Power in The Name - Part III
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
The protestant reformation brought about some incredible changes within the church in the 1500. The church had become very corrupt at the time following traditions over scripture and it was all works based and even exalted man over and both scripture and tradition. The church had gone astray from true authority, the authority of God, the authority of Scripture and the authority of Jesus Christ. Through men who turned to the Scriptures again such as Martin Luther, John Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli, and John Knox the church was able to return to the authority of Scripture, the authority of God and can find security in the Jesus Christ as the only way to heaven.
There is one reality through out time and that reality is the division that occurs in a sin filled world on how to get to heaven. Because of man being corrupted by sin man has a tendency of taking the authority which belongs to God alone and pushing God’s authority aside and placing themselves in the high seat of authority. This happened with the Catholic Church which Luther tried to reform or fix to no avail because once man has that kind of power they have a hard time letting go of it. Well you would think people would learn from history but if you look around today people love to just ignore history. If the church leaders looked to Scripture as the authority over life they would have seen that what played out in 1557 had played out once before. The question of power and the source of power and authority has been a hot button topic for millennia and the topic can do two things it can either bring hostility or salvation. The topic is the power of Jesus’ name and we will see this morning as we continue to look at the Power in the Name, how Jesus’ name is very polarizing and His name can bring about both hostility and salvation.
The Power in Jesus’ Name Brings Hostility and Salvation
The Power in Jesus’ Name Brings Hostility and Salvation
We will see this in Acts 4:1-12
1 As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them,
2 being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening.
4 But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
5 On the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem;
6 and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent.
7 When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people,
9 if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well,
10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health.
11 “He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone.
12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
We pick up in verse 1 were we left off. Remember Peter and John had gone to the temple and as they went along they came across a man who was crippled begging for money. Peter and John in the power of the name of Jesus not only healed the man’s legs but the man’s spirit was healed as well. The people in the temple recognized the crippled man and were amazed at the fact this man was now walking and leaping and praising God and clinging to Peter and John. So Peter explains to them the source of the power of this man’s healing. We pick up as here in verse 1 and 2 , “As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadduccees came up to them, being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.”
Here comes the controversy Jesus' name brings. Peter is preaching to the people in a very sacred location and his teaching, even though glorifying God is pointing to God's activity in and through Jesus' power and name. Now as Peter is teaching and lost in the power of the Holy Spirit who moves in and through him some people come along. The message Peter was teaching and proclaiming was powerful and clear and as those people came up to Peter and heard him teaching on resurrection it must have drove them crazy especially since one of the groups was the Sadducees. The Sadducees didn't believe in the resurrection and this disturbed them. I am not sure exactly how the priests fit in here or the temple guard. I do know the priests would have been the ones who would have been assisting in the temple sacrifices and so this indicates the end of the offering of prayer and the sacrifices. Regardless of the list of these groups the fact is they were greatly disturbed by Peter's message. As they listen to it they arrest these men and for the first time Christ followers are imprisoned for proclaiming the truth. It is a bit ironic as I think of what John wrote about the truth, the truth shall set you free, and here it is why they are being imprisoned. I understand what Jesus meant the truth will set you free from sin and the bondage of sin but because of the sin of others and the oppression that comes from pride they are imprisoned for speaking the truth which the priests, the temple guard and the Sadducees find to disturbing. Also they know they have put Jesus to death, they have called for His crucifixion and knowing Peter was speaking about Jesus would have caused them to be very uncomfortable. Any time truth is spoken it cause people to squirm, so they locked them up. The thing is, Peter and John had to spend the night in prison because by law they could not have a trial at night. This is also very different from how they handled Jesus. Jesus they arrested at night and when He was alone because they were afraid of the people but now they don't seem to be afraid of the people anymore but they also don't want to be accused of breaking the law themselves so they arrested Peter and John and waited till morning to bring them before the council.
And in these first four verse we see how Jesus’ name is polarizing, how His name has the power to save and the power to cause hostility. The religious leaders were hostile toward Peter, John and the crippled man because of the message dealing with Jesus but verse 4 shows us the contrast, “But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.” This probably drove the religious leaders nuts as well. Not only are these men teaching and proclaiming Jesus and the resurrection but people who hear it are believing the message. God is continually adding to the number of believers even though the religious leaders have arrested those proclaiming the message.
Now as we continue to look at the next few verses we will flesh out what has just happened in these first four verses. The first element here in the power of Jesus’ name is that His name brings about hostility, lets look at man’s hostility.
Man’s Hostility
Man’s Hostility
In verse 5 we find it is the next day, “on the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent.”
Since there couldn't be a trial the night before because of the law it had to wait until the next day. I want you to realize something here. This goes to prove how maniacal and dastardly the plot was for these men to put Jesus to death. They had planned it and took advantage of their only opportunity to put Jesus to death. This also shows the severity of their plot because they were already all together and they knew they would be trying Jesus. Now when it comes to Peter and John they weren't expecting this kind of teaching and this must have been the first time they encountered this teaching outside of Jesus Himself. They probably thought they had rid themselves of the problem and here comes Peter and John pointing to Jesus once again and now pointing to His resurrection as well.
