#1554 Acts 4 Part 3 One

 

32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and not one was saying that any of his possessions was his own, but, for them, everything was common. 33 And with great power the apostles were bearing witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), 37 and who owned a field, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 4: 32-37

Acts 4: 32-37 The Early Church

V. 32 Were of one heart and soul - This passage fascinates me, but it really makes me want to check myself as well. I know that tares and wolves came after this, and we have to be aware of that, we have to protect our fellow sheep, but in this twilight moment, where the first glimmering rays of the church appear, it seems void of guile and self promotion. The gospel is as yet undefiled by those who would promote numbers over sincerity, and there is love, deep and selfless. It's not about a building, yet I would be afraid to place my feet in such a place, for fear of soiling it. I am perplexed, so many things rush into my mind, and I see that we must guard both against false teachers, but also against our own preference of ego. So many arguments must go back to original intent and design, not tradition or culture. There was unspoiled unity here, deception had not yet entered, and ego seems to be displaced by the Spirit. I pray about the state of my own heart and place within the body, that I won't be puffed up, that I will serve. I pray that I will guard against heresy, in my own mind's wanderings and also in my family. 

And the congregation of those who believed (pisteuo) - The congregation does not yet appear mixed with tares, but consisted of those who believed. What a wonderful time to be a believer. Notice that their belief brought forth recognizable fruit, attesting to the the reality of their conversion. What a beautiful example of Christian fellowship, based on oneness of heart and soul wrought by the a common Spirit and founded on their faith in a common Lord, Jesus Christ the Nazarene, "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit." (1 Cor 12:13) This oneness was what Jesus had prayed for asking His Father "that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me." ( Jn 17:21)

John Piper defines belief in Jesus as follows - "It's to be satisfied with all that God is for you in Christ." This is his favorite definition of saving faith. He goes on to observe that the "Two of the effects of believing in Jesus are that the heart is loosened in relationship to things and tightened in its relationship to people....Being a Christian means being changed from the inside out so that you fall in love with people and fall out of love with things." (Bolding added). (Be Like Barnabas Not Like Ananias!)

G Campbell Morgan says "those that believed" " were those who had yielded them­ selves to the Lordship of Jesus,. to obedience to His teaching." - Precept Austin

…2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4: 2-6

V. 32b And no one was saying that any of his possessions was his own - I think this contrasts well, as other commentators have stated, with Ananias and Saphira. It wasn't wrong to have, and they were under no command to give, especially not at this level, but Ananias and his wife pretended to give at this level, everything, yet held back. I have also seen cults that demand, or at the very least strongly suggest this, and it ends up going to a building, to fancy cars, houses, a corporate sort of dynasty that elevates strange and indulgent personalities. Everything here was common, so distributed as needed. They had obviously found something that far exceeded materialism, and they were content with what they had, more concerned with the needs of others.  

…14But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from You, and from Your own hand we have given to You. 15For we are foreigners and strangers in Your presence, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. 16O LORD our God, from Your hand comes all this abundance that we have provided to build You a house for Your holy Name, and all of it belongs to You.… 1 Chronicles 29: 14-16

…10Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11So if you have not been faithful with worldly wealth, who will entrust you with true riches? 12And if you have not been faithful with the belongings of another, who will give you belongings of your own?… Luke 16: 10-12

V. 33 And with great power the apostles were bearing witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus - Without the Holy Spirit, without being filled, it's just empty vessels and words that fall off to nowhere, dependent upon the energy of the speaker, but it's not men who save. 

…3how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4and was affirmed by God through signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will. 5For it is not to angels that He has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking.… Hebrews 2: 3-5

…6I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.… 1 Corinthians 3: 6-8

Vs. 34-35 For there was not a needy person among them - It is a simple formula for me now, when I walk into a church and find a pastor who has his head upon every rich person's lap, yet looks upon the widow as an annoyance, let him know and then be prepared to leave. 

…43Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more than all the others into the treasury. 44For they all contributed out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.” Mark 12: 43-44

…16By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? 18Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.… 1 John 3: 16-18

Vs. 36-37 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles - The name they called him means Son of Encouragement, and we will later learn more about him from his relationships with Paul and John Mark, who was his cousin. There is apparently a tradition taught about Barnabas, that he is also the rich young ruler of Matthew 19, and so here in Acts 4 that same camel does pass through the eye of the needle. I could not be emphatic on that point though one of my pastors leans strongly that way. I will say this, that the Holy Spirit moved men to write the Scriptures, and that is what we mean by God breathed. There are some very choice jewels found the longer and deeper our studies take us, but where the Spirit is vague I think it purposeful as well. I hope the rich young ruler did come to believe. I hope that for all men.

