Title: “More Pentecost”
Text: Acts 3-4
Subject: How does the Holy Spirit speak and act after the events of Pentecost?
Complement: He keeps on filling his people for witness!
Preaching idea: The Holy Spirit freshly fills God’s people to empower us for witness.
Acts 3 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Peter Speaks to the Onlookers
11 While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.
17 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. 22 For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. 23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’[a]
24 “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets who have spoken have foretold these days. 25 And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’[b] 26 When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”
Acts 4 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem.6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is
“‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’[a]
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
The Believers Pray
23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: (Psalm 2)
“‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord
and against his anointed one.[b]’[c]
27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly
Transition…
Roger Stronstad: (Charismatic theology of St Luke)
When describing the gift of the spirit Luke consistently uses one of two phrases filled with the Holy Spirit and received the Holy Spirit he is also consistent in using filled with the Holy Spirit in the passive voice And “received the Holy Spirit” in the active voice…
…in the context of the gift of the spirit God acts upon the believer and fills him with the Holy Spirit the active voice signifies that the subject of the verb produces the action …thus the believer must respond in order to receive the Holy Spirit
On those occasions when the disciples are filled with the Holy Spirit Luke emphasizes the divine initiative on those occasions when the disciples receive the Holy Spirit he emphasizes the human response to that initiative. p.71
References to the Holy Spirit pervade the record of Acts. Luke's characteristic use of the phrase is filled with the Holy Spirit and received the Holy Spirit describe the complementary roles of the divine initiative and the human response to that initiative - moreover the variety of terms which Luke uses all describe the charismatic activity of the spirit and not initiation or incorporation - like John and Jesus before them the charismatic community of disciples is spirit empowered and spirit directed for its missionary task”. P. 73
1. In Acts 2 – 120 Are Filled With The Holy Spirit.
Stronstad: …Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they were clothed with power from on high - Luke 24:49
…the Pentecost narrative is the story of the transfer of the {charismatic} (Holy) Spirit from Jesus to the disciples - in other words having become the exclusive bearer of the Holy Spirit at his baptism, Jesus becomes the giver of the spirit at Pentecost. P. 49
Luke's favorite phrase - “filled with the Holy Spirit” best approximates the full meaning of the gift of the spirit …
• it is at once a baptizing, an empowering, a filling, and an outpouring of the spirit
• …these terms are essentially synonymous - however each also contributes distinctive nuances to the meaning
Note the following Parallels seen in the spirit baptism of his disciples with the anointing of Jesus at his baptism
Notice the following parallels.
1. Both Jesus and disciples are praying
2. the spirit descends after their prayers
3. there is a physical manifestation of the spirit
4. the ministries of both Jesus and the disciples began with a sermon
The gift of the spirit to Jesus begins and empowers his mission and it has the same meaning for the mission of the disciples.
Empowered –
The gift of the spirit is an equipping of the disciples for witness – that is, witness to the resurrection of Jesus. The promise of power assures the disciples that Jesus will not abandon them to their own resources they will be fully equipped for their task as witnesses.
2. Acts 3 – A “Case Study” Of The Transfer – Peter & John Heal A Beggar – In Parallel To Jesus Healings: 3:1-8
Peter is prompted by the Holy Spirit to heal this man – on this occasion.
3. Peter’s second “sermon”explains the miracle - and he again points to Jesus: 3:11-26
a. Location – “Solomon’s colonnade”
i. In the heart of the city
ii. In the soul of Judaism
iii. The place where people gather…
Peter:
(1) Why does this (healing) surprise you?
(2) Why do you stare at us?
(3) It’s By faith in Jesus’ name… (v 16)
(4) Repent and turn to God…
a. Your sins will be wiped out!
b. Times of refreshing may come! (dry religion?)
c. That he may send the Messiah – even Jesus!
d. He’s in heaven until “the times comes for God to restore all things…”
e. The prophets (you admire) foretold these days!
iv. Moses spoke of Jesus
v. Samuel too
vi. Abraham too
b. God sent him first(!) to you (3:26)
4. Priests, temple guard, Sadducees are “greatly disturbed” 4:1-3
a. ** can you blame them- they’ve been shown up!
b. Pride is a powerful instinct!
c. These are the same people who just a couple of months ago conspired to kill Jesus – thinking that would the end of him and his 12 followers!
d. Usurping their role & authority
e. Consider their message blasphemy – proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus – “and the dead” (believers)!
f. Instead of the threats working - Another 2000 converts join! (4:4)
g. That’s pretty impressive!!!
5. Peter and John are thrown in jail (overnight) for preaching a risen Jesus: 4:2-3
a. This is a sign of things to come… its still happening today
b. Instead of scaring people off – 2000 more sign-up!!!
c. The believers now grow to 5000 (4:4)
6. Sanhedrin ? Interrogation – (another parallel with Jesus arrest)
a. Meet The Sanhedrin (“council”) was the senate and supreme court of the nation,
i. had jurisdiction in all non-capital cases
ii. also advised the Roman governors in capital cases
The high priest was president, and seventy others, made up of members of the high priestly families, a few influential persons of various formal ideological allegiances or backgrounds within Judaism, and professional experts in the law drawn from both Sadducean and Pharisaic ranks.
Annas (Father in law) &Caiaphas ?
