fact is, they had ignored the prophets and disregarded what God had promised.
God had every right to abandon them, but he did not. God was gracious and is giving them a second chance. The tragedy is that in spite of all the evidence, the majority of the Jews rejected Jesus, their only hope for salvation.
In this section, we will see the beginning efforts of Satan to destroy the church. It has only been a few days since its establishment. Satan is now fully aware of God’s plan for the redemption of mankind, which had been held a secret from before the time man came into existence.
The church will be God’s instrument through which he will spread the gospel to the world. While it is in its infant state, Satan will now try to destroy it. Peter was still speaking to the crowd that had gathered at the temple after the healing of the man who could not walk, when suddenly a delegation arrived from the temple.
It is not just any delegation, but was comprised of several priests, the captain of the temple (second in authority), who was responsible for the security of the temple, Acts 4:1.
Also, some Sadducees, Acts 4:1. They were a small but very powerful sect of the Jews who controlled matters that pertained to the temple. The high priest was a Sadducee, and most of the Sanhedrin were Sadducees. They cooperated with Rome, which explains their powerful position.
They were greatly offended by what Peter and John were preaching, the resurrection of Jesus, Acts 4:2. Such could not be more offensive to the Sadducees, who did not believe in a resurrection, or anything supernatural, or even the devil himself.
They had no legal grounds for arresting Peter and John, much less for imprisoning them, but took the law into their own hands and “put them in custody until the next day,” Acts 4:3. The reason for waiting until the next day may be that they needed time to trump up some legal charges against them.
This preaching about Jesus must be stopped. The best way to stop it is to eliminate those who were preaching His resurrection. The arrest of the apostles would not stop the power of the gospel.
We learn that the number of conversions had already reached about five thousand men, Acts 4:4. If we count the women who are not included in Luke’s account, we could easily assume there were at least ten thousand new Christians now in Jerusalem or maybe more, as usually more women respond to the gospel than men.
The next day, the council comes together. It includes the high-ranking religious leaders such as Annas, the ex-high priest and Caiaphas, the present high priest, Acts 4:4-5.
These names we recognise from the trials of Jesus. The group that Peter and John stood before was actually the Sanhedrin. This is the same group that condemned Jesus to die!
Here are Peter and John standing before seventy hostile judges, but they had not yet been able to bring up any criminal charges against them. So, they try a different approach.
They demand to know, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” Acts 4:7. They were referring probably to the miracle of healing the lame man, Acts 3:1-9, but no doubt included the preaching of Peter and John.
The situation was ludicrous. Peter knew it, and the council knew it. The man was visibly walking and leaping. Since they did not bring any legitimate charge, they were hoping Peter, in an unguarded moment, might give an answer that would give them reason to punish them.
This was intimidation, a scare tactic that they hoped would force Peter and John to say something they could use against them. While alive, Jesus had warned the apostles that they would be brought before authorities, but they need not be concerned as to what to say, Luke 21:14-15.
What the Sanhedrin was really saying was, “Who do you think you are to challenge us and our authority?” Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, did not hesitate one moment, Acts 4:8. He does not speak in anger about their false imprisonment but speaks in a respectful way.
He begins his defence by saying, “Rulers and elders of the people,” Acts 4:8, which was a respectful way to address the council. He tells them, if you are arresting us for a good deed done to a helpless cripple man, then the answer is, it was by the name of Jesus Christ, the one you crucified and the one whom God raised from the dead, Acts 4:9-10.
Peter then quotes from Psalm 118:22-24 to show that David spoke of Jesus, whom they had rejected. “This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone,” Acts 4:11.
Furthermore, Peter declares, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved,” Acts 4:12.
This must have cut deeply. Here is this uneducated fisherman quoting scripture to them and telling them that David had them in mind when he wrote this prophecy.
Later, Peter reminds the council that they must obey God rather than the council, Acts 5:29. They rejected the Messiah because he did not have the pomp and power they expected a ruler to have.
They thought he would reign in the city of Jerusalem on the throne of David and drive out the Roman oppressors. The cornerstone was the most important stone in a building. Builders always started with the cornerstone and built outward and upward.
Then Peter had the nerve to say that they could only be saved by Jesus, Acts 4:12. Nothing could have been more insulting to the council. They were the children of Abraham.
That was the only name they recognised. Jesus had declared earlier in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” Peter was saying in essence, “You cannot be saved through Abraham or Moses. You can only be saved through the name of Jesus,” Acts 4:12.
Peter used the word “we.” He said, “by which we must be saved.” He was saying, if any one of us is to be saved, be they a fisherman, beggar, priest, elder, scribe, officer, or anyone else, it will only be in the name of Jesus.
The council was left speechless, Acts 4:13-14. They could not answer him, and certainly they could not bring up any accusation that they had committed a crime. They had charged Jesus with blasphemy, Matthew 26:65 / Mark 14:64, but with these apostles, there was nothing they could say.
How could the healing of a man who had never walked be grounds for punishment? It is said, “And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it,” Acts 4:14.
They put the apostles outside the room and conferred among themselves, Acts 4:15. They said, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done by them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it,” Acts 4:16-17.
