Acts Chapter 4 Verses 1-37 

Acts 4:1 “And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.”

We ask ourselves why the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees were grieved that they taught the people and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead?  First of all these people were afraid of losing their power and authority and position.  It didn’t matter that a person who had been lame and unable to walk for 40 years can now walk.  They were more concerned with themselves and their power, position, and authority than the miraculous and compassionate healing of the man.  In addition, the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead and the teaching that Jesus had arisen from the dead was contrary to their religious teachings and if the people believed this then they would no longer want to be associated with the Sadducees.   Thus this teaching of the resurrection would harm their denomination and their financial livelihood.  This sounds a lot like denominational religion today and their rejection of the gospel of the grace of Christ. 

In addition we see that the persecution against Jesus now was turning to the persecution against those who believed and taught through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 

Acts 4:4 “Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.”  The rejoicing in the gospel of Jesus Christ was greatly manifest in that five thousand believed the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  This further infuriated the priests, the rulers of the people and the Sadducees. 

Acts 4:5 “And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, 6 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. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?”  Here we see almost the whole establishment of the organized religion in Judah arise in opposition to the apostles of Jesus Christ because of the miraculous healing and their preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It mattered not that it was in accordance with the word of God to them.  Their question concerning  "By what power, or by what name, have you done this?" should have been apparent to them that this was done by the power of God.  Such a miracle could only have been done by the power of God.  Their anger was that these things were not authorized by them. 

In answer to the above question Peter answered as follows: Acts 4:8 “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10 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. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”  Peter being filled with the Holy Ghost answered with boldness and declared plainly that it was by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth that the good deed done to the impotent man was made whole.  Moreover, Peter pointed out to them that it was that same Jesus whom they had crucified and whom God raised from the dead.  Peter went further and declared unto them that Jesus was the stone that was sought at nought by them that now was the head of the corner.  

Moreover, Peter made the statement: “for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”  That statement teaches us that salvation from sin is by Jesus Christ alone.  If it took any one else to help, then there would be other names under heaven required in our salvation. 

Acts 4:13 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.”  Obviously the rulers and elders of the people were not used to what they considered to be unlearned and ignorant men answering them with such boldness.  It was enough that they took note of them that they had been with Jesus.  Today, the Lord’s ministry can speak with boldness when they are filled with the Holy Ghost.  However, these same men must spend time with Jesus in meditation, power, reading and studying. 

 The miracle of healing was so apparent to the multitudes, that the rulers and elders could not speak against it. 

Acts 4:15 “But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.”  The rulers and elders and religious leaders were so full of pride in their own power that they thought that by threatening the apostles that the apostles would no longer speak in Christ’s name. 

Acts 4:18 “And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”  Who is our Master?  Is it God or is it the powers of this world?  Peter and John were not hesitant to say that the Lord was their Master and that would hearken unto God rather than to the commandments of man, when they are contrary and opposed to the things of God.  This should be our desire and practice as well.

 Acts 4:21 “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. 22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed.”  It is apparent that the rulers, leaders, and elders were afraid of the multitude who had witnessed what had been done to the man on whom the miracle of healing had taken place.  By punishing Peter and John the rulers, leaders, and elders would have looked like the hypocrites that they really were in the eyes of the multitude, so they refrained from punishing them and let them go. 

 Acts 4:23 “And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: 25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. 27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.”

In the above passage the people being in one accord thanked God for the deliverance and praised him for his fulfillment of the work done by the Lord Jesus Christ and prophesied beforehand by King David.  Moreover, they asked God for deliverance from the threatenings of the rulers and religious leaders and that God would stretch forth his hand to heal and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of Jesus. 

Acts 4:31 “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”  When the Holy Ghost is present then we can speak the word with great boldness. 

Acts 4:32 “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.”  How precious it is when a church is of one heart and of one soul.  How we should strive as church bodies to be of one heart and one soul.  Moreover, these brethren above had set aside their pride and were willing to share the things that they possessed and to have all things common to the entire congregation.

Acts 4:33 “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.”  When such love is found among the brethren and sisters of the church so that they consider that all they possess are in common then we see that great power was given the apostles to witness the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.  How we should desire that such would be so in our day. 

Acts 4:34 “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.”  These things were done out of a willing heart by the people.  There was no coercion for them to do this.  Consequently all the needs of the people were met.

Acts 4:36 “And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.”  Here we are introduced to Barnabas and given a glimpse of his loving heart.  Barnabas will be a principle disciple in the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the book of Acts.