What can we learn from the life of Barnabas? - In the book of Acts, we find a Levite from Cyprus named Joses (Acts 4:36), whom the apostles called Barnabas. That nickname, translated “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36-37) or “Son of Exhortation” was probably given to him because of his inclination to serve others (Acts 4:36-37, 9:27) and his willingness to do whatever church leaders needed (Acts 11:25-30). He is referred to as a “good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.” Through his ministry, “a great number of people were brought to the Lord” (Acts 11:24). Paul uses Barnabas as an example of one with a proper perspective on money and property. When he sold his land, he brought the proceeds to the apostles and laid it at their feet (Acts 4:36-37). As the early church began to grow, in spite of Herod’s persecution, Barnabas was called by the Holy Spirit to go with Paul on a missionary journey. Barnabas’ cousin, John Mark, served him and Paul as their assistant (Acts 13:5). During that first missions trip, for an unspecified reason, John Mark left them and did not complete the journey (Acts 13:13). However, Barnabas continued with Paul and was with him when Paul’s ministry was redirected to reaching the Gentiles with the gospel (Acts 13:42-52). The only negative mention of Barnabas in Scripture is in reference to an incident in which Peter’s hypocrisy influenced other Jews (including Barnabas) to shun some Gentiles at dinner (Galatians 2:13). After that first trip, Paul and Barnabas began planning their next journey. Barnabas wanted to take his cousin, but Paul refused, and a rift grew between them to the point that they parted company (Acts 15:36-41). Barnabas, true to his nickname, took John Mark and spent time discipling him. That ministry was so effective that, years later, Paul specifically asked for John Mark to come to him, as Mark had matured to the point of becoming helpful to Paul in his ministry (2 Timothy 4:11). Like Barnabas, as Christians we are called to be encouragers, particularly of those who are weak in the faith or struggling. Acts 11:23 depicts Barnabas as a man who was delighted to see others exhibiting the grace of God in their lives, exhorting and encouraging them to remain faithful. In the same way, we should look for opportunities to praise those who bring glory and honor to God through lives that reflect their faith. In addition, Barnabas is an example of a generous spirit when it comes to giving sacrificially to the work of the Lord. - Precept Austin

16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”

17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”

Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”

21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Matthew 19: 16-22

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#1553 Acts 4 Part 2 A Holy Confidence

 

13 Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and comprehended that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were marveling, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. 15 But when they had ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, they began to confer with one another, 16 saying, “What should we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy sign has happened through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But lest it spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name.” 18 And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to hear you rather than God, you be the judge; 20 for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened; 22 for the man was more than forty years old on whom this sign of healing had occurred.

23 So when they were released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Master, it is You who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said,

‘Why did the Gentiles rage,

And the peoples devise vain things?

26 The kings of the earth took their stand,

And the rulers were gathered together

Against the Lord and against His Christ.’

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 purpose predestined to occur. 29 And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your slaves may speak Your word with all confidence, 30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders happen through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed earnestly, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with confidence. Acts 4: 13-31 LSB

Acts 4: 13-31 

V. 13 Comprehended that they were uneducated and ordinary men - I have said this a lot at work, the degree doesn't really matter if you don't know what you are doing. It's just a piece of paper if you don't know how to apply it. Your title doesn't make what you are saying true; it has to be true before you say it. If you went to a school that taught you wrong, well then you have a piece of paper that represents that. What if you were a Jew brought up in the traditions of the Pharisees, or like these priest, brought up in the traditions of the Sadducees, teaching that there is no resurrection, and then Jesus raises someone from the dead. Now you have His two followers performing miracles and teaching Christ, Whom you crucified, from the Old Testament? Well, you have a choice, either you accept what the Bible says about Him and was proven and fulfilled by Him, and denounce almost all your traditions, setting you back to zero. Or, you look at these unlearned men and make that the thing of most significance. They don't have a degree from the Harvard school of Sadducee. They have funny accents and are not part of your circles. These men don't have reserved seats at the table of the intellectuals. Pride is a funny thing, people would rather scream that they are right than have to dismount their high horse in order to actually be right. They are content to scoff at the true while calling themselves truth seekers.  

Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men - While I have nothing against attending seminary, it has always amazed me that many of the men God has greatly used never had any formal training (e.g., C H Spurgeon, A W Tozer, etc). Peter and John were the antithesis of hesitancy or equivocation. Despite the danger they refused to disguise their doctrine! May their tribe increase! Amen!

The question arises as to how they knew they were uneducated and untrained? Their Galilean accent? Their attire? The fact that they don't mention the rabbinical "seminary" they attended? We cannot say for sure, but we can say their assessment was correct. As Paul would later write

For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh (LIKE THESE "WISE" SANHEDRINISTS), not many mighty, not many noble (LIKE THESE ARISTOCRATIC, RICH SADDUCEES); 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God. (1 Cor 1:26-29) - Precept Austin

V. 14 They had nothing to say in reply - Peter preached and taught as instructed by his Master, Jesus, and with the power of being filled by the Spirit. They were taken back by this because these were not the type of men they would choose, but their forefathers had also persecuted the prophets that came before them. Peter takes them back to the OT, handles it with authority, and though they may want to say something, what could they possibly say, the lame man is standing there whole with them. They have already attested that it is by the power and name of Jesus that this man has been healed, so what do you say to that?

