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Last week we saw how the church continued to grow. We saw that the church met the needs of the society by doing many signs and wonders.  As a result the church grew even more and more.  According to verse 28 the church spread to Jerusalem and was so forceful that it caused a negative reaction among some people.

              This caused persecution to arise. This is the second time that the church faced persecution.  Only Peter and John were arrested in the first persecution.  This time all the apostles were arrested.  Therefore, it was a dangerous persecution.

              However, God sent an angel and the apostles were miraculously set free.  The angel told them in verse 20, “Go, stand in the temple courts, and tell the people the full message of this new life.”  Today let’s look at 3 aspects of what the angel said.

I.                Tell the full message of new life

This is a command from God.

This is the second time for the High priest and all his associates to arrest the apostles.  The first time was when Peter and John used Christ as an example of resurrection of the dead.  The High priest and all his associates didn’t know what to do so they arrested the apostles and put them in prison. (4:2, 3)  This time many people came to the disciples and arrested them and put them in prison.  They did this out of jealousy. The apostles performed many signs and miracles and the church continued to grow.  Therefore, there were many other religious leaders who were jealous.  Jealously rarely takes place for a proper reason.  It usually takes place because things are not going well for the person who becomes jealous.  It is a sign of self center ness. We are all prone to this emotion.  We compare ourselves with others.  We are happy when we are something to be proud of and depressed and jealous when others rate better than us.  When jealousy becomes strong then it hurts others.  This is what was happening here. There was nothing wrong with the work of the apostles.  In fact, in reality it was a very positive thing they were doing.  People were being set free from their worries and sufferings, they were being saved.  What they were doing was wonderful.  The problem was that the High priests and Sadducees were afraid of their positions.

            However, God sent an angel and set them free.  Before when Peter and John were is prison, God sent an angel to set them free too.  However, God did not send an angel every time they were imprisoned. The reason that God did this time is given in verse 20.  They were to “go, stand in the temple courts and tell the people the full message of this new life.” 

              What is this new life?

I Thess. 2:13

              It is the Word of God that is alive and continuing to work in our lives.  Also it gives life to those who believe.  The Bible is the Word of God and gives life to those who believe.  The apostles were not to preach only parts of the Word of God, but the whole message.  At this point the apostles hadn’t taught the whole Word of God.  Therefore, if the Apostles stayed in prison, evangelism and education would stop.  Therefore, God sent an angel and miraculously set them free.

              Therefore, the Apostles who were sent free by the angel, “At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.” (21) They went to the temple courts because that was where the believers were meeting.  They needed to be fed by hearing “the whole message”.  Also the temple courts were the place where the citizens of the city came to and thus was a place for evangelism.  By preaching the message of life, it was a good opportunity for people to receive salvation.

          However, they went to the temple courts at daybreak.  At daybreak it seems like there wouldn’t be anyone there.  In verse 21 it says they “began to teach the people.” Therefore, we know that there were people there. We can sense the zealousness of the early church.　

There are some people that think that since they were set free, it seems ridiculous to do something that might cause them to be put in prison again.　However, that is not so. Even if we are in a situation where we might be imprisoned, it is necessary to preach the Word of life because by it evangelism and education will take place.

II Timothy 4:2

At all times we need to use every opportunity to evangelize.  Then God will work a mighty work.

              In II Kings 5 Naman is healed of a skin disease because of a little girl who told him that if he went to Elijah’s place that he would probably be healed.  Something that we say may influence someone we know to receive the words of life.  “If you go to that persons place…” “If you came to church,…” etc.  Even though we may be imprisoned, we need to use every minute, every opportunity to preach the Words of life.  This is what the angel came to tell us.

II.              We must obey God rather than men

It is the will of God that we preach the Words of life.  The Sanhedrin assembled planning to try the apostles.  “They sent to the jail for the apostles.”(21)  However, the officers could not find them and not only that but the jail was “securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors”; but no one was inside.(23) Everyone was puzzled.  Then someone came and reported to them that the apostles “are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” (25) Therefore, “the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles.  They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.” (26)

At the Sanhedrin the High Priest had two complaints against the apostles.  One was “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name… Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching.” (28)  In other words they have committed the crime of disobeying the command that was given them at the first persecution.   The second complaint was that the apostles were “determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” (28) “This man’s” refers to Jesus Christ. When the people were trying to get Pilate to order Jesus to be crucified, they said, “Let his blood be on us and on our children!” (Matt. 27:25)  Now the apostles are trying to get the people to realize their sin.

In reply to the first complaint, Peter and the other apostles says, “We must obey God rather than men!” ((29) They are saying that they are right in doing what they were doing.  All authority is from God who is the ultimate authority. If any authority asks us to do something that is against the will of God, the ultimate authority, then we need to obey God.  Not to preach the Gospel is against the will of God. Therefore, the apostles need to obey God, not them.

Mark 16:15

Matt. 28:19,20

II Timothy 4:2

I Peter 2:4

The Word of God tells us that God wants us to preach “this name”. It is the will of God.  To stop doing so is not the will of God. When we share our faith we need to have the same confidence that what we are doing is the will of God.

We need to always choose to follow God’s will.  Then God will guide us.  To tell the people the full message of new life is to follow God and that is what he wants us to do.

III.            The Holy Spirit will witness (30-33)

In reply to their second complaint that the apostles were “determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood” (28) Peter and the apostles said, “The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead-whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.  God exalted him whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.  God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.” (30,31) “hanging him on a tree” means to put him on the cross. In the Old Testament “hanging on a tree” was used as a death penalty for those who were cursed.  Therefore, the apostles are saying that the Jewish Sanhedrin hung Jesus on the tree as a cursed person.  However, God’s judgment was different than their judgment.  God raised Jesus from the dead and exalted him to his own right hand. God blessed Him double over. 

