Peter & John Before the Sanhedrin
Acts 4:1-22
Describe a time when you felt right about breaking the rules.
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- What roles did the priest, captain of the guard and the Sadducees play in the ministry of Jesus (See Luke 20:27-40; 22:6, 52)?
- Why would the Sadducees oppose the disciples' preaching Jesus being resurrected in Acts 4:2 & Acts 23:8? What would you feel if you were one of the believers who saw Peter and John taken away? How did Peter and John reply to the Sanhedrin order?
- If you were Peter or John?
- Why was Peter arrested in Acts 4:3? Describe the source and nature of the opposition generated here.
- How many Christians were in Jerusalem?
- What does the phrase “in the name of x” mean? What does this imply about doing things “in the name of Jesus”?
- What is the high priest's family trying to do in Acts 4:7? Seek information or intimidate the disciples? Why (Look at Acts 4:2; 3:16)
- Specifically, what did Peter claim about Jesus (4:8-12)?
- What assumptions and priorities make it difficult for various groups of people today to accept Jesus even when they can’t refute the evidence? How is it possible for these barriers to be overcome?
- If you were one of the authorities, what would be your reaction to Peter's bold answer? How does Peter "filled with the Holy Spirit" in Acts 4:8-12 compare with the purpose of the filling in Acts 2:4 (see also Luke 21:12-13)?
- Peter and John clearly reflected Jesus' presence in Acts 4:13. How? Is it true today for us?
- How is the leader's response similar to their response to the Lazarus episode (see John 11:45-53; 12:10-11)? Why are they reacting like this?
- According to 4:19, under what circumstances must Christians disobey human authorities, and when must we obey human authorities? Can you think of modern situations of these?
- What principles for Christian behavior before authorities do Peter and John exemplify (4:5-13, 18-20)?
- How can we be sure we are correct when be believe that a command of God authorizes us to disobey leaders as describe in Acts 4:19?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- What form of opposition does the church face today? From what source(s)?
- What strategy should the church adopt before this opposition?
- When, if ever, do you feel that Peter's response to his political and religious leaders would be appropriate for a Christian today? How do you reconcile this passage in Acts 4:18-21 with Romans 13:1-4?
- Does the church grow as rapidly today as it did in the first century in Acts 4:4? Why?
- What is the most persecution you have experienced due to your faith? How did you take it?
- On a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high), how sure are you of Peter's statement in Acts 4:12? What has built your assurance the most? What doubts still linger?
- Why did religious people fight a miracle in Acts 4:16?
- What do you think authentic Christianity is? How do we sometimes substitute religious conformity for Christ-like transformation?
- How has knowing Jesus shaped your character?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
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Immovable Reality by Chris Stinnett
In 2008, a study published in Science reported that political conservatives have stronger bodily reactions to threatening images than political liberals do. That led to a cluster of experiments and to pundits declaring that people are politically conservative or liberal based on the way their brains are wired. Among the studies launched was an ambitious effort by four researchers, two in Philadelphia and two in Amsterdam. They secured funding, developed complex instruments, crafted the study—and came down with a thud. Their findings showed no difference between the groups at all.
Puzzled, they reloaded and rebuilt their experiments. They asked for help from the original researchers and got full cooperation and access. They ran the tests in both the U.S. and the Netherlands. Their sample was four times the size of the original study. Everything came back the same—there is no difference in “threat perception” between political conservatives and liberals. Well, if that’s where the facts lead, we have to tell the truth, right? Sure—only, tell it somewhere else. When the researchers this year submitted their material to Science for review with an eye to publication, the journal turned them down like a bedspread. An appeal brought only the suggestion that they try smaller journals. The study authors seem to have run into a different psychological principle: we really don’t want to know new ideas; we only want to hear things we already agree with.
“Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But 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’” (Acts 4:18-20 NIV).
Although Jesus had clearly warned them, the disciples did not expect Him to rise from the dead. The Sanhedrin officials who conspired to murder Jesus definitely did not expect Him to rise from the dead! And when He rose from the dead, the whole world was confronted with a new idea that some people eagerly seized while many others desperately rejected. Yet—as has often been stated—facts are stubborn things. When facts can’t be contradicted, opponents of ideas are reduced to trying to silence the displeasing truth. Today that might be done by threats, violence, or generating a firestorm of abuse on social media, but it might also be done by the simple program of ignoring the ideas and pretending that no such information exists.
However, that kind of willful ignorance never carries the day. Eventually it is shown for what it is, childish denial. Although there are still many who would prefer not to know that Jesus rose from the dead and is, in reality, the Son of God, that fact simply cannot be denied. In order for us to be redeemed from our own self-destruction, we must obey Him and live in harmony with His will. It is not required that we obey Him; we can choose misery now and everlasting death if we prefer that ultimate suicide. But those who want a life that matters now and later will find it only in Jesus. Success will never be found in ignoring or avoiding Him.
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BREAKING THE NEWS GENTLY
Two brothers, John and Richard, lived in the same town -- John with his 12-year-old cat, Richard with their 88-year-old mother. John's whole life was his cat. He never went anywhere without her. One day he was faced with a terrible decision. He had to go to England on business for his company and he couldn't take the cat into England with having to quarantine her for 14 days. He wouldn't do that so he was faced with either losing his job or leaving his cat. Finally he decided to trust his brother with the cat for the week he would be gone. He gave Richard detailed instructions, schedules, food, etc. He flew to London and called Richard every day to make sure Gracie the cat was OK.