V. 16 We cannot deny it - The miracle was evident, and that is always the easiest route, if no one else saw it, to deny it happened, but this was undeniable, not easily hidden. Note though, they are still denying the power behind it, what it actually means, and I see people do this often now. As I have been going through the Bible it is amazing to see how many so called theologians approach it all as non literal, or except only certain parts, like the Sadducees did. I remember reading about people contesting the book of Isaiah on the grounds that it was too descriptive of a historical person that didn't live till 700 after the time of it's claim. They found evidence to support their theory in that most of the oldest copies they had were first century, around the time of Jesus, but then they found copies that predated Jesus by 200 years. It's strange, you knew Who Isaiah was referring to quite plainly, and too clearly to be that old, that would be prophetic, and so you stamp it with a more recent date until you find copies that are undeniably older. Does this cause them to believe now that the evidence is clear? No, it does not. During the time of Roe vs. Wade people would act like there was room in the debate due to uncertainty about when life began. That is the uncertainty of convenience, "how do we know it's alive, how do we know it's human, or when it's viable?" Well, science now shows unequivocally that life begins at conception, and at this time information (DNA) from two different people is combined to form an individual. So now that everyone knows the truth we stop killing babies, right? Wrong again, some people still think it's not human till it comes out of the womb, that magical door into Narnia, and others, who know the baby is human would be willing to entertain a question outside of the womb. Everyone makes up their own line based upon their own feelings, their narcissistic desire to play God. Some think it compassionate to kill the child because he or she was the product of rape, though not the perpetrator. I have heard others make the sentient argument, when the baby is certain to be aware of itself, can feel. I have seen horrifying videos of abortion, showing that the baby can feel, but this doesn't stop bully. God literally has to open men and women's eyes and change their hearts. 

…9Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” 10And after looking around at all of them, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and it was restored. 11But the scribes and Pharisees were filled with rage and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.… Luke 6: 9-11

…14So make up your mind not to worry beforehand how to defend yourselves. 15For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death.…

…17And you will be hated by everyone because of My name. 18Yet not even a hair of your head will perish. 19By your patient endurance you will gain your souls.… Luke 21: 14-19

Vs. 17-18 Lest it spread any further among the people - Let's put a stop to this Christianity thing. Spoiler alert, their plan didn't work, because this was from God, and it is Christ Who builds His church. Being filled with the spirit gives these men boldness, and they are not false professors, as they are willing to take this gospel all the way to their death. James is killed by the sword, Peter is hung upside down on a cross, and John is tortured in some of the most extreme ways, but nothing happens to them until it's their time. They fulfill their mission by the grace of God, the gospel goes out, and you can tell them to be quiet all you want, but it's not going to happen, you aren't that important, you aren't God. This would be the cruelest knowledge to hold up in one's self and not share with dying men. 

…11I raised up prophets from your sons and Nazirites from your young men. Is this not true, O children of Israel?” declares the LORD. 12“But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy. 13Behold, I am about to crush you in your place as with a cart full of grain.… Amos 2: 11-13

…7Egypt’s help is futile and empty; therefore I have called her Rahab Who Sits Still. 8Go now, write it on a tablet in their presence and inscribe it on a scroll; it will be for the days to come, a witness forever and ever. 9These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to obey the LORD’s instruction.…

…10They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions. 11Get out of the way; turn off the road. Rid us of the Holy One of Israel!” 12Therefore this is what the Holy One of Israel says: “Because you have rejected this message, trusting in oppression and relying on deceit,…

…13this iniquity of yours is like a breach about to fail, a bulge in a high wall, whose collapse will come suddenly—in an instant! 14It will break in pieces like a potter’s jar, shattered so that no fragment can be found. Not a shard will be found in the dust large enough to scoop the coals from a hearth or to skim the water from a cistern.” 15For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said: “By repentance and rest you would be saved; your strength would lie in quiet confidence—but you were not willing.”… Isaiah 30: 7-15

Vs. 19-20 To hear you rather than God - You are supposed to be the religious leaders. You have witnessed a healing that no man can do, and we have attributed it to Jesus, the Messiah, Whom you killed. Tell us, who should we listen to, you or God? As Christians we are to obey those in rule over us so far as it does not go against God Who rules over all things. I can't steal in the name of Jesus, being a Christian doesn't get me out of paying taxes, but when they say not to worship Christ, not to tell others about Him, well, I will obey God rather than man. 

