Background
Jesus had resurrected and ascended
The Holy Spirit had come
Peter had preached boldly and many had responded to the message of Christ
Peter and John had healed a lame man and then proclaimed the message of Jesus
Acts 4:5-7 (NLT)
The next day the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law met in Jerusalem. [6] Annas the high priest was there, along with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and other relatives of the high priest. [7] They brought in the two disciples and demanded, "By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?"
A Demand for Answers
Many of these leaders had been a part of seeing that Jesus was crucified
They thought they were done with Jesus
Many were Sadducees who did not believe in the resurrection
The claims went against their worldview
Boldness for Christ will cause others to question
Doubters
Skeptics
Seekers
Acts 4:8 (NLT)
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Leaders and elders of our nation,
A Changed Man
Not so long ago
Peter had denied Christ
Peter cracked under the finger pointing of others
The transforming power of the Holy Spirit
Peter was no longer a slave to fear
Peter spoke with boldness
Peter would risk it all for Jesus
Acts 4:9-10 (NLT)
are we being questioned because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? [10] Let me clearly state to you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed in the name and power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, the man you crucified, but whom God raised from the dead.
Turning the Tables
Peter knew the real issue was not the healing that had taken place
The name of Jesus is divisive
• Some accept
• Many reject
Peter boldly proclaims the name of Jesus and bears witness to the truth
The truth of Jesus brings forth conviction of sin
Acts 4:11 (NLT)
For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,
’The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’
Holding It All Together
Peter identified Jesus as the cornerstone
The most important stone
Assures structural integrity
Jesus had been rejected by the religious leaders of the day
He is now the head of the “church”
Only by his power does the church stand
Acts 4:12 (NLT)
There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them."
One Way
The road to salvation is clearly marked
Only Jesus is the Son of God
Only Jesus died for the sin of all people
Only Jesus rose from the grave
God has clearly marked the path of salvation
There are not multiple paths
All other roads lead to destruction
Acts 4:13 (NLT)
The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men who had had no special training. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.
Miraculous Boldness
The disciples had scattered when Jesus was arrested
Now they stood in front of the same religious leaders and spoke without fear
They spoke above their education level
They spoke despite lack of formal theological training
God can use anyone to boldly proclaim His message of redemption
Willing vessels
Known by the Company You Keep
The religious leaders knew Peter and John had been with Jesus
Their boldness
Their testimony
Their countenance
The miracles around them
Does anyone know that you’ve spent time with Jesus?
We become like those we spend the most time with
Acts 4:14 (NLT)
But since the man who had been healed was standing right there among them, the council had nothing to say.
The Power of Changed Lives
The healing of the lame man could not be refuted
He was standing there
Many had seen him before and after
The greatest testimony of God’s power is a changed life
Do people see a change in you?
Whose life is changing because of you?
Final Thoughts
Peter and John were empowered because they were fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit
When you spend quality time with Jesus...it shows!
What is the unmistakable proof of Jesus power in your life?
**Powerpoint available on request