The fact that God raised Jesus from the dead and exalted him to his own right hand wasn’t just to show Israel that they were wrong.  This was to make Jesus “Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.” (31)  It was so that the Jewish leaders would realize their responsibility, repent, and ask God for forgiveness.

This isn’t just them, but us too.  We too didn’t know who Christ was, and followed others and our own selves rather God.  We realized that and repented and were forgiven.  However, we did not do this on our own.  It was by the work of the Holy Spirit.  Evangelism isn’t just talking about the historical fact of Jesus’ cross and resurrection.  It isn’t an intellectual debate.  The essence of evangelism is in verse 32

We are witnesses to the repentance and forgiveness of sins of Jesus who has been exalted and raised to the right hand of God. The Holy Spirit who is given to all who believe in Christ is also a witness. Evangelism is the work of the Holy Spirit who gives new life to those who believe.  The Holy Spirit brings us salvation, purifies us, and uses us as His instrument to spread the words of life.

Therefore, we should look forward expectantly to how the Holy Spirit is going to use us.  God is alive and working today.  Let’s believe this and be a faithful witness to the Lord.  The command that we have received is to “tell the people the full message of new life.” (20) That’s the will of God.  When we follow the Lord’s will, then the Holy Spirit will witness.

According to verse 16 the church continued to grow. One reason was because of the incident with Ananias and Sapphira, the church was fearing God and walking with Him.  In other words, the church was purified.  Today’s passage continues to teach us why the early church continued to grow.  Let’s look at this.

I.                The rapid progress of the church (vs.13,14)

Here the words that describe the progress of the early church are “highly regarded in verse13 and “added to their numbers” in verse 14. “No one else” in verse 13 refers to non Christians.  Non Christians didn’t dare to come into the early church’s fellowship. However, they respected Christians. In other words, the people who heard about Ananias and Sapphira were fearful and didn’t want a deep relationship with the church.  However, they respected the Christians.  Present Japan is the same.  According to a recent poll, 36% of the people interviewed said if they had to choose a religion, they would choose Christianity.  However, only 1% of Japan is Christian.  Like the early church there were many who respected Christians, but they had no desire of actually believing in Christ.  However, in the early church, even so, people continued to come into the Church.

In verse 14 we are told that the church added to its numbers. Even though the people did not want to come into the fellowship of the church, the numbers increased. The people did not want to come into the fellowship of the church.  However, as they saw people healed they too began to fear God.  “Nevertheless” in verse 14 means that even though the people did not want to come into the fellowship of the church, not only did they respect the Christians, but also the church continued to grow.  And the sick and those who had evil spirits were healed.  Next let’s look at why the early church so strongly progressed.

II.              Lot’s of signs and amazing works (vs.12)

John 14:12

What is more important than doing a lot of signs and wonders is understanding what the signs and wonders are showing us.  These are the principles upon which we need to base our ministry.

1.                                  The signs and wonders were an answer to their prayers.  In Acts 4:30 they prayed that the Lord would “stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” What they prayed for is happening here.  They would never have been able to perform such signs and amazing works without prayer.  This means that whether the apostles are in the church or not, the church can do nothing without prayer.  In order for the church to do such amazing works that unbelievers will respect the church, the church must pray.

2.                                  For the wonders that the church performs to cause people to respect Christians and accept the faith, the wonders must meet the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of the people.  The early church’s evangelism wasn’t separated from the concerns and problems of daily life.  At the same time the evangelism wasn’t concerned only with the concerns and problems of daily life.  Their evangelism was concerned with both their daily life and their spiritual life.  By solving the problems of daily life, they were able to lead people to real spiritual salvation.  This is the real wonder of salvation.  The church performed such wonders so they were respected by so many non Christians.

We need to pray and go out into the world where people have worries and concerns and pray for answers to their problems.  We need to bring light.  Then we will be respected by non Christians, and people will come to the faith.  This was the early Church’s works of love.

III.            Being one in heart (vs. 12)

One other reason the church progressed was because they were one in heart. The church used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. (vs.12)  The church had grown too big to meet in a home so they met in the temple at Solomon’s Colonnade.  Such a meeting surprised the world. The energy and bigness of such a meeting amazed everyone. 

No matter how much the church talks about the kingdom of God, if they don’t meet together in one heart and show themselves to the world, those of the world, non Christians will not think that the kingdom of God has come.  Nor will they even realize that there are Christians around them.  When Christians meet in one heart together, they show the world that they are really God’s people. 

Hebrews 10:25

The first church was respected by non Christians, and people continued to increase because the early church prayed for signs and wonders.  They performed wonders of love.  They met together in one heart. We want to be this kind of church.

This is not just on the church level.  We need to individually reach out to other people.  We need to become someone respected by other people.  We need to pray.  We need to think about how we can reach out to those who are facing problems and worries.  That will speak to other people’s hearts.  Both as individuals and as a church we need to pray, love from our heart and be one in heart.  This is why the early church grew.  This is the type of person that we want to be and the kind of church that we want to be. Then we will see the church progressing like the early church. 

              Today’s passage begins with the word, “now”.  This means this passage has to do with what is said previously.  Just before this we are told about the deep fellowship of the early church.  They were “one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.” (4:32) Then we are given the wonderful example of Barnabas who “sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.” (4:37) This shows how much the love of God moved everyone to do what they could do to help.  Then the next verse starts with, “now”.  In the midst of this beautiful fellowship of love, something happened to destroy it.  That was the incident of Ananias and Sapphira. They sold their property and brought part of the money and put it at the apostle’s feet.  They kept part of the money for themselves.  Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?” (3) 

              This is a difficult passage to understand because God is full of love and grace.  We all sin, but God forgives those that believe in him.  There is no judgment for those who believe. Therefore, it is difficult to understand why Ananias and Sapphira were judged.  Today let’s try to make sense out of this passage as we think about how we should live.