…15Now, if you are ready, as soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the statue I have made. But if you refuse to worship, you will be thrown at once into the blazing fiery furnace. Then what god will be able to deliver you from my hands?” 16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king.…18But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”

 Daniel 3: 15-18

…16“When you help the Hebrew women give birth, observe them on the birthstools. If the child is a son, kill him; but if it is a daughter, let her live.” 17The midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had instructed; they let the boys live. 18So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?”… Exodus 1: 16-18

…7All the royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors have agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce a decree that for thirty days anyone who petitions any god or man except you, O king, will be thrown into the den of lions. 8Therefore, O king, establish the decree and sign the document so that it cannot be changed— in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” 9Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.…

10Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 11Then these men went as a group and found Daniel petitioning and imploring his God. 12So they approached the king and asked about his royal decree: “Did you not sign a decree that for thirty days any man who petitions any god or man except you, O king, will be thrown into the den of lions?” The king replied, “According to the law of the Medes and Persians the order stands, and it cannot be repealed.”… Daniel 6: 7-12

Vs. 21-22 - And when they had threatened them further - How blind, you have no basis to charge them, so no basis to threaten, yet you persist. What was their crime? Healing a man and talking about Jesus, Who these members of the Sanhedrin unjustly put to death. Despite this people were praising God. There will come a day when the false shepherds are permanently silenced, when they have no more effect on the masses. 

Vs. 23-26 Against the Lord and against His Christ - They are seeing the OT prophecies of the Psalmist fulfilled before them. They are aware that they are walking through prerecorded history, of that which was declared from eternity, predestined by God and written down by His prophets through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

1Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One:… Psalm 2: 1-2

As MacArthur says "God is the supreme Historian Who wrote all history before it ever began. Having done their worst, they merely succeeded in fulfilling God's eternal plan (cf. Acts 2:23). As the psalmist expressed it, "The wrath of man shall praise Thee" (Ps. 76:10). (MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Acts)

Bob Utley - Even before creation God had His plan of redemption (cf. Matt. 25:34; John 17:24; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:20; Rev. 13:8; Acts 2:13; 3:18; 13:29). These enemies of Christ only performed that which God wanted them to perform. Jesus came to die (cf. Mark 10:45)

Predestined (4309)(proorizo from pró = before + horízo = determine boundary or limit<> English word horizon - God's boundary between heaven and earth) literally means to designate before, to mark out beforehand, to set the the limits or boundaries in advance of any place or thing. When used of persons, proorizo means to put limitations upon that person thus conveys the idea of to determine his destiny. Though proorizo meant simply to plan in advance, in the New Testament it attracted a special meaning. Here the idea is a divine decree of God, whereby He determined in advance that something should happen. - Precept Austin

Vs. 27-31 That Your slaves may speak Your word with all confidence - They do not shrink from terms like we do today. They are proud to be called slaves of Christ, and there is a deep reverence here, for a slave does not do according to his own mind or whims, but is under the strictest orders to only say what his Master has said, and only do what his Master tells him to. If only. Look too, this is a prayer, and it is met with more filling of the Spirit, which translates into more boldness in preaching the gospel that men so desperately need. 

…12Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.… John 14: 12-14

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#1552 Acts 4 Part 1 The Foundation Stone

 

Now as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, 2 being greatly agitated because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

5 Now it happened that on the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; 6 and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent. 7 And when they had placed them in their midst, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people, 9 if we are being examined today for a good deed done to a sick man, as to how this man has been saved from his sickness, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11 He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4: 1-12 LSB

Acts 4: 1-12

Vs. 1-2 Being greatly agitated because they were teaching the people - The priests would be agitated because they had already rejected Christ, and these men were usurping their authority. Some will say in their defense that they believed Jesus to be heretic, and so they were upset about His followers continuing in His teaching. His disciples also continued with His miracles so it became really frustrating for these priests, but there is another reason. The temple priests ran the area like a market, called the Bazaars of Annas. Annas was the former high priest, but now replaced by Rome with his son in law, Caiaphas. They were corrupt, and at the beginning of Jesus' ministry He came in and turned over the tables of their money changers, and again towards the end of His ministry. This was like the Jewish mafia, and Jesus was a threat to their business. Luke refers to it as the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, even though Rome had stepped Annas down. This shows you the nepotism and that no one saw Caiaphas as anymore than a figure head, it was Annas pulling the strings. These priests were also liberal, holding the view of the Sadducees, who are also mentioned. The Sadducees believed that there was no resurrection from the dead, and many only viewed the Pentateuch as inspired. Jesus, knowing this, when they try to trap Him on a question about the resurrection, answers from the first five books of the Bible. He also raises people from the dead and He Himself is witnessed in His resurrected form by some 500 people. These priests were materialist, charging people unfairly, using unjust weights and balances, depriving widows as well. The church is exploding before their eyes, and killing Jesus didn't stop it. 

