Faith without religion.
Boldness and Transformation in Acts 4
In a recent teaching, we explored the powerful narrative from Acts 4:13-22, where Peter and John, despite being perceived as unlearned and ignorant, boldly proclaimed the message of Jesus Christ. This passage highlights the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, which emboldened these apostles to speak with confidence and authority, a boldness that was not derived from their own experiences with Jesus but from the indwelling Spirit of Christ.
The religious rulers marveled at Peter and John’s boldness, recognizing that they had been with Jesus. This recognition was not just due to their words but also the undeniable evidence of a healed man standing with them. The miracle served as irrefutable proof of the power and truth of their message, leaving the rulers with nothing to say against it.
This story offers profound lessons for us today. It emphasizes that the true power of the Christian message lies not just in words but in the tangible evidence of transformed lives. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness—serves as the ultimate testimony to the truth of the Gospel.
Moreover, the narrative underscores the importance of following God’s call, even in the face of opposition. Peter and John respected the earthly authority of the religious leaders but made it clear that their ultimate allegiance was to God. This principle of obeying God rather than men is a cornerstone of religious liberty and personal conscience.
In our journey of faith, we are reminded to focus on the fruits of the Spirit as evidence of God’s work in our lives. We are called to respect earthly authorities but prioritize our obedience to God, trusting that He will guide us through His Spirit and His Word. This teaching encourages us to live boldly for Christ, knowing that His presence in us is the source of our strength and courage.
Teaching Script:
Welcome
Prayer
Worship
Silence
Okay . . .
One administrative item I have been asked to address
Under ten.
Under ten.
Under ten.
Acts 4.22
January 3rd 2016
Milk
Okay we left off last week with Peter boldly claiming Jesus to these men – the only means of being saved – either from physical or from after-life scourging and cleansing.
Let’s read how the rulers received their message beginning at verse 13.
13 Now 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.
14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16 Saying, “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.
17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them,that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.”
18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But 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.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
21 So 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.
22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
Lots of application for us today in this story so let’s get to it. (Verse 13)
Now 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.
The Greek word for boldness means with openness or total confidence in speaking. It stands in opposition to hesitancy or equivocation.
We have a tendency to sort of envy the apostles who walked with Jesus, saw His miracles, etc. – and tend to think that those experiences gave them this boldness – but I sincerely believe that it was the presence of the Holy Spirit that gave them this boldness – much more than their first-hand witnesses.
In fact, even the things they witnessed Jesus do didn’t prohibit Peter from denying Him, right?
But once the Spirit was indwelling in them they became lions for the Lord. And the point is this was because Christ Himself is in them – and (listen) He is also in all of us.
Did you know that? That as a believer in Christ that Christ is in you?
We sing the words of Galatians 2:20:
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
Isn’t that a radical comforting concept – that the very Jesus we speak about, read about and teach lives in us?
(beat)
It’s intriguing because by the fact we can readily see the important eternal elements of Christ were all spiritual and that believers today have as much of His spirit in them – which is the Spirit of utter and total love and wisdom and boldness and truth – as Peter and John had then.
We call the Spirit “the Holy Spirit” and/or the Holy Ghost but scripture synonymously refers to this Spirit as the Spirit of Jesus – which is what abode in His body when He was here in flesh and what continues to govern His body of believers today.
Did you catch that? When He was here the Spirit of Christ filled Him and Him alone but once he exited and the Father sent the Holy Spirit it fills the members of His Body – has since Pentecost and continues to even to this very second.
Paul writes in Romans 8:9 “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body (meaning our mortal fleshly body) is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”
He adds in Philippians 1:19:
“For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”
And then says in Galatians 4:6
“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
It was this Spirit of Christ that caused these religious rulers to marvel at Peter and John – lowbrow fishermen who spoke with unencumbered boldness and power.
The passage says that these rulers “perceived,” that they were “unlearned and ignorant” men.
