November 17: Acts 4-6

November 17, Acts 4-6

Acts Continued… Today’s summary is all taken from Bakers Commentary.

Acts 4 “Peter and John are arrested, spend the night in prison, and the next day appear before the Sanhedrin. The rulers, elders, and teachers of the law meet to question the apostles about the healing they performed he previous day.

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter courageously addresses the members of the Sanhedrin and informs them that the healing took place as an act of kindness in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He reminds his audience that they crucified Jesus but that God raised him from the dead. Then he tells them that Jesus is the stone rejected by men but chosen to be the capstone; in no one else but him is salvation.

The council realizes the courage of the apostles, notes that they have been schooled by Jesus, and acknowledges the miracle they performed. The Sanhedrin prohibits the apostles from speaking and teaching in Jesus’ name. Nevertheless, Peter replies to the verdict and says that the Sanhedrists should judge whether it is right to obey man rather than God. After they are enjoined not to preach, the apostles are released.

The believers come together for prayer. With references to Scripture, they ask God to grant them boldness to preach the Word. God answers their prayer with the external sign of an earthquake and the internal filling of the Holy Spirit.

The community of believers demonstrates unity. They share possessions and eliminate poverty. The apostles boldly preach the Word, receive funds from property that is sold, and distribute the money to the needy. Barnabas sells a field and brings the proceeds to the apostles.”

Acts 5 “Ananias tries to deceive the Holy Spirit, is rebuked by Peter, and is punished with sudden death by God. His wife, Sapphira, who agreed to the deception, is questioned by Peter and meets a fate similar to that of her husband. The sudden death of these two persons brings great fear upon the church and upon the people who hear about it.

The apostles perform numerous miracles by healing the sick and the demon-possessed. Even the shadow of Peter falling upon them is sufficient to bring healing.

The high priest and his associates are filled with jealousy and have the apostles arrested and put in jail. An angel delivers them during the night and instructs them to preach the Good News in the temple courts. This they do the next morning. When officers sent by the high priest come to the jail to bring the apostles to the courtroom of the Sanhedrin, they find the jail empty. They find the apostles in the temple area and escort them to the Sanhedrin to stand trial. The high priest accuses them of disobeying the strict orders not to teach in the name of Jesus, but Peter, with the other apostles, defends their activities and proclaims Christ and his resurrection. The members of the Sanhedrin are furious to the point of killing the apostles, but Gamaliel intervenes with sage advice. He persuades the Sanhedrin to release the apostles. After being flogged, the apostles return to the temple courts and continue to teach and proclaim Christ’s gospel.” 

Acts 6 “The Greek-speaking Jewish Christians in Jerusalem voice their complaints against the Aramaic-speaking believers, because in the daily distribution of food the widows of the first-mentioned group suffer neglect. The apostles call the believers to a congregational meeting and suggest a division of labors: seven men who are full of the Spirit and wisdom should take care of the physical needs of the poor, and the apostles, by devoting themselves to prayer and preaching, should fulfill the spiritual needs of the people. Seven men are elected and appointed. As a result, the church continues to expand; even many of the priests join the church.

One of the seven men is Stephen, who in addition to his new responsibility performs great miracles among the people and enters the Synagogue of the Freedmen to preach God’s Word. Greek-speaking Jews from North Africa (including Egypt) and Asia Minor listen to him but are unable to oppose him. However, they manage to stir up the crowd to react adversely toward Stephen, who is arrested to stand trial before the Sanhedrin. False witnesses bring charges against him by saying that Stephen has spoken blasphemous words against the Law and God. As Stephen faces the members of the Sanhedrin his face shines like that of an angel.”

To sum it all up: 

• We are called to be courageous and bold in the power of the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ.
• There is no lies or sins that we can keep from the Holy Spirit. God will reveal our sins and lies either on this earth or the next. This is not a game. If your heart is truly for Christ, you will not want to. You will want to repent and turn to him.
• Be bold for Christ!