1In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3He went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,… Luke 3: 1-3

…26But concerning the dead rising, have you not read about the burning bush in the Book of Moses, how God told him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 27He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!” 28Now one of the scribes had come up and heard their debate. Noticing how well Jesus had answered them, he asked Him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”… Mark 12: 26-28

…10But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you. 12Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.… Romans 8: 10-12

Vs. 3-4 The number of the men came to be about 5,000 - The church, starting at it's infancy, was born of and into persecution. This is no way a hindrance to it's growth though because the true church is made up of those called by the Father, through the atoning work of the Son, by the resurrecting power of the Holy Spirit. Persecution actually helps keep out the tares. Once people associate Christianity with suffering, then a lot of those who came along for the ride, the ones who were there for the potlucks, the fish and the bread, the hope of healing or socializing, they disappear. I left the visible, outward church, because I could see the God of the Bible didn't condone my worldliness, yet I knew worldly people there that thought nothing of it. I loved sin, and God said He hates it, despises it. I wanted to believe that I could hold both things at once, be saved, yet not repent. I wanted to believe that I had this backup plan, this spare tire, something I had done that guaranteed me a good place when I died, just in case being and living like an atheist didn't work out. I had said the sinner's prayer when I was young, so I thought at least there's that, whatever that is. So I didn't leave the church for persecution, that's not typically an American reason, especially not at that time. 

And the number of the men came to be about five thousand - Luke does not use the word anthropos which is the term for humankind in general. He uses the word aner for men which usually refers to males. The 5000 believers in Messiah therefore does not include women and children so that this first church probably had upwards to 10,000 "members" or more. Given that 3000 had believed on hearing Peter's first sermon (Acts 2:41+), about 2000 responded to Peter's second sermon. - Precept Austin

Vs. 5-7 By what power, or in what name, have you done this - Notice, they witnessed a miracle, there's no denying, so the questions are about how and by Who. There is no doubt about who the lame man is, or that he is no longer lame, but remember, they accused Jesus of doing such things by the power of Beelzebub. 

…26If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.… Matthew 12: 26-28

V. 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit - There is a difference in being baptized by the Holy Spirit, that has to do with regeneration, and being filled. The first happens once, and being filled we are told to seek throughout our lives as the power to minister by whatever gifts we are given. We cannot write down upon a sign outside the church, "revival", and expect it to occur. We cannot produce by mode of music, emotions, or argument, a single saved soul, no, the wind blows where it wills, we must rely upon the Holy Spirit. 

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them - It is interesting that in Ephesians 5:18-19+, the first Greek word in verse 19 is laleo in the present tense which is significant as it shows that one of the first "effects" of being filled with/controlled by the Spirit (and not by alcohol or other "intoxications" of the world - as in Eph 5:18a) is controlled speech! And all through Acts, it is not just "controlled" speech, but it is bold speech.

As the Life Application Commentary says "There are two kinds of courage: reckless courage that is unaware of the dangers it faces, and the courage that knows the peril and yet is undaunted. Peter's boldness is of the latter variety. (Life Application Bible Commentary – Acts)

Jesus had promised the disciples supernatural enablement to speak boldly

“When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” (Luke 12:11–12) (Mt 10:18-20 is similar adding in v20 "“For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.")

Alexander Maclaren said "Only he who can say, "The Lord is the strength of my life" can go on to say, "Of whom shall I be afraid?"

The verb filled is aorist tense, meaning at a point in time and in context a point in time in the past. Passive voice signifies that the filling is from a Source independent of Peter. Peter's yielded spirit and obedient walk, allowed the Spirit to exert His influence and power in and through Peter. There was no emotional high or mystical filling associated with Peter's filling. Peter did not even pray to be filled. He simply walked in a manner worthy of the Lord, which resulted in his being filled. That's how Peter was filled and that is how every believer in Christ can be filled. Obviously, one needs to keep short accounts of one's sin. We all struggle with sin and we all sin every day. In order to not grieve or quench the Spirit's filling and power, we need to confess our sins and repent of our sins.

I agree with Dr John MacArthur that "ALL Christian ministry and witness depends on the filling of the Holy Spirit." (MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Acts) I would add that "all fruitful" ministry depends on filling with the Spirit of Jesus Christ (Php 1:19), for Jesus Himself made it crystal clear when He declared to His disciples that "apart from Me you can do (absolutely) nothing (pleasing to God or of eternal value)!" (Jn 15:5) How much ministerial activity in your church would continue if the Holy Spirit were removed?

MacArthur writes "A Spirit-filled, uncompromising church will be uncomfortable in the world, since it will be a rebuke to it. It will, however, be a powerful, victorious church. Peter and John confronted the world head on, with a boldness and eloquence that caused their opponents to marvel (cf. Acts 4:13). They were victorious because they were Spirit-filled." (MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Acts) - Precept Austin

9-10 Jesus Christ the Nazarene, Whom you crucified - You notice, the gospel doesn't change, regardless of the hostility of the crowd. He indicts them, because of you Christ died in the most horrible fashion. They don't claim the power to be their own, as many false prophets and messiahs throughout history did and will. They always claim to "have the anointing", to have healing power, special knowledge, but the disciples don't try to market themselves like that. They point to the true source, Christ. "We were fishermen, and considered good at that, but this Guy, Jesus, He made the fish, and could even tell us where to cast the net on a bad day, but we could never even imagine healing someone like this, it's not in us. The glory belongs to Him."

