CourageousThe Spirit gives believers courage to proclaim the truth.

SESSION 5

DAT E OF M Y BI BL E S T U DY: 51

WHAT MOTIVATES

PEOPLE TO

ACCOMPLISH ACTS

OF BRAVERY?

WHAT WERE JESUS’

MOTIVATIONS IN

SACRIFICING HIMSELF

FOR OUR SINS?

COUNTLESS ACTS OF BRAVERY HAVE OCCURRED IN THE COURSE OF HUMAN HISTORY.

Some have been recorded and acknowledged with medals, statues, or other forms of recognition. At the top of my list of courageous individuals is Jesus Christ. The pain of Jesus’ death was beyond compare. Jesus willingly surrendered Himself as the sinless Son of God and became sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21). No greater price was ever paid or could be paid by another person.

At the same time Jesus demonstrated supreme courage in suffering, His disciples fell away in fear for their lives. Even Peter, who had pledged to stand courageous with Jesus, denied the Lord three times. But Jesus’ resurrection changed everything. The Risen Christ, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, provided believers spiritual power and courage they had never known before. They would need this power and courage as they faced persecution for Jesus’ sake.

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ACTS 4:1-13

1 Now as they were speaking to the people, the priests, the commander of the temple police,and the Sadducees confronted them, 2 because they were provoked that they were teaching the people and proclaiming the resurrection from the dead, using Jesus as the example. 3 So they seized them and put them in custody until the next day, since it was already evening. 4 But many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to about 5,000. 5 The next day, their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem 6 with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John and Alexander, and all the members of the high-priestly family. 7 After they had Peter and John stand before them, they asked the question: “By what power or in what name have you done this?” 8 Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders: 9 If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a disabled man—by what means he was healed— 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 and whom God raised from the dead—by Him this man is standing here before you healthy. 11 This Jesus is the stone rejected by you builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people, and we must be saved by it.” 13 When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus.

List the different

groups with whom

Peter and John came

into contact in this

passage. Which

conversations do you

think required the most

courage, and why?

Think About It

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UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXTActs 3:1–4:31

Peter and John demonstrated spiritual courage by healing a crippled man in Jesus’ name at one of the temple gates (3:1-10). The healing stirred a lot of astonishment among the people. Peter seized the opportunity to explain that the source of the power for the miracle was the Risen Christ. Moreover, Peter challenged the crowd to repent of their sins and place their faith in Jesus (3:11-26).

The boldness of Peter and John in publicly proclaiming the gospel put them in direct conflict with the temple authorities. The two were arrested and brought before the •Sanhedrin for questioning (4:1-12). The council threatened Peter and John against continuing to preach in Jesus’ name, but Peter courageously answered that their testimony about Jesus was a matter of being obedient to God. Unable to find a way to punish the two apostles, the council released them with additional threats (4:13-22).

Peter and John returned to the congregation of believers and reported to them all that had happened. The congregation immediately entered into a time of prayer. They praised God as the Sovereign Creator, and they asked God to give them boldness to continue proclaiming the gospel and ministering in Jesus’ name even in the face of threats. The Lord responded to their prayers by shaking the place with His presence and by filling all of those in the assembly with the Holy Spirit (4:23-31).

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EXPLORE THE TEXTTHE CHALLENGE (Acts 4:1-7) 1 Now as they were speaking to the people, the priests, the commander of the temple police, and the Sadducees confronted them,

The amazing healing of a man who had been lame from birth drew a crowd to the temple area known as Solomon’s Colonnade (3:11). Consequently, Peter stepped forward to explain the miracle as proof that God’s kingdom had arrived in the form of Jesus the Messiah (3:19-20). Many in the crowd were captivated by the miracle and listened intently as Peter spoke.

However, some in the crowd took offense. The priests, … the temple police, and the •Sadducees (see p. 6) confronted the two apostles. These groups controlled—and benefited from—everything that went on at the temple. Only authorized priests could offer the sacrifices and conduct worship. The commander of the temple guard was responsible for security. The Sadducees came mainly from aristocratic Jewish families who had made deals with the Roman authorities to gain control over the priesthood and temple activities.

2 because they were provoked that they were teaching the people and proclaiming the resurrection from the dead, using Jesus as the example.

What provoked the temple authorities was not the lame man’s being healed or the crowd’s praise to God for the miracle. Instead, they reacted with hostility because the two apostles were proclaiming the resurrection from the dead, using Jesus as the example. The Sadducees did not believe in resurrection (Matt. 22:23; Acts 23:8). Furthermore, they had conspired with the Pharisees and others in the Sanhedrin to have Jesus crucified (John 11:47-53). Now, here were two Galilean fishermen not only proclaiming to a temple crowd that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah promised by the Old Testament prophets but also the Resurrected Lord whom God’s people were to welcome by repenting and believing in Him.

3 So they seized them and put them in custody until the next day, since it was already evening.

The temple guards arrested Peter and John and held them in custody until they could be interrogated. The Sanhedrin had authority to punish temple violators, but official meetings of the council ordinarily did not take place after sunset.

4 But many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to about 5,000.

The arrest of the messengers did not (and could not) silence the message. Many in the temple crowd not only heard the message but also believed in Jesus as the Messiah. Whether

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the number 5,000 represented a new total of all believers in Jerusalem or the number of converts that day is unclear. Either way, the number indicates that the transforming power of Jesus was spreading like a wildfire.

5 The next day, their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem 6 with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John and Alexander, and all the members of the high-priestly family. 7 After they had Peter and John stand before them, they asked the question: “By what power or in what name have you done this?”

