Resisting The Obvious
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1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. 5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
Today’s Main Idea
Resisting God’s power is utterly futile, and yet, people do it anyway!
Outline
This text teaches us four lessons about God’s power as it relates to human power...
Lesson #1
#1 - God’s power threatens puny human power! 4:1-7
1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
The whole reason Peter and John are speaking to these people is because God used them to heal a cripple man - A miraculous thing had just occured.
This drew the attention of the religious leaders (priests, levitical police officer, and the “skeptical” sect of Jews (Sadducees) - Interestingly, there is no mention of the Pharisees.
The MacArthur Study Bible Chapter 3
The Sadducees were known for their denial of things supernatural.
One of the main “triggers” for this group was Peter and John “proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead”
The Sadducees were extremely against this idea.
But notice that there was a miracle done and they are choosing to be nit-picky about doctrine!
3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. 5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?”
Peter and John must have been teaching for a few hours.
They started at 3pm and were arrested in the evening.
Verse 4: “But” - While being arrested at first appears to be a defeat, Luke makes says “but” this whole ordeal led to the addition of 2,000 men (not including women and children) into the church.
So even though the religious leaders are coming in and flexing their muscles, the game has already been played, the timer has run out, and Peter and John have scored 2,000 souls for a win.
Trust me, the religious leaders are well aware of this fact!
Verses 5-6: All of the supposedly powerful people and powerful family come together to interrogate this new threat to their power!
Verse 7: Notice the question: “By what power or by what name did you do this?”
They are essentially asking two things:
“How did you heal that man and captivate this crowd?”
“Who sent you?”
God had already claimed a victory over this entire situation before it even started. His power was on display for all to see. And now, the people who were used to having an appearance of power are threatened. Their power is puny compared to the power God has exhibited. The power wasn’t only on display through the lame man’s healing; it was primarily on display in that 2,000 religious men (who likely screamed “crucify him, crucify him” to Pilate weeks before) are now born again disciples of Jesus Christ.
Application
Have you ever been jealous because God was using someone else to do something amazing?
Have you ever been treated poorly because someone seemed threatened by what God was using you to do?
Lesson #2
#2 - Authentic anointed servants point to the Anointer and not themselves! 4:8-12
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders,
Notice how Luke identifies the Holy Spirit being present in this situation!
The Holy Spirit is the leader and the power who made all of what transpired possible.
Repeat after me: NOT PETER!
Luke is pointing to the Holy Spirit in Peter and Peter and the Holy Spirit will now point directly at Jesus!
9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.
You’ve heard of the Christmas season, “Jesus is the reason for the season”,
Well, Jesus is the reason for this healin!
Peter summarizes the gospel message “Jesus was crucified (by you) and God raised Him from the dead”
This is the reason this man has been healed!
What could be a better purpose for healing than it being meant to point to the gospel of Jesus. The Gospel gives glory to God!
This will sound controversial: God cares more about His glory and fame than he does about you and me being healed from an infirmity. But this fact is actually the enabler for our healing. His care for us to heal us like this man experienced is a byproduct of his pursuit for his own glory.
Peter and John refuse to take glory for themselves!
There are many people who claim to have a calling, an anointing, or a life purpose that involves “Big things for God” but in reality, it’s really about big things for themselves. God is simply their license for doing what they want to do! Christians who want to serve God need to understand that they are not the center of their calling, their anointing or their purpose: Jesus is!
MOTIVE CHECK - Are the things you feel called to do for God swelling up within you from a hunger and thirst for Him to get more and more glory and praise! -
I cringe sometimes when I hear Christians talking about how they feel created by God to do big big things for Him. (Admission: That was once me!) - Notice that the main emphasis is on “big big things” and not a “big big God” worthy of my praise and my life. Now, Notice how Peter talks about the “big big thing” that God used them to do. “a good deed done to a cripple man, by what means this man has been healed ” - Peter doesn’t say: “I healed this man because I’m called by God to perform big miracles.” Peter is sort of vague about the miracle while being explicitly specific about Jesus!
