ACTS SERIES: COMMANDED NOT TO SPEAK IN THE NAME OF JESUS – CHAPTER 4

Chapter 4 opens with Peter speaking to the crowd gathered to see the miracle of the lame man from birth walking. Coming to where the crowd stood were the Sadducees who did not believe in the doctrine of a resurrection and the priests who were disturbed that Peter and John taught the crowd by the power of the resurrected Jesus. They had the temple captain who accompanied them to arrest Peter and John. Despite the arrest, the Word fell on good ground because the scripture revealed about five thousand souls believed what Peter preached.

The following day, a council of religious leaders, which included Annas, the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, rulers, elders, and scribes, assembled to interrogate Peter and John concerning under whose authority they were operating. Having the unction of the Holy Spirit, Peter declared, “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Furthermore, Peter boldly spoke to them about their rejection of Jesus and the authority of His name. Knowing them to be uneducated men, the religious leaders marveled at how Peter and John communicated and perceived they had been with Jesus.

With the lame man standing with the apostles and unable to deny a miracle had taken place, after private deliberation, the tribunal participants commanded Peter and John not to speak nor teach in the name of Jesus. However, they responded to this command, “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Furthermore, unable to punish them, Peter and John were released with more threats given to them.

Returning to their fellow believers, they reported all that had occurred, which caused the group to pray. First, they reiterated Psalms 2 and then listed the opposers of Jesus, followed by a request for God to empower them to speak boldly, heal, and perform signs and wonders by the name of Jesus. The results of this prayer can be seen in Acts 4:31, which states, “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.”

The apostles continued to preach the resurrection of Jesus, and God’s goodwill was upon everyone. The united believers shared their possessions, which the apostles distributed to those in need. One of the contributors was Barnabas, a Levite of the country of Cyprus, who sold his land and brought the proceeds to the apostles. This ends chapter four, and I conclude this blog with these nuggets:

1. People gather where miracles are taking place.
2. Even when you are doing good, everyone is not pleased.
3. The Holy Spirit will anoint you to speak boldly.
4. The religious system recognizes there is power in using the name of Jesus.
5. Pray to be empowered.
6. Continually be refilled with the Holy Spirit.
7. Share your goods with those in need.
8. Do all that you do in the name and authority of Jesus.