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Summary

Acts 4:1–4 – Peter and John Arrested

What happens:
Peter and John return to the assembly and report the healing at the temple gate. While they speak to the people, the priests, captain of the temple, and Sadducees, disturbed that the apostles proclaim Jesus’ resurrection, arrest them and put them in custody. Despite threats, many who heard their message believe, and the number of men grows to about five thousand.

What it means:
Proclamation of Christ’s resurrection provokes opposition from religious authorities yet draws many to faith. God’s unstoppable work enlarges the community even when leaders seek to silence the gospel.


Acts 4:5–12 – Peter’s Bold Defense

What happens:
The next day Peter and John stand before the Sanhedrin. The high priest questions them by what power they did the healing. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter declares that the man was healed by faith in Jesus—“the stone you builders rejected has become the cornerstone”—and asserts that salvation is found in no one else.

What it means:
The risen Jesus is the foundation of the church and the only means of salvation. Bold, Spirit-empowered witness confronts human authority with divine truth and calls all to trust Christ alone.


Acts 4:13–22 – Release Under Threat

What happens:
The council, amazed at Peter and John’s courage despite being uneducated, recognizes them as Jesus’ followers. Unable to refute the miracle, they warn the apostles to stop speaking in Jesus’ name but release them because they fear a public uproar. Peter and John rejoice at being counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Christ.

What it means:
Persecution may come, yet God’s people rejoice at the privilege of identifying with Christ’s suffering. Human threats cannot deter the Spirit-filled church from proclaiming the name of Jesus.


Acts 4:23–31 – Prayer for Boldness

What happens:
Peter and John report to the believers what the rulers said. The assembly lifts voices in prayer, acknowledging God’s sovereignty and quoting Scripture about opposition to Christ. They ask for boldness to continue the message and for signs of healing. The place shakes, they are all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they speak God’s word with boldness.

What it means:
Corporate prayer in the face of persecution invites God’s presence and power. The Holy Spirit honors faithful petition by empowering the church for courageous witness and confirming the gospel with miraculous signs.


Acts 4:32–37 – Generosity in the Early Church

What happens:
The believers share everything in common: no one claims private ownership, and those with land or houses sell them to distribute proceeds according to need. Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus, sells a field and brings the money to the apostles.

What it means:
True community reflects the unity of the Spirit and the love of Christ through radical generosity. Material sharing sustains the mission and authenticates the gospel in a watching world.


Application

  • Pray corporately for boldness and the Spirit’s power when facing opposition
  • Trust Jesus as the cornerstone of your life and proclaim his name despite threats
  • Rejoice in suffering for Christ, seeing it as a privilege to share in his glory
  • Practice radical generosity, sharing resources to meet the needs of your community
  • Stand firm on divine truth when human authorities challenge your witness

Bible

1And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

2Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

3And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.

4Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

5And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

6And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

7And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

9If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

10Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

11This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

14And beholding the man which 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 among themselves,

16Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.

17But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

18And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

21So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

22For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

23And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

24And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

25Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

26The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

27For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

28For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

29And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

30By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

31And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

32And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

34Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

35And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

36And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

37Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

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