THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. The Church of Jesus on Mission Empowered by the Spirit

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Miranda Colleen George
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1 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES The Church of Jesus on Mission Empowered by the Spirit

2 CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE Honor the government. Honor the actual people in leadership. Pray for your leaders. Pay your taxes. Obey the government even if they permit evil. Disobey the government when they command evil.

3 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God s servant for your good. Romans 13:1-7

4 But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Romans 13:1-7

5 Submit yourselves for the Lord s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. 1 Peter 2:13-17

6 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 1 Timothy 2:1-2

7 CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE Honor the government. Honor the actual people in leadership. Pray for your leaders. Pay your taxes. Obey the government even if they permit evil. Disobey the government when they command evil.

8 Luke has painted an idyllic picture of the early Christian community in Jerusalem. Its members, having received forgiveness and the Holy Spirit, were conscientious in their learning from the apostles, their worship of God, their care of one another, and their witness to those yet outside their fellowship. Everything was sweetness and light. Love, joy, and peace reigned. Commissioned by Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, they stood on the threshold of the great missionary adventure which Luke is going to describe. The good ship Christ-church was ready to attach the wind of the Spirit and set sail on her voyage of spiritual conquest. John Stott

9 But almost immediately a perilous storm blew up, a storm of such ferocity that the church s very existence is threatened. John Stott

10 Persecution was a blessing of the apostolic church. Five times in eleven years, hands were stretched forth to vex the churches in Jerusalem. This chapter records the first of these persecutions with its resultant increase in power. Charles Ryrie

11 The opposition of the Pharisees is paramount in the Gospels. In the Acts it is the Sadducees who oppose the Christians. This is because the Sadduceees disbelieved the doctrine of resurrection, which the apostles were preaching so powerfully. Charles Ryrie

12 PROCLAMATION, PERSECUTION, AND PROGRESS The Gospel advances in spite of opposition. Acts 4:1-4

13 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand. Acts 4:1-4

Leadership in the Time of Jesus Roman Government

Idumean Kings of Judea Essenes - separatists

to kill for Israel Pharisees - conservative

aristocrats Scribes - scholars of the law

14 Leadership in the Time of Jesus Roman Government - Caesar, Governor, Proconsuls Herodian Rule - Idumean Kings of Judea Essenes - separatists living in the desert Zealots - radicals willing to kill for Israel Pharisees - conservative legalistic preachers Sadducees - liberal aristocrats Scribes - scholars of the law serving as judges Sanhedrin - counsel (chief priests, scribes and pharisees)

15 Leadership in the Religious Community Roman Government - Do not put your hope in rulers. Herodian Rule - Local politics is still corrupt. Essenes - Live in the world without being of the world. Zealots - Beware of becoming an accidental Pharisee. Pharisees - Resist legalism at all levels. Sadducees - Do not sell out for power and influence. Scribes - Evaluate what you hear, study yourself. Sanhedrin - Denominations are not the answer.

Pharisees They were not wealthy and had lost power. They were in opposition to foreign rulers. They accepted the entire Old Testament as authoritative.

16 Pharisees They were not wealthy and had lost power. They were in opposition to foreign rulers. They accepted the entire Old Testament as authoritative. They developed oral tradition to help them obey. The Mishnah contains their viewpoints in debate format. They focused on influencing the townsfolk. They were not easy to categorize.

Scribes Ezra was an OT scribe. He was a priest.

17 Scribes Ezra was an OT scribe. He was a priest. He translated and taught the law. He brought about revival (Ezra 7:6). Eventually nonpriests became scribes. They knew the law and gave judgments. They depended on the wealthy for support. They had authority because they had knowledge. They were essential in preserving Judaism.

18 Sadducees They had wealth and power. They tended to cooperate with foreign rulers. They accepted only the Pentateuch as authoritative. They rejected the oral tradition of the Pharisees. They tended to disregard the rest of the Old Testament. They denied the resurrection. They denied the existence of angels.

19 Annas and Caiaphas Corruption Nepotism Profiteering Oppression Politicizing Mafia-like

20 came up, set upon (ἐφίστημι) This word suggests the abrupt nature of the confrontation. It is used of persons coming up to someone suddenly. This is often the word chooses when an angel appears in a sudden manner and startles someone.

Second, they were teaching in the name of the same man.