The Greek for
“unlearned” is “A-GRAMMATOS – without letters or learning, and the Greek for “ignorant” is “IDIOTACE”
(which originally meant someone who lives a private life verses a public life inferring that they are not eloquent or well informed or spoken). In other words, someone who lives a public life (unless they are honey-boo boo or some character like that) was considered educated and eloquent while someone who lived a private life was “an idiotace” and thought to be inarticulate, etc.
The system (for lack of a better word) that God has established to reach those who love the light more than the dark is just amazing because the “proud and learned” of the world (due to pride) can often only relate to the proud and learned and often (but not always) have a barrier (of pride) that prohibits them from hearing or learning from the “unlettered or idiotace” of the world.
We all do this to some extent or another. We shut down when someone is sharing something with us who we look down on for whatever reason, right?
So what better way to reach the humble of heart (no matter what their socio-economic educational status) then to have the unlearned and idiotace sharing the message.
The humble will hear the humble. Amazing.
And it’s a system where God is assuredly the one delivering the message to the heart of others.
The humble tend to hear it, the proud tend to not.
I have always had a great laugh at the emails we get from other Christians who promote and encourage the learned and lettered of the Body as those who are better equipped for sharing Jesus.
We’ve gotten to that place in our world and many denoms will not allow an unlettered pastor to shepherd the flock – a PHD is required in many locations.
But this was not how it started – as we can see here. That being said, and in yet another instance where God will not allow us to maintain prejudice against almost anything in this world, we have a living example of the opposite from nearly the beginning – the apostle Paul – who may be one of the most intelligent and learned/lettered men to walk the earth.
This is not an example of a Christian promoting a person from the faith. Among men Paul had one of the most amazing intellects imaginable.
But it wasn’t his letters and learning – it was his humble submission to God through Christ – that made him so effective.
Anyway, these rulers – either by observation of their mannerisms or the apostles Galilean dialect – whatever – perceived that Peter and John were unlearned men. And they were surprised by their ability to speak boldly before them.
And it says, “they marveled” and “they took knowledge,” that they had been with or associated with Jesus.
We aren’t told how they made this connection to Jesus but the fact that they were preaching Him and that a miracle had been done in His name certainly gave them a clue.
That being said I think that the honestly and clarity – what would be the Spirit of their message – is probably what shown through most – as it will with us.
It was humble, truthful, bold (in declaring Him as Lord) and focused on Him not on some other facet of religion. And then after their words we have actual evidence (verse 14)
14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
Did you catch it? Let me read it again because it is one of those verses that have such application to us in our lives now as Christians.
Peter and John had boldly spoken their message and the rulers were marveling at their ability and power to speak so boldly. But what was it that made them (and what they had said) absolutely unassailable? (verse 14)
“And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.”
The proof, the fruit, standing whole before them shut their mouths. There was nothing they could say against it.
As Christians we can “preach,” and “teach,” and “proclaim messages of hope boldly” (and even until we are blue in the face) but what stops mouths from running is evidence that the message has legs and that it is effectual – that it has real application – that it is functional.
We hear all sorts of hypothecations relative to the faith.
We hear the Arminianist view, and the Calvinist view, and the Catholic and Baptist, and this view and that theology.
The words are important, but they do not arrive alone. The irrefutability of them comes from the fruit.
And in Christianity this fruit is love, which in the case of this man was evidenced by an actual functional healing and tangible change in his life – supplied by the love of God.
These miracles were proofs to those people of that age that God was in the acts of Christ and His disciples. That the world had been reconciled to Him through His Son and otherworldly miracles were done to prove His approbation.
I would manifestly maintain that today the greatest proofs are seen in spiritual healings of the heart of individuals who have been touched by God.
Healings that produce peace, hope, faith, longsuffering, patience, and in the end love.
In the face of such miracles our spoken messages of faith are supported and made irrefutable.
