A Bold Witness
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26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” 29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
Evangelism and Apologetics
There are times that we just have to boldly defend our faith
Peter gave a master class on how to defend the faith against those who want to destroy it.
Jesus prophesied about the events that we see in today’s text.
The Lord’s warning:
2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.
They will think that they offer service to God by killing you? - Religion (many true believers have been killed in the name of religion)
It is just part of the Devil’s playbook.
Playbook - is a notebook containing diagrams and descriptions of specific plays that will help a team win.
Playbook is for winning. Remember satan is a defeated foe — through the Lord’s ultimate victory on the cross!
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
He is merely scrapping and the goals of his playbook are:
- oppose God's plan and purposes
- deceive people
- draw them away from God
Venn Diagram here: Intersection is Stop the Spread of the Gospel
This is why there is persecution.
There is good news for you today. The spread of the gospel cannot be stopped.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
Lessons from Peter’s Bold Defense:
Understand that you will be hated as a believer because the world hates Jesus.
26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”
the background of this - the healing of the paralyzed man, taken before the council..
Don’t speak to anyone in the name of Jesus.
this name,, this man
Among the orthodox Jews who continue to reject Jesus: Instead of Yeshua, they call Him Yeshu (explain - Yeshua is The Lord is Salvation) — also a Hebrew Acronym May His Name and Memory be blotted out. “That Man” in Hebrew.
Not only the Jews, the spirit of the Antichrist (against Christ) that is prevalent in the world..
Examples: Olympics
25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
Lessons from Peter’s Bold Defense:
2. Obey God rather than Men.
29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.
Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2 - tells us to obey governing authorities.
I believe there are exceptions, if we are being told to disobey God.. when we are told to stop calling sin, sin….
Our allegiance is to God and we will follow His last standing order.
Our Standing Order: The Great Commission
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Lessons from Peter’s Bold Defense:
3. Stay on the Message of the Gospel.
When we are persecuted for our faith and for preaching the Gospel, double down on preaching the Gospel! Don’t turn it down, don’t sugarcoat, don’t compromise.
Peter gave these people an earful of what they did not want to hear in the first place!
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
Why is Peter doing this?. Who knows, they may still repent — No one is beyond the reach of the grace of God.
We cannot assume that someone is doomed forever, even enemies of the faith — look at the Apostle Paul.
But God is sovereign, He already has chosen the elect and the damned, so evangelism is pointless.
Renowned theologian and author of the book “Knowing God”, J.I. Packer said this
“So far from making evangelism pointless, the sovereignty of God in grace is the one thing that makes evangelism pointless. For it creates the possibility - indeed the certainty - that evangelism will be fruitful.” (J.I. Packer)
Let us unpack the rest of what Peter did here:
Peter reminded them of the cross.
“whom you murdered by hanging on a tree” (verse 30)
(talk)
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Peter also indicted the religious leaders for the death of Jesus (talk)
Peter affirmed the Resurrection of Jesus
“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus” (verse 30)
Jesus did not remain on the grave..
Crucifix
Peter Exalted Jesus as Ruler of all and Hope of the world.
“Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior” (verse 31)
God’s right Hand - position of power, absolute authority
Prince - word for Pioneer, One Who starts something.. author and finisher of our faith
Sanhedrin - status quo, do not want to start anything, to stay safe and keep their grip on power —
Savior - Deliverer
12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
“To give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins” (verse 31)
Explain why this is powerful.
The key to boldness is the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence in us.