SERMON: Acts 4 “The Reality, Response, and Results of Persecution!”
INTRODUCTION:
1. These events immediately follow Peter’s sermon in 3:12-26.
2. The key factor in this persecution are the healing of the man at the Temple Gate and the content of Peter’s sermon.
3. While in America today the persecution of Christians is more psychological than physical, the world-wide persecution of Christians continues to this day…
4. According to Open Doors, in 2024, 365 million Christians were living under physical persecution!
5. According to Open Doors, in 2024, 17,766 churches were physically attacked!
6. According to Open Doors, in 2024, 4,744 Christians were imprisoned for believing in Jesus!
7. According to Open Doors, in 2024, 4,998 Christians were murdered for believing in Jesus!
8. According to Open Doors, in the past 10 years, the countries where the highest number of Christians faced physical persecution were… North Korea, Nigeria, Somalia, Libya, Eritrea, Yemen, India, China, the European Union, England, and Canada.
EXPOSITION:
4:1-7; 15-22 The Reality of Persecution!
4:1-3 The basis of persecuting Christians is always both religious and political!
(1) “And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, (2) greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. (3) And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.”
4:4 In spite of the persecution, the Word of GOD was working!
(4) But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
Cf. 1st Thessalonians 2:13 “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.”
4:5-7, 15-18 The main goal of those who persecute Christians is to stop us from speaking!
(5) On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, (6) with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. (7) And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?”
(15) But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, (16) saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. (17) But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” (18) So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.”
4:19-22 One of the primary tools used by persecutors is threats!
(19) But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, (20) for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” (21) And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. (22) For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
4:8-14 The Response to the Persecution!
4:8 It was a Spirit-empowered response! (And every believer has the Holy Spirit and this same power!)
(8) Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders,
4:9 Peter’s response was accusatory!
(9) if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,
(10) let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead–by him this man is standing before you well.
4:11-12 Peter’s response was focused on Jesus!
(11) This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. (12) And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Cf. Psalm 118:22-23 “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.”
Cf. Isaiah 28:16 “Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily.”
Cf. Matthew 21:42 (quoting Psalm 118) “Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’?”
Cf. Ephesians 2:20 “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone…”
Cf. 1st Peter 2:6-7 (quoting Isaiah 28) “Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” 7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone…”
Theological Note: 4:12 is the most important warning in the Bible and the most controversial thing that Christians believe!
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
4:13 GOD does extraordinary things through ordinary people!
(13) Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
4:14 A changed life is still the greatest witness to the soul-saving and life-changing power of Jesus!
(14) But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.
4:23-37 The Results of the Persecution!
4:23-28 First, they recognized and relied on the Sovereignty of GOD!
(23) When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. (24) And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, (25) who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? (26) The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’— (27) for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, (28) to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.”
Theological Note: 4:25 is a key passage on the doctrine of the verbal inspiration of Scripture!
“who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit…”
4:29-31a Second, they prayed!
(29) And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, (30) while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (31a) And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken…”
Theological Note: Boldness is a gift and in 21st Century America, the reason we need boldness is to face ridicule!
4:31b Third, they were emboldened when they were filled with the Holy Spirit!
(31b) “and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”
4:32-37 Fourth, they continued their selfless and sacrificial lifestyle!
(32) “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. (33) And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. (34) There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold
4:35-37 Here we are first introduced to the godly and generous Barnabas!
(35) and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. (36) Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, (37) sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
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