ACT 4What the flesh is in its enmity to God is seen in this chapter, contrasted with the grace of God shining out in the words and behavior of the apostles. Peter has just given a fresh offer of pardon to Israel. The answer is the arrest of the apostles by the priests and captains of the temple; and the Sadducees, who are vexed that they teach the people of the resurrection of Jesus which proved that there will be a resurrection of the dead, (1 Cor. 15:12, 1312Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: (1 Corinthians 15:12‑13)), contrary to their doctrine (Acts 23:88For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. (Acts 23:8)). The healing of the lame man displayed the power of God with the apostles, and the priests were jealous, lest it weaken their authority. They were the synagogue of Satan of that day (Rev. 3:99Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. (Revelation 3:9)), the thieves and robbers of John 10:1,1Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. (John 10:1) assuming an authority in opposition to God, and they cast the apostles into prison for the night, thus for the time stopping the preaching of the Word, but they cannot stop the work of grace in men's hearts, for many believed the Word of God, for it was not bound, making the number about five thousand. There is no hope of Israel's repentance now, for the leaders are trying to stamp out the name of Jesus, and the power is in their hands, so the servants must be as their Master-sufferers for the truth.
The next day these self-appointed judges come together to do what they can to destroy the story of God's forgiving love, and to resist the power of the Holy Spirit, with all the power of Satan. The apostles, Peter and John, are set before them, and are asked, 'By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, "Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we be this day examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye have crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
What courage of faith, given by God, is now seen in these servants, by the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit. They do not resist the enemy, but they will obey God, and they tell forth the story again with calmness and boldness, as kept in dependence, the Holy Spirit speaking through them. (Luke 12:11, 1211And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: 12For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. (Luke 12:11‑12).)
Nothing is seen in those rulers but willful blindness, madness, hardness of heart, and lack of conscience. They could not deny the miracle; it was the work of God, yet they try to hush it up. Their office was in danger, their authority was fading away. The power of God was outside of the temple and the priests. It was now with the apostles and the assembly. These men feared the people but did not fear God. They were adversaries, and consciously ranged themselves up in opposition to God. They were the builders who rejected God's corner stone.
They marveled at the boldness of Peter and John, perceiving that they were unlearned and ignorant men, but they recognized that they had been companions of Jesus, and there is the healed man, standing with them. What can they do? They commanded the apostles to go out of the counsel till they confer, and though it was all so plainly of God, yet they will command them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus, and threaten them.
Again the apostles speak. They do not boast, but they will speak of their authority, it is from God. "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye, for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." What courage of faith! what obedience! not terrified by their adversaries, but sanctifying the Lord in their hearts, as Peter wrote to believers afterward (1 Peter 3:14, 1514But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (1 Peter 3:14‑15)). They were sustained and kept by the power of the Holy Spirit.
What a state for Israel! God is no longer found among them; they rejected their Messiah; the Kingdom is now postponed. God will fulfill all His promises to them, but it will be after the assembly is gathered, and taken to heaven. Then He will gather Israel again in pure grace, working repentance in them for their past sins. Now they are put aside, though still separate from the 'Gentiles.
Verse 21, They further threatened them, and let them go, because of the people, for all glorified God for that which was done.
Verse 23. So now they return to their own company, and report all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. Then they unburdened their souls, and strengthened their hands in God, with one accord lifting up their voices to God. Here we find with them the power of the living God. They said, "Lord, Thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: who by the mouth of Thy servant David hast said, 'Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against His Christ.' For of a truth against Thy holy Servant Jesus, whom Thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered, for to do whatsoever Thy hand and Thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto Thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak Thy word, by stretching forth Thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of Thy holy Servant Jesus."
They quote the 2nd Psalm for the rejection of the Messiah, but they do not ask for the establishing of the Kingdom, but for grace and boldness to speak the word, and that God's hand in power may witness that the word is His.
Then God manifested His presence with them, and the place where they were assembled, shakes. His presence was with them, and He also dwelt in them. They were born of the Spirit, too. We can see these things distinguished in Scripture.
It was a wonderful display of God's power, and we see those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither said any of them that what he possessed was his own; but they had all things in common, and with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and great grace was upon them all. A wonderful time when the love of Christ was uppermost in every heart. None lacked, all were supplied, and many sold their estates, and laid the money at the apostles' feet. Barnabas, a Levite, of the country of Cyprus, is specially mentioned here as one who did this.
The Holy Spirit dwells in every believer, but it is also to be desired to be filled with Him, that He may be the source of our thoughts, and that what we may do, might be done in dependence, and that our hearts might be filled with the fruit of His presence, and that as we are called on, we might confess the Lord faithfully before men. In principle, this blessed state belongs today to every Christian. May we earnestly seek to let the Holy Spirit fill us with Christ.