Threats

Introduction

A. The man healed in chapter 3 continues to be the source of debate. The people who saw the miracle find it hard to believe. The leaders also find it difficult to believe the miracle. Seeing is believing; I wouldn’t have believed it if I had not seen it; I saw it and I don’t believe it. Evidence isn’t always convincing.

1. What is the shape of the earth? How do we know?

2. Is Elvis dead? How do we know?

3. Were there concentration camps in World War II? How do we know?

4. Did men land on the moon? How do we know?

B. Conspiracy theories abound. Some believe evidence has been manipulated. There are those who still believe the world is flat although the evidence proves otherwise. The Flat Earth Society exists to convince those with an open mind that the earth is flat. There were those who believed that Elvis did not die in 1977. Instead there were numerous Elvis sightings in the months and years after his death. There are those who deny that 6 million Jews were killed during the late 1930s through the mid 1940s. There are those who believe that no one has stepped on the surface of the moon and that all of the hype surrounding such events were rigged for political purposes.

C. We may scoff at such who refuse to believe the evidence. There are times we are not any different. Have you ever noticed how when a person walks inside a building with a wet umbrella in hand how often a person will ask if it is raining outside? The evidence is clear but we ask to verify what we see. More than a joke, evidence abounds that God exists but there are millions who deny the evidence. Today we will focus on the evidence presented in Acts 4. We shall see that the evidence results in two different reactions. Let’s examine.

Interrogation

A. The Sadducees are the main sect in Jewish leadership. They are the ones who are leading the interrogation of the apostles. The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection; thus, they are greatly disturbed by this proclamation of the resurrection of Jesus. Such teaching is causing instability for them. Things are starting to get shaky politically and religiously. They need to stop this “movement” before things get completely out of hand. Luke (vs. 6) gives us the names of the main leaders. Annas was high priest from 6 to 14 A.D. While this is past 14 A.D., he is still called high priest out of respect and honor. Caiaphas was high priest from 18 to 36 A.D. John replaced Caiaphas in 37 A.D. We do not know who Alexander is. But the point is the main leaders are all present to interrogate Peter and John.

B. The question of verse 7 is pointed. By whose power or authority did you heal this man? The intent suggests that the authority did not come from the Jewish leaders. They did not get permission from them to engage this man or to engage the people in public discourse about Jesus. The very man who they had killed was still causing them problems.

C. Peter’s response gets to the heart of the issue. Why are being questioned for doing good? You should be glad that a man has been healed. But to answer their question, Peter says their authority comes from Jesus. The very man that they crucified; the man who God raised from the dead; the man who healed this man. Peter’s point—if Jesus healed this man then Jesus has to be alive. Look at the evidence. Healing done by the power and name of Jesus can only leave the truth seeker with one conclusion—Jesus is alive.

D. This same Jesus who gives the power to heal is the same Jesus who saves. There is no attempt to get a favorable response from the Jewish leaders. Verse 14 tells us that Peter and John are not the only ones being questioned. The man who had been healed is there as well. Exhibit “A” for the defense is the healed man. Hard to argue with the evidence. The leaders admit such in verse 16. So the leaders insist that the apostles stop teaching or worse consequences will be forth coming.

E. Verse 20 may not be the best grammar but it makes the point. Peter uses a double negative to demonstrate how strong is his refusal to obey these leaders. “We cannot not speak about what we have seen and heard.” These Jewish leaders no longer represent the will of God. They are now trying to silence God’s men. They may agree that a miracle has been done but they refuse to acknowledge that the miracle is from God. Peter is forceful. We cannot not speak about Jesus.

Response

A. When evidence is presented one can choose to believe the evidence or ignore the evidence. One can choose in believing the evidence to align life with that evidence or one can ignore the evidence and choose to live in opposition to the evidence. That seems logical. The leaders see the evidence; they even believe the evidence is true. But they do not operate in light of the evidence. They act as if the evidence isn’t true. How do you explain that?

B. Before we judge them too quickly. Consider the following:

1. How do you explain when a person knows that Jesus is real but chooses to live life selfishly rather than dying to self?

2. How do you explain when a person knows that God calls us to love but we still say harsh and bitter things against another?

3. How do you explain when a person knows that Jesus is real and yet the emphasis of life is about revenge?

4. One can ignore the evidence acting as if it were not true. It is possible to ignore the evidence; to ridicule the evidence; to act as if it were false.

C. Peter and John return to the group and after reporting what has happened the group prays. But notice what they pray for. In light of the evidence that Jesus is alive and working; in light of the evidence that persecution would come just as he said it would; the group prays not for deliverance but for strength and boldness. In light of the evidence they seek God’s will; they do not want to pull back. They do not want to give up. They do not want to withdraw. They want to be more bold and courageous.

1. Is there fear? Probably. Are they devoid of emotions? Not at all. But it is in light of the evidence that they conform their lives to the desires of God.

2. What do you choose? Do you choose to operate based on the evidence or do you choose to act as if the evidence is not true?

3. If you choose the evidence then like the disciples of old you become truth and courage and boldness in school, at work, with your neighbor, in your home; at the checkout counter. Wherever you go, you operate within the truth of the evidence. You treat people well; you serve others; you give of yourself because you know that Jesus is alive and acting evidence.

4. Invitation.

Follow Jesus

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