INTRODUCTION
Outline.
Peter and John’s Preaching
Remarks.
1. In our lesson today we are going to be discussing the first lesson in our series on the theme: “We cannot but speak.” This lesson deals with the challenges of the men of God that speak the word of God in truth. We will see how neither threatenings, beatings; imprisonment or the face of death could silence them. There will be times we will be called upon to speak unto both those desirous to hear our message; and before those that would rebel against: “Thus saith the Lord.” The Lord has not given us: “The spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind,” 2 Timothy 1:7. We must be, “bold fearless preachers” because the Lord has sent us to speak His word with confidence and without fear.
2. We will consider the preaching of Peter and John before the High Priest and elders of the Sanhedrin council. Peter and John had just performed a notable miracle, by healing the man that was lame from birth before the Temple of God. For this miracle and preaching of the name of Jesus of Nazareth; they were brought before the Jewish council after being charged, not to speak anymore in this name. Peter and John answered: “And said unto them, whether it (is) 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,” Acts 4:19-20. With this introduction, let’s consider our first point: “Peter and John’s Preaching.”
BODY OF LESSON
I PETER AND JOHN’S PREACHING
A. A miracle at prayer time. Truly, a notable miracle had just been witnessed, the healing of a man that was a crippled from his mother’s womb. While Peter and John were entering into the Temple called Beautiful, he was begging alms from the people. Peter looked upon the man and said: “Silver and gold I have not; but that which I have I give thee. Peter took him by the right hand and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.” Notice:
1. The response: “And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.”
2. The witnesses: “And all the people saw him walking and praising God: And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the temple gate, called Beautiful.”
3. The effect: “And they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering,” Acts 3:1-11.
a. Luke states, the people came together with amazement unto Peter, being filed with excitement and joy. Truly, something spectacular has happen in this city today; “the lame man had been healed!”
b. The people said of Jesus’ healing of a man with palsy: “And he went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion,” Mark 2:12. We have never seen anything like this before! Some of us might say: “This blows my mind!”
B. Peter’s preaching. This miracle prompted the preaching of Peter, who gave the glory of this miracle unto Jesus: “And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? Or, why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?” See Acts 3:12. Don’t look on us as the ones that are doing these things! Notice:
1. This is the work of God. Peter continues: “The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses,” Acts 3:13-15. It appears that the audience has changed; but, the message remains the same (Jesus Christ and Him crucified!).
2. The name of Jesus: “And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all,” Acts 3:16.
3. The message: “And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled,” Acts 3:17-18.
4. The appeal: “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord,” Acts 3:19. These listeners were instructed to “repent and be converted.”
How similar is this instruction to that on the Day of Pentecost:
a. Repent and be baptized: “for the remission of sins,” Acts 2:38.
b. Repent and be converted: “that your sins may be blotted out,” Acts 3:19. The word “blotted out” in Gr. is exaleípho, (eks-ä-la'-fo); which means: (to obliterate, erase): -blot out, wipe away, to pardon sins. Notice again:
c. Repentance to Israel, and “the forgiveness of sins,” Acts 5:31-32; Ezekiel 18:30.
d. These events, times and blessings agreed with the fathers and the prophets:
1) The promise of God unto the fathers regarding Moses’ prophet.
2) The promise of God unto the fathers regarding Abraham’s seed.
5. The promise of Moses. Peter says: “And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, ‘A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people,’” Acts 3:20-23; Deuteronomy 18:17-19.
6. The promise of Abraham. Peter continues: “Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities,” Acts 3:24-26; Genesis 12:3; Genesis 18:18. Notice:
a. The word iniquities in Gr. is ponería, (pon-ay-ree'-ah); which means: depravity, i.e., malice; sins:—iniquity, or wickedness.
b. God’s promise to Abraham was: “The forgiveness of sins to Israel and all the kindreds of the earth,” through his seed, Jesus Christ. The promise of Abraham is not earthly wealth as most TV/radio prosperity preachers proclaim; but, about “spiritual health”; in the form of the “forgiveness of sins.”
1) Peter said to the beggar: “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have, I give (unto) thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk,” Acts 3:6.
