Acts 4
1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
These high minded people are going to be the ones to debate The Truth with you. Don't waste your time.
2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
The Sadducees didn't like the Truth, it went against what they wanted people to follow. Nothing new today, try telling a "pastor" about The Word of God, most don't like it! Tell them what really happened in the garden, or that there is NO "rapture", or that you DON'T need to be baptized to be saved. How about there is no such thing as once saved always saved. Most don't even know The Word well enough to have a discussion about it. They know a lot about tithing though.
3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
These Sadducees threw the Apostles in jail because they didn't know what to do when confronted with The Truth being taught.
4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
Didn't matter if they were in jail, The Truth is out! If one comes out from the world and to The Truth of God, it's all worth it. I live by this and have since day one of this Ministry.
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.
Well these are all of the same family leading the church of this time. We can see a conflict of interest here. There isn't going to be any justice in this.
7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
The Apostles and once lame man are brought before these high minded leaders of the religious community.
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
Peter had no fear to speak The Truth on anything, because he had The Holy Spirit with him. So do you, so get out there!
9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
Peter is asking, you have seen this man, lame since birth get up and walk so if you reject Gods power, how do you think it happened?
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.
Peter lays it on the line for these that killed Christ Jesus, it is in His name, Christ Jesus Yahshua, the man is healed.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
They did not accept Christ at His first advent and many people reject Him today, even while calling themselves "Christians." I Peter 2:6-8 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded." 7 Unto you therefore which believe He is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the Stone Which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
ONLY Christ Jesus Yahshua †
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.
What kind of Christian are you, salt or sugar?
14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
That FACTS were right in front of them.
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
They asked Peter, John and the healed man to step out so they could decide what to do. What they want to do is discredit what has happened and turn it on them. That's what evil does!
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.
How can we twist this around, when it's evident this happened? We have more and more people like these in the world today.
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.
These evil leaders of the church have no idea who they are messing with. A Christian can't and won't ever turn from Christ Jesus name.
18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
The "higher authority" can say all they want to. If it goes against God and what is right it doesn't matter to us. So many let scripture trip them up when they don't use more than one verse. People say "God says, Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers" but they don't continue to read that we are to do that which is good, not evil. Romans 13:1-3 1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: The sad thing is, satan is coming and will rule, are we to follow satan? People must put on The Word, ALL of it!
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.
Do you really believe we are to listen to you over God?
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
The Truth is The Truth and it always stands on its own. Ever noticed a lie must be followed up by another lie?
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.
Peter, John and the healed man are backed by the people. If these religious leaders had done anything, they would have opened the eyes of the people to who they really served.
22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
Many grew up seeing this lame man, so many had seen Gods healing of him. It's always Gods timing, not our own. It's His purpose for us.
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:
They can see the power of God. Sadly so many today don't want to.
25 Who by the mouth of thy
servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain
things?
Psalm 2:1-2 1 Why do the heathen rage, And the people imagine a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord, and against His anointed, saying.
26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
Because God said it would happen. We can see things He has told us would happen in this last generation as you read this today.
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,
They all came against Christ. Nothing new today, people hate The Truth †
28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
God is The One in control. It all comes to pass just as it was written.
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
Those that hate your brothers and sisters in Christ, God sees them and will take care of it. Let them run their mouths, the day is coming when they grit their teeth in fear. You keep pushing forward with The Truth and let the chips fall.
30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
Christians! Never give up, keep pushing forward no matter what tries to get in your way. God has made YOU can do people. There is power in His name †
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 spake the word of God with boldness.
This is the problem with Christians today. They lack the boldness and are in fear of hurting someone's feelings because of this politically correct world. LOVE IS TRUTH †
32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Christians should be of the same mind. Denominations = division, Christianity is to line with The Word, not what we want The Word to be. The key words here are "of them that believed".
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
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,
Gods favor brings countless blessings. Eyes to see and ears to hear. Because of what the world has become, many times we can't see the blessings because of our wants. Our Father is always with those that follow Him and will always provide our needs. Hebrews 13:5 "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
Although they sold "things" they had, they were provided what they needed. I'm sure many of us have things we don't really need and could go to help someone else. I have one person that helps this Ministry every month that I'm sure isn't rich, but understands she helps others by her donations to keep This Ministry going in its work. She knows who she is and the blessing she provides to others. We sent a Bible to someone the other day in India and it cost over $70 and without that love, it couldn't happen.
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,
Barnabas was a comfort to Paul and was a joy to have around as they went to feed The Word.
37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Sadly it cost money to get The Word out, but God always see a way for it to happen.