Acts 4

1 And as they spoke to the people, the priests and the ruler 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 arrested them and put them in jail until the next day: for it was evening. 4 However many of those that heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

• John 11:25 Jesus said … I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet he will live…

5 And it happened the next day that their rulers and elders and scribes, 6 and Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and those related to the high priest gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power or by what name have you done this? 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9 If we are being examined this day because of the good deed done to the impotent man, by how he was made whole; 10 Then all of you know and all the people of Israel, that by the name/person of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the stone that was counted worthless by you builders, who has become the head of the corner. 12 And there is salvation in no other one for there is no other name under heaven given among men, by whom we must be saved.

• John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, except by me.

God makes people marvel

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and realized that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go outside the sanhedrin, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, What are we to do to these men? For a notable miracle has been done by them is plain to all those that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us strongly threaten them to speak no more to any man in this name. 18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all or teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, Is it right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.

• Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

20 For we can only speak the things that we have seen and heard. 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them because of the people: for all men glorified God for what was done. 22 For the man on whom this miracle of healing was done was over forty years old. 23 And being let go, they went to their own companions, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord and said, Lord, you are God who made heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them: 25 Who, by the mouth of your servant David said, Why do 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.

God appointed Jesus ruler over all forever

27 For it is true that both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together against your holy child Jesus, whom you have anointed, 28 to do whatever your hand and your counsel predetermined to be done. 29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings and grant to your servants that with all boldness they may speak your word, 30 by stretching out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of your 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 Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

• John 14:13 And whatever you ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

The Holy Spirit gave great grace to them all

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither did any of them say that any of the things that he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was on them all. 34 Neither were there any among them that lacked: for those that possessed 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 to every man according as he had need. 36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is 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.

• Matthew 19:21 Jesus said to him, If you will be perfect, go and sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

                                                    Acts 5

The Lord gave us life; it is His to take

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also was aware to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold was it not in your own power? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God. 5 And hearing these words Ananias fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

• Ananias and his wife could have kept all the money from the sale of the land. But they pretended to give all of it. They lied publicly to God to receive praise and honor from men.

• Leviticus 19:2 Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: You are to be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.

6 And the young men arose, wrapped him and carried him out and buried him. 7 And it was about three hours later when his wife, not knowing what happened, came in. 8 And Peter said to her, Tell me whether you sold the land for so much? And she said, Yes, for so much. 9 Then Peter said to her, How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those that have buried your husband are at the door and will carry you out. 10 Then she fell down straightway at his feet, and gave up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. 11 And great fear came on all the church, and on as many as heard these things.

• Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all those that do his commandments: his praise endures for ever.

• Matthew 4:7 Jesus said to him, It is written again, You are not to tempt the Lord your God.

• 1 Peter 1:16 Because it is written, Be holy; for I am holy.

12 And by the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. 13 And no man of the rest dared join himself to them: but the people magnified them. 14 And more believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) 15 So many that they brought out the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and couches so that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. 16 Multitudes came out of the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick ones, and those who were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

• Think of the great victory for God at this time. He wants all to come to Him. He wants all to be healed.
• At this moment in history great numbers were coming to Him and being healed.
• It will be like this again in the millennium when sickness will be eradicated from the earth and the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the seas—Is 11:9

17 Then the high priest rose up, and all those that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with envy/jealousy, 18 And arrested the apostles, and put them in the common prison. 19 But the angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by night and brought them out and said, 20 Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.

• Matthew 4:4 … Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest came and those that were with him and called the sanhedrin together and all the elders of the children of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came and found them not in the prison, they returned and told, 23 saying, Truly, we found the prison shut with all safety, and the keepers standing outside before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man inside. 24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they were perplexed as to what would come of this. 25 Then one came and told them saying, Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple teaching the people. 26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, that they would be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the sanhedrin: and the high priest asked them, 28 saying, Did we not strictly forbid you to teach in this name? And behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

• Just the opposite is true. This man’s blood saves all.

• 1 Peter 1:18-19 you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain way of life received by tradition from your fathers; 19.But with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot.

God exalted Jesus to the Highest possible place

29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed and hanged on a tree. 31 He is the One God exalted to his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are his witnesses of these things; as also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those that obey him. 33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart and took counsel to kill them. 34 Then one stood up in the sanhedrin, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, respected by all the people, and commanded to put the apostles out for a little while; 35 And said to them, You men of Israel, watch yourselves what you intend to do concerning these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was killed; and all that obeyed him were scattered and brought to nothing. 37 After this man rose up, Judas of Galilee, in the days of the taxing, and drew away many people after him: he also perished; and all that obeyed him were scattered. 38 So now I say to you, Stay away from these men and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work is of men it will come to nothing.

God’s work cannot be overthrown

39 But if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it; lest perhaps you are found even fighting against God. 40 And they agreed with him: and when they had called the apostles and beaten them, they commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus and let them go. 41 And they departed from the presence of the sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not stop teaching and preaching Jesus Christ.

• 1 Peter 3:14-15 But if you suffer for righteousness' sake, you are happy: do not be afraid of their terror, or be troubled; 15.But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and always be ready to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear

                                                   Acts 6

God provides for widows

1 At this time, when the disciples were increasing in number, there arose a complaint by the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them and said, It is not desirable for us to leave the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore brothers, find among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, to appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. 6 They set these before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

• Spiritual food of the word of God is what causes spiritual growth—I Peter 2:2.
• The disciples serving God in prayer and teaching His word served in a more difficult and dangerous area.
• Satan’s battles are more concentrated on those praying and teaching the word than those serving physical food.

God’s wisdom and spirit are irresistible

7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem; a great crowd of the priests were obedient to the faith. 8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. 9 Then certain ones of the synagogue rose up, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke. 11 Then they bribed men to lie in court, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. 12 So they stirred up the people, the elders, the scribes, and came on him they seized him and brought him to the sanhedrin, 13 And set up false witnesses who said, This man does not stop speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law: 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses delivered to us. 15 And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as if it had been the face of an angel.

• Angel’s faces shine like lightning (Matthew 28:3).

• Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are you, when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for this is how they persecuted they the prophets that were before you.

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SUMMARY:  Acts 4-6

• God makes people marvel
• God appointed Jesus ruler over all forever
• The Holy Spirit gave great grace to them all
• The Lord gave us life; it is His to take
• God exalted Jesus to the highest possible place
• God’s work cannot be overthrown
• God provides for widows
• God’s wisdom and spirit are irresistible