PERSECUTION BEGINS

ACTS 4:1-22

SATAN’S TOOLS• Physical/Emotional Violence• Moral Compromise

– Self– Sex– Silver– Success– Sloth

• Distraction– Business– Career– Hobbies– Family

SATAN’S TIMING

• Spiritual high

• Tired

• Alone

• Bored

THE ARREST

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. Acts 4:1-4

DIFFERENT TRUTH CLAIMS

• The Resurrection is true• The Resurrection is not true• The Law of the excluded middle:

–For any proposition, either that proposition is true, or its negation is true.

–Truth claims are either true or false

THE TRIAL BEGINS

On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Acts 4:5-7

PETER’S DEFENSE• Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them,

“Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:8-12

CHRIST THE CORNERSTONE

• The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. Psalm 118:22-23

• Have you not read this Scripture: “ ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” And they were seeking to arrest him but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they left him and went away. Mark 12:10-12

CHRIST ALONE

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

DIFFERENT TRUTH CLAIMS

• Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation• Jesus Christ is not the only way to salvation• The Law of Non-contradiction:

– Two opposite propositions cannot both be true at the same time and in the same sense.

– Nothing can simultaneously be and not be.

THE COURT’S DECISIONNow when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Acts 4:13-18

PETER’S APPEAL

But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old. Acts 4:19-22

CHRIST’S COMMANDS

• And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

• But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

CHRISTIANS AND GOVERNMENT• God alone and government denied – Monks • Government alone and God denied – Pagans • God & government with government supreme – Cowards • God & government with God supreme – Christians • Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether

it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 1 Peter 2:13-17

CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. John 15:18-21

PETER’S TEACHING ON SUFFERINGNow who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. 1 Peter 3:13-17

APPLICATIONS

• Do you believe the gospel or just know it?• What are you willing to die for? Live for?• What tools does Satan use against you?• What could make you compromise concerning

the Lord Jesus Christ?• What will be your legacy?