V. 11 He is the Stone which was rejected by you - You are the builders, the religious leaders, the keepers of the temple. They were still rejecting the prophets though, and everything that they said about Jesus before He arrived. The cornerstone in building is the first stone laid for the foundation and it determines the layout of all the other stones.

He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS - What incredible irony! Peter (the "rock") now begins to speak about the Stone in the Sanhedrin meeting hall known as the "Hall of Hewn Stone!" These men would soon find themselves "hewn" by the Sword of the Spirit wielded by Peter and in eternity "hewn" by the Stone breaking them when It fell on them! Woe! - PA

…21I will give You thanks, for You have answered me, and You have become my salvation. 22The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23This is from the LORD, and it is marvelous in our eyes.… Psalm 118: 21-23

MacArthur adds "One of the most formidable barriers to the Sanhedrin's acceptance of Jesus as Messiah was that He could not prevent Himself from being killed. That did not fit their conception of the Messiah as a political and military deliverer. As he had done on the day of Pentecost, Peter turned to the Old Testament Scriptures to build his case. He quoted Psalm 118:22, applying it to their rejection of Jesus Christ (cf. Mark 12:10-11; 1 Peter 2:4, 6-8). Peter was not leading the Jews away from God but preaching the very truth of the Old Testament as fulfilled in Jesus. He was the stone which was rejected by them, the builders or spiritual leaders of the nation. Although they rejected Jesus, God made Him the very corner stone through His resurrection and exaltation. Again, Peter puts them in opposition to God—they rejected Jesus, but God gave Him the place of preeminence. He is the cornerstone of God's spiritual temple, the church (Eph. 2:19-22). They were the ones leading the people away from God. (MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Acts) - J Mac from PA

V. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved - Not by works of the law, not by Gautama, not by Mohammad or any other name, only Jesus. I should also note that there are many false versions of Jesus out there as well, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and many fringe groups, including people in evangelical churches, follow a different Jesus than the One of Scripture. Many follow the Jesus of their own making, the one they carved out with their imagination, the one who doesn't challenge their sin, or their high idea of self. 

5“Lord,” said Thomas, “we do not know where You are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 7If you had known Me, you would know My Father as well. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.”… John 14: 5-7

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#1551 Acts 3 Part 2 You Asked For a Murderer Instead

 

11 And while he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the portico called Solomon’s, full of wonder. 12 But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 but put to death the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. 16 And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which is through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.

17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. 18 But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 19 Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; 20 and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, 21 whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers; to Him you shall listen to everything He says to you. 23 And it will be that every soul that does not heed that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ 24 And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors onward, also proclaimed these days. 25 It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ 26 For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.” Acts 3: 11-26 LSB

Acts 3: 11-26

V. 12 But when Peter saw this - A man who was lame had just been healed. Peter sees a crowd forming so instead of taking a bow he sees a far more glorious opportunity. This is the man that begged daily at the Gate called Beautiful. 

V. 12 b&c Why do you marvel at this, or why do gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk - Yes, the guy who you saw laying here crippled every day for so many years, this guy here, is now walking and leaping, completely whole. That is the this that they are marveling over. He calls them men of Israel, as it came first to the Jews, the wonderful news of the gospel, that their Messiah had arrived, that He had gone to cross for the forgiveness of their sin. Peter makes it very clear that the reason for this man's healing had nothing to do with anything inherent to Peter. It was the power of God through Peter as the messenger, the jar of clay. He is seizing this opportunity by taking the glory that is being placed upon him by the eyes of those watching, and redirecting their gaze to Christ. 

…3For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my own flesh and blood, 4the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises. 5Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen.… Romans 9: 3-5

…7So he asked the officials of Pharaoh who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why are your faces so downcast today?” 8“We both had dreams,” they replied, “but there is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.” 9So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream: “In my dream there was a vine before me,… Genesis 40: 7-9

…15Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” 16“I myself cannot do it,” Joseph replied, “but God will give Pharaoh a sound answer.” Genesis 41: 15-16

…27John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. 28You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’ 29The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom stands and listens for him, and is overjoyed to hear the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.… John 3: 27-29

…17If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own. 18He who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory, but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is a man of truth; in Him there is no falsehood. 19Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps it. Why are you trying to kill Me?”… John 7: 17-19

V. 13 The God of our fathers, has glorified His Servant Jesus - He makes it abundantly clear that he is a Jew, and which God he is referring to. 

…5“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. 7The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings.… Exodus 3: 5-7

1“Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations. 2He will not cry out or raise His voice, nor make His voice heard in the streets. 3A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.… Isaiah 42: 1-3

V. 13b -14 Whom you delivered and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him - Not only did you turn Him into the authorities, your Messiah that is, but they were willing to let Him go, and you made sure that they didn't. Pilate realized Christ's innocence, that this was about ego, about jealousy on the part of the Pharisees, and he was willing to release the Messiah. "But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you." This is so important, they are being indicted once again, this is your sin, but they are also being offered forgiveness for this unparalleled crime. They not only pushed for this, but the reality of it is they needed this to happen. They weren't Holy or Righteous, Holy as in set apart, otherly, as God is to us, and it is the eternal God that we offend, so Jesus is that, Holy, eternally so. He is also our righteousness, in becoming a man, fulfilling all the righteousness of the law which we didn't keep. 