I.                The problem with Ananias and Sapphira (vs.1-4)

Barnabas and many of the people in the early church sold their possessions and land and gave it to the church.  As a new church not only were the poor in the church helped, but probably money was needed for starting the church and evangelism.  Therefore, it was wonderful how everyone was willing to do what they could to help.  Ananias and Sapphira also sold land and gave part of the money to the church.  Even though it was part of the money that was still a great thing for them to do.  However, Peter said that they were lying to God and they died. Let’s look at what their problem was.

1.           They stole from God so they were lying to God.  It was their land, but when they decided to give the money to God, it became God’s.  They took part of the money out like as if it was their own.   

           Acts. 4:34, 35

              Usually when the early church members sold their possessions, they brought all the money and put it at the disciple’s feet.  Ananias and Sapphira did the same except they kept part for themselves.  The problem was when they decided to sell the land, they had already decided to give the money to the church so the money was God’s. 

              This can be seen in　verses 2 and 3.  “kept back”.  This word is used only one other time in the New Testament.  That is in Titus 2:10.  There it is translated as “steal”.    They took out some of the money that they had planned to give to God and gave the rest like they were really giving their all to God. It made them look really spiritual, when in fact they weren’t giving their all. Therefore, Peter is saying that they aren’t lying to men, but to God. The land was theirs so there was no problem with them selling the land and using the money for themselves.  However, it became a problem because they promised to give the money to God so it was God’s, but they didn’t give it all so they were stealing from God. This is why in verse 9 it says that they tested the Holy Spirit.

              2.           Also they were lying to the community of love, the church. This is the opposite of 4:32-37.  Ananias and Sapphira did not have the same heart and mind as everyone else.  Instead as a couple they put their hearts together. (2, 9) They didn’t live within the fellowship of the church, but instead lived by their own thinking.  They closed their hearts to the needs of other Christians.  In other words, they weren’t living by the new life of Christians.  They were destroying the almost perfect fellowship of the church by their self centerness, slyness, and lying.

II.              The judgment of God (vs.5,6)

Galatians 6:1

Throughout the Bible especially the New Testament we are taught that God forgives all our sins when we repent. Therefore, it is hard to understand why God punished Ananias and Sapphira so severely. The hint is in verse 5 and 11.  It brought holy fear.  It made the church realize that God is alive.  The church needs this kind of holy fear.  When the church is progressing well, it tends to forget this holy fear.  They forget that God is God.  Then sin starts to grow within the church and the church is destroyed.  It is only when the church really fears God that it moves forward.  The incidence of Ananias and Sapphira made the church aware of the great effect of sin and the need to eliminate it from the church.

III.            Fearing God (vs.13,14)

As a result of this incidence, there were no nonChristians who wanted to join the Christian fellowship. However, the non Christians respected the Christians. The numbers of people that accepted Christ increased.  This doesn’t seem to make sense. What this passage is saying is that nonChristians too became fearful by the judgment of Ananias and Sapphira so no one wanted to join the Christian fellowship.  However, at the same time the non Christians respected the non Christians and many people were saved.  By accepting Christ they were brought into the fellowship of the church. 

Eccles. 12:13

Fearing God is everything. 

Let’s fear God and put our hearts and minds together.

              At Pentecost after Peter preached 3,000 people were saved.  Then after the lame man was healed and Peter preached 5,000 men were added to the church. The church was persecuted, but it continued to preach the gospel and the church grew.

              In today’s passage we can see how the church was internally.  The church didn’t just grow numerically, but was a fellowship of love.  Actually, it was because of the fellowship of love, the church grew.  Today let’s look at this fellowship of love.

I.                The church is a community of love (vs. 32)

The church was one in heart and mind and they shared what they had with each other. They sold their possessions and land and divided it up among everyone. However, we can see that this is not communal living.

1.               “his possessions”  Each person had his own possessions.

2.               In chapter 5 Annaias and Sapphira’s sin was not that they didn’t sell part of the land and saved it for themselves, but that they took out money from the money that they received when they sold the land for themselves, and lied saying that that was all the money.  That wasn’t necessary because according the verse 4 that was their land.  The money that they received from selling it was theirs to use as they wanted. 

3.               “There was no needy person among them.” (vs. 34)  This does not mean  that everyone was the same.  There were some poor, some rich, but no one was needy. 

Therefore this passage is not suggesting communal living.  What it is suggesting is a way of thinking.  They were one in heart and mind so as a result no one thought that their possessions were their own.  As it was necessary they shared their possessions with others.  They were able to naturally share their possessions because they had that way of thinking.  In order for us to have that kind of action we have to have that kind of thinking.

Matt. 12:34

What is important is not what we say, but what we are thinking.  What we are thinking is what we will say.  In order to share our possessions, we have to have that kind of thinking.  The first church was like this.  Their heart and mind were one.

Romans 12:15

Their fellowship was a fellowship of sharing joy and sadness.  Therefore, their fellowship was a fellowship of love.  Therefore, “No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.” (32) They did not share because they had to, but out of love.  They thought of others before themselves.  As a result, “much grace was upon them all.” (vs. 33)

II.              Their fellowship of love was power for evangelism. (33)

When the believers were one in heart and shared their possessions, then they were able to in great power witness to Christ. The source of “great power” was their deep fellowship. 

John 17:21

Matt. 5:38-44

When the church is a community that loves each other, then it will be able to witness in great power.  Also they will be blessed.

III.            As a member of the community of love (vs. 34- 37)

The members of the early church tried to live by love.  In verse 36 and 37 Barnabas who is called Joseph is introduced. Later Barnabas will be responsible for introducing Paul to the church and pulled Paul into the lime light.  To convince the church who had been persecuted by Paul and was fearful of him to accept him was a very difficult thing to do.  Therefore he was accepted not into the Jerusalem church, but into the Antioch church. When the Antioch Church sent out missionaries, they chose Paul. As a result the Gospel was spread throughout the world. It was Barnabas that led Paul to that work.  He was truly the “Son of encouragement.”  Why does Luke mention Barnabas here.

