Chapter 4 Discussion

1
Chapter 4 Discussion

• Chapter 4 Verses 1-22
• How long did it take the Sanhedrin to arrest
  Peter after healing the man?
• 3 hours
• So-was it this one sermon that converted 5,000?
• No doubt that the apostles and the other
  Christians had been preaching Christ even in the
  temple before this. But religious leaders had not
  arrested them because they presumed they were not
  a threat, having already killed the leader of the
  movement. But now this very public miracle was
  done affirming the propositions of the Apostles
  and thousands responded in belief. Now they
  perceived that Christianity was not dead, but a
  real threat.
• Again and again what do we see is central to this
  gospel. See 1Pet 116
• Miracles
• Denying Christ as he is described in the Bible is
  like trying to build a building without the chief
  cornerstone. What happens to the building?
  Isaiah 2816 1Peter 26,7 and Acts 221
• The whole building collapses. People cannot be
  saved through other religions or by other
  versions of Christ - like the one advocated in
  Islam? Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
  will be saved."Acts 221

2
Chapter 4 Discussion Continued

• Chapter 4 Verses 1-22 Continued
• What does it take to make the ordinary become
  extraordinary for us as Christians?
• When ordinary Christians spend time with Jesus in
  prayer and Bible study they can become
  extraordinary.
• When is it OK to defy religious "Authority? How
  does this apply to us?
• Although all authority has been established by
  God (Romans 131), human authority only has a
  limited realm in which it can be reckoned
  legitimate authority. As God has ordained the
  gospel to be preached, these Jewish leaders were
  going outside of their legitimate realm of
  authority in commanding it not be preached. Thus
  the apostles were not really defying legitimate
  human authority here.
• How old was the lame man when he was cured and
  why is it important for us as well?
• 40 years old? Simply because since he had been
  lame all his life, by now there are a whole lot
  of people that would have known him. Don't
  underestimate you effectiveness for Christ if you
  came to faith when in middle or old age. 

3
Chapter 4 Discussion Continued

• Chapter 4 Verses 23-37
• What did the Christian community do after the
  arrest? What is missing in our times to unit us
  (religiously) here in the USA? Acts 18 and Matt
  2819,20
• They came together and praised God. Persecution
  and a common sense of purpose. Often, churches
  in the USA have it too easy! Look at the growth
  of Christianity in other parts of the world.
• Does God predestine events? Does God predestine
  bad events? Does God judge people in events
  that are predestined, that is that they have no
  control over?
• Yes and no. God sets events in motion, leaving
  our free will to make choices as to what we do
  them. God didn't cause people to sin, but rather
  arranged the circumstances so that people out of
  their free will would crucify Christ. For he knew
  how these men would react to certain
  circumstances out of their free will. But of
  course they would be held responsible for things
  they had control over, and in particular the
  decisions they made.
• What was requested of the community as a result
  of the actions of the religious leaders? Col 44
  and Ac 143
• Two things were requested here in view of the
  opposition by institutional authorities -
  Boldness and Miracles. The gospel should be
  proclaimed not timidly but with boldness. For
  confidence communicates conviction. And such
  boldness can be enhanced through prayer.

4
Chapter 4 Discussion Continued

• Chapter 4 Verses 23-37
• What happened as a result? What should we expect
  if we follow these examples?
• They were filled with the Holy Spirit.
• Read 430 in KJV and in the NIV. Is Jesus
  denoted as a servant or a child?
• Depends on the translation. I prefer the term
  servant.
• Why did the Christian community hold things in
  common. Isnt this communism? 2Cor 97
• But realize also the situation here in Acts
  called for special sacrifices. In view of the
  fact that the Christians tried to stay together,
  which for many meant surviving away from home,
  and as is apparent from the hatred and
  persecution these Hebrew Christians had to face
  in that society, there were many needs within the
  Christian community brought about by these
  circumstances. Thus the Christian community was
  reckoned a family, everyone contributing to its
  health. But also there was probably a sense of
  the imminent return of Christ and the coming of
  the Kingdom of God. As such person property was
  devalued by such faith as they held an
  apocalyptic anticipation of the future.
• Remember that these actions were voluntary,
  communism is not a voluntary community.
• What practical aspect does Barnabas donation
  show us?
• It was this Barnabus who later introduced Paul to
  the Apostles and who travel with Paul on his
  missionary journey's. Note this fact. For we will
  see a number of ordinary Christians who serve and
  give generously become dominant figures in Acts.
  If you want to be used by God in spiritual
  matters, first serve in practical matters.