The only recourse they had was to dismiss them, but give them a stern warning not to speak in the name of Jesus, Acts 4:18. The fact that they could not say anything in reply to Peter is powerful evidence of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
Peter’s accusation in Acts 4:10 was that the council had crucified Jesus, that God had raised Jesus from the dead, and Jesus had healed the man standing before them. The council could not deny their part in the crucifixion of Jesus; neither could they deny that the man had been healed, Acts 4:21-22.
Therefore, they could not deny that God had raised Jesus from the dead. If the resurrection of Jesus was a false rumour, they could have replied with some kind of evidence to prove the apostles wrong.
The church was in its infant stage. It was vulnerable. To destroy it, these enemies merely had to prove that Jesus had not been raised from the dead. All they had to do was produce the dead body of Jesus or have witnesses who could testify that they knew where the dead body resided. No one could do this.
Having been released from prison, Peter and John go to “their own companions” to report what had happened, Acts 4:23. These early Christians had strong ties to one another and to God.
Thus, they sought out their brothers in Christ. These were probably the other apostles. When threatened by Satan and other brethren, learn to lean on one another for strength.
One of the reasons God instituted the church is that there is strength in numbers. He could have made it so we would become Christians and then fight Satan alone.
Instead, he established the church where we associate with those “of like faith”, supporting one another in difficult times. Knowing of the threat that had been made, they go to God in prayer.
We are told that with “one accord” they lifted up their voices to God in prayer, Acts 4:24. God is our greatest source of power. In Acts 4:24-30, we have the second recorded prayer in the Book of Acts. These Christians had no doubt already prayed many times.
The first recorded prayer was when they asked God to help them in the selection of someone to replace Judas as an apostle, Acts 1:24-26. This second recorded prayer places emphasis on the sovereignty of God.
It begins, “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them,” Acts 4:24. They begin then by appealing to an all-powerful God who created everything.
Part of this prayer is actually a quotation from Psalm 2:1-2, which applies to their situation. It had probably been memorised from hearing it read in one of their synagogues.
This Psalm foretold what would happen to Jesus. Acts 4:28 notes that four groups (Herod, Pilate, the Gentiles and the Jews) came together in opposition to the Lord, but actually what they did was already predetermined by God.
God was in control. So, they asked God to look upon their threats and to give them the boldness to continue speaking the word and to continue to heal in the name of Jesus, Acts 4:29-30. When they ended their prayer, they received an immediate response.
The place where they were gathered was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, Acts 4:31, as Peter and John had been before the Sanhedrin, Acts 4:8. The council had charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, Acts 4:18. Now there are twelve men who boldly proclaim God’s word, Acts 8:31.
Today, God does not shake any building we may be in, nor does he enable us to speak by inspiration the word of God. He does, however, promise to be with us and has given us His Spirit to help us, Acts 2:38.
He gives us “power that works within us,” Ephesians 3:20. Today we have the “Sword of the Spirit,” Ephesians 6:17, thus everything we need to overcome any of the things Satan may do to destroy the church.
Make no mistake, the devil will try to silence us today. He does not give up easily. But he will utterly fail when we take the Sword of the Spirit and prayer and use it against him.
Beginning with Acts 4:32, we are told that “the multitude of those who had believed were of one heart and of one soul. We continue to be amazed at the oneness (unity) of these early Christians. There was a natural outgrowth of love and concern for one another, which resulted in their sharing their possessions.
Luke says, “They had all things in common,” Acts 4:32. Usually, in our collection of things over the years, there are always certain items that are special to us, and we do not want to part with them, Acts 4:32.
Evidently, this was not the case with these early Christians. They were willing to share whatever they had. What an example they are to those of us who live today and have so many things.
Their generosity seems to have motivated the apostles because we learn that “with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,” Acts 4:33. This was the heart and core of the message they preached.
For someone to be hung on a cross was a stigma to their family. Shame and disgrace were associated with dying on a cross. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:22-23, “For the Jews request a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness.”
It made no sense to the Jews in Jerusalem that Jesus’ death on a cross could have anything to do with their salvation. But of course, it has everything to do with our salvation.
It is the greatest single event in history. In the throne room scene found in Revelation 4 and Revelation 5, we read of a new song that was being sung. Part of it reads as follows.
“And they sang a new song, saying: You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood,” Revelation 5:9-10. What a powerful message this is, even to this day.
We are further told that no one lacked, Acts 2:34. Those who possessed land or houses sold them and brought the amount received and laid it at the apostles’ feet, Acts 2:34-35. This was probably not all done at one time.
As needs would arise, someone would step forward and sell a piece of property or a house so those in need could be helped. The generosity of these early Christians greatly impressed unbelievers and led the people to listen more carefully to the message preached by the apostles.
At this point, we are introduced to a man by the name of Barnabas, Acts 4:36, who will become one of the leading evangelists to carry the gospel outside of Jerusalem into other parts of the world. He is mentioned around twenty-five times in the Book of Acts.
His name meant “Son of Encouragement”, perhaps because he excelled in his preaching to give encouragement to those he preached to. He also gave encouragement to individuals.
We are told about Barnabas as an example of this kind of giving. He sold some land that he owned and brought the money “and laid it at the apostles’ feet,” Acts 4:36-37. We are also told that he was a Levite, Acts 2:36.
When the Israelites entered the Promise Land, the tribe of Levi was not given as much land as the other tribes received. They were given several cities with pasture lands.
Their living was largely derived from the temple. It may have been difficult for a Levite to obtain land. Thus, this would make his gift even more significant.