1.               In Acts Barnabas will appear many times so Luke decides to introduce him here.

2.               vs.34 and 35’s wonderful fellowship of love is an explanation to how Barnabas was able to show love.  Barnabas was a Levite. Levites couldn’t own their own land.  They were to serve the Lord and their inheritance was God Himself.  However, the other tribes gave 1/10^th of their land to the Levites so they began to have land.

Jeremiah 32:9

Therefore, there were Levites who owned land like Barnabas.  Barnabas sold his land and gave the money to the church.  This was because he saw the poor and felt pity on them.  He was living by the love of God.  It was because in one heart and mind he was praying in the early church.  It doesn’t matter how much property a person has.  What is important is how much he is living in the Love of God, how much he is praying in one heart and mind.  This is what Luke wanted to tell us. Barnabas means encouragement.  However, Barnabas wasn’t so naturally.  He became so by the love of God. 

              Let’s live like Barnabas.  We need to realize that the church is a community of love, and live in the love of God that flows through the church. To do that we need to have the same heart and thinking as Jesus.  Also we need to remember that we are a member of this community of love and pray in one heart and mind.

Peter and John were arrested after healing the lame man, were brought before the Sanhedrin, and then finally were released.  Then Peter and John went to the Christians and told them everything that had happened.  In verse 24 we are told that the Christians who heard the report prayed.  They didn’t speak comforting words to Peter and John or talk about what they should do, they just began praying.  Today let’s look at their prayer.  We have already seen the early church praying many times, but this is the first time that their prayer is clearly written so today let’s look at how they prayed. 

I.                A prayer that recognizes the sovereignty of God. (vs. 24)

First, they prayed to God, “Sovereign Lord”.  After calling God the “Sovereign Lord” they prayed, “you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.” They are affirming in prayer that the God we believe in made heaven and earth and all that is in it, controls and directs human history, and in the same way today He continues to control all things.

In verse 29 they prayed, “Now, Lord, consider their threats”.  They were threatened. They had been threatened by the Sanhedrin so the most important thing that they needed to do was not to look at the threats, but to look at the “Sovereign Lord” who controls all things.  In the midst of the threats they needed to believe that the Lord who controls them has complete control over all things and is even in control of the things that have just happened.  By having that faith the early church was able to preach boldly the word of God.

Matt. 10:28-31

When we look at our circumstances, we have many fears and concerns.  Thus we can’t preach the Gospel boldly. Therefore, it is important that we don’t look at our circumstances, but look at God and who He is. We shouldn’t look at our problems, but at how great God is. The God that we believe in is the creator of all heaven and earth. We need to remember that He controls all and we will be able to overcome all circumstances.

Phil. 4:13 We need to believe this verse.  Like the early church when we have problems we need to keep our eyes focused on God who made heaven and earth and who controls all things, and pray.

II.              A prayer that has assurance of the Lord’s will  (vs. 25-28)

Secondly they believed that even this situation was in the Lord’s hand. In these verses the church is praying Psalms 2. They are praying this Psalm because through this Psalm they were able to see the purpose of the persecution that were facing.  In other words, they realized that the persecution that they were facing was not just by coincidence, but had been prophesized from the time of the Old Testament.  That prophecy was this Psalm. This prophecy was fulfilled explicitly in the cross. (vs. 27)  The cross was decided by God from the beginning of time. 

Thus persecution is natural for those who follow Christ and preach Christ’s cross.

John 15:18-20

Therefore, the early church did not pray for the Lord to stop the persecution or to not allow the persecution.  Instead they prayed, “consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your work with great boldness.” (vs. 29) They prayed like this because through the Bible they had received assurance that the persecution that they were experiencing was in the plans of God.

This is important not just in persecution, by throughout our lives.  In our life unexpectantly many things happen that make us feel like our life is falling apart: sickness, accidents, our company goes bankrupt, lost a job, death, etc.  There are 3 main ways to face such problems.

1.               Look at the problem and suffer the rest of your life. 

2.               Try to avoid looking at the problem.  Don’t think about the problem. This is called “running away from the problem.

3.               Look at the problem and through the problem see a new world that you would never have seen if there had never been a problem.  This is the way of those who realize that God’s hands are in all things.

In our life many things happen.  However in each problem we need to see God’s hand in it and find the meaning of it. This is how the early church was.  They saw the meaning of their persecution and threats through the Bible.  Then their persecution wasn’t just something that causes them to suffer, but something that was the will of God who promised from the Old Testament times that those who love Him will have. Therefore, they were able proclaim the Word of God boldly.

III.            A prayer of the assurance of commission (vs. 29-30)

Here they are praying for 2 things. 

1.               For God to look upon their threats.  In their persecution and threats they want God who has a plan and who knows the meaning of what is happening to look upon their persecution.  If God looks upon their persecution then they are satisfied. That is all they need.

2.               “enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (vs. 29) This persecution started because Peter and John healed the lame man.  Even so the early church prayed that God will “perform miraculous signs and wonders” and heal even though that might cause them to continue to be persecuted. 

They were able to pray this way because they realized what their commission was.  Rather than a safe and peaceful life, they wanted to fulfill their commission.  Their only hope was to witness to God’s Word. Jesus was the same.  No matter how much he was persecuted, he continued to preach the Word God.  This is because Jesus felt it was for this reason that he was sent.

Luke 4:43

Jesus knew why he came to this world.  It was to spread the news of God’s kingdom. Jesus wants us to do the same.

Matt. 28:19-20

This is the Lord’s will so they prayed that they would be able to boldly proclaim the Gospel.

