No Other Name

Acts 4:1-22

  1. The Apostles Arrested (v. 1-7)
  2. Cripple was healed at 3PM, this is hours later.
  1. Their message made hundreds if not thousands of converts.
  2. Reasons for the arrest.
  3. The “captain of the temple” had to oversee security and order, so a growing mob would have caught his attention.
  4. The apostles are doing unauthorized preaching/teaching in the temple courts, something the captain would have wanted to control.
  5. The Sadducees’ considerable financial status depended on the Romans, and disorder threatened their livelihood.
  6. The Sadducees also didn’t believe in resurrection.
  7. Jail wasn’t used as a punishment, they just needed them held until a trial could happen.
  8. The trial was before the heavy hitters in Jerusalem.
  9. Annas was technically no longer High Priest, but still was obviously the power behind Caiaphas, his son-in-law.
  10. He was the “godfather” of those days.
  11. With all confidence and swagger, they ask the apostles on whose authority they do “this.” (Possibly referring to the healing, possibly the teaching).
  1. An unexpectedly powerful response (v. 8-12)
  2. Peter disarms any suspicion of being an anarchist.
  3. Addresses leaders with respect.
  4. Reminds them of the good deed they’ve done.
  5. Peter removes any excuse they may have.
  6. “Let it be known” to all, so they can no longer claim ignorance.
  7. Quotes Psalm 118:22, which they would have known being experts in the Law.
  8. Jewish leaders liked to call themselves “the Builders of Israel.”
  9. Peter affirms that…in the worst sense, they are the builders who rejected God’s cornerstone.
  10. Peter undermines their authority.
  11. Salvation is in no one else.
  12. The temple cannot save.
  13. The High Priest or priests cannot save.
  14. The Law experts cannot save.
  15. He leaves no room for questions, affirming that the one who healed the lame man is the only one with power to save.
  16. The council responds. (v. 13-22)
  17. They are stunned, and have to confer.
  18. Peter and John should not be this bold.
  19. They are uneducated in the Law.
  20. They are “common” men, with no political or social authority or power.
  21. They also cannot be refuted when standing next to a 40-year cripple that they have healed.
  22. Rather than seek truth, the look for a way to suppress anything that would challenge their position.
  23. Without reason or Law, they can only bully.
  24. All they can do is command them to silence.
  25. Peter comes back even more strongly:
  26. “You figure out whether we should obey you or God” assumes that the council is opposed to God.
  27. We can’t do anything but tell the truth.
  28. The council threatens more forcefully, but have no grounds to act.
  29. The key point: “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them…”
  30. God has empowered him for this encounter supernaturally.
  31. The “filling” is an extra display of power of the Holy Spirit, who Peter had already been filled with.
  32. This filling is not accompanied by tongues, but it is accompanied by the proclamation of the name of Jesus Christ.
  33. When the Holy Spirit works, he points us to Christ.
  34. Salvation is not found in the Holy Spirit!
  35. We are to “earnestly desire the greater gifts” (1 Cor. 12:31)
  36. Goal of these gifts is the character of Christ.
  37. The Holy Spirit is the means to the end of glorifying Christ.
  38. Remember the most important point: you cannot be saved by good deeds, penance, meditation, spirituality, etc. You can only be saved by the work of Christ.
  39. We too have the Holy Spirit to enable us to testify about Jesus.

“And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself of what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” (Lk. 12:11-12)

  1. When God prompts, we speak about Jesus without worrying about saying the perfect words.
  2. Even the perfect eloquent speech did not win over the Jewish council.
  3. We prepare ourselves, but trust the Holy Spirit to make it “work” when we speak.
  1. Incontrovertible evidence strengthens our testimony.
  2. The apostles had a lame man who could walk.
  3. We have…a life radically different from the world.

“But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:14–17 ESV)

  1. Christ frees us from sin, and the more free we become, the more powerful our testimony.

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”” (John 13:35 ESV)

  1. Go and love like Jesus, and when He prompts, lean on the Holy Spirit and declare the name of Jesus, for “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved!”

FOR NEXT WEEK:

Read: 1 Peter 3:8-17.

Consider:

What are some of the descriptions of righteous living listed here?

Do your words and deeds “seek peace and pursue it?” (v. 11)

When you discuss belief in God, do you do so with gentleness and respect? (v. 15)

Is there any area of disobedience in your life the prevents you from talking about Christ with a good conscience? (v. 16)

Pray:

That God would give you the will and the power to turn from any area of sin that damages your life and testimony.

Ask God to “fill you” with a unique working of the power of his Holy Spirit in a way that enables you to speak the name of Jesus as the only way to salvation.

That God would give you an opportunity this week to tell someone else the good news of Jesus Christ.

Do:

When God gives you that opportunity, don’t be shy. Lean on the Holy Spirit for wisdom and start sharing!