Acts 4 sheds light on some amazing things. The first is that God uses the devil in a multitude of ways to achieve His ends. His purposes for us are predestined, and His plans will come to pass.
As we look at Peter and John, we see how they are brought before the Sanhedrin because of praying for the lame dude outside the temple. There is a spirit of threats and accusations made as the religious and unbelieving spirits raises their ugly heads. Peter and John are tested to their obedience to God and humility before man. And, they pass.
They then go back to their posse only to pray. The tell God how awesome He is, and they tell Him to remember the threats. Then, they pray for more boldness. And, great grace falls upon them. The building shakes, the Holy Spirit fills them, and they move in a greater anointing.
All through this, they are made a prophetic image of what Jesus went through as well. It’s amazing how God tells His story by playing it out in us in real time.
Key Notes:
The villians: The priests, the captain of the temple guard and the sadducees (v1)
These guys represent the evil that was against the anointing or antichrist spirit moving. Religion and unbelief accompanied by false authority.
Peter and John’s preaching caused these guys to become greatly disturbed. The devil will manifest in men not committed to God in all kinds of ways. But, note, they were teaching the people (which is what the priests were supposed to do) and proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus (which is what the sadducees didnt believe in).
I find this amazing. They were going after the exact two topics that would come against those spirits/men the most. I believe that the LORD put it on Peter and John’s hearts to proclaim exactly this knowing that it would bring a rise out of those men just as it did. God was setting them up for a test and for a victory.
v3-4 So, they get thrown in jail and many believed. The number came to be 5,000. The preaching was anointed.
v5 We see the enemy’s strategy. In this case, he brings about intimidation. The devil will try to use fear to keep you from victory. Look who assembles: rulers (Eph 6), elders and scribes. All the authority.
v6 Annas was the high priest but Caiaphas and a bunch of others were there. The generational stronghold was present. This was a major showdown,
v7 They put them in the center – more intimidation. And, they question their authority. Just as Satan did at the fast. “If you are truly the Son of God…” Here, “by what power or in what name have you done this?” They were referring to healing the crippled guy at the temple.
v8 So, God shows up, and the Holy Spirit fills Peter.
“Rulers and elders”, he says. He addresses them head on.
“If” we are on trial for healing the lame dude. It’s like Peter is saying, why are we on trial? Is it a crime to heal?
v10 Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel. This is a prophetic declaration.
That by the name of Jesus the Nazrene
- whom you crucified
- whom God raised from the dead
He goes right after them again.
v11 He is the Stone that you rejected.
v12 Peter is addressing the Jews (the Jews cannot go to heaven without Jesus)
“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.”
Jews wont go to heaven without Jesus.
v13 They observed the confidence of Peter and John
- it amazed them
- they understood that these boys were untrained and uneducated
- recognized them as having been with Jesus
You dont need seminary. You just need Holy Spirit.
v14 And seeing the man standing next to them, they had nothing to say in reply. Ah ha! I would have loved to be there. The devil was shut up.
- God backs you up with miracles.
- confess and proclaim the name of Jesus no matter what.
v15 So, they order them to leave.
v16-17 The devil comes up with a plan B. This was common with that spirit when Jesus was walking around. Jesus would look at them and heal the person on the Sabbath. Then, they would conspire to kill him. They were always trying to figure out a way.
“What shall we do with these men?”
- a noteworthy miracle took place
- all in Jerusalem (their kingdom) acknowledged it
- they cannot deny it
- we cannot let it spread
- so, let’s warn them! threats! fear!
The devil doesnt always have a wrong view of the situation. But, he also doesnt have the power.
v18 They commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus no more.
I have seen this. Dont pray here. You cannot do that. The religious spirit rises up to get attention.
v19-20 “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
amen
v21 When they had threatened them further (more intimidation), they let them go – on account of all the people who were glorifying God.
I believe that the LORD riled up these spirits to bring His glory. He gave Peter and John the power to succeed. But, He put them through this test. Amazing.
v22 The lame man was more than 40 years old when he got healed. Hmmmm.
v23 The events now turn to the church. Peter and John return to their companions. They told them ALL that was said to them.
v24 Then they prayed:
- God, You made heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them
- Who, by the Holy Spirit, through David said, “why did the Gentiles rage and the people devise futile things?”
- The kings of the earth took their stand
- The rulers were gathered together
- Against the LORD and His Christ
- They were gathered against Jesus (antichrist), whom You anointed
- To do WHATEVER YOUR HAND AND YOUR PURPOSE PREDESTINED TO OCCUR
This is exactly what just happened to them. God made them a prophetic statement and lived it out among them. This was like my hike the last week in CO in 2009. God took me up to tell me not to be afraid and put me in a place where it would be necessary not to be afraid.
v29 LORD, take not of their threats. Grant us to speak with confidence (boldness).
Now, this is a big deal. All the threats and intimidation didnt have an ounce of effect on the men. It never got to their hearts. They simply redirected it to God. Wow!
v30 While you extend Your hand to heal and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant, Jesus.
They are fine with intimidation. They dont get mad or lash out or move in unforgiveness. They dont retreat in fera. They say, we must speak out! And, they go to God and say, “listen to their threats.” Now, give us more miracles”
Amen, I say. The key to more power coming through you is being able to not let the evil impact you.
v31 God’s response?
“And when they prayed, 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 boldness.”
They passed the test.
v32 The congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul.
Unity was a fruit of this event.
- not one claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.
I think that this is the spiritual things as well as the natural.
v33 And with GREAT POWER the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the LORD Jesus.
Whoa! Amen. God, give me great power.
v34 No needy people.
v35 They sold all their stuff and put it at the apostle’s feet and everyone got as he needed
v36-37 Jospeh, called Barnabas, shows up on the scene. He sells a tract of land and puts the money at the apostle’s feet.
There is something about laying the natural treasures at the feet of those in authority. It brings honor.