The Acts of the Apostles 4:1-37
4:1 It's beneficial to us that Jesus and now the disciples frequently are encountered and challenged by their adversaries. Their response and their resilience is instructive; they give us hope and teach us how to traverse an often-bumpy road.
4:2 The Sadducees are angry with the disciples for the same reason they were angry with Jesus: they want to retain their control and wealth -- an increasingly difficult task as people denounced them and began to follow Jesus' message. Jesus exposed their hypocrisy and He taught people to find value in life and love rather than in wealth and government position.
This might seem like an ancient problem but it actually translate well into today's world. In fact, the concept has never not been a problem. Throughout history, people have always craved power and wealth and often have craved those things more than they craved honesty or compassion.
Be perceptive of ulterior motives: people who only say something in order to protect a status or wealth that they have and do not want to lose. Jesus taught a kind and common-sense approach to life, what is there to disagree with in that?
4:3 The disciples -- Peter and John -- are captured and imprisoned. Remember in Mark 10:35-45, Jesus spoke with the disciples James and John. They expressed to Jesus that they wanted to teach and carry the word throughout the world. Jesus prepared them for what they asked for: the responsibility, the resilience, and the courage of faith required.
After all, for all He Is and did while on earth, Jesus had many enemies. He constantly had adversaries twisting His words and challenging His beliefs, seeking to mute His voice and to stunt His movement. To effectively fulfill our purposes here on earth, we cannot be frozen by fear or silenced by enemies -- we actually have to face fear and answer our enemies (because they are the ones we are trying to free others from).
Peter and John are a critical point, but Jesus prepared them for this and therefore it's a minor bump in the road.
4:4 Give particular attention to the fact that this account of their imprisonment is quite unfazed by the imprisonment. Those set sail on God's missions are never truly imprisoned or blocked from continuing. Instead, this verse specifically highlights the fact that people were hearing and absorbing this philosophy God gifted humanity through Jesus. They loved it, loved Him. It was changing their lives, giving them direction, comfort and purpose.
4:5-7 Envision this situation: this corrupt religious-government is trying to appear frightening and impressive. Corrupt people of high status in government or any position like to loom over others so to give off the impression that they are superior and powerful. Peter and John do not need to fear this group because their purpose is protected and guided by God -- and so is yours if you allow it to be.
Be perceptive and identify a person's character beneath the superficiality they put on for appearance.
5:8 Another of Jesus' promises comes into fruition: Mark 13:11 and Matthew 10:19. We are never left on our own to face our adversaries. God imparts His courage and His wisdom on us in the times we most need it. We do not always know how to squirm out of sticky situations and when that happens, we are put on God's cruise control, so to speak. He enables us to handle difficult situations.
5:9-10 Peter explains that if indeed they are being punished for the good dead they have just done, for helping a person in need, it has been on Jesus' authority that it was done.
5:11 To be specific, Peter identifies Jesus, the healer of the man is the very entity they rejected.
5:12 A reminder from Peter: there is no other way to reach heaven. No other way to disentangle ourselves from adversity, adversaries, tribulations in our lives than to absorb Jesus' message of humility, compassion and truth. I always like to emphasize here that there are people who say they believe and follow Jesus but actually do not with their actions. There are also people who do not believe in Jesus but actually do follow Him with their actions -- because they live with compassion they have absorbed His message (in their own way) -- and it counts. However a person who says they follow but live greedily and cruelly, actually does not count.
4:13 The rulers, elders, scribes, high priest and family of the high priest are not able to think of or verbalize a response. They expected to steamroll over Peter and John because Peter and John were not educated and trained by them (and they wrongly believe that the education they give is valuable one). Peter and John were educated by Jesus -- who taught without deceptive motive, without hypocrisy, without scheming. Peter and John are wise and well-spoken and this shocks them.
4:14 They cannot deny that the ailing man was healed. They cannot label healing as a crime (no matter how much they want to). They thought they were dealing with two tiny gnats but quickly realized the bold and comprehensive force of truth Peter and John stood within.
When your purpose is compassionate and truthful, no matter how tiny you are, you have the boldness of your purpose added to you and you become a huge, formidable opponent against injustice. You will always have the force of justice fighting right along side you.
4:15-16 They send Peter and John out of the room while they try, and fail, to regain their authority. They cannot condemn two people for performing a miracle. They acted hastily -- out of desperation and they are failing to justify their actions.
4:17 They come up with this plan, the go-to tactic of all oppressors: they agree to try to instill a stunting fear in Peter and John. This is why it's so important to be devoted to your purpose and to be rock-solid in your faith. You must not allow fear to control you or mute you -- humanity needs your message.
4:18 They command the disciples to stop speaking of Jesus.
I've observed some interesting characteristics of God's children -- they do not like being told what to do or what not to do. God does not run His house this way so it's a foreign and corrupt concept to them. Another: they cannot deny the truth, it's physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually impossible. God's children will defend justice and truth, and they become more persistent and vocal when justice and truth are threatened.
4:19 Not surprisingly, Peter and John immediately refuse this command. Peter and John ask the high priests if their command is for them to listen to men over God... this is quite a bold statement. Peter and John's response makes me proud and it also makes me chuckle -- although this group wishes to instill fear and authority, Peter and John are genuinely unfazed and unimpressed with them. There is both wisdom and wit in their response, both faith and courage.