Annas, John 18:13), had been high-priest from AD 6 to 15, and continued to exercise a significant influence over Jewish affairs.
Now Caiaphas is in charge (Family business) – he is H Priest for 18 years.
iii. rulers, elders, teachers, high priest (Annas), Caiaphas, John(?), Alexander, - and others of the high priests family.
“its the family business…”
Annas and Caiaphas may have sympathized with the Sadducees, - the wealthy Jewish elite.
The long, 18-year tenure of Caiaphas suggests he had a good relationship with Rome
**Jesus was interrogated by this same Sanhedrin!
1. Matthew 26:57
Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled.
2. Luke 3:2
during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.
3. John 11:49
Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all!
4. John 18:13
and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.
b. Make no mistake - This is an existential Crisis for established Judaism.
c. They are upset…threatened…confused… blind. “greatly disturbed”
Q: How did you do this? (4:7)
7. In this intense moment – the Holy Spirit shows up!
Here’s how Luke describes it ? “…Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit…” ( 4:8ff)
a. Stott - “freshly filled”
Dr Longenecker? “The use of the aorist passive (plestheis, “filled”) in the expression “filled with the Holy Spirit” denotes a special moment of inspiration that complements and brings to a functional focus the presence in every believer’s life of the person and ministry of God’s Spirit.
b. Peter was filled in Acts 2 – he’s now filled again.
c. Remember Jesus words: the Holy Spirit will give you words: But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict (Luke 21:12–15).
d. 7:55 “then Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit…”
e. 13:9 “then Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit…said, you are a child of the devil…
Remember, Paul was filled with the Spirit in Acts 9:17
f. 13:52 “the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”
g. (Paul) Eph 8:18 “do not be drunk with wine – but be filled with the Spirit.”
People try to pit Luke against Paul – or diminish Luke because of his narrative approach.
Luke uses the phrase “filled with the Holy Spirit” 9X in Luke - Acts
- three times in the gospel of Luke
- six times in the book of acts
h. Peter – We are being questioned by an act of kindness?
i. “Know this ? it is by the name of Jesus …raised from the dead…
j. Peter? Jesus is *”the (rejected) cornerstone” (4:11)
But wait – isn’t the temple the cornerstone?
Isn’t the Sanhedrin the cornerstone?
Isn’t Moses? 10 commandments?
Isn’t Abraham?
Isn’t David?
NO!!! - Jesus of Nazareth is the cornerstone!!!
Q. What’s the cornerstone of your life?
What holds you together? … if you were a compass – or a GPS – what’s your true north?
• Happiness?
• Self
• Family?
• Education?
• Money?
• Religion?
k. Peter proclaims- Salvation is found in no one else!!! (4:12)
Here Are Several Observations
1. the gift of the spirit on the day of Pentecost is not an isolated and unique event
2. being filled with the spirit is both an individual and a collective phenomenon
3. being filled with the spirit is not a once for all experience
4. filled with the spirit always describes inspiration
5. The gift of spirit fullness is not for salvation - but for witness
8. Reaction ? Astonishment! (4:13)
a. And speechless – since the man was standing there healed!
Sanhedrin Conference – what should we do?... we must stop this thing from spreading~!
b. Verdict? stop!
c. Reaction ? stop preaching this!
Why?
9. Peter & John ? “we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard”
I wish we could all say this?
We should all say this?
When you talk with friends – do you talk about big things – or small things?
Ok to start with “small talk” … but don’t settle for that.
10. Peter & John – give a Report and prayer: 4:23 ff
a. Longenecker - Most significant is the fact that these early Christians were not praying for (1) relief from oppression or (2) judgment on their oppressors but for (3)enablement “to speak your word with great boldness” amid oppressions and (4) for God to act in mighty power “through the name of your holy servant Jesus” (v. 30).
Their concern was for God’s word to go forth and for Christ’s name to be glorified, leaving to God himself their own circumstances. With such prayer surely God is well pleased. Luke has evidently taken pains to give us this prayer so that it might serve as something of a pattern to be followed in our own praying.
b. Sovereign Lord…
c. Psalm 2 – messianic psalm
d. Enable your servants to speak with boldness
e. Stretch out your hand and heal… signs/wonders though you r holy servant Jesus.
11. After they prayed (v. 31) the place was shaken…all filled with the Holy Spirit… and spoke the word of God boldly!
a. Filled (again)
b. Shaking
c. Speaking/witness!!
As a sign of God’s approval, Luke tells us that “the place where they were meeting was shaken” (cf. Exod 19:18; Isa 6:4) and “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (cf. comments on v.8). And with such motivation and divine enablement, their prayer was answered; and they “spoke the word of God boldly” (parresias, “with confidence,” “forthrightly”).
IN THE OLD TESTAMENT the shaking of a place (v. 31) was a sign for a theophany, that is, a manifestation of God in a visible form (Ex. 19:18; Isa. 6:4).
I. Howard Marshall says, “It would have been regarded as indicating a divine response to prayer.” It was God’s way of indicating that he was present there and would answer the prayer.
Next, “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” This is not a fresh baptism, but a fresh filling.
This is another instance in Acts where filling does not describe the characteristic of a person, but a special anointing. As in most of these cases, the result of the filling is proclamation.
When we experience God in a fresh way, one of the first things we receive is courage. The revelation of God makes us affirm with Paul, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31).
Conclusion ? Let us pray this prayer!
