Acts - Week 12

Week 12 Acts 4 

Day 1 

READ 

Acts 4:17-18 

17 But to keep them from spreading their propaganda any further, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in Jesus’ name again.” 18 So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. 

The religious authorities put Peter and John outside of the room so they could discuss what to do with them. The authorities could not deny the lame man had been healed, but they came up with another idea. As the saying goes, “If you cannot destroy the message, get rid of the messenger.” 

So they called Peter and John back in and told them “never again” to speak and teach in the name of Jesus. With all of Jerusalem knowing about the miracle of the lame man, there was no way the leaders could do away with the reality. What would Peter and John do now? 

REFLECT 

Imagine if you were in the place of Peter and John, What would you have done? 

RESPOND 

With your disciple, read Romans 13:1-5 to see what Paul wrote about obeying the government. Talk about what you would have done had you been in the position of Peter and John. 

Day 2 

READ 

Acts 4:19-20 

19 But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? 20 We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.” 

It did not take Peter and John long to think about their answer. They were clear to whom their chief responsibility it was to obey. God was a far higher authority than any ruler on earth—even those on the Jewish Supreme Court. Notice in their answer, they were not planning to create a new message; they would only keep telling about “everything we have seen and heard.” This is the same responsibility Christ-followers have today—to tell what they have seen and heard. 

REFLECT 

Are you telling others about what Christ has done in your life? Let them know about the difference you have experienced. 

RESPOND 

Read 1 John 1:1-4 to see what John wrote about telling what the apostles had seen and heard. One cannot physically see Jesus today, but the Scriptures reveal Him and one’s changed life can be a testimony.  

Day 3 

READ 

Acts 4:21-22 

21 The council then threatened them further, but they finally let them go because they didn’t know how to punish them without starting a riot. For everyone was praising God 22 for this miraculous sign—the healing of a man who had been lame for more than forty years. 

All the Jewish Sanhedrin could do was further threaten Peter and John. The religious leaders knew if they punished them it could start a riot because this miracle was known throughout Jerusalem. Even these leaders knew of the way people were praising God regarding this miracle. The crowd would have passed by this lame man for many years on their way into the temple, and the leaders were aware he had been lame for 40 years.   

REFLECT 

Rejoice in that you serve a God who can shut the mouths of critics, even as He did these in Peter and John’s day. 

RESPOND 

Read Romans 3:19-20 to see how God used the Old Testament law to stop the mouths of those who thought they could be saved by keeping the law. The law simply showed all were guilty because it made everyone aware they were all sinners. 

Day 4 

READ 

Acts 4:23-24 

23 As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. 24 When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them.” 

It is instructive to see to whom Peter and John went as soon as they were freed. They went to fellow believers. After hearing their report, the believers “lifted their voices together in prayer to God.” Notice how they addressed God. One’s concept of God gives perspective on His ability to work in behalf of believers. God is the “creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them.” Such a God could easily intervene in the situation now. 

REFLECT 

How do you think of the majesty of God? Do you see Him with the same perspective the first century believers did? 

RESPOND 

Read other passages that refer to God in the same way the believers did when they prayed. See Exodus 20:11; Nehemiah 9:6; Psalm 146:6; Acts 14:15. 

Day 5 

READ 

Acts 4:25-26 

25 “you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying, ‘Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans? 26 The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’” 

As the believers addressed God, they reminded Him of what He had said through David. The nations wasted their time planning against almighty God. Even so the kings and rulers had gathered together against the Lord and His anointed one, the Messiah. This realization would have been comforting now to those knowing the religious rulers were fighting against them and wondering if persecution would break out.  

REFLECT 

What promises of God do you think about when you go to Him asking for Him to intervene in your life? 

RESPOND 

Talk with your disciple about some promises of God you can remember as you go to Him in prayer.