Join us as we read the scriptures and a daily devotion written by Don Crisp. We pray these messages will bless us all at this time.
Monday 14 September: Acts chapter 4:1-4:
Categories: Don’s Daily Devotions
Monday 14 September: Read Acts chapter 4:1-4:
V1: While Peter and John are still speaking to the crowd after the healing of the lame beggar, the Jewish authorities come to the scene, the priests with the captain of the temple guard ( so, potentially prepared to take action ) and others of the Sadducee party. They were the “liberals” among the Jewish leadership, denying much of the OT and many spiritual truths, notably the resurrection, and the high priest, and many other priests were of their party.
V2: They are angry, then, to hear Peter teaching in the Name of Jesus and declaring the resurrection. The verse suggests that he had spoken not only of Jesus’ own resurrection, but of the resurrection to come. Remember that the sermons we find in Acts give only a selection of what was said.
V3: So the apostles are arrested and put into prison until the Jewish council ( the Sanhedrin ) can be summoned on the next day. It was illegal to call the council together in the evening – so, their summoning to condemn Jesus was itself illegal by Jewish law.
V4: Yet for all their opposition, God’s grace is at work, and very many who have heard Peter preach have come to faith, about 5000 we’re told. Truly God was displaying His power and grace in a remarkable way, as He established His church.