When they prayed, the place where they were praying was shaken and everyone was filled with the Holy Spirit.  They proclaimed the Word of God boldly.  This showed the presence of Christ.  They were able to proclaim the Word of God boldly in the face of persecution because they had prayed, and were filled with the Holy Spirit.  In order to boldly proclaim the Gospel we need to pray and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

The early church prayed recognizing the sovereignty of God who controls all things, and works through History.  Not only that, but they realized that the persecution and threats that they were experiencing was within the deep plans of God.  They believed that all things were happening within the will of God. Therefore, all we need to do is proclaim boldly the word of God.  This is the will of God.  We are commissioned to do so.  If we pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit, God will be with us and fill us with His Spirit.  This is the kind of prayer we need to pray. Even if we are under persecution, we need to pray that we can boldly proclaim the Word of God and that God’s glory will be shown.

II Cor. 3:8-10

              Peter and John healed the lame man, and thus were seized and brought before the Jewish supreme court, the Sanhedrin.  The Sanhedrin wanted to know by what authority they healed the man.  Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter explained that it was by the name of Jesus Christ whom they had crucified and whom God had raised from the dead.  It is only through Him that a person can be saved.  There is no other name by which we can be saved.  They boldly shared the Gospel. The leaders were really surprised.  Peter and John were unlearned, common people, but they were boldly speaking.  Preaching the Word of God boldly was one of the characteristics of the first church.  In 4:29,30 they prayed to be able to speak the Word of God boldly.  Then they did just that. (13:46;14:3;18:26;19:8;26:26;28:31) Today let’s look at why they were able to speak so boldly.

I.                They were with Jesus (vs.13)

The Jewish leaders were surprised at Peter and John’s boldness because they were unlearned. The word, “unlearned” means “they can’t read and write”. Therefore, they had never officially studied the law (Bible). Therefore, to the rabbis and leaders it seemed surprising that Peter and John could speak so boldly and freely.  The reason that they could speak so boldly is given in verse 13, “they took note that these men had been with Jesus”. “To take note” means “to realize”.  Therefore the Sanhedrin realized, they understood, that the reason Peter and John could speak so boldly was because they had been with Jesus.  In other words, they realized that Peter and John’s boldness was from Jesus.  They probably remembered that Jesus was the same. (John 7:15)  If you are with some for a long time, you begin to be like that person.  The disciples had been with Jesus so they were able to be bold.  However, that boldness was not from themselves, but as a result of a deep relationship with Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit.  We are the same.  We may be weak, but Jesus is strong. We may be unlearned and just an ordinary person, but God will give us the power to speak boldly.  If we are with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit Jesus will give us strength and we will be able to boldly share the Word of God.

II.              The healed person is standing (vs. 14)

Another reason that Peter and John were able to preach boldly is they had proof.  There was the reality of salvation. There was the reality of change.  If the discussion in the Sanhedrin was just a debate, then Peter and John may have not been so bold, but they could speak boldly because the man who was healed was standing there with them.  The man was proof of what they were saying so there was nothing that the Sanhedrin could say. (vs.14)  In verse 21 we are told, “all the people were praising God for what had happened.”  People were changed because of what they saw. 

No matter how much the church claims that there is salvation in no other than Christ, if there are no saved Christians that are filled with joy, then evangelism will be very weak.  However, if there are Christians who saved, they are filled with joy and are worshipping God, then the evangelism will have more power than just the words. Powerful evangelism takes place when a person is saved and the Gospel works within his heart and his life is changed to a life of praise.  In other words, evangelism does not take place just because there is a preacher.  It takes place when those who are saved live a faithful church life and pure life and stand beside the preacher. Therefore we need to live the Gospel, and experience grace and power.  We need to know that the Gospel changes people and gives them life, and then we can boldly proclaim the Gospel. Those who hear our preaching will not be able to say anything against us.

III.            What is right before God (vs.19,20)

Thirdly Peter and John were bold because they had confidence that what they were doing was right before God.  The Sanhedrin couldn’t say anything because they could see the man who was healed standing there.  Therefore, they ordered Peter and John “to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together.” (15)  They could not deny the reality of the miracle, but it was dangerous for the Sanhedrin if Peter and John continued their preaching so they decided to warn them “to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” (17)  Therefore, “they called them in again and commanded them no to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.” (18)  However, “Peter and John replied, ‘Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God.  For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.’” (19,20) The Sanhedrin was the supreme court of the Jews so it was understood to be God’s voice.  To follow the Sanhedrin meant to follow God.  However, Peter and John are saying, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God.” (19) 

Romans 13:1

We are to follow those in authority because their authority is given to them by God.  However, if what they are requesting is different than God’s will then we are to follow God because He is the Ultimate authority.  This is such a case.  The Sanhedrin was made to be the voice of God, but they were requesting something that went against God’s will.  Therefore, they must follow God. They have been commissioned to be a witness to the risen Lord. Therefore they cannot help speaking about what they have seen and heard.  (20)  They disobeyed the Sanhedrin’s command and continued speaking in the name of Jesus.

For the first church and for Peter and John this was a first time experience.  They were ordered not to evangelize by the top authorities of the country.  Japan guarantees religious freedom in its constitution, but before the constitution was established Christians ran into the same problems. Also in China and other communist countries even today evangelism is not allowed.  To preach the name of Jesus is a very difficult work.  Under such conditions the most important thing is to know that in God’s eyes that it the right thing to do; that this is the Lord’s will.  They know that there is salvation in no one else, but by the name of Christ. God gave the name of Jesus so no matter what any one says they have decided that they are going to preach that name. Peter and John had such a faith and assurance. This wasn’t just something they thought, but it was based upon the Word of God.  They had already heard about it from the lips of Jesus.

Acts 1:8

Matt. 28:19,20

They had such words which gave them confidence.  We too, no matter what circumstances we are in, even if we are persecuted, in order to proclaim the Word of God, we need to know that that is God’s will. Evangelizing is right in God’s eyes.  It is what God desires.  We need to believe that it’s our job.  Then we can preach the Word of God boldly.

I Cor. 9:16

Paul said this because he had a commission.  He had assurance that God had called him to preach the Gospel.  He knew he had to do so.

We have been commissioned too.  It is the Lord’s will. Therefore, no matter what others say, we have to share what we have seen and heard. This is God’s will.  This is His desire.

