The Acts of the Apostles Peters Third Sermon

The Acts of the Apostles Peter’s Third Sermon Acts 4 • “Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge ye” Acts 4: 19 Sunday – September 25, 2016 Many of the slides used in this presentation are prepared by Joe Price and are used and adapted with his permission. 1

“By what power have you done this? ” Acts 4: 5 -12 • Not by the political, religious or moral power of man, 4: 5 -6; 3: 12 – Sanhedrin: The highest Jewish tribunal (71) • By power of Jesus Christ, 4: 9 -10 (3: 6, 16) • By what power (authority) have you done this? Acts 4: 7; cf. Matthew 21: 23 -27 (Colossians 3: 17) 2

They had been with Jesus Acts 4: 13 -16 • People can tell when you are with Jesus, 1 Peter 4: 1 -4; 2: 11 -12; Ephesians 4: 17 ff • Being with Jesus does not depend on social status/human learning, 4: 13; 1 Corinthians 1: 26 -29 • Will people “marvel” that we are with Jesus? – See our faith in the face of trial? 1 Peter 3: 13 -14 – See our devotion to truth? Acts 4: 20; Jude 3 – See our faithful living? Galatians 2: 20 – See the image of Christ in us? Colossians 3: 10 3

“Do not speak at all or teach in the name of Jesus!” Acts 4: 17 -31 • Under a powerful threat (4: 21 -31), they … – Reported to their brethren, 4: 23 – Raised their voices in prayer to God, 4: 24 -30 – Raised their voices to men (with boldness), 4: 31 • Miraculous reassurance of God’s presence and approval • We need boldness to serve Christ, Hebrews 13: 6 • The apostles’ boldness helps us be bold, Philippians 1: 14; Ephesians 6: 19 -20; Colossians 4: 26 4