11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
By indicating that “salvation is in no one else...”, Peter is extending a call to the religious leaders to repent and believe in Jesus!
Peter and John are actually concerned for the religious leaders’ souls and eternal destination.
They aren’t seeking glory over loving people. Their desire to see Jesus glorified has a natural result of them wanting to see other people saved!
The MacArthur Study Bible Chapter 4
Peter put the Sanhedrin on trial by preaching the gospel to those same men who condemned Jesus Christ and made themselves enemies of God
Applications
Are you more concerned with getting credit than with God getting glory?
Are you willing to overlook the humanity of others in order to make a name for yourself?
Search your heart - be honest with yourself and with God? What is your motivation for success?
When you feel the drive to be successful or do big things for God, pause, and seek to discern what is driving you!
When you see that God’s glory is not your motivation or you passion for what you wish to accomplish, maybe reconsider where you are going and what you are doing.
Lesson #3
#3 - When sinners can’t deny God’s power, they will try to resist it! 4:13-18
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
The religious leaders are trying to make sense of why and how average normal men would be chosen instruments of God -
According to their lineage, status, and education, the religious leaders should have been the ones God chose to use.
But what an amazing thing to be said of Peter and John: “they recognized that they had been with Jesus”
Being with Jesus is better than having the stamp of approval from the world. Lineage, status, and education don’t compare to being close to the infinite God of all of creation!
14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.
They cannot deny that God has done something spectacular and miraculous. And they can’t deny that these men are God’s ambassadors.
15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
The religious leaders “commanded them...” wow.
Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 33.323 κελεύω; διαστέλλομαι
κελεύω; διαστέλλομαι: to state with force and/or authority what others must do—‘to order, to command
What will they do now since they can’t deny it??
Their gonna try and resist it!
17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
“Maybe we can convince them to stop!”
“They called them” and “charged them...”
Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 33.327 ἀπαγγέλλω; παραγγέλλω
ἀπαγγέλλωb; παραγγέλλω: to announce what must be done—‘to order, to command.’
CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 4
It seems they wished to guard their status as religious authorities even at the expense of obvious truth.
This whole exchange is like watching a toddler wearing a Captain America costume try and beat up a MMA cage fighter. He believes he can do it. But it’s futile.
Or a pretend fire fighter trying to put out a raging fire with a little squirt gun. He’s got the outfit on, but he’s no match for the flames.
Peter and John have literally shown these leaders that God is behind what has happened. Not to mention, they testify to the fact that God raised Jesus from the dead. These are the same people who tried to frame others for Jesus’ missing body!
These religious leaders aren’t picking a fight with Peter and John, their picking a fight with God Almighty!
Application
I’d say these religious leaders are drunk with pride, power, and a desire to control.
Have you ever been drunk with pride, power, and a desire to control?
Have you ever experienced working with someone who was?
Don’t allow yourself to crave power or to preserve what power you have. When that happens, people tend to wage war on God and hurt other people!
If God has given you authority over someone or some business, use that authority like Peter and John used what authority Christ gave them: seek to bless others and give God immense glory!
Lesson #4
#4 - It’s better to fear God than fear men! 4:19-22
19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,
Peter is warning the religious leaders that they have a responsibility before God in regard to how they view their authority vs God’s authority.
Essentially, they couldn’t deny that God’s power was on display and are without excuse if they reject God’s power and authority.
20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
Peter and John have already decided that they will obey God and declare what they have seen and heard.
Peter and John would rather fear God than these religious leaders. The religious leaders would prefer that Peter and John fear them more than God.
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Ultimately, when any authority wants you to disobey God, you have to disobey them and obey God.
The ESV Study Bible Chapter 4
Though the leaders of the council charged them not to speak or teach … in the name of Jesus, Peter realized the impossibility of abiding by this prohibition, thus demonstrating that believers have the responsibility not to obey authorities when such authorities prohibit preaching the gospel or otherwise require Christians to disobey God’s explicit commandments
21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Application
Have you ever been under the authority of someone who wanted you to disobey God? What did you do?
Have you been compromising your christian convictions for the status quo?