              There is no other way we can be saved except through Christ.  Therefore let’s look at 3 aspects of this fact.

I.                The power of our Lord, Jesus’ resurrection (vs.1-4)

In today’s passage Peter and John are seized and put in jail.  This is the first  case of persecution in the first church.  This happened because Peter and John were teaching and proclaims Jesus and the resurrection.

“The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were …teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.” (1, 2)  The priests and the captain of the temple guard were Sadducees too.  There were 3 main sects in the Jewish faith.  The Essenes were a group of very strict and zealous Jews and so they rarely appear in the Bible.  In the Bible the Pharisees and Sadducees that usually appear.  The Sadducees didn’t believe in the resurrection of the dead nor a future life.  They rejected belief in angels and demons.  They rejected the idea of a spiritual world.  They couldn’t accept anything that they couldn’t conceive in their minds so that didn’t believe in miracles. However, they believed in Moses.  Since Peter and John were preaching about the resurrection, the Sadducees were “greatly disturbed” (2) Therefore, they seized Peter and John.

In other words, it could be said that Peter and John’s preaching had enough influence that it was greatly disturbing the Sadducees. This influence came from the power of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 3:15, 16

As a result of their faith in the resurrected Jesus, they were able to boldly proclaim the Gospel. The power of Jesus’ resurrection gives us power to boldly share the Gospel.

Acts 1:8

Peter and John from the beginning didn’t have any special power.  If you look at verse 13, “they were unschooled, ordinary men”.  However, by meeting Jesus and following Him they were completely changed.  However, when Jesus was put on the cross and died they lost all hope and dreams.  Peter even denied Jesus 3 times.  However, when Jesus rose, Jesus came to Peter and through his forgiveness and love; Peter was able to stand again.  In addition, Jesus gave the wonderful power of the Holy Spirit.  As a result Peter was no longer concerned with protecting himself, but was ready to give his life for Christ.  Even if the face of death, he boldly proclaimed the Gospel. They boldly proclaimed the resurrection of Christ as a result of the power of the Holy Spirit.

We are no different from Peter. However, by knowing the risen Christ, we too can boldly proclaim the Gospel.  As a result, from the people who hear our proclamation, miraculously many people will believe in Christ.

II.              Real Authority (5-7)

According to vs. 5 and 6, the next day the rulers, elders, teachers of the law, and the high priest met in Jerusalem. This would mean the Sanhedrin, the supreme court of the Jews met. They put Peter and John in the center of them and asked them, “By what power or what name did you do this? (7)

Notice that the content of their questioning has changed.  Peter and John were arrested for proclaiming about the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  However, here they are being questioned, “By what power or what name did you do this?”(7) It is because there were Pharisees in the Sanhedrin too.  The Pharisees believed that there was a resurrection after death.  Therefore, the Sadducees were not able to talk about John and Peter’s teaching about the resurrection.  Therefore, they changed their focus in order that the Sanhedrin would take a unified stand against Peter and John. They were now focusing back on the healing of the lame man.  They want to know “By what power or name did” they heal the lame man?  What they wanted to say was that in order to heal or do a miracle, they needed to get permission from the Sanhedrin. Also to teach in the temple, they needed the permission of person in charge of the temple, the High priest or the temple guard. They are accusing Peter and John of not getting prior permission, of doing things on their own and not following the rules of the temple. However, the Sanhedrin had made a mistake of thinking that they held all authority.  They had forgotten that there was an authority greater than themselves, God. They had forgotten to fear God, and to follow Him.  This was the root of their problem.  As a result their thinking and life had changed.  They became more interested in themselves than God.  They thought that they were working for God, but in reality they were using God and working for their own profit.  This was their problem.

However, this isn’t just their problem.  Sometimes there are people who use God’s name for their own profit.  There are times when we think we are following God, but we really aren’t.  There are times we are more concerned about how we think or our own contentment than we are about what God has to say. We need to not have a faith that looks on the outside like we are following God, but listen to God’s voice and have a faith where the inside is the same as the outside.

III.            There is salvation in no other. (vs. 8-12)

This is the answer that Peter gave to the Sanhedrin to their question of “By what power or what name did you do this?”  First Peter says that if they are on trail not for teaching about the resurrection of the dead, but “for an act of kindness shown to a cripple,…It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.” (9,10) The Sanhedrin made the decision to crucify Jesus Christ.  However, God laughed at their authority, and Jesus who was killed on the cross by them, was resurrected by God.  This is because Jesus has supreme authority and the power to raise the dead.  This Jesus healed the lame man. 

Peter is saying clearly that “it is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” that this man was healed.  Therefore, they must repent and return to God.  They need to believe in the name of Jesus.  However, just because there is a miracle, Israel must be careful not to just look at the result and believe easily.   This is because the false prophets have done the same types of miracles.　Moses warned the Israelites of this in Deut. 13:1-3.  Therefore, what is important is not whether the miracle was performed in the name of Jesus, but whether the name of Jesus is an idol or another God or not.  Therefore, Peter quotes Psalm 118:22 in verse 11.

Peter is saying that Jesus is the cornerstone of the temple. Jesus was thrown out by the Jewish leaders by being put on and dieing on the cross. God rose Jesus up from the dead. Jesus was thrown out one time, but He became the most glorious cornerstone.  In other words, Jesus can’t be thrown out.  He is the most important. He is the Savior that has been prophesized about for thousands of years.  Therefore, Peter says in verse 12, “Salvation is found in on one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

There is no other way that we can be saved from sin except through Jesus Christ.  He’s the only Savior that can save us from the punishment of sin and give us eternal life.  We can’t be saved if we don’t believe in his name.

Peter could so boldly proclaim the Gospel in the midst of such hardships because he had assurance that there was no other way to be saved except through Jesus Christ.  Do you have that assurance?  There is no other way to saved except through Jesus Christ so we need to share the Gospel. 

