ACTS 3:11-4:22

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Opening Questions

Can you remember a time when you were scared?

What relieves you of fear whenever you get scared or anxious?

Can you think of a movie or a TV show in which someone had to deal with uncertainty? What did it feel like as you were watching that character?

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Recap

This passage from the Book of Acts describes the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the followers of Jesus.

Key Events:

The Holy Spirit Comes: A sound like a rushing wind filled the house, and tongues of fire appeared over the believers' heads. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages.The Crowd Reacts: People from many nations heard the believers speaking in their own native tongues and were amazed. Some were confused, while others accused them of being drunk.Peter's Sermon: Peter addressed the crowd, explaining that this was the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He proclaimed that Jesus, whom they had crucified, was raised from the dead by God and made both Lord and Messiah.Call to Repentance: Many were convicted by Peter's words and asked what they should do. Peter called them to repent, be baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.Growth of the Church: Three thousand people were baptized that day, and the church grew rapidly. The believers shared their possessions, met together for prayer and fellowship, and continued to experience God's power through miracles and signs.Healing of a Lame Man: Peter and John healed a man who had been lame from birth, further demonstrating the power of God at work through them.

Main Themes:

The coming of the Holy Spirit: This event marked the empowerment of the believers to spread the gospel to all nations.The resurrection and exaltation of Jesus: Peter emphasized that Jesus is the Messiah and Lord, and that salvation comes through him.The importance of repentance and baptism: Peter called for a response of faith and obedience.The power of the early church: The believers were united, generous, and devoted to prayer and fellowship. They experienced God's presence and power in remarkable ways.

Passage

Acts 3:11–4:22 CSB

11 While he was holding on to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astonished, ran toward them in what is called Solomon’s Colonnade. 12 When Peter saw this, he addressed the people: “Fellow Israelites, why are you amazed at this? Why do you stare at us, as though we had made him walk by our own power or godliness? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and denied before Pilate, though he had decided to release him. 14 You denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer released to you. 15 You killed the source of life, whom God raised from the dead; we are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in his name, his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. So the faith that comes through Jesus has given him this perfect health in front of all of you. 17 “And now, brothers and sisters, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your leaders also did. 18 In this way God fulfilled what he had predicted through all the prophets—that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, 20 that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send Jesus, who has been appointed for you as the Messiah. 21 Heaven must receive him until the time of the restoration of all things, which God spoke about through his holy prophets from the beginning. 22 Moses said: The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to everything he tells you. 23 And everyone who does not listen to that prophet will be completely cut off from the people. 24 “In addition, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those after him, have also foretold these days. 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your ancestors, saying to Abraham, And all the families of the earth will be blessed through your offspring. 26 God raised up his servant and sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your evil ways.” 1 While they were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple police, and the Sadducees confronted them, 2 because they were annoyed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 So they seized them and took them into custody until the next day since it was already evening. 4 But many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. 5 The next day, their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem 6 with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all the members of the high-priestly family. 7 After they had Peter and John stand before them, they began to question them: “By what power or in what name have you done this?” 8 Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders: 9 If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a disabled man, by what means he was healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing here before you healthy. 11 This Jesus is the stone rejected by you builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” 13 When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And since they saw the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 After they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What should we do with these men? For an obvious sign has been done through them, clear to everyone living in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that this does not spread any further among the people, let’s threaten them against speaking to anyone in this name again.” 18 So they called for them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 Peter and John answered them, “Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide; 20 for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21 After threatening them further, they released them. They found no way to punish them because the people were all giving glory to God over what had been done. 22 For this sign of healing had been performed on a man over forty years old.

Lesson

Sovereignty

What does sovereignty mean? Or, what does it mean that God is sovereign?

God's sovereignty means He's the absolute ruler over all creation, holding ultimate authority and directing everything according to His perfect plan. This includes our salvation – it's not something we achieve on our own, but a gift from God, ordained by Him before the beginning of time. He chose us, He redeemed us, and He preserves us in our faith. But here's the amazing thing: even though God is completely sovereign, He also grants us real freedom and responsibility. We aren't robots! We make genuine choices, and those choices have real consequences. Think of it like this: God is the author of the grand story of redemption, but we are characters who actively participate in it. He gives us the freedom to choose Him, to trust in Christ and follow His ways. This is the beautiful tension of Reformed theology: God's sovereign grace working in and through our willing hearts.

How is God sovereign? What is he sovereign over?

What does that mean for us?

Peter's sermon highlights that even the crucifixion of Jesus, seemingly a victory for evil, was part of God's predetermined plan. This emphasizes the sovereignty of God in salvation – that He is in control even when things seem out of control. Discuss how this understanding can bring comfort and confidence to believers, even in the face of opposition or uncertainty.