On the fifth day when he called, John asked Richard how Gracie was and Richard told him. "Gracie is dead." Well, as you can imagine, John nearly had a heart attack. When he recovered, he said to Richard, "That was the most cruel thing I ever heard. You know how much I loved that cat. Why couldn't you have broken it to me gently? You could have said something like, "Well, she's OK, but she's up on the roof." And then when I called the next time, tell me, "Oh oh, bad news, she fell off the roof and she's at the vet." And then the next time break the news that she passed away. At least I would have been a little prepared for the bad news."
"Yes, you are right John. I apologize for being so heartless." John accepted Richard's apology for being so uncaring, and then said, "Oh, by the way, how's Mother?"
Richard said, "Well, John, she's OK, but she's on the roof!"
There are some pieces of information that we just shouldn't even try to hold back. Talking about Jesus falls into that category. I think of Peter and John who were told to stop preaching about Christ and they said,
"We cannot keep quiet. We must speak about what we have seen and heard." (Acts 4:20, NCV).
Paul said, "Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!" (1 Cor. 9:16b).
You can feel the urgency in their voices, the need to blurt out what they believe about Christ. It just wouldn't do for them to break the news gently to others. Nor should we.
Break the news. And break it gently if you wish. Just be careful that your message is not so "gentle" that it's of no value at all.
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IS IT OBVIOUS?
A woman had a problem -- her husband was a loud snorer and kept her awake at night. So she called the doctor one morning, and asked him if there was anything he could do to help out with the problem.
"Well, there is one operation I can perform that will cure your husband, but it is really rather expensive. It will cost $1000 down, and payments of $450 for 24 months, plus payments for extras."
"Oh my!" the woman exclaimed, "sounds like leasing a new sports car!"
"Hmm," the doctor murmured, "too obvious, huh?"
Some things are rather obvious and can't be hidden. Do you recall what the Jewish leaders said when they saw "the boldness of Peter and John"? At first they were confused because they realized that these were "uneducated and untrained men." But then it came to them:
"They realized that they had been with Jesus." (Acts 4:13).
It was pretty obvious. In fact, it stood out like a sore thumb. I merely raise this question for you to think about this weekend -- is it obvious to folks around you as to why you behave the way that you do? Is it readily to apparent to others that you are someone who "spends time with Jesus"? May you live in such a way that it is all too obvious!
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A Norvell Note
Vol. 6 No. 45 November 17, 2003
Haunting Words
Not long before Jesus went to the cross He spoke to the disciples about his death. Like so many other times they missed the point of what He was saying. He wanted to prepare them by explaining that they would all deny knowing him. Peter speaks up, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” Peter again declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” Matthew adds “And all the other disciples said the same” (Matthew 26:33-35, NIV). In my Bible before I turn the page I see the heading, “Peter disowns Jesus.” That passage (Matthew 26:69-75, NIV) tells how Peter did indeed deny Jesus three times. The rooster crows, “And he went outside and wept bitterly.”
Those haunting words help explain why Peter seemed to take Jesus’ death so hard. I wonder if his weeping may have continued for the next three days. No doubt those words echoed in his ears, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And the other words: “I don’t know the man.” The regret. The guilt. The embarrassment. How could he ever overcome such a major blunder? How could he ever show his face among his friends again? The words would surely haunt him for the rest of his life.
Not hardly!
Just a few days after Peter had spoken those words the risen Jesus comes back to Peter with a question that would replace those haunting words, with words that would redefine Peter’s life and mission. Three times Jesus asked him, “Peter do you love me.” Three times Peter said, “You know I love you.” From the same lips that said, “I don’t know the man!” came the words, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” The next thing you hear from Peter is his famous Day of Pentecost sermon (Acts 2). Later in the book of Acts the public officials threatened to throw him in jail if he continued to speak about Jesus. To those who had power to put him in prison and take his life he said, “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.” (Acts 4:19-20, NIV)
Peter gives me hope. His life shows me that the foolish words I speak today need not haunt me from now on. Promises that I make then break in the next breath need not shape my life. Words that I speak from a prideful heart need not be what people remember about me. Those haunting words can be replaced with words of confidence and hope and assurance.
How about you? Got any phrases stuck in your head that you wish you could erase? “I’ll never use that kind of language again.” “I will never be unfaithful.” “I don’t care what it costs, I will always follow You, Lord.” Then, you failed. You spoke those words again. You used that language. You were unfaithful again, and again, and again. You acted like you never knew the Lord. The words are haunting.
There is hope! Listen as Jesus gives you another chance. “Do you love me?” “Do your really love me?” “Do you really, really love me?” Here’s your opportunity to replace those haunting words with words that will carry you through all the way to the end. What will you say?
Yes, Lord, you know I love you.
Tom
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Footnotes:
temple The special building in Jerusalem for Jewish worship.
Sadducees A leading Jewish religious group. They accepted only the first five books of the Old Testament. They believed that people don't live again after death.
apostles The men Jesus chose to be his special helpers.
high priest The most important Jewish priest and leader.
Spirit, Holy Spirit Also called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, and the Comforter. Joined with God and Christ, he does God's work among people in the world.
stone A picture or symbol meaning Jesus.
cornerstone The first and most important rock of a building.
##Boldness
The Kingdom Unleashed - Part 7 from North Boulevard Church of Christ on Vimeo.
The Kingdom Unleashed - Part 8 from North Boulevard Church of Christ on Vimeo.
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