Acts

          Acts 4

      The Name

Outline of Acts 4

1. Acts 4:1-14 – They Defend the Name of Jesus

2. Acts 4:15-22 – They Oppose The name of Jesus

3. Acts 4:23-37 – They Call on the Name of Jesus

(1.) DEFENDING THE NAME OF JESUS – Acts 4:1-14

v3 – the authorities of that day and today have great power and can exert it

Meekness – is power under control

-fear was trying to consume the people through persecution and intimidation

v4 – Christianity kept on growing

vs5-7, 10 – this refers to the healing of the lame man

vs8-11 – they were submissive to the authorities

                       2 Submission Points

1. SUBMISSION TO AUTHORITY MUST ALWAYS BE RESPECTFUL AND HONORABLE – 1 Peter 2:17- 18 and Daniel 3:8-25

-they could be respectful because they were filled with the Holy Spirit – v8, 13

-Ephesians 5:18-21

2. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SUBMIT TO AUTHORITY WHEN THEY GO AGAINST THE WORD OF GOD – VS16-21

V12 – Salvation is only through Jesus Christ

v13 – boldness – means to tell it all

-people noticed the disciples because they had been with Jesus Christ

v14 – the miracle of the lame man was examined & found to be real

(2.) THEY OPPOSE THE NAME OF JESUS – Acts 4:15-22

vs15-18 – the authorities command the disciples not to preach the Word of God

vs19-20 – the response to stop preaching the Word of God

v20- WE CANNOT BUT SPEAK……

-The disciples had to speak…

       They were urged by the Holy Spirit – Romans 8:11

       They had a command – Matt 28:18-20

       They only had one life to live

       They knew hell was real

       They wanted to make an eternal difference in the lives of people

       They had great compassion for people – Mark 6:34

vs21-22 – Peter & John are released with threats of future punishment

          2 Points – opinions and opposition

OPINIONS

– do not be led by the opinions of people.  Go with the Bible

– Biblical opinions can be used in a godly way to see change occur

OPPOSITION

– opposition will come

– the voice of God is in the opposition

– Praise God when coming up against opposition

vs21b-22 – people were glorifying the Lord for what He had s done

(3.) THEY CALL ON THE NAME OF JESUS – Acts 4:23-27

vs23-24 – when – prayer is not an if but a when

a. this is a corporate prayer meeting

-there is power in numbers – Matt 18:19 & Lev 26:17-18

b. They cried out to the Lord in prayer – v24

lifted their voices – means to raise higher

-one accord – means to be on the same page…unity

c. They prayed the Word of God

-Psalm 2:1-2

-the Word of God is the will of God – Col 1:9-14

v31 – when they prayed – a few prayed, but we need everyone to pray

-prayer is work – SWEAT THEOLOGY