What I’m trying to say is IF there is spiritual healing, if there is increase in the humility, and if God through Christ is glorified by the results (and not Man or his institutions) what can we say against the message proclaimed? God is working . . . “good has been done” and Jesus is being hailed.
I went through a phase of making sure the right Jesus is being praised – that the person claiming Him and His hand in their lives is really giving Him the credit. And I had my own litmus test to determine fraud.
It’s pretty obvious when there’s a “pretense of Jesus” in people but we cannot deny that when anyone is touched and acts by Him there is cause to rejoice.
Paul makes a very important observation regarding this situation when He says:
15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel.
18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
In the face of past fails and current frictions over divisionary elements among all who claim Jesus I have a personal rule of thumb that works (at least) for me:
If a “belief” or “world view” or “doctrine” or tenet of religious practice or conviction” that has no effect on a person’s humility, love, patience or walk I accept it as tenable and between them and the God they claim to follow.
In other words, if someone believes in a Trinity, or is a modalist, or maintains a works based salvation, or believes Jesus has returned (or has yet to return) but that teaching or practice does not interfere with their love, and they are humble, and patient and kind, I will let their pet peculiar belief be.
It’s a point that God will work out in them through the Spirit and I don’t need to worry because they are bearing fruits of the Spirit despite their odd doctrinal stance.
But if a belief, practice, tenet or “world view produces” in the holder produces some sort of characteristic counter to humility, patience, kindness, and love – in other words if their particular religious philosophy engenders pride, arrogance, selfishness, ego or whatever is counter to the fruit of the Spirit that I will avoided like the plague.
It’s a pretty good approach because it allows God to prove His existence in a person (by the fruit exuded from their life) rather than us ripping each other apart over doctrinal or practical differences.
So we have a guy baptized by immersion and we have a guy sprinkled – and both of them bear the fruit of the Spirit in their lives – glorifying God through Christ – what does it matter?
And then is there a place or item or topic where it does matter?
Millions of people ardently claim it does – to the point of torturing or killing one another over it – but what matters?
The right to believe how they wish and the fruit they bear as a result.
With this understanding I can honestly say I’ve met truly Christian Mormons, truly Christian Catholics, and truly Christian Oneness Pentecostals who do love and adore and reflect Jesus by their fruits of genuine love BUT in the same week I’ve met some truly unchristian five point Calvinists, some horridly mean futurists, and some Latter-Day Saints dripping with pride.
Bottom line? Wherever the fruit of Christ is, there we find members of His living Body.
(Verse 15-17)
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16 Saying, 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.
17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
“We need to stop this message of Yeshua of Nazareth from going forward among the people.”
It’s really remarkable because obviously they did not care one bit about the good the message brought to their community – I mean the name they were trying to ban healed a man who was born lame!
They cared about control, about things being done under their authority, and that everyone saw and believed things about God as they thought they should.
How far men will go to maintain power and control!
“We can’t do anything about the fact of this miracle but let’s “straitly threaten them,” that they do no more speaking in the name of Jesus.
I love this. They had put Jesus to death, they had scrambled to shut the Good News down, but if God is for something nothing on earth will prevail against it – try as it might.
So let’s see what they do (Verse 18)
18 And they called them (back into their presence), and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
Now remember, they were the religious authority both in the view of the Roman government, and in the historical view of the Nation of Israel.
They had the power, they had the control, they were, in every way, the brethren in charge.
And what was the attitude of Peter and John in the face of this earthly authority?
It’s ingenious and straight from the Spirit of Christ thriving in them (verse 19)
19 But 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.
Do you see what they did? They directly acknowledged their authority and power on earth to make decisions on religious matters:
But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge;
They gave them the respect according to their authority!
“Hey, whether or not you think it’s right in the sight of God that we listen to Him or you that’s your business.”
You do or decide or pass down what you think you should relative to our preaching Jesus.
You are in control and have the responsibility for such decisions – we admit this openly.
But then they gave the other side of the coin and say (verse 20)
“For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
The “for” here can be confusing and all they are really saying is, “But as for us.”
“Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. (verse 20) but as for us we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
There are some different ways people have interpreted these words of the Apostles.
Some feel that they were saying, “God will be the judge of this no matter what comes about and that is all we care about.”
I don’t see this in the Greek or English Translations.
I see them given respect to these men for their views but at the same time telling them:
“We recognized your authority in these matters and so as far as that goes you decide what you think best represents the will of God. But no matter what those views or decisions wind up being we cannot help but speak the things we have seen and heard.”
And in these words we have an affirmation of one of the key Christian principles –
We will respectfully decline to be obedient to anything that places itself or its demands over the call every individual Christian has on their life by the Spirit.
This is NOT an invitation to social anarchy. Neither is it a justification for Henry David’s civil disobedience. Frankly it’s not even an example of fighting against a government or board of Elders.
But to me the principles are clear.
Christians readily and respectfully recognize the powers that be and their control or authority over realms of this world.
“Whatever you decide to do with your church or your community or your state or your federal land we accept. That is your job and according to Romans 13 I will be complicit to your decisions.”
This is in harmony with Paul’s declaration that believers be subject to those placed in authority over us and echoes Jesus telling us to “render to Caesar what is Caesar.”
But we can also see that when it comes to our “doing the will of God” in our lives, as He has called us (and in the case of Peter and John it meant them sharing what they have seen and heard and in the case of Jesus it meant teaching contrary to the Elder) – that nothing – nothing on earth – ought to be given the ability to stop us.
Here we realize a few addendums: First, we have to truly be lead of Him to do what He has called us to do. People (including well-meaning believers) will tell us not to do what we are called to do, they will give you every reason under the sun to ignore the call – and it takes faith and courage to ignore them. But once we realize the call we pursue it – come hell or high . . . waisted people.
We also have to realize that there is always a price associated to doing what we are called to do.
There was a cost to Moses
A cost to Joseph
A cost to David
Acost to John the Baptist
A cost to Christ
A cost to His apostles
And a cost to all who follow in thereafter and say and do what they know they are supposed to say and do in His name.
A third element of this principle (which is not so readily apparent) is that IF we decide to do what “God has called us to do” we must not only expect kickback but we must (listen) submit to the fall out from the powers that be – in His name and cause.
This is what Peter and John were saying to these rulers here:
Whatever you think is right in the sight of God do – have at it – that is your decision – “but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”
Or in other words, “we can’t help but speak what we have seen and heard.”
Unfortunately, in our age of “fighting for our right to party” (as Christians) we have gotten all militaristic over our rights and demand to be protected when we break the rules.
I do not see this evidenced in the life and death of Christ – He submitted to the governing agents – even when – especially when they were wrong!
The apostles counted it all joy when they were abused for their walk, but today Christians seem to think that they must be treated like special needs kids at an amusement park.
Instead the call is to “return evil with good.”
“To suffer abuse and injustice, to turn the cheek when struck, to consider ourselves blessed when we suffer for the cause and sake of Christ, when we are despitefully abused.”
Our only question ought to constantly be:
“Am I in harmony with the will of God with what I am doing and am I in harmony with scripture in how I respond.”
Finally, we also live in an age where men continue to perpetuate the need in following the edicts of men and Man.
We will read in the next chapter the following actions taken against Peter and John for doing what God wanted them to do:
Acts 5:27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said (beat)
“We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Peter had warned them of this attitude right here in chapter four when he said to them:
“we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard,” but apparently they either didn’t take them seriously or they didn’t really understand their commitment to Him and His cause.
In the end all of these passages contain some mighty principles related to religious liberty –
They speak of the liberty of individual conscience granted to all people by and through faith on the shed blood of Christ and they support the freedom of “the private exercise” of personal judgment as given by the Spirit.
But they also illustrate the heart all believers ought to maintain toward those who disagree, challenge, and even punish them for our stances for God – which is a stance of submission and acceptance – as HARD as this can be – especially when we are maligned by those who think they do the will of God.
