Acts Bible Study Notes Chapter 3 & 4

4/13/12

Acts 3

-Peter, along with John, heals a beggar and lame man near the Temple. This man was praising the Lord for this miracle demonstrated by the apostles and all the people saw him with wonder and amazement.

-This gave Peter opportunity to preach the Lord Jesus Christ to those congregated from the Scriptures. He stressed faith in the Christ crucified as the suffering servant, buried, and risen as eyewitnesses of these facts. His proposition was for them to repent and return so that their sins could be wiped away in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:19). He said some important things about where Jesus was currently in Heaven until the restoration of all things of which the prophets all spoke. These were incredible days!

Acts 4

 -The religious leaders again, as when Jesus was among them, came to the apostles and were greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming, in Jesus, the resurrection from the dead (Acts 4:2). They put them in jail for this proclamation until the next day, but many had believed in their message (5,000 in fact). The next day they examined them as to what power and name they were doing their work.

-Peter, being filled with the Holy Spirit, addressed them as a servant of Jesus Christ, the Stone which was rejected yet became the Cornerstone. He proclaimed that there was no other Name under Heaven by which men may be saved. These uneducated and untrained men were amazing the religious leaders by their confidence and power, and they had nothing to say in reply.

-The Council conferred with one another and had a difficult time trying to figure out what to do with them because a noteworthy miracle had taken place and was apparent to all who live in Jerusalem. They determined to command them not to speak or teach any more in the Name of Jesus, but Peter and John told them that they could not stop speaking about what they had seen and heard. *Application* What about your life and your convictions? Do you fear God over man? In situations like these that we see here it would have been convenient to repudiate their convictions and dismiss the whole thing. The proof of the resurrection is right here in the text. They could not back down. If the resurrection had been a lie, exposure would have quickly come through this persecution. However, they had seen and heard the Risen Savior and would not denounce Him. This should be the same with us in our witness and testimony every day.

-They were released and rejoiced with holy praise. The Holy Spirit filled them with boldness to speak the Word of God. The church was growing steadily and all had a giving spirit holding all things in common. They also had great power and abundant grace was upon them all as they were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus (Acts 4:33).

Verses to Memorize: Acts 3:13, 19, 24; 4:11-12, 31