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ACTS - In the Triumphal Procession of Christ
Studies in the Acts of the Apostles
PART 1 - The Foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and Syria - Under the Patronage of the Apostle Peter, Guided by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1 - 12)
A - The Growth and Development of the Early Church in Jerusalem (Acts 1 - 7)

11. Peter and John Imprisoned and Taken to Court for the First Time (Acts 4:1-22)


ACTS 4:1-7
1 As they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came to them, 2 being upset because they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 They laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was now evening. 4 But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. 5 It happened in the morning, that their rulers, elders, and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and as many as were relatives of the high priest. 7 When they had stood them in the middle of them, they inquired, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”

Wherever God´s blessing appears hell is also aroused. Jesus healed the cripple through Peter and John. Multitudes raced to listen to the gospel. The Temple police intervened, for they regarded the miracle to be open to doubt, and the gathering of the people a danger to security. The religious leaders stood side by side with the priests and those who had the responsibility to ensure order in the Temple. The educated Sadducees moved quickly to incite the people against the harmless fishermen, who were teaching the multitudes without permission. For them, the privilege to speak publicly was confined to scholars and philosophers. They were particularly annoyed and grieved that the men from Galilee were proclaiming that Jesus had risen from the dead, contrary to their belief. Enlightened, educated people denied the doctrine of resurrection. Consequently, the testimony to Christ’s resurrection was the main reason for arresting the apostles, who were then taken by the temple police to prison. There they spent the cold night praying, praising, and thanking Jesus for His triumph in healing the lame man. They glorified the Lord for His giving them the chance to address the multitudes in the temple. They prayerfully prepared themselves for the trial the next day.

The apostles’ message of faith had had a great effect upon the multitudes. Many, with broken hearts, believed in Jesus, who had been crucified and raised from the dead. In so doing, they received forgiveness of their sins. The number of Christ’s followers grew to five thousand in the early church. They possessed neither a cathedral nor a pompous house, yet were themselves filled with the Holy Spirit. The Lord Himself was dwelling in them and working through them. Many gathered together to pray for those who had been imprisoned for the sake of Jesus.

The next day the Sanhedrin´s committee of inquiry, the highest court of the Jews, assembled. This committee included family members of the high priest, who had been most active against Jesus. They had personally sentenced him to death on charges of blasphemy, for the Son of God, bound in their midst, had told them that thereafter they would see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power. In fact, this divine Power had worked once again in the two apostles.

Through Peter and John’s standing before the cunning Caiaphas and the authoritative Annas, Jesus was giving His persecutors and judges once again a chance to turn and repent. This hearing was very important, not for the apostles, but for the judges. They still had a chance to repent and believe in Christ, the living and triumphant Lord.

Those skilled in managing the court hearings did not go slowly with introductory questions, but went directly to the essence of the matter. They asked the disciples who it was that had sent them, and what kind of power was working in them. This was the same question they had asked John the Baptist and Jesus Himself. They had felt the power of God and seen the miracles, but did not understand the words or works of the Holy Spirit. They did not recognize the power of the word of God, for they were hardened to the Lord’s voice. Their hearts were given up to pride, haughtiness, and an absolute strictness regarding provisions of the law. It is always a great misfortune to listen with the ears, and yet not to hear, to look with open eyes, and yet not see.

PRAYER: O Lord, open my heart and pour Your Spirit into my mind. Enlighten my will, that I may love Your word, believe in Your revelation, carry out Your commands, and not resist the drawing of Your love. Open the ears of the people of our nation, and enlighten the eyes of the world, that they may recognize Jesus the Savior, believe in Him, and receive everlasting life.

QUESTION:

  1. What did the meeting between the high council and the two apostles signify?

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