4:20 One of my favorite verses in the bible: For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. It's impossible for a truthful, compassionate and faithful person to be quiet about what matters. Not only is it impossible, we do not want to be quiet. We desire to loudly, boldly and ceaselessly speak of the wisdom God has shown and spoken to us. Our faith and defense of justice is the spark which keeps our heart beating, our soul thriving... it simply cannot be extinguished.
4:21 Just for show and in an effort to save face, the counsel refrains from replying to Peter and John's response. Instead, they throw a few more threats toward them before finally releasing them. They cannot punish Peter and John because of the crowds of people who listen and follow the message they are bringing. People would revolt. Truth has a built-in defense.
4:22 People observed this man, sick since birth and into his forties completely and instantly heal in the name of Jesus. It's not easy to silence the uproar of a miracle.
4:23 Returning to the other disciples, Peter and John recount their experience.
4:24 Together, the disciples communicate with God. Always convene and reconvene with God, our source of perseverance. Their first order of business in prayer is their wonder and love for God and all that He is and has created. They reflect on the universe around them and it further inspires their love and amazement.
4:25-28 Next they quote scripture in which Jesus' adversity is spoken of, Psalm 2:1-2. This is a comprehensive prayer, they first expressed their amazement and now they express their sadness that certain in the world rejected Jesus. Quoting scripture, they reiterate their understanding that God's plan began long ago with purpose and intricacy.
4:29 The disciples recognize that from beginning to end there have always been and will always be barriers, adversaries who work (hard) to block the way of justice. The disciples ask God to remain with them in order that they can continue to bring the faith they so loved to humanity. The asked God to remain with them so that they could help, guide and heal others -- a prayer powerful in its selflessness.
They did not ask for money or weapons or cleverness -- they ask God for the courage to get through difficult barriers because they were determined to keep walking and working toward their mission and purpose. It's a wise prayer -- to pray for strength and perseverance rather than for ease and reward.
4:30 Their prayer is that they be able continue to keep helping people. They do not ask for any gifts for themselves, they just want to continue to work for the purpose and justice they believe in. They do not ask to be powerful, they ask to be the instruments through which God can be powerful in pouring healing into the world.
We are truly that important. We each are the vessels through which so much love, healing and guidance can enter the world.
4:31 Their prayer was received, (as all prayers are). This group together would be largely responsible for keeping Jesus' spirit alive among humanity after Jesus' resurrection. The fact that their faith was so strong and pure was worthy indeed of a shaking, worthy indeed of acknowledgement.
Remember Matthew 21:22, Mark 11:24 and Luke 12:32: Not only does God answer and fulfill the prayers of His children, it's also His pleasure to. God knows that His children pray for justice and for truth, for happiness and health. He trusts that our prayers are compassionate in nature and God always answers compassionate requests.
4:32 Those who listened and believed stepped into their place in the family. There was no chaos or disagreement between them because faith united them. Faith in compassion. Faith in this message which promoted and inspired compassion.
4:33 They stood firm in their faith, in their Teacher and in what they had witnessed: His life, His death and His resurrection. No threat or fear kept them from expressing what they knew to be truth.
4:34-37 The disciples were fully committed to ensuring each other's well-being. They were determined and they did whatever selfless act was required to ensure that their purpose of spreading the philosophy of God throughout the world was fulfilled. They gave up their possessions because they were about to travel throughout the world with a message.
They aren't establishing a commune or anything -- they are just working together to prepare each other to set out into various journeys across the world.
Side note: This same concept does not work well among humans today -- nor has it worked with in the past. Historically, human's social systems have been and are incapable of such equality, personal desire (even by just one) has unbalanced the scales --making attempts at such equality impossible and even dangerous. 1 Timothy 6:10 expresses the truth of the world: Greed is the cause of many (if not all) of injustice and tribulation among humanity.
The rampant consumerism of our time despite the exploitation and detriment of humans and earth speaks of the depths and zealousness of our desires. The disciples put God's message in the forefront of their lives, rather than desire. It's unrealistic (and probably unnecessary) that people today are going to give up everything they have -- but as long as our values are prioritized and defending justice and God's compassion is at the forefront -- in many ways, we can be disciples of the word.
4:33 They stood firm in their faith, in their Teacher and in what they had witnessed: His life, His death and His resurrection. No threat or fear kept them from expressing what they knew to be truth.
4:34-37 The disciples were fully committed to ensuring each other's well-being. They were determined and they did whatever selfless act was required to ensure that their purpose of spreading the philosophy of God throughout the world was fulfilled. They gave up their possessions because they were about to travel throughout the world with a message.
They aren't establishing a commune or anything -- they are just working together to prepare each other to set out into various journeys across the world.
Side note: This same concept does not work well among humans today -- nor has it worked with in the past. Historically, human's social systems have been and are incapable of such equality, personal desire (even by just one) has unbalanced the scales --making attempts at such equality impossible and even dangerous. 1 Timothy 6:10 expresses the truth of the world: Greed is the cause of many (if not all) of injustice and tribulation among humanity.
The rampant consumerism of our time despite the exploitation and detriment of humans and earth speaks of the depths and zealousness of our desires. The disciples put God's message in the forefront of their lives, rather than desire. It's unrealistic (and probably unnecessary) that people today are going to give up everything they have -- but as long as our values are prioritized and defending justice and God's compassion is at the forefront -- in many ways, we can be disciples of the word.