Where are Peter and John when this passage begins?

They’re in Solomon’s Portico at the Jerusalem temple.

According to Acts 3:12, how did the crowd respond to Peter and John healing the man who couldn’t walk?

They responded by wondering and staring.

In verses 13-15, what event does Peter say the crowd is responsible for?

He says that they’re responsible for denying and killing Jesus.

What made the man strong enough to walk?

It wasn’t the power or piety of Peter and John, but rather faith in Jesus’ name.

What does Peter tell the crowd to do in verse 19?

He tells them to repent and turn back so that their sins will be blotted out.

According to Acts 4:1-3, what happened as Peter and John were speaking to the people?

The priests, the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them. Then they arrested them.

When the Sanhedrin asks by what power Peter and John do these things, what do they say (Acts 4:10)?

They tell the Sanhedrin that it is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth that the man who stands before them has been made well.

According to verse 13, what is the reaction of the Sanhedrin to Peter and John?

They perceive that Peter and John are uneducated, but also that they were with Jesus. Thus, they’re astonished at their boldness.

What did the Sanhedrin charge Peter and John to do after they had been questioned?

They tell Peter and John not to speak any more about Jesus.

How do Peter and John react to this charge from the Sanhedrin?

They say that they can’t help but speak of what has been seen and heard of Jesus. As a result, the people praise God for what had happened (v. 21).

SO WHAT?

Why are members of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish religious council) astonished at the boldness of Peter and John?

Peter and John, from a worldly perspective, should not be approaching the Sanhedrin with this kind of boldness. They’re uneducated, common men speaking with confidence to some of the most powerful people of the day. And yet, because Jesus’ work has given them certainty that they’re on good terms with God, they’re free to approach the Sanhedrin with confidence in Christ and His care for them.

Why does Peter tell the crowd they’re responsible for the death of Jesus (Acts 3:13-16) before he tells them that it was faith in Jesus’ name that the man is made well?

Before we can revel in the grace of Jesus, we must come face-to-face with our need for that grace. Thus, before the crowd can marvel at what Jesus did for this man—and what He can do for them—they have to be confronted with their own sinfulness.

What seems to be the source of the boldness that Peter and John have?

If you remember the Gospel accounts, Peter and John (along with the other disciples) aren’t portrayed as the most courageous people. Something massive has changed between then and now in the storyline—Peter and John have been confronted with Jesus’ grace in a unique way after His resurrection. Because of what He has done for them, they know their biggest problem is resolved. In addition, according to Acts 4:8, Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit. All of this frees them to speak boldly before the Sanhedrin.

Why do you think the Sadducees and other religious leaders are annoyed with Peter and John?

There could be a number of reasons why the Sadducees and other leaders are annoyed. One is that Sadducees didn’t believe in resurrection, so that element alone would frustrate them. Another could be that adoration and love for Jesus takes power away from the religious leaders because, as people move closer to Jesus, they move farther away from the temple and its sacrifices. Other answers may come up as well.

Is anything interesting about Peter’s response to the Sanhedrin’s charge in Acts 4:8-10? What and why?

Peter shows the Sanhedrin the bizarre reach that they’re making. He confronts them with the fact that they are punishing John and himself for a good deed done to a blind man. This is obviously not a crime under any reasonable legal system—it shows the religious leaders to be trusting in their own power and influence rather than in the Lord.

NOW WHAT?

In Acts 4:12, Peter says that “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Are there any “names” by which you’re trying to be saved that aren’t Jesus’?

Answers may vary. That being said, any other name by which we seek salvation necessarily leads to uncertainty. If we seek certainty or security through our spots on the sports team or our GPAs, those things won’t be able to bear the weight we place on them; only Jesus can.

Does the boldness of Peter and John encourage or discourage you? Why?

Answers may vary, but leave this open to either option. Ideally, John and Peter encourage us because they show us what Jesus can, and does, do in His people. However, some might read this as an indictment of themselves because they aren’t as bold as Peter and John. Be open to that, and encourage those students with the fact that we grow in boldness over the course of our Christian lives and that God saw fit to do this work in Peter and John. If He sees fit to do the same in any of us, He will do it, and it won’t only be up to us.

Do you think Peter or John felt any uncertainty as they spoke to the Sanhedrin? Can you relate to them at all? Why or why not?

Answers may vary. We don’t get that tone from the text; there doesn’t seem to be any uncertainty reported in this situation. But, if we place ourselves in their position, nearly everyone would feel uncertain or scared. We may not know whether or not Peter or John felt uncertain, but because of their behavior, we do know that they weren’t bold in their own strength. They were bold because of the work Jesus was doing in them through His spirit. In our uncertainty, or in our boldness, it is always Jesus doing the work.

Closing

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