Podcast 139, Acts, “Pt 4, Ch 4”

Podcast 139, Acts, “Pt 4, Ch 4”In this brief chapter we have an epic struggle between good and evil. On the one hand we have people in power who want to silence the apostles. The three groups who are organized against the apostles are all high religious leaders: The Captain of the Temple, The Priests, and the Sadducees. Acts 4:1-3And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.It is curious that there are those who think they are serving God but are really fighting against God and serving Satan. Those people in high authority in religion are grieved that the apostles are teaching about Jesus Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the World. Jesus is Jehovah of the Old Testament whom the Captain of the Temple, the Priests, and the Sadducees think they worship.Those ecclesiastical leaders all have vested interest. The Sadducees, for example, did not believe in the resurrection of the dead which was being taught by Peter and John. Whereas the Priests and the Captain (or commander) of the temple still held to the Mosaic law of animal sacrifice and the other priestly offices established by Moses that had been fulfilled by the ultimate sacrifice which was Jesus Christ himself. They were protecting tradition, not defending God. The office of the priesthood is not in question. It is the old practices of the priests that is challenged. Remember there were no prophets between Malachi of the Old Testament and John the Baptist of the New Testament, a period of 400 years. When Christ came the traditions of the Jews had been established not by the prophets but by the priests whom Isaiah said, “The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.” They did not want to lose their power and authority and perhaps their means of making a living. Remember they had turned the Temple into a money-making enterprise which infuriated the Savior. In addition, the Jewish Christians no longer believed in animal sacrifice, thus that threated the priest’s office and high standing among the people.They had also witnessed the miracles and could not deny them, but rather than believing in Christ, they arrested Peter and John without cause to intimidate them into giving up their ministry. They do not want the gospel of Jesus Christ to spread. They have the same spirit of those who crucified Christ. The problem was that through the preaching of Peter and John, thousands were converted.Acts 4:4Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.The question they ask Peter and John is rather strange since they must already know the answer. It is as if, now that Christ is dead, he no longer matters. Acts 4:5-7And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?”Now we come to the primary theme of Acts 4. The very power they are inquiring of is the power which is now given to Peter, the Power of the Holy Ghost. It is through the power of the Holy Ghost that Peter bears witness of the holy mission of Jesus Christ and it is through that same power that others are converted. It shows that the priests do not have the Holy Ghost.Acts 4:8-12Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.The image Peter uses would have been known very well by The Captain of the Temple, the Priests, and the Sadducees for it is from the Old Testament. Psalm 118:22–23 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.Other references would have been equally familiar to the priestly leaders. Isaiah 8:14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.Isaiah 28:16Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.The priests are condemned by their own law. Nonetheless, they are more interested in protecting their own power and positions.Acts 4:13-18Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.Again, it is with the power of the Holy Ghost that Peter and John speak.Acts 4:19-20But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.We learn this great lesson. It is only through the power of the Holy Ghost that the apostles speak, but it is also only through the power of the Holy Ghost that we can know that what they say is true. The priests heard the same words of Peter and John, but without the Holy Ghost, they could not know those words were true. It is rather astonishing that the wicked priests saw the same miracle as the thousands who were converted but ignored it to protect their own interests. Acts 4:21-22So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.The miracle had just the opposite effect on those who allowed the Holy Ghost in their hearts.Acts 4:23-30And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.It brings to mind the words of Gamaliel to the disbelieving Jews which we find in the next chapter. Acts 5:38-39And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.One of the greatest things we can do is to live worthy to have the Holy Ghost dwell in our hearts because then when we hear the truth we shall recognize it immediately and accept it. That is the only difference between those who were converted to Christ and those, who saw the same miracle, but were not converted to Christ. It is so easy due to all our own biases, our own traditions, and our own frame of reference to block new truth because it is not in harmony with our old traditions. Acts 4:31-33And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.The early saints banded together and had all things common.