2) Jesus said to his followers: “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not (a place) where to lay his head,” Luke 9:58.
c. Christ is Abraham’s seed; sent by God to “turn everyone from their sins,” first to children of Israel; and ultimately to the entire Gentile nations.
d. Paul and Barnabas: “The Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, it was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put if from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed,” Acts 13:46-48.
C. Peter preaching before the council. Notice: “As they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead,” Acts 4:1-2.
1. Their arrest for preaching: “And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide,” Acts 4:3.
2. The results of their preaching: “Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand,” Acts 4:4; Acts 6:7.
3. Their appearance before the council: “And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, by what power, or by what name, have ye done this?” See Acts 4:5-7.
4. Peter and John’s defense: “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, if we this day is examine of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole?” Notice Peter’s answer to his question:
a. The name of Jesus: “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.”
b. The stone rejected: “This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.”
c. Salvation in His name: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, where by we must be saved,” Acts 4:8-12. Peter announces that this man was healed by power in the name of Jesus; and through His name salvation is possible.
D. Peter and John’s boldness. Notice: “Now when they (the council) saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled, and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. And behold the man which was healed standing with them; they could say nothing against it,” Acts 4:13-14. There is nothing more powerful than a healed witness. Let’s consider the council’s response to Peter and John’s witness of Jesus Christ and the man standing before them whole. They said:
1. What shall we do with these men? “But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, Saying, What shall we do to these men?”
2. A notable miracle was done: “For that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwells in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.”
3. Council’s decision: “But that it spread no further among the people, let us straightly threaten them that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all, nor teach (anymore) in the name of Jesus,” Acts 4:13-18.
E. Peter and John’s commitment. Hear their response: “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, whether it (is) right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge (you). For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard,” Acts 4:19-20; John 3:11. Notice:
1. First, “So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.”
2. Further, “For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.”
3. Next, “And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them,” Acts 4:21-23.
a. A prayer for spiritual support and empowerment, Acts 4:24-33.
b. Peter and John continued work of miracles, Acts 5:12-13.
c. Success of their work, Acts 5:14-16.
d. The high priest indignation, Acts 5:17.
e. Their second arrest and miraculous release, Acts 5:18-20.
4. Finally, the council reassembles. Notice: “And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came and they that were with them, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told. Saying, the prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had open, we found no man within,” Acts 5:21-23.The Lord had divinely delivered these men from prison. Their work is not yet completed.
a. Their preaching again in the temple, Acts 5:24-25.
b. Their second appearance before the council, Acts 5:26-28.
c. Peter and the other apostles’ persistence: “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, we ought to obey God rather than men,” Acts 5:29.
d. Peter’s sermon before the council, Acts 5:30-33.
e. Gamaliel, a doctor of the law’s admonition: “Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, name Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles forth a little space; and said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men... And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work (is) of men, it shall come to nought: But if it (is) of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply you (are) found even to fight against God,” Acts 5:34-39. (- (Parentheses) – Are my insertions in the text, to add clarity) - REF.
f. Council’s second threatening and release of the apostles, Acts 5:40.
5. The apostles’ release and rejoicing: “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they cease not to teach and to preach Jesus Christ,” Acts 5:42; Acts 2:42-47.
6. Conclusion: When our ministry become challenging; what will be our stand regarding the work of the Lord? I would trust we would bear forward and remain faithful to our calling and election. Let our work and commitment be liken unto Peter and John: “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
7. Application: When will the confessing messengers of the Lord; in the pulpits across America, grow tired of holding their peace; regarding the sins of our nation? Who is speaking out against the disgraceful behavior in the office of the Presidency, the courts, the congress and their congregations?
a. How long will they remain silent? Over:
1) The Russian’s meddling in America’s democracy.
2) The NRA’s strangle hold in the Republican Party on vital and common sense gun reform policies and legislation.
3) The President’s dereliction to duty in protecting America from its adversaries “both foreign and domestic.”
