Acts 4
A Faith That Threats Cannot Silence
Peter and John face arrest because they teach about Jesus and His rising from the dead. As pressure grows, the believers turn to God, speak with courage, and care for one another with open hands.
Walking Through Acts 4
The Name Behind the Healing (Acts 4:1-12)
1 While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests and the commander of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, 2 angry because they were teaching the people and announcing in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 So they seized them and put them in jail until the next day (for it was already evening). 4 But many of those who had listened to the message believed, and the number of the men came to about 5,000. 5 On the next day, their rulers, elders, and experts in the law came together in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and others who were members of the high priest’s family. 7 After making Peter and John stand in their midst, they began to inquire, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, replied, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today for a good deed done to a sick man—by what means this man was healed— 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, this man stands before you healthy. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, that has become the cornerstone . 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved.”Acts 4:1-12 · NET Bible
The priests, the temple guard captain, and the Sadducees interrupt Peter and John. The Sadducees rejected the rising of the dead, so the apostles' message directly challenged their beliefs. They hold the two men overnight, but they cannot stop people from believing. The number of believing men reaches about five thousand.
The next day, the leaders ask what power or name brought about the healing. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter points to Jesus. The leaders had rejected Him, but God raised Him from the dead. Peter uses the picture of a rejected building stone becoming the most important stone, drawing from Psalm 118:22.
I don't want us to miss how clear Peter is. Jesus is not simply a source of help among many. He alone saves us from sin and brings us to God. The healed man standing there gives the council visible evidence of Jesus' power.
When Obedience Costs Something (Acts 4:13-22)
13 When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and discovered that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized these men had been with Jesus. 14 And because they saw the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say against this. 15 But when they had ordered them to go outside the council, they began to confer with one another, 16 saying, “What should we do with these men? For it is plain to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable miraculous sign has come about through them, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to keep this matter from spreading any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 And they called them in and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Whether it is right before God to obey you rather than God, you decide, 20 for it is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” 21 After threatening them further, they released them, for they could not find how to punish them on account of the people, because they were all praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man, on whom this miraculous sign of healing had been performed, was over forty years old.Acts 4:13-22 · NET Bible
The leaders are amazed by Peter and John's courage. These men have not received the formal religious training the leaders value, yet they speak with confidence. The council also recognizes their connection with Jesus. The healed man stands beside them, leaving no room to deny what happened.
Instead of welcoming the evidence, the leaders try to silence the message. They order Peter and John to stop speaking or teaching in Jesus' name. The apostles answer that obeying God must come before obeying this command. They cannot keep quiet about what they have seen and heard.
This is not permission to reject every human authority. It is a clear case of leaders ordering believers to disobey God. After more threats, the council releases them because the people are praising God. The man who was healed is over forty years old; his condition was no brief or hidden problem.
A Prayer for Courage (Acts 4:23-31)
23 When they were released, Peter and John went to their fellow believers and reported everything the high priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices to God with one mind and said, “Master of all, you who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything that is in them, 25 who said by the Holy Spirit through your servant David our forefather, ‘ Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot foolish things? 26 The kings of the earth stood together, and the rulers assembled together, against the Lord and against his Christ .’ 27 “For indeed both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together in this city against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, 28 to do as much as your power and your plan had decided beforehand would happen. 29 And now, Lord, pay attention to their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your message with great courage, 30 while you extend your hand to heal, and to bring about miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God courageously.Acts 4:23-31 · NET Bible
Peter and John return to the other believers and report the threats. Together, they pray to the God who made everything. They understand the opposition through Psalm 2:1-2, where earthly rulers stand against God's chosen King.
Their prayer names Herod, Pontius Pilate, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel as those who opposed Jesus. Yet even His death did not defeat God's saving plan. Their actions were evil, but they could not push God off His course.
Notice what the believers ask for. They do not ask for revenge. They ask for courage to keep speaking while God continues to heal and work through Jesus. The meeting place shakes, they are all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they speak God's message boldly. I find this deeply encouraging: needing fresh strength does not mean our faith has failed. God faithfully supplies His people for the work before them.
Grace Opens Their Hands (Acts 4:32-35)
32 The group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but everything was held in common. 33 With great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on them all. 34 For there was no one needy among them because those who were owners of land or houses were selling them and bringing the proceeds from the sales 35 and placing them at the apostles’ feet. The proceeds were distributed to each, as anyone had need.Acts 4:32-35 · NET Bible
Luke now turns from public threats to the shared life of the church. The believers are united in heart and purpose. They still have possessions, but they no longer treat those things as being only for their own benefit.
The apostles continue to tell others that Jesus has risen, and God's grace rests on the whole group. That grace becomes visible in practical care. Owners sell property and bring the money to the apostles, who arrange for it to reach people in need. Luke reports that no one among them is left needy.
This is not a rule that every believer must sell every possession. It is a picture of willing generosity shaped by love. The same faith that gives them courage before powerful leaders also makes them tender toward neighbors who lack enough.
An Encourager Gives (Acts 4:36-37)
36 So Joseph, a Levite who was a native of Cyprus, called by the apostles Barnabas (which is translated “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and placed it at the apostles’ feet.Acts 4:36-37 · NET Bible
Luke gives one clear example of this generosity. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, sells a field and brings the money to the apostles. They call him Barnabas, a name Luke explains as son of encouragement.
Barnabas will become an important figure later in Acts, but here we first see him meeting a need. His gift supports the church's shared care rather than bringing attention to his own plans. I appreciate this simple introduction. Encouragement is more than kind words. Sometimes it takes the form of a real gift placed where it can help someone else.
- Boldness — courage to speak God's truth even when there is a cost.
- Grace — God's freely given kindness, which also shapes how His people treat others.
Where do you most need God's help to remain faithful when obedience feels costly?
Father, thank You that no human threat can defeat Your purpose. Fill us with Your Spirit so we can speak about Jesus with courage and love. Make us generous toward those in need and united in our care for one another.