The Sanhedrin consisted of seventy-one members, featuring rulers, elders, and scribes, as well as Pharisees and Sadducees. The council was presided over by the high priest, who at this time was the same father-in-law/son-in-law duo (Annas … Caiaphas) that had presided over the condemnation of Jesus (John 18:13,19-24). The identities of John and Alexander are unclear, although they likely were part of the priestly aristocracy.

The Sanhedrin sat in a semi-circle during its meetings; thus, Peter and John had to stand before them, enduring the intense pressure of a largely hostile group. The central question from the Sanhedrin concerned the authority and power of the apostles’ activity.

What role do you think intimidation played in this inquiry?

THE ANSWER (Acts 4:8-12) 8 Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders:

Once again Peter experienced the filling of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps at this precise moment he recalled Jesus’ promise that the Spirit would provide His apostles with courage and the words to speak when they were dragged in front of hostile courts (Matt. 10:16-20). Peter was respectful toward the council as he began to answer the question concerning the apostles’ source of authority.

9 If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a disabled man—by what means he was healed—

Peter began his defense by reminding the council of the event

THE

TRANSFORMING

POWER OF JESUS

WAS SPREADING

LIKE A WILDFIRE.

KEY DOCTRINE:Salvation

There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.

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that had ignited everything that followed: a good deed done to a disabled man. Peter first wanted the council to think about the benefit of that miracle. Healing was always a blessing from God.

Peter would have more to say on the question of by what means the man was healed. The word translated was healed could also be understood as “was saved.” Thus, Peter established a basis to speak of both physical restoration and spiritual redemption. The source of either blessing, however, was not Peter but the Lord.

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 and whom God raised from the dead—by Him this man is standing here before you healthy.

Peter was filled with boldness as he stated that what he was about to profess concerned not only the council but indeed all the people of Israel. Peter declared that the power of the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene had made the lame man whole again.

Can you imagine the blanket of tension created in that room by Peter’s statement? It likely became ten times heavier as Peter looked squarely into the eyes of those who had condemned Jesus and added: whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead. Peter intended for everyone to hear that the man’s healing was irrefutable proof Jesus Christ was both Savior and Risen Lord.

11 This Jesus is the stone rejected by you builders, which has become the cornerstone.

Going still further in his defense, Peter quoted Psalm 118:22 as a prophecy that was fulfilled in Jesus. The application of this Old Testament text to Jesus was unmistakable. First, Jesus had been sent by God, the Chief Architect and Builder. Second, the religious authorities had sinned in their rejection of Jesus. Third, their action in crucifying Jesus had been reversed by God, who resurrected Him. Fourth, Jesus became the cornerstone of a new, living sanctuary—all who by faith in Jesus are being built together for God’s dwelling (Eph. 2:17-22).

12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people, and we must be saved by it.”

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Peter’s defense concluded with a dramatic assertion. Salvation is available only through Jesus. His sinless life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection bridged the gulf created by mankind’s sin so that we could be made right with God. In God’s one and only Son rests our one and only hope of forgiveness and eternal life.

Do you believe that Peter’s defense is as persuasive today as it was in the first century? Why or why not?

THE RECOGNITION (Acts 4:13) 13 When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus.

The members of the Sanhedrin looked at Peter and John carefully. They watched as Peter spoke openly and without fear. The Sanhedrin also realized that Peter and John were not trained teachers or scribes; rather, they were common men of the day, uneducated and untrained. Yet their lack of formal training seemed to be contradicted by a bold wisdom and understanding of Scripture that could not be denied.

The Sanhedrin literally marveled at the news about Jesus, and they were amazed by the persuasive testimony of these untrained fishermen. Most significantly, the members of the council realized that Peter and John had been companions of Jesus during His ministry.

Only a few weeks before, Peter and John had been frightened and bewildered men. Now they were poised, articulate, and courageous proclaimers of the gospel. What accounted for the dramatic transformation in these men? The same power that had given strength to the legs of a man lame from birth also gave courage and words to these two apostles. Likewise, men and women today who have been transformed by faith in the Living Christ are empowered to bear witness to His grace and power. Such amazing change may prompt others to ask believers, “In whose name do you do this?”

How can God use our perceived weaknesses to bring honor to Himself?

BIBLE SKILL:Memorize a verse and consider its practical implications.

Memorize Acts 4:12 in a preferred translation. Paraphrase the verse in your own words. Record three reasons why Jesus is the only way of salvation. Record two commonly held cultural beliefs the verse challenges. How does the belief that Christ alone can save impact your view of missions?

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There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people, and we must be saved by it. —Acts 4:12

MEMORIZE

OBEY THE TEXTBelievers can expect to be challenged by others who do not accept Jesus and His teachings. Believers can depend on the Holy Spirit to provide them courage and words when challenged. Only through faith in Jesus can a person experience salvation. When asked to give an account for our actions, believers must be careful to give God the honor.

Reflect on how the Holy Spirit provides courage to witness even when facing a potentially hostile group or individual. Identify actions you can take that help you depend on the Holy Spirit. Which of these actions do you need to establish in your personal walk with Christ?

Identify a work associate or neighbor who knows that you follow Christ. How can you use that person’s interest in your way of life to talk to them about salvation? When could you share Jesus with them?

Tell others in your Bible study group about recent opportunities you have had to talk with individuals about Jesus. Discuss how sharing these testimonies with one another is an encouragement. Spend time thanking the Lord for allowing you to be His witness.

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Use the space provided to make observations and record prayer requests during the group experience for this session.

MY THOUGHTSRecord insights gained and questions to discuss during the group experience.

MY PRAYERSList specific prayer needs and answers to remember this week.

MY MISSIONAcknowledge ways you will obey God’s Word this week.

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