Acts
Bible
Study
Lesson 10
PeterÕs Response
Acts 3:18—26
Verse 18—20
¥ Since prophesy has been fulfilled through Jesus Christ, the next thing to be fulfilled on the prophetic time-line is the Tribulation and setting up of the Kingdom.
¥ Israel could now legitimately be offered the Kingdom.
¥ They needed to nationally repent of killing their Messiah and return to God.
¥ By doing that, the times of refreshing (Millennial Kingdom) could come.
- If Israel did accept the Kingdom offer, there is nothing more they needed to do. It would all be in GodÕs hands and He would bring in the tribulation to purify Israel, making her ready for the Second Coming.
Verse 20—21
¥ Now that Jesus died and was resurrected, the next step in prophesy could commence—sending Jesus Christ.
¥ Jesus has gone to heaven and is sitting at the right hand
of God the Father. Matthew 22:44; 26:64
Ephesians 1:20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him
from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
Acts 7:56 ÉI see the heavens opened up
and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
- In every other case Jesus is seen sitting. In this case it seems He is preparing to come in power and might and in vengeance.
Verses 22—24
¥ Moses predicted a Savior who would be obeyed. Those who didnÕt would be destroyed. (Deuteronomy 18:15—22)
¥ Samuel and all those after him also announced these days.
- These days are the fulfillment of prophesy.
- The first mention of these days as being a fulfillment was Acts 2:16 when Peter, under the full control of the Holy Spirit said what Joel prophesized was being fulfilled at that very moment.
- These days refers to the setting up of the Millennial Kingdom.
Verse 25
¥ Note that Israel is still called the sons of the covenant.
- They have not yet been cut off from the promised blessings.
- The promise that the Gentiles will still be blessed through Israel is still in effect.
- They are still first to receive the Gospel. This changed after they were cut off but Paul always went to witness to his countrymen first not because God demanded it but because Paul loved the Jewish people.
Acts 4
¥ In this chapter we see the rejection of Jesus as Messiah by the Jewish leadership.
¥ This marks the beginning of the end for IsraelÕs special place of honor with God.
Verses 1—4
¥ Peter and John are arrested.
- Their arrest was because they were teaching the people about Jesus and the resurrection.
¥ Notice that it was the Sadducees that were behind their arrest while it was the Pharisees that played a major role in JesusÕ death.
¥ The Sadducees did not believe in a soul or a resurrection.
¥ With the proof of a resurrection, the Sadducees quickly lost power and by 70 A.D. were no longer a powerful influence.
¥ Because Peter and John were proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus, you can see why the Sadducees would want to stop them.
¥ In spite of the persecution, many believed and the number of believers grew to 5,000.
Verses 5—12
¥ They were put in prison overnight since it was late and the next day they were questioned.
- To intimidate them, they placed them in the center while they examined them.
- Peter was able to boldly respond because he was filled with the Holy Spirit.
¥ PeterÕs response to their question ÒBy what power or in what name, have you done this?Ó
1. This man was healed by (or in) the name of Jesus Christ.
- By implication, for the lame man to be healed Jesus Christ must be alive.
2. This is the Jesus you crucified and God raised from the dead.
3. The power that brought Jesus back to life healed the lame man.
4. Jesus is the Stone rejected by you the builders and is now the Chief Cornerstone.
- This verse is quoted from Psalm 118:32 but Peter makes sure they understand that they are the builders who rejected Jesus.
5. He is the only way through which we obtain salvation whether in the Kingdom or the Body.
-
All mankind needs to come through Jesus Christ in order to be in GodÕs
presence.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the wayÉno one comes to the
Father but through Me.
1 Timothy 2:5—6a 5For there is one God,
and one mediator also between God and men, the
man Christ Jesus, 6who gave Himself as a ransom for allÉ
-
Even those who had died before Jesus shed His blood needed Jesus to die for
their sins.
Romans 3:25 Éin the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;
Verses 13—22
¥ The temple authorities recognized the following:
1. Peter and John, though uneducated and untrained, spoke with great authority and confidence.
2. It was coming to light that these men had been with Jesus.
3. The fact of a healing miracle was undeniable.
¥ The temple authorities commanded them to not speak any more of Jesus.
- If Jesus really did experience a resurrection then the Sadducees whole belief system will start to crumble as will their authority over the people.
¥ Jesus told
them to obey those in power. Matthew 23:1—3
- However, those God set up in authority crossed the line when they told them to go against what God had commanded them.
- Part of the ÒGreat CommissionÓ was to go and teach. They were told to keep silent.
Verses 23—31
¥ Peter and John go back to their companions and report all that happened.
¥ Instead of being depressed or cowering in fear, they immediately went to God in prayer.
- They understood that they were praying to the God of creation.
- They realized that all thet happens is by GodÕs hand and purpose.
- Knowing that He is powerful and sovereign, he has all things in control.
- Their only request for themselves was that they be bold in speaking out.
- They also prayed for God to continue to show His power with healings, signs and wonders.
¥ Their request was immediately answered.
- They were all filled (refilled) with the Holy Spirit
-- This filling was temporary and had nothing to do with the sealing ministry of the Holy Spirit today.
- It was through the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit that they were able to speak the Word of God with boldness.
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