The Book of Acts
The Need to Pray for Boldness
Acts 4:13-31
Introduction:
Peter and John had been called to appear before the Sanhedrin, the
Jewish high court. The crime? They had, by the power of Jesus,
healed a lame man! But Peter turned the tables on the council and
accused them of killing the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Though Jesus is
the only way of salvation, He is the only path to the Heavenly
Father. So let’s examine how the council reacted and then the
effect on the apostles.
Body: I. The Reaction of the Council
(Verses 13-22)
Verse 13
Acts 4:13
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived
that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And
they realized that they had been with Jesus.”
NKJV
Peter’s words left the council speechless. They were amazed and
stunned. They saw their boldness [courage, confidence, unrestrained
speech]. No doubt, this was an important factor in the growth of
the early church. Peter and John were not formally trained rabbis
or religious instructors in any school. But the council began to
fully recognize what it meant to be a disciple of Jesus.
Verse 14
Acts 4:14
“And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they
could say nothing against it.”
NKJV
The
council could not argue that a miracle had not taken place. It
had! The miracle was standing before them.
Verse 15
Acts 4:15
“But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council,
they conferred among themselves,”
NKJV
The council met in closed session. They tried to throw together a
possible explanation, a defense.
Verse 16
Acts 4:16
“saying, ‘What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a
notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who
dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.’ ”
NKJV
Instead of asking, “What shall we do with these men?” They should
have asked, “What shall we do to be saved?” They had a vested
interest in error.
Verses 17-18
Acts 4:17-18
“But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely
threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.
So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach
in the name of Jesus.”
NKJV
We don’t know how long the council discussed these things. But the
council knew the man had been healed and therefore, Peter and John’s
testimony was true. Even this miracle had not changed their hard
hearts. Note: Romans 1:16. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of
Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who
believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”
NKJV
So they strictly charged them not to say a
word in the name of Jesus. They were acting as agents of
Satan. Satan hates it when Jesus’ disciples invite others to hear
the gospel. (Luke 14:23) “Then the master said to the servant,
‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in,
that my house may be filled.”
NKJV
The highest court in Israel had made it a law that it was illegal to
speak or teach in the name of Jesus. This was a critical moment in
the history of the church.
Verses 19-20
Acts 4:19-20
“But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right
in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.’ ”
NKJV
Peter and John could not be silent. They had to speak up.
“In the sight of God” God was watching the proceedings.
The council should have known that the highest priority always is
“to obey God.”
Verses 21-22
Acts 4:21-22
“So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding
no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all
glorified God for what had been done. For the man was over forty
years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.”
NKJV
The Sanhedrin had attempted to intimidate Peter and John; but they
had failed. The people glorified God for what had happened. The
council was afraid to do anything more.
II.
The Effect on the Apostles (Verses 23-31)
Verse 23
Acts 4:23
“And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported
all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.”
NKJV
Peter and John went back to the other apostles. Even the apostles
needed friends. Today the church is to encourage and strengthen
each other. (Luke 22:32) “But I have prayed for you, that your
faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen
your brethren,”
NKJV
(Hebrews 12:12-13) “Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down,
and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that
what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.”
NKJV
Verse 24
Acts 4:24
“So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one
accord and said: ’Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and
the sea, and all that is in them.”
NKJV
In
times of distress and difficulty, God’s help must be sought. All
the apostles were united in their thinking. The prayer begins with
praise to God, the Creator. He is “Lord” – the sovereign ruler and
supreme authority. God has a right to rule because He is the
Creator of all things, including the Sanhedrin! (Revelation
14:7) “saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him,
for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made
heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.’ ”
NKJV
Verses 25-26
Acts 4:25-26
“who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘Why did the
nations rage, And the people plot vain things? The kings of the
earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.’ ”
NKJV
The Old Testament prophets had predicted that there would be strong
opposition to Christ and His message. Rulers would stand together
in their efforts to stop the work of Christ. (Psalm 2:1) “Why
do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing?”
NKJV
The idea that it would work was laughable, doomed to failure.
(Psalm 2:4) “He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall
hold them in derision.”
NKJV
(Acts 5:38-39) “And now I say to you, keep away from these men and
let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will
come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it – lest
you even be found to fight against God.”
NKJV
Verses 27-28
Acts 4:27-28
“For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both
Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of
Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your
purpose determined before to be done.”
NKJV
God’s holy servant Jesus had been anointed with the Holy Spirit at
His baptism. Herod and Pilate [political enemies] had conspired
together along with the Roman soldiers and people of Israel against
Jesus. What they didn’t realize was that they were unknowingly
carrying out God’s predetermined plan. (Acts 2:23) “Him, being
delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, You
have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;”
NKJV
God rules history to carry out His purpose. No army, council, or
government can stand in God’s way.
Verses 29-30
Acts 4:29-30
“Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that
with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your
hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the
name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
NKJV
They didn’t ask for the persecution to stop; they just made a
request for more boldness. (Acts 13:44-46) “On the next
Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of
God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with
envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things
spoken by Paul. Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, ‘It was
necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but
since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting
life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.’ ”
NKJV
(Ephesians 6:19) “and for me, that utterance may be given to me,
that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the
gospel.” NKJV
Boldness requires courage to press on through our fears and do what
we know is right.
Verse 31
Acts 4:31
“And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled
together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit,
and they spoke the word of God with boldness.”
NKJV
God
showed that He was with them by shaking the earth. The earth
shaking was often a manifestation of the Lord’s presence.
(Psalm 114:7) “Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, At the
presence of the God of Jacob,”
NKJV
Now all the apostles began to speak with boldness.
Bobby Stafford – June 28, 2015 [Evening] Lesson 15:
Acts 4:13-31
