Acts 4:13-20
WE MUST TELL IT ALL
May 15, 2022
On 1st Sunday we preached just prior to this passage, where Peter and John had been used of the Lord to heal a beggar who sat at the gate of the Temple called Beautiful. The Jews were amazed, and Peter used their amazement over the miracle as an opportunity to preach the Gospel of Jesus. The Jewish leaders arrest Peter and John for preaching that Jesus rose from the dead, 4:1-4. The very next day, the Jews convened a council to talk about what to do with Peter and John, 4:5-7. Peter starts preaching to the Jewish leaders and when they saw their boldness, they threatened Peter and John to try and prevent them from preaching this Jesus! While the Jews may have hated Peter and John and the message they preached, there were some things that even they could not deny.
I. v. 13 THE MINISTRY “They realized that they had been with Jesus”
When Peter and John spoke, they did so with “boldness”. The word refers to “unreserved speech”. It is the idea of “someone speaking their mind without regard for what others think about them.” When that kind of speech occurs in the power of the flesh great harm can be inflicted. But, when that kind of speech is uttered in the power of the Holy Spirit, God’s business is done. They were amazed when they heard these men speak because they were “unlearned and ignorant men”. “Unlearned” is the word “agrammatos”. It means “illiterate; or one who does not know letters.” “Ignorant” is “idiotes”. It refers to “a commoner; an unskilled man.”
Where did these men learn this doctrine they were sharing? Where did they gain the boldness with which they preached? What happened to these men to make them into what they are now? The only conclusion was that these men “had been with Jesus”! Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
II. v. 14-16 THE MIRACLE “They could say nothing against it”
Peter and John are full of the power of God and that cannot be denied. A lame man has been healed and that cannot be denied. He is standing there, and they all know him. They had seen him many times as they made their way into the Temple. Now, he is standing here in their presence, and he is not crippled anymore. A miracle has taken place and they could not say anything against it! We learned on 1st Sunday that this man had been born lame. Verse 22 tells us that he was over 40 when he was healed. Daily, he was brought to the temple to beg. But, when the Name of Jesus was introduced into his life, this formerly lame man was found leaping, running around, and praising the Lord. This is a miracle that they could not say anything against!
The same is true in the church today. There are people sitting here who have been changed by the power of God. You are not the same person you used to be. You are a new creature, 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
ILLS: Brother Richard Dunn had a sorted past which including drugs and lawlessness. But when the Name of Jesus was introduced into his life, he laid down his drug paraphernalia and put on a Christian Drill Uniform. And when the church was asked to consider who among them should serve on the Board of Deacons his name was at the top of the list. He was tested and he was trained but before the Trial of Deacons was complete, God called him home! And the church agreed that a miracle had taken place in this man’s life, and he was forever changed. And at his funeral we declared that the Trail Was Over and though he did not get an ordination ceremony on earth, God ordained him for Glory and the history of this church had been changed as Deacon Richard Dunn was now etched in our historical record!
III. v. 17-20 THE MESSAGE “For we cannot but speak the things that we have seen and heard.”
Everything that took place that day took place because of the preaching of the Gospel of Grace. Peter lets the Jews know that it is a message that he must preach, 4:20. The miracle is precious, but everything hinges on the message. Peter wants these men to know that it is a true message and it is a message that he cannot help but preach. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:16 “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!”
Romans 1:16 teaches, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…!” The message we preach, the message that changed our lives, is a simple message. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.”
The Way – Jesus said in John 12:32, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.” And in John 14:6 He said, “…no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
The Truth – It is a message of a death. It is a message of a crucifixion. The message we preach is of a Savior Who loved us so much that He took our place on a cross. He died for us to pay for our sins so that we might be saved, Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The Life – The message they preached is a message about a sacrifice, but it is also a message about a success! Jesus took on death to save His people from their sins, but He rose again the third day to provide life eternal. In John 11:25 Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. This message is a life-changing message! It can open the eyes blinded by sin. It can straighten the limbs withered by iniquity. It can cleanse away the leprosy of the soul. It can deliver those held captive by sins enslaving power. It can bring new life into a dead spirit. Jesus has the power to set men free, John 8:36 “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