21 The religious authorities had three problems with Peter and John. First, these followers of the man they have killed were teaching the people. Second, they were teaching in the name of the same man. Third, they were claiming this murdered man had risen from the dead and that people who believe in him can be resurrected too. Chuck Swindoll

22 PROCLAMATION, PERSECUTION, AND PROGRESS "You can't keep a good man down. "You can't keep the God-Man down." Acts 4:1-4

23 KINDNESS, CHRIST CRUCIFIED, AND CAIAPHAS Salvation for everyone is found only in the name of Jesus. Acts 4:5-12

24 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: By what power or what name did you do this? Acts 4:5-7

court of Israel. It consisted of the high priest, who served as its presiding officer, and 70 other men.

25 The "Council" (v. 15) before which soldiers brought Peter and John the next day was the Sanhedrin, which was the senate and supreme court of Israel. It consisted of the high priest, who served as its presiding officer, and 70 other men. Its aristocratic members, the majority, were Sadducees, and its lay leaders were Pharisees. Most of the experts in the Jewish law were Pharisees who were also nationalistic, but the Sadducees supported Rome. Tom C onstable

26 Mount of Olives

27 As they sat in their customary semi-circle, and Peter and John were brought before them (7a), memories of the trial of Jesus must have flooded the Apostles minds. Was history to repeat itself? John Stott

28 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Acts 4:8-10

29 This is the third time Peter used the graphic formula you killed him, but God raised him. John Stott

30 Jesus is the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Acts 4:11-12

31 KINDNESS, CHRIST CRUCIFIED, AND CAIAPHAS "Jesus is the Rock and He rolled my blues away." Acts 4:5-12

32 SANHEDRIN, SILENCE, AND SIGN When the choice is between God and government, always choose God. Acts 4:13-22

33 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13

34 unschooled, untrained, uneducated (ἀγράμματος) Unschooled or uneducated does not mean illiterate, that is, unable to read or write. Among Jews in NT times there was almost universal literacy, especially as the result of widespread synagogue schools. The term refers to the fact that Peter and John had no formal rabbinic training and thus, in the view of their accusers, were not qualified to expound the law or teach publicly. (NET)

35 ordinary (ἰδιώτης) This term is somewhat demeaning and indicates that the religious leaders saw them as laypersons in religious matters and thus unqualified to be teaching. The issue may not have been their lack of education but more the impact they were having without any training.

who presumably are educated, underscores the power of

36 The contrast between Peter and John, who are untrained but speak with boldness, and the leaders, who presumably are educated, underscores the power of the Holy Spirt to make persons effective witnesses. David Garland

37 TRAITS OF WITNESSES Being Filled with the Spirit Courage Taking Opportunities to Witness Nearness to Christ Loyalty to God Confidence in the Gospel Ajith Fernando

38 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. What are we going to do with these men? they asked. Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name. Acts 4:14-17

39 warn, threaten, menace (ἀπειλησώμεθα, ἀπειλέω) This term is not a soft term. The idea is to give a stern warning with the accompanying threats to enforce a penalty if the warning is not heeded.

40 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, Which is right in God s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. Acts 4:18-20

41 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old. Acts 4:21-22

42 SANHEDRIN, SILENCE, AND SIGN "You ain't the boss of me." Acts 4:13-22

God no matter what the council threatens.

43 In the face of such pressure, the apostles are courageous and bold, speaking forth Jesus' uniqueness and making clear that they will obey God no matter what the council threatens. They are willing to suffer for what they believe and proclaim Jesus in obedience to God. Darrell Bock

44 LIVING ON MISSION The church of Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, continues to testify to salvation in Jesus' name in spite of opposition from any source.

45 LIVING ON MISSION Be a good citizen. Witness. Obey God. Suffer if necessary.

46 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES The Church of Jesus on Mission Empowered by the Spirit

DRESSED TO IMPRESS; DRESSED TO IMPACT; DRESSED TO EMPOWER

DRESSED TO IMPRESS; DRESSED TO IMPACT; DRESSED TO EMPOWER ACTS 1: 1-5; ACTS 2: 1-4; ACTS 3: 1-5; ACTS 4: 1-4 A 3-PART SERMON SERIES ON THE HOLY SPIRIT SCRIPTURE: ACTS 1:1-5 SERMON #1 SUBJECT: DRESSED TO