Luke provides for us the names of those who were there. This must have been the common time to try someone. The rulers and elders and scribes along with those who are of high-priestly descent came together. I don't think it was a special trial I believe it was a normal everyday trial. Two of the names on this list were also mentioned at Jesus' trial and then there are two I am not sure of.
The point about mentioning all the high-priests is because of they are all men. They are all in authority and this really becomes a stand off between the authority of man verses the authority of God. It is no accident Luke wrote here the ones who were prominent were the high-priests, who are to be the mediators between God and man. These men are no mediators, they are in fact power hungry fools who in all honesty rule with fear. This trial, this hearing is all due in part to the fact that these men are so corrupted by sin that they are hostile to the true and perfect high priest, Jesus Christ.
look for a proof text
Verse 7 brings about the inquiry, “When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”
There are a few things here I want to focus on. First, they had placed Peter and John in the center of the room or group which indicates they were officially brought forth to be tried by the council. Second, their inquiry is one of authority. They want to know in whose name do they do these things. Peter and John are in the temple they are healing crippled people and teaching on the topic of resurrection so now the religious leaders of the day want to know where did they receive their credentials. A Rabbi or Teacher would have to be associated with someone else, some sort of school or reputable teacher. So they ask "by what power or in what name." This is a question of authority, a question of credentials.
In there day you didn’t just become a religious leader, it was years of training and they would know who the leaders were. It is the same as today. When you are looking to a pastor it is always nice to know there credentials, their credentials can say a lot about what they believe and how they say God, His Word, Jesus and how God’s word effects life. The only thing is they people needed to recognize the man who was in authority and as Peter is about to teach and tell them they have rejected the One with Authority. Peter’s reply points to God’s authority.
God’s Authority
God’s Authority
Look with me at verses 8-10; “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people, if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead-by this name this man stands before you in good health.” Peter doesn't just respond, Luke makes it very clear here just who's power Peter is moved by, the Holy Spirit. Peter also respects the position of the people calling them "rulers and elders of the people."
Peter gets right to the point, he questions the reason for this trial and tells them if the reason for our trial or our defence has to do with a man receiving the use of his legs, if the reason we have been brought before you is do to the fact a sick person is no longer sick, if the reason we spent the night in jail is because of a broken man made whole again then I will speak loud and clear and point to who's power and in who's name this incredible deed has been done. Peter doesn't mince words he gets right to the point, it is "by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene." The man from Nazareth it is by His power this man was made well.
He doesn't leave it here either, he carries on and point blank places the guilt right on their shoulders, "whom you crucified," just like when Peter spoke to those on the day of Pentecost and even in the temple the day before now Peter once again places the blame of Jesus' death squarely on the religious leaders of the day. Just as he did before also now he tells the leaders, 'you put Him on the cross but God raised Him from the dead." It is the by the name of this man, Jesus, that this crippled man is able to stand before you. It was through your killing Him and God's raising Him from the dead that this incredible healing could take place.
These men believed they were the final authority and would say they were speaking on behalf of God but when the truth is brought to light they don’t want to listen to the authority of God. Peter is making it clear who Jesus is and he places the guilt on these men also and he exalts Jesus and God in God raising Jesus from the dead. These men thought they knew what it meant to be followers of God but they in all honesty would do things their own way. Peter makes it clear it is not all about them and it is not all their way. He points to God’s way.
God Sets the Way
God Sets the Way
Peter continues in verses 11-12, “He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
Now Peter points to Jesus' firm and primary action, He is the Cornerstone. When it come to a cornerstone in the time of the Israelites it was not just a molded block, it was a quarried stone. The stone had to be the right size, the right cut with no imperfection. It couldn't have cracks and it had to go through a rigorous inspection. All stones had to go through a rigorous inspection and if it didn't pass muster it was thrown away. It was not used at all. Jesus was rejected by the builders and it turned out He was better then the builders gave Him credit for and He became the most important stone in a greater project God had inaugurated. This new system is the fulfillment of all they have done all their lives and He has ratified the new covenant. Their system, their religious system was never meant to be the standard it was meant to be a foreshadow and the builders rejected Jesus as the stone basically saying He was the one with the imperfection but He was instead one who was the perfect Stone with no imperfection and with greater power then the system the religious leaders claimed to follow. So now on Jesus a new foundation is being built, and it is one that Peter and John are now adding too.
The imperative or important purpose here is that in this system God has established and now that the Hebrew Scriptures have been fulfilled completely in Christ, now it is only in His name that Salvation can come into the world. His name is the greatest name, His power is the greatest power and He is the only One who can save, being the cornerstone, the solid rock which Peter and John and the crippled man can stand on firmly and who is the rock that crushes those who don't listen or acknowledge Him as the rock.
God has established the way and it is only this way. There aren’t many different roads to heaven it is not by man’s authority but only by God’s authority and only through God’s way which He has established.