Acts Chapter FOUR commentary

This entry deals with religious perspectives, civil disobedience and the first conflict of the Book of Acts church. Feel free to read along with your Bible (not every verse is addressed).

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Acts Verse 4: 1-2: “And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.”

This is the beginning of the conflict between the followers of Jesus and the religious leaders. The term “Christian” was not yet in use. Up until this point, the followers of Jesus had been “in favor” with the people. So…What caused the change? Could it be that the religious leaders were just learning of the doctrine of the Apostles? Perhaps… But I would say that many religious leaders were alarmed to see this doctrine being taught in the temple area (which they considered to be their “area”) and, also by how popular it was becoming.

Verse 4:4 “Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.” Does this mean that there were 5,000 total Christians at this point? Does this include the 3000 people who believed on the day of Pentecost? The short answer seems to be “No.”

These 5,000 seem to be the people who were won over during Peter’s sermon in the temple area. No wonder the religious leaders were discomfited! According to Biblestudytools.com, old manuscripts of the Biblical texts point out that these were new believers. If this is so…then the total number of Christians at this point is around/or at least (3000 + 5000) 8,000 souls.

Verse: 4:7: The religious leaders round up Peter and John, throw them in jail for the night and then put them on trial. They ask: “By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?” This is similar to the question some asked Jesus when he had cast out the demon in Mark 11:28.

Vese 4:8 “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them…” Being filled with the Holy Ghost is an imperative. He was operating as more than a preacher of traditional sermons, but as a conduit for will of God.

Verse 4: 12: Peter proclaims to the council: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Peter is addressing religious leaders and theologians. His words are specific. His terms carry weight and meaning. There is no mention of the titles of the Trinity made here. He gives only one NAME.

Verse 4:13: The council is taken aback by Peter’s boldness. “and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”

Still today, spending time with Jesus brings about a work of transformation in lives. This change was even more noticeable because they perceived that Peter and John were “ignorant” and “unlearned” men. Peter and John spoke “in the flow” of the Holy Ghost. This can be compared to a story in one of the gospels. The people who heard Jesus were “astonished” at his doctrine. “For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”

Verse 4:16: The council is having trouble finding some kind of blame to pin on the disciples. A “notable miracle” had been performed by the healing of the lame man in Chapter 3. I first became aware of this term a few years back. The difference between a miracle and a notable miracle seems to be its degree of undeniability? The way it stands out. To quote the words of the religious leaders: “We cannot deny it.”

Verse 4:19: “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.”

Civil Disobedience: how far should believers go?

Peter and John were not commanded to stop assembling, they were commanded to stop teaching about Jesus and generally “not to speak at all.”

Would Peter and John have complied if they were commanded to stop “having church?” I do not have a good answer to that, partly because they did not “have church” as we see it today. Their main gatherings were house to house. When Saul was persecuting the Christians and taking them off to jail—he was not breaking up church services in large buildings but rather “entering into every house.”

But what if Peter and John were told—“You know what—we have this terrible virus going on right now throughout the Roman world—the coliseum, pagan temples and amphitheaters are all shut down. Could you please not have any gatherings for a TEMPORARY amount of time? Go ahead and use this brand new technology called the internet and stream your services and use Zoom to congregate—would Peter and John have complied?

I don’t have an answer for that. But my heart says “yes” because in that imaginary scenario—they were not asked to stop preaching Jesus.

Verse 4:21: The council is feeling pressure to release Peter and John because outside the chambers, Peter and John were popular among the people. “for all men glorified God for that which was done.” (the healing of the lame man). To me this is a surreal experience. The religious leaders are in chambers seeking how to punish the preachers while outside, people are basking in the afterglow of revival.

Furthermore, the religious leaders see John and Peter as people being on trial in their courtroom. But are not also the religious leaders the ones on trial? For invisible to the eyes of the Pharisees and Sadducees, there is another courtroom. For a heavenly court and a supreme lawgiver is watching their responses and taking note of how the council responds to the preached gospel.

4:23-24: The council releases Peter and John. They meet with the other believers. Note: where was this meeting taking place? It does seem like the “core” group of church leaders were there, but probably not all 8,000 plus people. It is possible, this was happening in the Upper Room from Chapter one and two, which could hold at least 120 people.

“And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord”

There is a report of the council’s threats made and then the believers prayed.

No debate about what to do.

No planning or strategizing session.

No church growth tips or incriminations made.

Just heartfelt & impassioned prayer.

And God answered.

Verse 4: 24 The believers were in “one accord.” The mindset of community that helped start the Day of Pentecost revival remains strong. They are still in one-accord.

Verse: 4: 28: “For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.”

An important nugget of information to remember during the virus. God is in control, even of the trouble. This is problematic for people who consider all the evil done in the world, the natural disasters, genocide and the undegenerated state of mankind. However Paul, writing in Romans tells the believers that “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Something that I’ve noticed by reading in Acts is the strong relationship these Jewish Christians have with the Old Testament, making connections in the text to their present day (I will repeat this…THEIR present day) situations that I would not have made. They have no “New Testament” as of yet, only the Jewish scriptures and the teachings of Jesus.

Verse 4: 29 -30 “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.”

This “book of Acts Prayer” has been rightly pointed out by others as a proper Christian response to opposition…not praying that the problem would go away, but prayer that God would empower the believer through the problem.

The perspective of the Will of God and the believer are often different. Man is interested in survival and self-serving prayers that enhance man’s personal domain and safety. Kingdom minded prayers often go against the current of our natural inclinations. This is what Jesus taught his disciples to pray—in relation to God-- “Thy Kingdom come and thy will be done.”

Verse 4:31: “And when they had prayed”…There were three outcomes of this prayer meeting. One, the gathering place was physically shaken, everyone was refilled with the Holy Ghost and an anointed boldness came on the people.

4:32 “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.”

One heart and one soul. This is the staggering reality of an Apostolic church operating in its peak condition. No petty infighting. And an understanding that everything belongs to God. The modern man wants to give his heart to God, but he/she wants to keep their money for themselves. The attitude can once again be encompassed by how Jesus taught his disciples to pray: “Thy Kingdom come…thy will be done. On earth as it is in heaven.”

Verse 4:33 “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus:” It is interesting that this verse is right after a verse on giving. Love. Giving. Unity. Prayer. Sacrifice. All of these things fit together like fingers on a hand. When they are all functioning, you will find the supernatural.

“and great grace was upon them all.” Grace is defined as “χάρις (charis)” by Biblehub and defined as “From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act.” From Strongs. This speaks to both their favorability within the general community and in how the gospel is being received by people. Grace was upon them. God was the one giving the grace to them.

Verse 4: 34-35: Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need”

Helping Christians in need is also something that carried over into the Gentile churches. As I said earlier, problems did arise later on when people “took advantage” of this generous aid, and Paul dealt with it when it arose. (2 Thessalonians 3:10)

The money that was given by the believers went to (1.) take care of the needs within the Christian community of people who lacked and (2.) to help spread the gospel by taking care of ministers (1 Corinthians 9) and evangelism.

There are no scriptures in the New Testament about building churches. This does not mean, that they did not do so. However the text points out they gathered together in the structures on hand including their homes.