November 6, 2011
Evening Service

Acts 4:1-12

 

This morning as I prepared for the review on Peter’s second sermon, the Lord directed my attention to the statement;  “ whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things.”  That’s why we went off into the second coming of Christ.

 

Peter closed that sermon with telling them what Moses said,

Act 3:22-26  For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.  (23)  And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.  (24)  Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.  (25)  Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.  (26)  Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

 

Let’s look at Peter’s third sermon:

Act 4:1-37  And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,  (2)  Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.  (3)  And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.  (4)  Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. 

• Peter’s second sermon brought forth another 5,000 believers.    The first sermon produced 3,000, so now the church has grown to around 8,000 not counting the women who probably also believed.  This is quite a responsibility for the Apostles.

(5)  And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,  (6)  And 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.  (7)  And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? 

• We find out that when it speaks of power or name, that it actually means authority.  In who’s authority are you doing this.   THEN NOTICE.

(8)  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,  (9)  If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;  (10)  Be 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. 

• Here is that boldness the Jesus said they would receive when filled with the Holy Ghost.
• By the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, that’s who’s authority.
• Whom you crucified.   Placing the guilt directly on their heads.
• Whom God raised from the dead.   God showing His approval of Jesus.
• It’s Jesus who healed this man.

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

• The Lord Himself quoted this Scripture;  Mat 21:42  Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?
• Don’t you think Peter remembered this?  Jesus told the disciples one time, Luk 12:11-12  And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:  (12)  For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

 

Other Scriptures on this idea of Jesus being the chief Cornerstone.

Psa 118:22  The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

Isa 28:16  Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

Rom 9:33  As it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stumblingstone and rock of offense: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Eph 2:20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Then Peter makes a very important statement;             

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

• This no doubt didn’t set well with these Jews who still thought there was nor never would be anyone greater than Moses.
• This statement is so disturbing to all religions.  If we believe the Bible, then we must accept that there is no other way to Heaven outside of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ.

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

• If you know your Scriptures, and have the Spirit of God abiding within, this will be said of you also.  People can tell if you have been with, and are still with Jesus.
• You will have the love of chapter 13 First Corinthians.
• You will have the fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5.

(14)  And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.  (15)  But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,  (16)  Saying, 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.  (17)  But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.  (18)  And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 

• You will notice, God did not open their hearts that they might receive Peter’s words, as He did for the people of the first, and second sermons.

(19)  But 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.  (20)  For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 

• How important is it for you to have a testimony?  This is what Peter, and John are talking about.  Knowing that they had seen, and experienced all these things with the Lord.
• Your testimony is very important, and you should share it, when God opens the door for it.

(21)  So 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.  (22)  For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed.  

• This not only brought glory to God, but also showed that Peter was speaking in all authority from God.

(23)  And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.  (24)  And 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:  (25)  Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?  (26)  The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.  (27)  For 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, 

(28)  For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.  (29)  And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,  (30)  By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.  (31)  And 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. 

• Let me encourage you to understand that there is a difference of speaking the Word with boldness, and speaking the Word obnoxiously.
• 1Pe 3:15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
• The key here is to give an answer to someone who ask you!  Do not blatantly force your testimony on anyone.  But give the answer with meekness, and fear.  BUT BE READY.

 

(32)  And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.  (33)  And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 

• This is what they were called to do, spread the gospel.

(34)  Neither 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,  (35)  And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.  (36)  And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,  (37)  Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

 

This type of Socialism was found not to work, and will always be found not to work.  It at one place moved the Apostle Paul to say that if a man didn’t work, he didn’t eat. 

 

There is no question that different things were tried, and are still being tried, but the church has evolved to the point where it is today, self sustaining, and autonomous. 

 

Peter will continue to preach, and teach in the Name of Jesus, until he is crucified upside down on a cross.