"Unstoppable Faith: The Power of the Resurrection Message"

Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, we gather not only to worship and praise our Lord but also to confront a sobering reality about our faith in modern America. Christianity, once the overwhelming majority religion in our nation, is experiencing a significant decline. As we dive into today's message, "Unstoppable Faith: The Power of the Resurrection Message," we will reflect on how these changes challenge us and how we can respond with the same boldness and conviction as the early apostles.

Recent studies paint a clear picture of this shift. In the early 2000s, 80% of U.S. adults identified as Christians. Fast forward to today, and that number has dropped to 64%, with projections suggesting it could fall as low as 35% by 2070​ (Pew Research Center)​​ (Pew Research Center)​. The rise of the religiously unaffiliated, or "nones," has been equally dramatic, growing from 14% to 22% in the same period and potentially reaching up to 52% by 2070​ (Pew Research Center)​.

Church attendance has also seen a notable decline. Before the pandemic, around 37% of Americans attended weekly services, but now that figure stands at just 31%​ (Pew Research Center)​. Additionally, the number of people who never attend church services has risen from 11% to 17% over the past decade​ (Pew Research Center)​. The pandemic exacerbated these trends, and although some have returned to their congregations, many churches are still operating at only 85% of their pre-pandemic attendance levels​ (ChurchTrac)​.

Acts 4:1–4 ESV

1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

Introduction

The passage Acts 4:1-4 in the ESV Bible provides a glimpse into the early challenges faced by the apostles as they spread the message of Jesus Christ. This segment describes the arrest of Peter and John, the opposition from Jewish leaders, and the continued growth of the early Christian community.

Passage: Acts 4:1-4 (ESV)

1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,

2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.

4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

Verse-by-Verse Exegesis

Verse 1: "And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,"

Context: This verse sets the scene where Peter and John are addressing the people. This follows the healing of the lame man at the temple gate called Beautiful (Acts 3).

Characters:

Priests: Religious leaders responsible for temple worship.

Captain of the temple: A high-ranking official responsible for maintaining order in the temple, second in command to the High Priest.

Sadducees: A sect of Judaism known for their denial of the resurrection of the dead and their collaboration with Roman authorities.

Action: The leaders come upon Peter and John, indicating an abrupt and forceful interruption.

Verse 2: "greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead."

Emotion: The leaders are "greatly annoyed," highlighting their frustration and anger.

Reason for Annoyance:

Teaching the people: Peter and John are engaging directly with the populace, which threatens the authority of the religious leaders.

Proclaiming the resurrection in Jesus: This teaching directly opposes Sadducean doctrine and affirms Jesus’ resurrection, a foundational Christian belief.

Verse 3: "And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening."

Arrest: Peter and John are detained, showing the lengths to which the leaders will go to suppress their message.

Timing: The arrest happens in the evening, preventing a trial until the next day, which was in accordance with Jewish legal procedures.

Verse 4: "But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand."

Impact: Despite the arrest, the message preached by Peter and John has a significant effect.

Belief: Many who heard their message believed in Jesus, demonstrating the power and appeal of the apostles' testimony.

Growth of the Church: The mention of "about five thousand" men (likely excluding women and children) indicates rapid and substantial growth of the early Christian community.

Theological Insights

Opposition and Growth: The passage highlights a recurring theme in Acts—opposition to the gospel often results in its further spread. The arrest does not hinder the message but rather emphasizes its impact.

Resurrection Doctrine: The centrality of the resurrection in Christian preaching is evident. This teaching is crucial for the faith and is presented as the core issue causing conflict with the Sadducees.

Divine Providence: Despite human efforts to suppress the message, God’s purposes prevail. The growth of believers to about five thousand signifies divine approval and the unstoppable nature of God's plan.

Application for Today

Bold Witnessing: Believers today can take courage from Peter and John’s example of boldly proclaiming the gospel despite opposition.

Expecting Opposition: The passage prepares Christians to expect and endure opposition as a natural consequence of faithful ministry.

Focus on Core Gospel Truths: Emphasizing fundamental truths like the resurrection can have a profound impact on listeners, as it did in the early church.

Conclusion

Acts 4:1-4 serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the early church and the unstoppable spread of the gospel. Despite facing significant opposition, the apostles’ commitment to their message and the subsequent growth of the Christian community underscores the divine backing and transformative power of their witness.