We cannot lose sight of the fact that what allowed these men in judgement to believe that they could demand Peter and John be silent was the fact that their temple still stood, that they believed they still had a priesthood, that they had a high priest in their midst, and that they belonged to a body of flesh and blood individuals who governed the people.
They didn’t get the memo that the veil was torn in two and they had no sway in the heaven any more.
That all people – listen –
Bond AND free
Male AND female
Jew AND Gentile
have complete religious freedom in and through Christ Jesus.
Listen carefully if we insert ANY man or woman, demand, rule, theology, idea or practice, ANY ritual or covenant between the individual and God and this freedom and liberty will be automatically diminished – enough that I believe it will literally dishonor the gift God gave us first through His Son and secondly through the Spirit.
He bought and paid for the present and eternal right to mediate and to exist in us.
His present in each individual ought to produce liberty not infighting, freedom from rules not the construction of more rules, and if the result is anything that is not the fruit of the spirit (which is love, joy, peace, patience, longsuffering (etc) it ought to be readily abandoned – as each individual sees fit.
It is not an insignificant sub-text to the Good News that perhaps one of the greatest internal enemies to it thriving by the Spirit is “tyranny dressed as order.”
Our order, our guide, our mentor and teacher is Christ in us, the Spirit, God.
And with Him present in ALL who have received Him by faith, ALL (who have been regenerated) are directed, lead, and moved by Him.
And guess what? He gifted each of us with the most miraculous map – His Word. Hand in hand with the Spirit all people have two personal witnesses which direct the course God wants them to take.
It was not by mistake that one of the first most tyrannical religious groups of human history took that word and made it both unavailable AND also gave men the authority to interpret it for the masses.
This continues on to this day.
Neither of those religious barbarisms contribute to the liberty all people can and should have in Christ.
Quite frankly, I don’t believe that any magistrate, church, council, pastor, or even a parent or grandparent has a right to impose a creed or belief on another or to demand subscription to spiritual matters under some “perceived authority.”
Freedom and liberty must be extended for people to honestly and ultimately come to worship God from the heart.
If this does not exist then no matter how compliant they might appear to be toward external demands or expectations, the worship is feigned.
So like the council standing over Peter and John a parent or government or “power that be” certainly has the right to teach, and to advise, and to entreat, but in the end every single person must freely be allowed to “follow God rather than Man.”
The great question all of us must ask and answer is the very personal question:
“What is right in the sight of God?”
And the great duty every single one of us must pursue (once we get our answer) is to choose to follow that course from the heart – while prepared to face the consequences from Man and to be accountable to God.
We can see this attitude rising to the heart brim of Peter and John here.
(Verse 21)
21 So 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.
Interestingly enough, verse 21 lets us in on what motivated and help sway this group of rulers – the opinions of the people.
That’s why it says:
“So 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.”
If I can impart anything to you today – especially to the young ones who may be hearing me here or through the archives – don’t do things “because of people,” unless its out of love for the people.
Don’t fear the crowds or the loud voices or the popular opinion. And that includes the crowds of religious folks. They’re just people.
Fear God. Follow God. Listen to God. It is perhaps the singular most common characteristic in all the heroes of scripture along with faith – which is a precursor to allegiance.
From Noah to John the Beloved – they followed, trusted, and relied upon God over the clamoring voices of Man.
If I ever say something that doesn’t sit well with you, cast it off – cast me off if need be.
All men will fail you. Of every walk and every gathering. But God will never fail you. Ever.
So now Luke brings us back to what caused all of this friction – the man born lame who was healed by Jesus and caused all the people to marvel.
22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
Proving that the miracle was no passing phase or carnival trick. A man (who for over forty years was lame) was made whole by and through the power of Jesus.
And the rulers of religion couldn’t do anything to stop this good news from spreading.
Questions/Comments
