Commitment and Boldness

Introduction

Focus Passage

Acts 4:13–22 Wordstudy KJV

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they [took knowledge] of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14 And beholding the man [which was healed] standing with them, they could [say nothing against] it. 15 But when they had commanded them to [go aside] out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all [them that dwell] in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us [straitly threaten] them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak [at all] nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right [in the sight] of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21 So when they had [further threatened] them, they [let them go,] finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for [that which was done.] 22 For the man was above forty [years old,] on whom this miracle of healing was showed.

Outline

Identifying with Peter and John (vv.13-14)

1) Peter and John were bold in the Lord - ‘now when they saw their boldness’

Peter and John had already shown courage and boldness facing the Sanhedrin’s last week. They faced the questioning. They had faced the threats. They had faced the crowds. Now, they stand before the Sanhedrin, after spending the night in jail, they faced the Sanhedrin once again. They did not back down. They once again showed boldness. What we need from Christians today is boldness to stand for the truth and not back down.

Peter and John’s boldness was apparent that the Sanhedrin took notice, Now when they say the boldness of Peter and John. When one stand for the Lord and stands with boldness, those going against you take notice. They notice that it’s not you that is bold. They notice that it is nothing about you that causes you to be bold. They realize that there is something different about you and your spirit that causes you to be bold. It was the same for Peter and John. Let us realize...

2) Peter and John were vulnerable

Peter and John had no formal training, unlearned and ignorant men. They had not been seminary. They had not been Bible college. They were normal people without education at all. They were fishermen. They were trained to fish just as their father and their grandfather before them. Under normal circumstances these two men would of coward down. They would have been intimidated under normal circumstances and would have given up.

Not only did Peter and John have no formal education, they had no religious credentials. They weren’t part of the Sanhedrin. They weren’t Sadducees. They weren’t Pharisees. They definitively were not the high priest or one of the temple guards. They had no education, no power, no credentials. They were nobodies in the eye of the Sanhedrin and yet they stood with boldness despite their vulnerabilities.

3) Peter and John were taught by Jesus - ‘they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus’

Within their boldness, within their stance, one thing was certain, they had been with Jesus, they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. Peter and John may have been unlearned and ignorant men. They have been simple fisherman, but these two men stood under an authority greater than themselves. They stood under the authority of the Holy Spirit. They realized that religion was not the answer. Religion was not going to save them. The religious leaders had put their Lord on the Cross. They were going to stand with boldness and fight all opposition to the Cross. Their relationship with Christ was so apparent. This relationship with Christ is what scared the Sanhedrin most of all. Brothers and sisters, let our lives be a life that truly reveals that we have been with Christ.

Recognizing the dilemma of the Sanhedrin (vv.15-17)

1) The Sanhedrin recognized their vulnerability

Look the enemy knows when you are vulnerable. The enemy knows where you are vulnerable. The enemy wishes to do everything that he can do to exploit this vulnerability. It was these vulnerabilities that the Sanhedrin were attempting to exploit and take advantage of. This is what the enemy does. This is why we are to be suited up in the Lord daily. For the enemy seeks to destroy you.

1 Peter 5:8 Wordstudy KJV

8 [Be sober,] [be vigilant;] because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, [walketh about,] seeking whom he may devour:

This is what the enemy does. This is his battle field. This is his tactic.

2) The Sanhedrin could not deny the miracle

What had taken place was undeniable. God had given a sign of the power of Christ. God had brought healing to this man, who had been crippled since birth...

Acts 4:22 Wordstudy KJV

22 For the man was above forty [years old,] on whom this miracle of healing was showed.

And the evidence was there, and the truth had been declared: this man was healed by and name of Jesus Christ. This man was saved not in part but the whole. He was healed physically and spiritually.

3) The Sanhedrin could not prosecute them

Despite the accusations, the threats, and the anger of the Sanhedrin, they could not deny the miracle, they could not what had been seen and because of the people, they could not prosecute them. Remember, although the Sanhedrin wanted them to get quiet. Wanted to stop preaching in Jesus name. God had already worked a miracle. God had already shown out. God had already revealed that salvation and healing comes through Jesus Christ alone.

Acts 4:4 Wordstudy KJV

4 Howbeit many of [them which heard] the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

Acts 4:21b (Wordstudy KJV)

21b ...for all men glorified God for [that which was done.]

The enemy wants to destroy you, intimidate you, and hurt you. However, we are called to stand bold for the Lord. He will protect us.

Remain obedient (vv.18-22)

1) The name of Jesus will be attacked (vv.18-20)

I asked this question last week, why is that Jesus’ name, God, can be attacked, blasphemed, mocked, etc. and it’s okay. However, no other name is mocked. No other false deity or religion is attacked. Why? Because there is power in the name of Jesus. There is power for healing and redemption. It is this same name that the Sanhedrin did not want mentioned or preached, And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. The world hates Jesus because Satan hates Jesus. It is this name that threatens the enemy more than anything. For it is at this name that salvation comes.

Acts 4:12 Wordstudy KJV

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

2) The threats will come (vv.18, 21a)

They commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus. They continued the threats even after Peter and John gave their response, So when they had further threatened them. The enemy is going to do whatever he can to get you quiet. He will threaten and attack your health, your family, your wealth, your person, your ministry, whatever area he can. However, even when you find yourself being attacked in all areas, do not back down. Stand firm and fight for the faith. The enemy cannot do anymore than God will allow him to do. Even in this case, the Sanhedrin could threaten but could only do that. In the end, they had to led them go, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them. Let the enemy bring the threats. Let the enemy send the darts. Stand firm and boldness in the Lord.

3) Commit now to obey God rather than man (vv.19-20)

Peter and John, through boldness of the Holy Spirit, stood against the threats and committed themselves to the Lord. They were not going to be intimidated, But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. Peter and John stood with boldness and said, you can make your own choice to listen to God or man, but we’re going to stand firm with the Lord. They chose right then and there to make a commitment to follow God and His will for their lives despite what the outcome was going to be. Are you deciding to make that same commitment today? Are you making a decision right here and now to be obedient to the Lord’s Word and will for your life despite the consequences, despite the outside influences of the world, despite the threats of the world?

Socrates a Greek philosopher, as he stood before the Greek authorities is quoted as stating, I shall obey God rather than you. We must commit now to obey God rather than man. Remember, Peter and John stood with a mission and that mission was to declare the truth of the Gospel. Every child of God has that same mission.

Acts 1:8 Wordstudy KJV

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the [uttermost part] of the earth.

Matthew 28:18–20 Wordstudy KJV

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe [all things] whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

We are stand with compulsion to share the Gospel. As children of God, we should have such a drive to share the gospel, that there is no doubt, we will be committed and faithful to share. This is the drive that Peter and John had. It was this same drive that gave Peter and John their boldness, For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

Conclusion

I challenge you through the authority and power of the name of Jesus, stand committed and bold. Make a decision now to be faithful from this day forward no matter the consequences. Make a choice now to stand firm on the Word of God, the Promises of God, and choose to be obedient to God. Make a choice now to be faithful to share the Gospel and stand firm on the promises of God no matter what it costs.

This commitment, this boldness, is not found in your education or your credentials but in a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ. I finally ask, do you know Jesus?