Boldness in the face of resistance (Bible Study) - Acts 4:1-22 and Acts 4:23-31
Bible Study:
Acts 4:1-22, Acts 4:23-31
Acts 4:1-22
Vs. 1-2 Who are the priests, captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees? Why is this important? Why would they be disturbed? Why are so many disturbed by these teachings?
Why did the apostles find it important to teach these things? Why are they important to us?
Why would they seize Peter and John for this? What could happen to us when we share faith in Christ?
Vs. 3 Is it significant that they were imprisoned in the evening? Why is this detail included?
Is it significant that the temple guard probably locked them in the temple overnight? Why?
Vs. 4 Despite the resistance from so many, the number of people who believe keeps growing: 1 - 12 - 70 - to many - then 3,000 at Pentecost - 5,000 today. What does this tell us about the resistance we experience when sharing faith in Christ?
What should we do when we meet resistance?
Vs. 5-6 We hear about a great cast of characters: Elders, rulers, teachers of the law, the high priest, his father and family, and a few others named but undefined (including Alexander a Greek name). Who are these people? What does it tell us about the kind of opposition and authority the apostles were facing? Would this worry you? Why?
Vs. 7 By what power or what name do the apostles do these things? Couldn’t the religious leaders just have listened to hear this? Why do they imprison them to ask this question? Why this question? What does this tell us about these authorities and the resistance we face when sharing Chirst?
Vs. 8 What does it mean that Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit? How would we know this if it happened to one of us?
How does Peter’s address show his feelings for them?
Vs. 9-10 What does Peter’s words tell us about their resistance? (Act of Kindness, healed, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, you crucified, God raised from the dead)
Vs. 11 Why is this Psalm quote important? Why would someone reject a stone? How does that relate to Jesus? Why do we or others often reject Christ?
What does it mean for something to be the chief cornerstone?
Vs. 12 What does it mean that salvation is found in no one else? What does this mean for our life and destiny - along with everyone else? Do we believe this?
How does this reality show our witness to be even more important?
Vs. 13 Why would both the apostles courage and their lack of schooling astonish these leaders? Where does their knowledge and courage come from? Why is that astonishing? What does that mean for us?
Vs. 14 How could our good work and the work of God in our midst silence opposition? Why is it important for good work and prayer to accompany our proclamation?
Vs. 15-17 What do these leaders seem to care about? Do they care about the truth or what is right?
Why is the name so important?
V. 18-20 What does the apostles’ response tell us about what they care about? What does it mean to be a witness?
Vs. 21-22 Remember the man healed was lame since birth and now was healed at 40 years of age. Why does it make this act even more miraculous? What is the result and why is this important to God and the disciple’s purpose?
Acts 4:23-31
Vs. 23 Why was it important for Peter and John to share with the others what had happened? What would this do for their faith and experience?
Vs 24-28 In the disciples’ prayer, they compare human leadership with God’s leadership, sovereignty, and reign. Why is it important for us to understand this difference? How does it challenge us to live differently in this world? Look particularly at all God does with his reign.
Why is the Holy Spirit important in this?
Vs. 29-30 They pray for boldness and godly work before safety. Why? What do we desire first as Jesus’ followers? What do we pray for?
Why is the name important in this prayer?
Vs. 31 What is significant about the result of their prayer? What does it mean for the earth to be shaken? What does it mean that they are filled with the Holy Spirit even more?
