Notes and References

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Acts of the Apostles

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Acts Chapter 4

Acts 4

1And as they (Peter and John) spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

2Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

The Sadduccees did not believe in the resurrection from the dead. We learned in the Covenants study how important and neccessary the resurrection must be, in order to prove the mashiac (messiah) is Jesus!

PETER AND JOHN IMPRISONED OVERNIGHT

3And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.

My question on this verse and saught an answer for is, what was the significance of eventide, that they had to be imprisoned overnight?

Acts 4:3 [Eventide] Evening. It was not convenient to assemble the council at night. This was, moreover, the time for the evening prayer or sacrifice, and it was not usual to assemble the Sanhedrin at that hour

(from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)

We read earlier from Acts 3:1 that this was indeed the ninth hour, the hour of prayer, or about 5 pm, when peter and John healed the lame man and went into the temple at Solomon's Porch to preach.

Acts 4

4Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

About 5000 believed here and 3000 believed at Pentecost - Jewish believers. Solomon's Porch must have been elevated or raised somewhat in order for a crowd of 5000 to be able to hear the spoken message and publicly convert. Plus Solomon's Porch, like the mall in Washington D.C. , based upon the size of the area of the place and the density of the crowd, would determine the number of people present.

Acts 4

5And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

6And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

RELIGION - This is exactly why the United States has a First Amendment, so that people cannot be imprisoned by authorities, religious or otherwise, for holding and speaking a religious opinion. Religion is the destroyer of the reputation of God. More harm has been done to honest men in the name of religion - thus taking the name of the Lord thy God in vain, by zealots using the name of God to keep power and control over the people or their doctrine. Even most Christian denominations today want to exert authority over souls, whom the Lord has not given authority and squelch the desires of people of God to serve God according to the Spirit, but the letter of law of the church tenants prohibit such service.

Acts 4

7And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people (Jews), and elders of Israel,

9If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

10Be it known unto you all (in this assembly), and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

Again we read Peter's beautiful love filled, seeker friendly, full of feel good and self worth promises message! NO! Peter preached, YOU KILLED HIM! You rejected the Christ! And in spite of your evil, God raised him, the mashiac, from the dead!

Acts 4

11This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Again, we points to the Jews, the descendents of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and proselytes.

Acts 4

13Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

14And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

RELIGION - here rears its ugly head to stop God in order to keep power. Typical of politicians, "they could say nothing" (publicly) "against it". I can just imagine their thoughts, "We cannot let these unlearned, uneducated, and non-bible school trained, men teach this doctrine of resurrection from the dead. Even though these men and 500 others saw it, it is most certainly not possible according to our teachings. Our religious teachings trump the Holy Spirit and God's anointing. Those ignorant men, what were they thinking? Who is this Yehoshua (the real Jewish name of Jesus) that continually perplexes us and has us in derision?"

Acts 4

15But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

16Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.

17But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

Conferred among themselves - In secret - how often are the most evil plans done in secret! These religious leaders could not deny this miracle of the lame man who was over 40 years old, vs 22. They saw him lame. It is not like they did not recognize him! He was laid at the temple gate daily. The rulers and religious leaders could not allow just anyone (especially these men, these ignorant and unlearned disciples of Jesus) to come in and take their glory also who accused them of killing their mashiac (messiah).

Acts 4

18And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

Whom should we obey - God or you? Of course the religious leaders would not truthfully answer that question. It necessarily would implicate them. Scoundrels!

Acts 4

21So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

22For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

Yep - feared repercussion from the people. Politicians and those who know how to manipulate people, understand that the people will soon forget this incident. Later is a better time to seek revenge.

Acts 4

23And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

Word Study of the day = own company: GR 2398 - ιδιος - idios - their own company

Peter and John then went back to the Jewish believers in the assembly.

Acts 4

24And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

They, must be they that heard the report from Peter and John. They, the people, speaking by the Spirit are quoting Psalm 2, which I discussed in the Psalm 2 timeline in the Acts 1 study. This scripture is interpreting the Psalm 2 prophecy. I imagine them speaking in unison as the Holy Spirit was giving them the words, like the 2 witnesses preaching in Jerusalem during the tribulation in the movie - either one of the Left Behind series or the Omega Code - not sure which one.

Acts 4

25Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

26The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

27For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

(Psalm 2 says Anointed - which in our covenant study we learned Christ or Mashiac /Messiah means anointed.)

    •Anointed = holy child Jesus

    •Herod = King and a Jew(he was the one who killed John the Baptist)

    •Pilate = Ruler - Roman Gentile

    •Heathen = Gentiles

    •The People = Israel or Jews

Acts 4

28For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

Acts 2

23Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain

Acts 4

29And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

30By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

31And when they (the people) had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they (the people) were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

When Peter and John were seized, 5000 had just been converted but not yet filled with the Holy Spirit. All of the new converts present in this assembly (they) were filled. This does not say the apostles were filled, but they all meaning the people praying

THEY HAD ALL THINGS IN COMMON

Acts 4

32And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own (GR 2398 ιδις idios); but they had all things common.

A PATTERN

Acts 4

33And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

There is a pattern beginning to occur here. The apostles only had the great miraculous power and it is specifically noted and differentiated from the believers. The believers, although baptized in the holy Spirit did not have the anointing that was upon the apostles to do miracles/signs and wonders.

Miracle / sign = GR 4592 σημειν semeion

Wonder = GR 5059 τερας teras

    •Acts 2:43 Apostles

    •Acts 4:33 Apostles

    •Acts 5:12 Apostles

    •Acts 8:13 Apostle Philip

    •Acts 14:3 Apostle Paul

2 Corinthians 12:12

12Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

The only other instance I found was Stephen the first martyr.

Acts 6:6 The apostles laid hands upon him to anoint him to minister to the needs of the believers.

Acts 6:8 Stephen - did wonders and miracles

I fully believe in God's power through the Holy Spirit, but, these Apostles had it all the time. It was always evident, no excuses, no explanations, no gimmicks, just there. They were the eye witnesses, including the Apostle Paul, commissioned by Jesus himself. I personally have seen miracles in my body and by my laying on of hands upon others, just not all the time. I am sure as with many of you studying with me have had prayers answered and miracles happen. Never was a place shaken. Never was someone cursed to die (chap 5) or caused to be blind (chap 13). There is a differnt anointing upon these apostles and I do not see it nor have heard of it in any Christian today.

LAID THE MONEY AT THE APOSTLE'S FEET

Acts 4

34Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

35And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

36And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

37Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Laid them at the apostles feet

This is mentioned here and later in Acts. What is the significance of this?

    •We know the apostles were going to sit on twelve thrones
     and rule the twelve tribes of Israel at the return of Jesus

    •The Apostles had GOD POWER and were greatly respected.

    •The Apostles (except Matthias) were commissioned directly
     by Jesus Christ including the Apostle Paul.

If you do a bible word search for feet and Jesus - you will see a picture of submission, pleading, respect for authority, love, and worship. (Not that the apostles were worshipped, but they were feared)

It is specifically noted that Barnabas, the Apostle Paul's companion, was one of those who sold all, was a Levite, and the apostles surnamed him.