              Our sins plug up the flow of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  The key to unplugging the flow is to repent. Therefore, today let’s look at 3 aspects of repentance.

I.                If we repent, we are forgiven.  (vs. 17-19)

The reason for repentance is given in verses 17 and 28.  They had acted in ignorance just as their leaders did. Even though we sin out of ignorance, it is still sin and needs to be repented for.  Especially since God had sent prophets in advance telling of Christ’s coming, so there was no excuse for their ignorance.  However, whether it was sin that was out of ignorance or sin that they were aware of, either way, it needs to be repented of. If you repent and return to God, then you will be forgiven.

This is salvation.  This is the greatness of the Good News.  The Good News is that no matter what you have done, there is nothing that you can’t be forgiven of.  It is only by the grace of God that you can turn yourself around, repent, and believe in Jesus Christ.  Then God will forgive you.  This is the Gospel, the Good News.

II Cor. 5:17

This is the Gospel. By being in Christ, in other words, repenting, believing in Christ, you are made into a new person.  This is the grace of the Gospel.

From the day you believed in Christ, all of your sin was forgiven.  It’s gone.  If you forget that grace and are thinking about your sin, the Lord must be really sad.  If you repent and return to Christ, your sins are gone.

II.              For the time of restoration (vs. 20-21)

Secondly, we need to repent and return to God in preparation for the time of restoration. We will all stand before the Lord at the time of restoration.  The word “time of restoration” means “free time to breathe” which means “time of encouragement” or “time of peace”.  God decides on the time and this time refers to Jesus’ second coming.  We won’t have “free time to breathe” or peace until Jesus’ second coming because now we are in confusion as a result of sin. When Jesus comes again, the time of restoration will come and we will be able to breathe and will have peace. 

I.  Thess. 4:15-17

When Jesus comes, first those who died will be raised, given a new body and be taken up into heaven.  Then Christians that are still alive will be lifted up into heaven. In other words, all Christians whether they have already died or are still alive at Christ’s coming in one moment will be changed into a glorious body and lifted up into heaven.  Then they will be with Christ for forever. That will be the “time of encouragement”, “the time of peace”.

Matt. 24:35-42

When Jesus comes, some people will be lifted up to meet Jesus while others won’t. It is the time when our faith will be made complete.  Whether we are lifted up or not depends upon whether we have believed in Jesus or not.  Whether we have repented and accepted Christ into our hearts or not. Therefore, we need to repent so we are prepared for Jesus’ second coming.

III.            A wonderful right will be given to us. (vs. 22-26)

Another reason for repenting is a wonderful right will be given to us.  All at once Peter throws out an Old Testament passage and begins talking about Moses. This is because Peter is showing us how wonderful a right has been given to us so we should repent. This is from Deut. 18:15.  “A prophet like me” is a prophet like Moses who had a special relationship with God, in other words, the Messiah, Christ. He has been given to Israel who had received the promise from God.  Therefore they should “listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off.”

Not only that, but verse 25 God said to Abraham. “Through your offspring all peoples on the earth will be blessed.”  In other words, Israel was to a blessing to all the nations. That was why Jesus was sent to them. They were chosen and therefore, they had a great responsibility. They needed to repent.

However, the Jews never opened their eyes to the fact that as God chosen people, they had a great responsibility. Instead they persecuted him.  Therefore, Paul announces that he is going to the Gentiles.  Then salvation came to the Gentiles. This was God’s plan.  Now we are the new Israelites and our responsibility is to be a blessing to others.

The Israelites were chosen by God, but they asked only for their rights, they didn’t fulfill their responsibilities.  They didn’t repent and return to God. They didn’t live within the grace of God.  We must be careful not to do the same thing.  We have received special grace from God.  We need to be thankful for God’s grace.  We need to have a repentful heart.

Romans 11:22

Hebrews 3:15

We have received God’s wonderful grace.  Therefore, we need to be thankful,  repent, return to Christ and always follow Christ. This is the responsibility of those who have received the grace of God.

                Peter and the other disciples used every chance they had to share the Gospel.  In today’s passage we see this too.  After Peter healed the man with who couldn’t walk, the people who saw it were very surprised and gathered together at Solomon’s Colonnade. Peter didn’t miss the chance and witnessed to Christ.  This testimony is in verses 12-26.  Verses 12-16 are about where the power from this miracle came. Verses 22-26 are about the blessings and responsibilities of the chosen Israelites.  Today let’s look at verses 12-16.  This miracle took place not by the disciples, but by Christ.  In other words, by the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, this miracle took place.  Let’s look at this meaning from 3 aspects.

I.                It is not by us. (vs. 12, 13)

The man was not healed because Peter and John had a special power.  Nor was he healed because he had a deep faith.  Peter asked the crowds who saw the healing and was surprised 2 questions in hope of correcting their mistaken thinking.

1.                                  “Why does this surprise you?” (vs. 12) Humanly speaking to see a man who couldn’t walk running, dancing and jumping around is very amazing.  However, if we realized who the God is that we believe in really is, then it would not be something to be surprised about.  We believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  That means the God who can do anything as we can see through these patriarch’s lives and history. Even though they were weak and had faults, God took care of them through unnatural means. 

For example, to the father of our faith, Abraham, a son, Isaac was born when he was 100 years old.  Humanly speaking he was too old to have a child. Also his descendants became as numerous as sand.

Isaac planted seeds and saw a hundred fold harvest. The Lord greatly blessed him.  He was given a well so that he could increase and spread out.

Jacob deceived his brother Esau and fled to Leban.  However, 20 years later he returned and has peace with his brother.

Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt where they had been slaves for 430 years.  God performed many miracles and wonders and saved the Israelites from Egypt.  God killed all the first sons of Egypt and divided the Red Sea in half as God saved the Israelites with his mighty arm.

While the Israelites were in the desert, God made water rush out of a rock, provided manna for them to eat, pigeons to eat for 40 years.  God took care of them.

