In last week’s article Peter had begun to preach and teach the people about Jesus and how they had killed him and God raised him from the dead. Peter continued to tell the people that they needed to repent and be converted so their sins could be blotted out. He also told them how Moses had said unto their 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.” This was prophecy about Jesus Christ.
Now we find in Acts 4:1-4 “1 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 and John’s arrests had been spoken of by Jesus while he was here on earth; not specifically calling them by name but telling his disciples that many of them would be imprisoned and some even killed for his name’s sake. Note in verse 4 that about five thousand were saved. It was worth being arrested for that many people to be saved. It would even be worth it if only one person were to be saved.
The next day, Peter and John were brought before a large group of the rulers of the Jews. When they brought them forward they were asked, “By what power or by what name have ye done this?”
Next let’s take a look at Acts 4:8-10 “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.”
Notice that Peter was filled with the Holy Ghost. A person can have great boldness to speak, even in distressing times, when they are filled with the Holy Ghost.
Note the wording in verse 10. In this narrative Peter made it plain that by the name of Jesus, whom the Jews had crucified, that by him this lame man stood before them whole.
Acts 4:13 “13 Now 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.”
It is indeed a great honor to be recognized as a child of God. You do not have to wear a sign or take out an ad in the newspaper. If we live for God it will be evident to those around us that we have been with Jesus, as it was for Peter and John.
Acts 4:18-20 “18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 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.”
Peter and John made it very clear to the rulers of the Jews that they had witnessed of the Lord Jesus, the things that they spoke about and they would continue to speak in the name of Jesus.
Would to God that we had more men like Peter and John today, who would not be afraid of what man might say or do to them, but would hold up for the truth of God in spite of their circumstances.
Ricky Wilborn
Fort Payne, AL
