We Can't Help It

The book of Acts is marked by an outbreak of God's word confirmed by signs and wonders through the acts of the apostles who received the empowerment of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost in Chapter 2. And from there, the gospel continued to spread and flourish through men and women who were empowered, filled, and anointed by the Holy Spirit.

Mark 16:17- And these signs will follow those who [d]believe: In My name, they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they[e] will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” PROTECTION, MANIFESTATION OF GOD’S POWER THROUGH MIRACLES, SIGNS, AND WONDERS. THIS IS WHAT PETER AND JOHN IN THIS STORY HAVE EXPERIENCED AND WITNESSED!

Background: (Slide 3) In Chapter 3, Peter and John miraculously healed a 40-year-old man who was born lame (4:22) sitting at the Gate Beautiful while this man was trying to earn a living by begging those who entered the temple to pray. We don't have much information about how advanced medical science was then. Still, the age of the man suggests that man-made knowledge cannot undo what this man was born with – lame (3:2). The physical condition of this man limits his mobility and makes him dependent on others. V2 says that someone must put this man beside the Temple Gate daily so he can beg for a living (v3-5).

Peter and John happened to be going in, but before the duo could enter, the lame man asked them for money. But this man did not receive money from Peter and John. Instead, this man receives a miracle.

(Slide 4) 3:6-8 – Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping and praising God. (9-10)

It is a miracle for someone born crippled to walk for the first time in his life. The power of the Holy Spirit at work in Peter and John gave what this man needs, not money but the power and the ability to earn cash by restoring his whole life. In Australia, people who want to work until 70 or older may do so, although people can retire as young as 67. So, this man at the age of 40 still has a good number of productive years of employment if he desires, shy of 27- or 30 years fruitful years.

When God begins manifesting His power through signs and wonders, Satan throws into panic! Not long from there, the Devil sends his allies to sabotage God's power's manifestation. And Paul says, the devil does this through rulers and authorities who do not believe in God (Eph. 6:12)12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. BIBLE SCHOLARS SAY THE SANHEDRIN IS THE SENATE AND THE SUPREME COURT OF THE JEWISH NATION. THEY WERE THE ONES WHO INTERROGATED PETER AND JOHN.

4:13 Peter and John, fishermen by trade, had never received formal theological or rhetorical training in the rabbinical schools; they were ordinary men with no special training.

WOULD PETER AND JOHN BE INTIMIDATED BY their positions and political power?

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5) INTERROGATION: (Acts 4:5-11)

Question (4:5-7) “By what power, or in whose name, have you healed this cripple?”

Peter is filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: Rulers and elders of the people!

Answer: (4:8-11)

9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

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 stands here before you whole.

(Slide 5): "He was healed in the name and power of Jesus Christ.”

(SLIDE 6): BOLD WITNESS – uncontrollable/unstoppable/ (v20) “as for us, we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen (visible) and heard (audible) ---------

(SLIDE 7): BOLD – PARRHESIA (par-rhay-see-ah)/confident – not human quality but a result of being filled with the Holy Spirit. As the apostles stood there with the healed cripple, speaking with authority, the council members recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. Their boldness was possible only because they were filled with the Holy Spirit (4:8; cf. 4:29, 31; 9:27–28; 13:46; 14:3; 18:26; 19:8; 26:26; 28:31)