…39But it is your custom that I release to you one prisoner at the Passover. So then, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40“Not this man,” they shouted, “but Barabbas!” (Now Barabbas was an insurrectionist.) John 18: 39-40

V. 15 But put to death the Author of life - There's actually no comparison for what you did. You murdered God. 

Wiersbe - There must be conviction before a sinner can experience conversion. Unless a patient is convinced that he is sick, he will never accept the diagnosis or take the treatment. Peter turned the temple into a courtroom and laid all the evidence out for everybody to see. How could two ordinary fishermen perform such a great miracle unless God was with them? Nobody would dare deny the miracle because the beggar stood there before them all in “perfect soundness” (Acts 3:16; 4:14). To accept the miracle would have been to admit that Jesus Christ is indeed the living Son of God and that His name has power. (Borrow Be Dynamic). (Bolding added)

But put to death the Prince of life - NET has "You killed the Originator of life, whom God raised from the dead." What a pithy accusation Peter levels against the Jews! Death to the very One Who was Originator of Life (Jn 1:3+) and Sustainer of Life (Col 1:17+, Heb 1:3+ = "upholds [present tense] all things by the word of His power"), "the Word of Life" (1 Jn 1:1), "the Bread of Life," (Jn 6:48), "the resurrection and the life," (Jn 11:25), "the life" (Jn 14:6), the very One in Whose Name all believers "may have life" (Jn 20:31).

John Phillips - Life from nothing began through Him. It was His idea; He was its Creator and Sustainer. There was not a man, woman, or child in that audience who did not owe life itself to Him. The very breath they breathed was in His hand. This One, the Prince, the Author of life, had come into the world as a man, and they had killed Him. Could crime be greater? The enormity of their sin had to be brought home to them. Not indeed that they were worse than we. Any rejection of Christ in any age is a manifestation of the same spirit. (Exploring Acts)

As the Prince or Author of life, Jesus was the one who prepared the worlds by His Word (Heb 11:3) Through Jesus the Creator God breathed life into one created from the dust of the earth (Ge 2:7). And finally, and most importantly, Jesus is the Author of Eternal Life, declaring " I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand." (Jn 10:28) - Precept Austin

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.…

…4In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1: 1-5

V. 16 And on the basis of faith in His name - They were doing these things by the power of God, attributing these things to the Author of Life, the One Who had risen from the dead. These men are presenting the gospel, and testifying as eye witnesses, but with power, because the people have witnessed the miracle, yet the disciples are associating it with the name of Jesus, not their own piety or power, it's all Jesus. Your faith need not rest in these disciples, but in the person and work of Jesus Christ. 

Moody Bible Commentary on faith in this passage - Peter took no credit for the healing. After the resurrection, Jesus’ name possessed the same power as the name of God. The lame man’s spiritual condition prior to the healing is not stated in the text. His healing was not a result of his faith, and in fact he did not even expect to be healed. The primary function of miracles in Acts is Christological—to prove that Jesus was alive and thus Israel’s promised Messiah. - PA

Vs. 17-18 I know that you acted in ignorance - That is as soft an approach as it gets considering what they had done, what we all have done. God shows this sort of mercy inside the indictment, "you did this, and it's heinous, but your pretty clueless." Now this is not the same as "ignorance is bliss", don't buy into the cliché gospel of the universalist. God still owes you justice for being a sinner, Christ had come for this very fact, that God might righteously extend His hand to those who are lost. Look at v. 18 "that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled." Jesus was on a very specific mission as the only means by which mankind could be made right with God. That was the sum of the Old Testament. You are fallen in Adam, an offense to a Holy God, God owes you death, but has graciously provided Christ to take your place. He decided all this from eternity, before you and I were ever born, before the birth of the universe.  

…33When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on His right and the other on His left. 34Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots. 35The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”… Luke 23: 33-35

V. 19 Repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away - This is the course your on, heading for destruction, quit believing in yourself and your good works, change course, follow Christ. It is interesting that Peter starts this off by denying his own piety and turning the spot light on Jesus. 

…24And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing. 25 He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth. 26Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will.… 2 Timothy 2: 24-26

V. 20 And that He may send Jesus the Christ appointed for you - Ah the remedy, the one that Isaiah heralded, that Psalm 22, the sacrifices, and the temple all spoke of, all pointed to. 

…8Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.” 9So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. If anyone who was bitten looked at the bronze snake, he would live. Numbers 21: 8-9

V. 21 Until the period of restoration of all things - This is the period marking Christ's return, when He reigns over all and brings order to the world.

