Gospel Centered Response to Opposition

Opposition to the Gospel Begins

Acts 4:1 ESV

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

Who are the priests, captain of the temple, and the Sadducees?

Acts 4:3–7 ESV

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. 5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?”

Responses to the Gospel

Prison (v. 3)

Examination in Court (v. 7)

Responses to Opposition

Acts 4:10–12 ESV

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, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Proclaim the death and resurrection of Jesus (v. 10)

Proclaim the fulfillment of Scripture (v. 11)

Point to Christ as the only means of Salvation (v. 12)

Further Response to the Gospel

Acts 4:13–18 ESV

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

Astonishment at the boldness of the Apostles (v. 13)

Recognition that they had been with Jesus (v. 13)

Speechlessness (v. 14)

Conference to Suppress (v. 15)

Undenial (v. 16)

Warning/Threatened them to stop (v. 17)

Ordered to stop speaking and teaching Jesus (v. 18)

Further Response to Opposition

Acts 4:19–20 ESV

19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

Challenged them to judge what is right (v. 19)

Declared that we could only speak of what we have seen and heard (v. 20)

Response to the Apostles Boldness

Acts 4:21–22 ESV

21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

Acts 4:29–30 ESV

29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

The apostles were set free (v. 21)

People were praising God for the miracle (v. 21-22)

Prayer to the Lord:

to look upon their threats (v. 29)

for continued boldness to speak the word (v. 29)

to heal, perform signs and wonders through the name of Jesus (v. 30)

God’s Response

Acts 4:31 ESV

31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

the place was shaken

they were all filled with the Spirit

they continued to speak the word of God with boldness