When the church began to have exponential growth in Jerusalem, it came under intense scrutiny from Jewish leaders. They feared people would begin to see Christianity as a threat and that it would lead to an uprising. So they began an inquisition on the new Christian movement. It was during this intense time that the apostle Peter, who was highly respected among the Jews for his devotion to the law and his knowledge of scripture, stood up for Jesus and the gospel. He fearlessly spoke truth to power. As a result, he was imprisoned with other apostles and brothers who believed in Jesus Christ. But when they were released, they continued boldly preaching and teaching about God’s Word—and with great results!
Acts 4:1-3 The Church Council
The church council was called by the Jewish leaders to determine if the new Christian movement was a threat to their authority. Was it a subversive political movement that posed a threat to Rome? Or a cult? Was it a dangerous heresy? All these questions needed to be answered, so they arranged the meeting. The council was held in the Jewish Temple, which was in the court of the priests. The council was made up of priests, scribes, and elders. Scribes were Jewish teachers and theologians who recorded the history of Israel and its religion. Elders were Jewish leaders of the Sanhedrin, or Jewish council.
Acts 4:4-12: Peter’s Fearless Confession
The council was ready to hear the case against the Christians, but the Christians were the ones who had the burden of proof. They were the ones who were being charged with a crime. They were the ones who were on trial. And so the council called on the Christians to explain themselves. Peter caught the attention of the Jewish leaders. He stood up and said, “My Jewish brothers, we are all aware of the fact that God made the promise to our forefathers, and that he has inherited us as his children.” The people in the room knew that Peter was a Jew, an avid student of the Old Testament, and very well respected among them. They knew he would represent their views, and many in the room would agree with what he said. But what he said next would stun them.
Acts 4:13-21: John’s Daring Defense
Peter began to testify about Jesus: that he had been raised from the dead, that he was a prophet sent by God. The council, of course, challenged Peter’s testimony because they were not convinced. To prove his testimony, Peter began to discuss Jesus’ life and ministry, which he had been a part of. He told of Jesus’ miraculous works and teaching. And then he said that the Jewish leaders had not killed Jesus, but that God had raised him from the dead. Then John spoke up and testified with even greater boldness. He said, “My Jewish brothers, you who are the leaders of the people and are guarding our customs, listen to me. Jesus, who was from the beginning, whom we have acknowledged, has been made manifest, whom no one has ever heard, whose voice no one has ever heard, whose form no one has ever seen. We have acknowledged him by the work that he has done.”
Verse 22: Conclusion
After all this, the council didn’t have enough evidence to convict the Christians. And so the council decided to let the Christians go, but with a warning. They told them to stop preaching about Jesus and to stop behaving in an unconventional way. The church was not to be silent about Christ. It was to be bold in its witness and its proclamation of the gospel. The church was not to be ashamed of Christ. It was to be open and honest about who he was, what he had done, and what he had accomplished. And the church was not to be afraid of the powers of this world. It was to be bold in its confidence that God was with it. And so we see how the church began to grow, and how it went from a handful of people in a house to a large group of people in Jerusalem.