John MacArthur writes "The period of restoration of all things is another name for the future earthly reign of Christ, the millennial kingdom. It is reminiscent of our Lord's description of the kingdom as the "regeneration" (Mt 19:28). It is then that the apostles' question in Acts 1:6+ will be answered (cf. Mark 9:12). The kingdom will be marked by peace, joy, holiness, the revelation of God's glory, comfort, justice, knowledge of the Lord, health, prosperity, and freedom from oppression. The universe will be dramatically altered in its physical form (Joel 2:30, 31+; Joel 3:14-16+; Rev. 16:1-21+) as the curse on man and his world is reversed. (MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Acts) - PA

…11And on that day I will give Gog a burial place in Israel, the Valley of the Travelers, east of the Sea. It will block those who travel through, because Gog and all his hordes will be buried there. So it will be called the Valley of Hamon-gog. 12For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them in order to cleanse the land. 13All the people of the land will bury them, and it will bring them renown on the day I display My glory, declares the Lord GOD.… Ezekiel 39: 11-13

Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse,

And a branch from his roots will bear fruit.

2 The Spirit of Yahweh will rest on Him,

The spirit of wisdom and understanding,

The spirit of counsel and might,

The spirit of knowledge and the fear of Yahweh.

3 And He will delight in the fear of Yahweh,

And He will not judge by what His eyes see,

Nor render a decision by what His ears hear;

4 But with righteousness He will judge the poor,

And decide with uprightness for the afflicted of the earth;

And He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth,

And with the breath of His lips He will put the wicked to death.

5 Also righteousness will be the belt about His loins,

And faithfulness the belt about His waist.

6 And the wolf will dwell with the lamb,

And the leopard will lie down with the young goat,

And the calf and the young lion and the fatling together;

And a young boy will lead them.

7 Also the cow and the bear will graze,

Their young will lie down together,

And the lion will eat straw like the ox.

8 And the nursing baby will play by the hole of the cobra,

And the weaned child will put his hand on the viper’s den.

9 They will do no evil nor act corruptly in all My holy mountain,

For the earth will be full of the knowledge of Yahweh

As the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 11: 1-9

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were finished. After these things he must be released for a short time.

4 Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their witness of Jesus and because of the word of God, and who also had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection. Over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. Revelation 20: 1-6

Vs. 22- 23 Moses said, "the Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers" - Moses is referring to Jesus, and Peter is preaching in the Emmaus way, taking his Jewish listeners back to the Pentateuch and showing them Jesus from the OT. V. 23 gives a stern warning about the souls of those who refuse to listen to the One God sends. He is greater than Moses, the Son of God, the Seed from the garden, the Lamb without blemish, the Ram in the thicket, and the righteousness needed to stand before a Holy God. He is our righteousness, and He is the only Way. This is the gospel.

More on Deuteronomy 18

V. 24 From Samuel and his successors onward - They all spoke of Christ, all of history is about the need, the wait, the OT looking forward to His coming to die for our sins, and the NT pointing back to this most pivotal point in history. B.C. (Before Christ) A.D. (Anno Domini meaning "in the year of our Lord"). Samuel anointed David, who was of the tribe of Judah, the lineage of Jesus.  

Vs. 25-26 You who are the sons of prophets and of the covenant. He is here speaking to Jews who have as yet not believed.

He has remembered His covenant forever,

The word which He commanded for a thousand generations,

9 Which He cut with Abraham,

And His oath to Isaac.

10 Then He confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,

To Israel as an everlasting covenant,

11 Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan

As the [b]portion of your inheritance,”

12 When they were only a few men in number,

Of little account, and sojourners in it.

13 And they wandered about from nation to nation,

From one kingdom to another people.

14 He permitted no man to oppress them,

And He reproved kings for their sakes:

15 “Do not touch My anointed ones,

And to My prophets do no evil.” Psalm 105: 8-15

Who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers - The Jews were the descendants of the prophets and they were sons of the covenant in the sense of being Abraham's physical offspring. To which covenant does Peter refer? We do not have to guess for Peter quotes from Genesis describing the unconditional Abrahamic Covenant that was cut with the Jewish patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Notice they are called "sons...of the covenant" (the Abrahamic Covenant) indicating that the Abrahamic promises to the Jews has not be abrogated in the New Testament, contrary to what many teach today!

John MacArthur makes an interesting observation in light of the increasing number of folks who hold to the false teaching of replacement theology - The amillenialist who comes along and says that because the Jews crucified Jesus Christ, they forfeited the covenant doesn’t understand the Scriptures. He says to them right here, this is obvious. This is what you have done, but he says in Acts 3:25, “You are the sons of the...covenant.” And he still treats them as the men of Israel, covenant people. God is not yet through with Israel. They have not been totally set aside. Only temporarily blinded as Paul clearly brings in Romans 9, 10, and 11. (Peter Preaches Christ) - Precept Austin

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