Turning the World Upside Down: The Trial of Peter and John: Acts 4:5-31

I. The Inquiry vs. 5-12

A. Annas was technically the high priest, but Caiaphas who had been the high priest was the power behind the position. These Sadducees didn’t believe in the resurrection, so they were angry at the gospel message.

B. Peter who had been a coward at Caiaphas’ home, was now boldly is confronting him to his face.

C. He quotes Psalm 118:22 could Peter have been remembering this when he wrote I Pet. 2:6-8?

1 Peter 2:6–8 NASB95

For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.” This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very corner stone,” and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.

D. No one or system can save except for Jesus Himself. Names meant more then, than now, to say Jesus’ name saved is saying that Jesus saved. (George Harrison’s “Awaiting on you All” song ex)

II. The Threat vs. 13-22

A. John and Peter didn’t have degrees to go with their names. They didn’t go to the rabbinical schools, but Jesus had taught them. This isn’t discounting education, but your personal walk with the lord is the most important part of a minister’s life. It should be both/and, not either/or.

B. The counsel wanted to discount the miracle, but too many people had seen it (at least 5,000 salvations) so they couldn’t sweep it under the rug anymore.

C. They threatened them to not teach in the name of Jesus anymore, but being bold, they refuse. Peter and John both knew that there was nothing the Sanhedrin could do, because the crippled man who had been healed was crippled from birth, and was over 40 years old.

III. The Reaction vs. 23-31

A. They praised God for creating everything. They prayed scripture (Ps. 2:1-2). You can never go wrong praying scripture in context. When you pray scripture in context you are claiming God’s promises. When you claim scripture out of context, you are trying to get something meant for someone else. Kind of like claiming a lottery ticket that isn’t yours.

B. They praised God for the effectiveness of the gospel.

C. They prayed for God to help them speak boldly.

D. The place was shaken to show all that the answer was yes. Many still want signs, but it shows their lack of faith in the word of God.

Matthew 16:4 NASB95

“An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them and went away.

E. They then spoke and lived boldly for Jesus.