Introduction
An architect's impression of the temple indicating the possible location of the chamber where the Jewish rulers met (v 5).
Peter appeals to the Jews to believe in Jesus Christ after healing a lame man through faith in Jesus Christ.
Verses
1As they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came to them,
2being upset because they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3They laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was now evening.
4But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
5In the morning, their rulers, elders, and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem.
6Annas the high priest was there, with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and as many as were relatives of the high priest.
7When they had stood Peter and John in the middle of them, they enquired, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”
8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
9if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,
10may it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, this man stands here before you whole in him.
11He is ‘the stone which was regarded as worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.’
12There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given amongst men, by which we must be saved!”
13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled. They recognised that they had been with Jesus.
14Seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred amongst themselves,
16saying, “What shall we do to these men? Because indeed a notable miracle has been done through them, as can be plainly seen by all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we can’t deny it.
17But so that this spreads no further amongst the people, let’s threaten them, that from now on they don’t speak to anyone in this name.”
18They called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves,
20for we can’t help telling the things which we saw and heard.”
21When they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for everyone glorified God for that which was done.
22For the man on whom this miracle of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
23Being let go, they came to their own company and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
24When they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, “O Lord, you are God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them;
25who by the mouth of your servant, David, said,
‘Why do the nations rage,
and the peoples plot a vain thing?
‘Why do the nations rage,
and the peoples plot a vain thing?
26The kings of the earth take a stand,
and the rulers take council together,
against the Lord, and against his Christ.’
and the rulers take council together,
against the Lord, and against his Christ.’
27“For truly, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together against your holy servant, Jesus, whom you anointed,
28to do whatever your hand and your council foreordained to happen.
29Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness,
30while you stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.”
31When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
32The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
33With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all.
34For neither was there amongst them any who lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,
35and laid them at the apostles’ feet, and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need.
36Joses, who by the apostles was also called Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,
37having a field, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Questions
1. What part of the apostles’ teaching were the religious leaders particularly upset about?
v 2 being upset because they ... proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
2. In whose name did Peter say the man was able to stand?
v 10 may it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, this man stands here before you whole in him.
3. What is it that only Jesus can do for us?
v 12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given amongst men, by which we must be saved!”
Summary Points
- v 1 to 12 Peter and John are arrested and asked by the Jewish rulers how they healed the man lame from birth (Acts 3 v 7). They tell them:
- they healed the man through the name of Jesus Christ whom the rulers crucified
- that God has raised him from the dead
- the only way to salvation is through the name of Jesus Christ
- v 13 to 22 Peter and John tell the Jewish rulers that they listen to God rather than men and refuse to obey their command to stop preaching
- v 23 to 31 After being released, the disciples pray to God asking for boldness to continue their work. They are then filled with the Holy Spirit
- v 32 to 37 Believers, united by their conviction of the resurrection of Jesus, share everything
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