Through out history God has taken care of the Israelites by unnatural means. The Bible is full of miracles. 

2.                                  “Why do you stare at us as if by our own power of godliness we had made this man walk?” (vs. 12)

Gentiles saw people who performed miracles as gods.  For example, Acts 14:8 However, Peter is saying that they are only mere men. 

II.              Jesus’ name is the source of the miracles. (vs. 13-16)

God gave his servant Jesus, Christ glory.  Jesus’ name by the faith of those that believe in that name, the man was made strong. And today Jesus does the same, strengthens us and heals us. If Jesus heals today, why are there times when we are not healed?

1.      James 4:2   We don’t ask.

2.    I John 5:14  It’s not the Lord’s will.

3.      I Peter 1:8, 9 We have even a greater blessing, eternal life. This is the greatest mercy.  Therefore whether we are physically healed or not is not so important.

                      What’s wonderful about this man was not only was he healed, but spiritually he was healed too.  He was able to walk this life straight forward.  By Jesus’ name and faith he was completely healed. The word used for complete is the word used for animals that were sacrificed.  It meant they were without blemish.  This means that this man was healed spiritually too and was now without blemish.

                      This spiritual healing is available to us today too.  Jesus wants to heal our spirits and make us whole giving us peace and joy.

III.            The author of life (vs. 13-15)

Jesus is the servant, the righteous one, the holy one, the author of life, in other words, the Messiah.  He was brought before Pilate, put on the cross and died, but this is who should be worshipped, the Lord, the Messiah.  He is the one who healed the man. He is the author of life.  He is the one that we must look at.

What do you have your eyes on?  Are you looking for the answers to your problems in other people or things?  It is only Jesus Christ who can heal you totally.  Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever.  Jesus is alive and working today.  He’s the one that we need to look to. Let’s seek after Him.

             At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and the church was born. The church devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching, fellowshipped, had communion and prayed.  The Lord added daily new members to the church.  The church also did many unbelievable signs.  Today’s passage is an example of one of these signs.  This wasn’t just a sign, but as a result of this miracle Peter preaches, is arrested and the persecution against the church begins.  Even so the church continues forward. 

              By the way, in verse 6 Peter says, “In the name of Jesus stand up and walk.” In 4:10 we are told that he was healed “by the name of Jesus”.  By using “the name of Jesus” it refers to Jesus himself.  However, Christ has ascended into heaven.  Now God has sent “another counselor”, the Holy Spirit.  The church is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, when Jesus who is in heaven does work on earth, it is through the work of the Holy Spirit.

              Before when Jesus told the man in Capernaum to “Get up and walk” the man walked.  The same Jesus is through the Holy Spirit doing the miracle. 

              Today let’s look at 3 aspects of this miracle.

I.                It all begins from love (vs. 1-4)

According to verse 1 Peter and John went up to the temple to pray at 3:00 in the afternoon. The Jews prayed 3 times a day: 9:00 A.M., 12:00 noon, and 3:00 P.M.  At 3:00 the animals were sacrificed so almost all devout Jews in Jerusalem went to the temple at that time to pray. Therefore, it would have been very crowded.  Peter and John must have been very busy considering 3,000 people were saved at one time.  Even so they took the time to go to pray and entered the temple at 3:00.

According to Jewish teaching God rewards those who give alms to the poor.  Therefore, the man who was lame picked this time when the temple would be full of people to sit at the gate and beg.

Therefore, the lame man spoke to Peter and John just like he was speaking to everyone else hoping to get some money from them.  However, Peter told him to “Look at us.”  Even though he had said that he had no money.  Peter said this because he wanted the man to realize that they had something that he didn’t have. They had the name of Jesus Christ.  They had the name of Jesus, so they said, “Look at us.”

However, even if they had the name of Jesus Christ, if they had no grace or pity towards the man, they would never say, “Look at us.”  They said this because they felt sorry for this man who had to sit at the temple and beg everyday.

Jesus is the same.  Hebrews 4:15,16

Jesus knows all our weaknesses, pains, and struggles and he showers his grace on us. Therefore, we can receive his grace and come boldly towards the throne of grace.

John was called a person of love.  However, he was not a person of love from the beginning.  He was called “the son of thunder”.  In other words, he was full of anger, always picking a fight, had a short temper, and couldn’t get along with others.  Since he soon fell into a rage, people kept him at a distance. When he believed in Jesus and was filled with the Holy Spirit, he was changed into a person of love.  He became a person that wanted to do things to help people who were in need.  This miracle was born out of this change.  God’s wonderful works take place when there is love.

II.              Jesus Christ’s name heals (vs.6-8)

By the name of Jesus this man was completely healed so that he could leap around.

James 5:14,15

God still heals in the church when we believe that Jesus Christ’s name heals and pray.        

III.            Jesus’ name has the power to save people (vs.8,9)

The man who was healed had more joy than we could ever imagine.  He had never walked before since he was born so of course he would be joyful to be able to walk. However, the greatness of this miracle wasn’t that he just walked, but that there was a change that occurred within him.  It says that he went in the temple with Peter and John “praising God.” (vs. 8) and in verse 9 we are told that he was walking “praising God.” This was because his spirit was saved. 

Eternal life is the greatest present that we can receive from God. 

John 3:16

Only Jesus can forgive our sins and give us eternal life.  Even if we loose everything, we can be satisfied.  It is only by the name of Jesus Christ that our spirits can be saved.  It is only those who are in the church that can receive this.  Therefore, as ones who have received, it should be our mission to lead others to salvation by the name of Jesus Christ.  We need to always be aware that our true mission in life is to heal and to bring others to salvation.  Money or possessions should mean nothing compared to the work of giving out a hand to help those who are sick or hurting and in the name of Jesus to reaching out to help them stand up.  Here is real salvation.

We don’t need money. However we have the name of Jesus Christ.  By his name we can say “walk”.  Let’s become this kind of church.