Acts 4:1-31: Called into Question
A DISABLED PERSON becomes abled! And a one-time burden to society, a beggar, becomes a contributing citizen!How do the religious leaders respond to these miraculous events? Instead of expressing gratitude, they become extremely upset. The two men responsible for the healing are arrested.
Warming Up to God
Today, in this new day that God has created, your Savior wants to come to you. With calmness, let the distractions around you—the voices and restless thoughts—slip away. As the spirit of God comes to dwell with you, allow yourself to enjoy his presence in quietness and gratitude.
Read Acts 4:1-31. »
Discovering the Word
- What has upset the religious leaders (vv. 1-2)?
- What action did they take (vv. 3-7)?
- Just a few weeks have passed since Annas and Caiaphas had been involved in the condemnation of Jesus. In his response to their question "By what power or what name did you say do this?" Peter is forcing them to encounter Jesus again. What does Peter say about him (vv. 10-12)?
- In verses 13-22 what made it so difficult for the opposing religious leaders to bring this unacceptable behavior to a halt?
- What was the reaction of the believers to John and Peter's account (vv. 24-30)?
- What does their prayer tell you about their faith in the character, power and faithfulness of God (vv. 24-30)?
Applying the Word
- When has your faith been challenged by others?
- Imagine that you had been in a group of believers John and Peter returned to and told of what had happened. What would have been your reaction?
- "After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." In what ways do you need the power of the Holy Spirit to face the world today?
Responding in Prayer
Ask God to fill you with the Spirit as you face constant challenge to the power for and the task of experiencing and communicating the gospel.
For Further Study
Baptism & Fullness by John Stott