Acts 4

Following the healing of the lame man in Acts 3 and the message Peter brought to the assembled crowd, we come to the subsequent arrest of the Apostles.

The arrest (Acts 4:1-37)

• The opposition (Acts 4:1-4)
  • Priests probably from the Sanhedrin
    • The captain was responsible for keeping order, especially during the Festival periods
    • Priests were opposed to the teaching of Jesus as Messiah or Savior
  • The Sadducees
    • They didn’t believe in the resurrection of Jesus or anyone else
    • They opposed resurrection teachings and its popularity
  • Peter and John were imprisoned (Acts 4:3)
• The examination (Acts 4:5-22)
  • Another opportunity
    • Those performing the investigation were present for the Jewish portion of Jesus’ trial
      • Anna – former high priest
      • Caiaphas – current high priest
      • John
  • The Inquisition (Acts 4:7)
    • The answer (Acts 4:8)
      • Capstone is a building reference. The capstone or cornerstone is what holds everything together
    • The result (Acts 4:13-22)
      • They saw God’s power (Acts 4:13-14)
      • No answer for the miracle (Acts 4:14-15)
      • The verdict (Acts 4:16-18)
      • Peter’s response (Acts 4:19-21)
    • The report (Acts 4:23-31)
      • Their united prayer
      • The result
    • The unity
      • Greater unity from persecution
      • Cooperation

The work of God usually prospers under testing.