Synopsis: After healing a man known to be lame in Acts 3, Peter and John are arrested by the Jewish leaders of the time. After spending a night in jail, Peter and John are bought before the Sanhedrin. The Jewish council questioned the men, "By what power have you done this?" When Peter and John answered that it was in the name of Jesus who they had murdered, the Sanhedrin became agitated and threatened the Christians to never speak of Jesus again. When met with this threat the apostles asked the Sanhedrin if it was better to listen to them or to listen to God. The Sanhedrin was powerless to punish Peter and John at this time because the people were moved by the healing of the lame man. Peter and John were released and joined the rest of the apostles. After discussing what the Sanhedrin decreed the apostles prayed for boldness to spread God's word. Acts 4 ends with a description of how the Christians shared all things and gave to each other in need.
Teaching Points:
Understanding trumps education
The Sanhedrin was a Jewish ruling council. It was made up of Jewish leaders well educated and well versed in Jewish law. Not only were these men the most educated men that the Jews had to offer; they were esteemed as the most holy. These men wielded enormous power and influence in Jewish circles. The influence of the Sanhedrin extended far past religious matters. They had political influence, cultural influence, and as evidenced by the betrayal and murder of Jesus, they had the power to exterminate anyone they perceived to be a threat.
By comparison, Peter and John were mere fisherman. They were unremarkable in every way before becoming followers of Jesus. Peter in particular was so unremarkable that he was accused of being a follower of Jesus, but was able to successfully deny it. His face and presence amounted to nothing more than a strong sense of deja vu. Together, Peter and John created a team that was so unmemorable that the Sanhedrin needed to be reminded of who they were and whom it was they served.
For the Jewish ruling council, facing these two Jewish fishermen should not have provided any challenge. These men could not match their influence, their education or even their numbers. It was on the Sanhedrin's orders that Peter and John were arrested and detained overnight. When Peter and John and the newly healed man came face to face with the Sanhedrin, the outcome was not what was expected.
When asked under whose authority they were healing under Peter began to speak being filled with the Holy Ghost according to Acts 4:8. With the filling of the Holy Spirit, Peter and John were no longer the underdogs in this conflict. Peter, being filled with the Spirit, told the Sanhedrin that he and John were healing in the name of Jesus who they had rejected. In Acts 4:13 the bible says that the Sanhedrin marveled at Peter, John, and the healed man.
Even after being marveled by Peter and John, the Sanhedrin continued to threaten the apostles. They ordered them not to even speak the name Jesus. Despite the miracles performed by Jesus and the miracles performed by the followers of Jesus after His death the Sanhedrin did not understand the work of the Spirit. For all of their formal learning about God, the Sanhedrin were not in tune with God. Simply put, the Sanhedrin had spent their lives educating themselves about God, but did not know Him. Even with their formal education on God and His laws, they were not able to recognize God in the flesh.
I'm not trying to disparage anyone from attending seminary or any other formal institution of education. What is important to understand is that knowing about God is not as important as getting to know God. Paul instructs Timothy to study to show himself approved. While we can devote ourselves to study it is important to know that understanding comes from God (Proverbs 2:6). It is also important that we understand that with all of our formal study, we only know in part and our knowledge is destined to pass away (1 Corinthians 13:8-9).
In the current times some Christians who have attained a certain amount of formal knowledge or have attained a standing or title believe that they are above reproach by "layman". Jesus selected as his apostles men who had no formal religious titles or training. In this instance God used unlearned men to confound the learned. The bible is full of instances where seemingly regular men have been raised up to unseat powerful men; most notably King Saul and David.
In addition to not holding those with formal knowledge in reverence it is important to understand that the Christian walk is more than an academic quest. Some Christians spend more time arguing Calvinism vs. Arminiansm that they forget to take part in winning souls. These academic debates are often fruitless, valueless, and amount to nothing more than hollow arguments about topics for which we have not been given full understanding.
Boldness to go
After being threatened by the Sanhedrin the apostles gathered for prayer. After facing the same council that had sentenced Jesus to death, the apostles were understandably concerned about the threat the Sanhedrin posed. In their prayers however the apostles did not ask for any harm to to come to the Sanhedrin. Instead they simply asked God to continue in what he saw fit and grant them the boldness to speak. In other words, they did not ask God to remove their obstacles, instead they asked for the strength to fulfill their role in His plan.
Sometimes we feel as though life is out of control. We feel that way because we often believe the illusion that we are in control. Consequently, when we face a set of circumstances where we acknowledge our lack of control, we feel like the situation itself is out of control. The truth is that things are never in our control and are always in God's control.
When we find ourselves in out of control situations, our prayers are often for God to restore to us our illusion of control. We ask for obstructions to be moved, things to change, concessions to be made. The apostles provided a good example for how we should pray in times of trouble. Earnestly praying for God's will, and the strength to fulfill our part in His plan is how we should strive to be.
Sharing in all things
Acts 4:32-37 is a passage of scripture that is often misconstrued from pulpits. Like any passage of scripture that speaks of people giving money, there is ample motive to misconstrue what is being said. Some churches use this passage to get parishioners to bring more into the church in the Spirit of brotherhood. What is often left out is the second part of verse 35 where the bible says that distribution was made to every man as he had need. Some churches use this passage to beef up collections without giving to those in need.
Next Level Question: Does "healthy" debate have a role in Christian understanding?
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