Acts

v1 – we need the supernatural plus the Word of God

-You do not look for demons – they find you…when you are all in for Jesus, demons find you…

-this is the first persecution of the church

              ***2 Things:

                             1. No one can stop the church from growing – Matt 16:18

                             2. persecution does not stop the spread of Christianity

verse 2 – it is time to disturb everyone

-preach jesus  – 1 Cor 15:1-5

v3 – authorities can exert great power

-fear tactics were used to stop Christianity

v4 – Christianity kept on growing

vs5-7, 10  – speaks of the miracle of the lame man

-only the name of Jesus produced this miracle

vs8-11 – the principle of submission to authorities is demonstrated here

1. SUBMISSION TO AUTHORITY MUST ALWAYS BE RESPECTFUL AND HONORABLE – 1 Peter 2:18

-we can disagree honorably and please the Lord – Daniel 3:8-25 and Acts 4:5-7, 10

2. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SUBMIT TO AUTHORITIES WHO ASK YOU TO GO AGAINST THE WORD OF GOD – vs16-21

verse 12 – Salvation is only found in Jesus Christ

verse 13 – Boldness – means to tell it all

uneducated – means to be ignorant/use bad judgment

-they had been with Jesus

verse 14 – miracles were examined and were genuine—they could not be refuted

(2.) THEY OPPOSED HIS NAME – ACTS 4:15-22

vs15-18 – the authorities command the disciples not to preach

vs19-20 – the response to the authorities

v20 – we have to speak. Why do we have to speak the gospel?

1. We are compelled by the Holy Spirit to witness

2. We have a command

3. We only have one life to live and only one chance many times to talk to someone about Jesus

4. Hell is real

5. Make an eternal difference

6. Have great compassion for people – Mark 6:34

vs21-22 – Peter and John are released from prison

-v21 – the rulers gave in to the opinions of people

-when it comes to teaching the Word, we can only go by God’s opinion which is found in the Bible

vs21b-22 – people glorify the Lord for everything He had been doing