4) The continued defamation of the FBI, CIA, NSA and other security and law enforcement agencies that have sworn to protect America, by our President and some of our elected congressional officials.
b. When will they speak out against the hatred, bigotry and racial slurs spouted out of the mouths of our President, congressional officials, church leaders and many people across the American landscape.
c. When will our pulpit preach justice for all, and denounce the current policies, Presidential orders and congressional bills that discriminate openly against people of color; different religious groups; and apposing political parties.
d. When will the ministers, evangelists, preachers and church leaders speak out against the continued racial prejudices that exist in America’s “so called” religious organizations, schools, colleges and workplaces, (Evangelicals; Baptist, Methodist, etc.). Might I remind you?
1) That Rev. Billy Graham was one of the most influential evangelical ministers in America, who recently died at the age of 99. We pray comfort for his family.
a) However, I must ask: "Did he ever preach a sermon against the evils of prejudice, bigotry and racial hatred in America?" He began his life’s work as an evangelist when these times were the most horrible in America.
b) Did Rev. Billy Graham show leadership when the leaders of many religious groups, congressional officials and even our current president (Donald Trump), spake unkindly, recklessly and in disparaging words against President Barak Obama (America’s first black President)? I think he did not! Further:
i. He and many other evangelical leaders had the audience of the people of America; but they did not demonstrate courage or the “spirit of Christ” to speak out against these attacks.
ii. They were all learned men; but, failed in their call and commitment to Christ, to the word of God; and to their ministerial duties.
iii. They were also aware of the reverent respect the Lord has ordained that believers and all men are to show towards His duly appointed leaders, governments and dignitaries, 1 Timothy 2:1-2; Romans 13:1-5; 1 Peter 2:13-17.
c) I pray that the new leadership in the Billy Graham Ministries, as well as, the entire religious movement of “evangelicals”; will take up the “banner of Christ” and dissolve their allegiance to political, financial and other worldly powers, Ephesians 6:12.
e. The pulpits, of these “alleged servants of the Lord” have remained silent as a tomb, in these critical issues; as well as, the disgraceful behavior going uncheck in the White House, the Congress and the Courts of our country. God is not pleased with such leadership or the shameful silence of His ministers, evangelists and leaders.
1) When the “servants of God” fail to speak out against evils and injustices; and ignore divisive rhetoric and religious prejudices, they are no longer: “The salt of the earth: because they have lost their savor... They thenceforth are good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men,” Matthew 5:13.
2) The servants of the Lord are called to be: “The light of the world; and to glorify God in all that they say and do,” Matthew 5:16.
3) These messengers (Evangelicals) have placed their loyalty in their “political party” rather than to their call to preach with passion “the love of Christ”; and seek the inclusion of all people in the faith, and in America’s democracy. They, on the other hand, have become “respecter of persons,” James 2:10; Acts 10:34-35.
f. As I hasten now to a conclusion, let me cite the words of Lord, of the religious leaders and political officials of His day: “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in,” Matthew 23:13. Let us be careful, not to be numbered with such in our faith and devotion.
1) Beloved of God, as I conclude, I charge you all to pray for this nation and for all of its leaders everywhere, both religious and political. Pray that God will restore order, respect and integrity to the office of the Presidency, to the Congress and to our Supreme Court.
2) Remember the words of Paul: “The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentile unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will,” 2 Timothy 2:24-26.
I think Paul’s words to Timothy, says it all. As I summarize, we discussed....
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
Peter and John’s Preaching
B. Summarize main points.
1. We considered the preaching of Peter and John before the High Priest and elders of the Sanhedrin council. Peter and John had just performed a notable miracle, by healing the man that was lame from birth before the Temple of God. For this miracle and preaching of the name of Jesus of Nazareth; they were brought before the Jewish council after being charged, not to speak anymore in this name. Recall the response: “And said unto them, whether it (is) 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,” Acts 4:19-20.
2. We call upon all who claim to love the Lord; who cherish and reverence His word to be “bold fearless preachers.” We can always be confident that God is ever with us to encourage us, sustain us and deliver us when we stand for the truth. Peter and John were carrying forth the gospel as Christ had directed them before he went into the heavens.
3. Let us pray for our ministers, evangelists and leaders to do the same in our generation. May God bless you all this day!
C. Invitation. Present the plan of salvation. H,B.R,C,B.
D. Exhortation.
E. Motivation.
