Table of Contents
- 1 Week 4: Growing Witness and Opposition
- 1.1 1 The Church Continues to Grow in Jerusalem (3:1-4:31)
- 1.1.1 After the lame beggar is miraculously healed, how does the crowd respond to this miracle (Acts 3:9-11)? How does the beggar respond (vv. 8, 11)? How do Peter and John respond to the crowd’s amazement in verses 12-16?
- 1.1.2 Consider the number of different names and titles Peter attributes to Jesus in his speech in 3:12-26. What are they, and how does that help you understand Peter’s message?
- 1.1.3 Acts 4:8-12 records Peter’s third speech in three chapters, this time before the Jewish rulers and elders. As before, Peter emphasizes the resurrection of Jesus, but this marks the first time the apostles experience overt opposition to the gospel from authorities. How do Peter and John respond (vv. 19–20)? What do they say is their motivation for witness?
- 1.1.4 After the elders try to silence the apostles, the disciples pray for boldness to speak God’s word (4:24–30). In light of the threats from the established powers, it would be understandable for the believers to pray for relief from persecution. Instead, they ask for renewed courage to proclaim the word of God. From where are they drawing such confidence? Look at 4:24, 26–28.
- 1.2 2 Ananias and Sapphire (4:32-5:11).
- 1.2.1 In 4:32-37, a number of important characteristics of the first community of believers are mentioned. What are the characteristics? Looking at verse 33, what two “great” things empowered this reality?
- 1.2.2 The account of Ananias and Sapphire (Acts 5:1-11) is one of the most disturbing narratives in the New Testament. It reveals how essential unity within the church is go God, and how seriously God takes deceit that threatens that unity. Examine 5:34-4. What specifically does Peter say Ananias and Sapphire have done wrong?
- 1.2.3 Thankfully, we do not receive immediate judgment for our sings as Ananias and Sapphire did. Such judgment is rare in Scripture. However, we can be sure that sin will be dealt with, and that the consequence of sin is always death (Romans 6:23). Jesus didn’t not choose to die for us because our sin was trivial. Our sin was great, but he chose to die for us because his love for us was greater. We have seen in Acts (2:23,37-39,3:13-20) that the God who punished Ananias and Sapphire is the same radically merciful God who offers grace even to those who arranged the crucifixion of his Son. Where else in Scripture do you see examples of God’s radically merciful grace?
- 1.3 3 Opposition Cannot Stop the Gospel (5:12-42).
- 1.3.1 In Acts 5, the Sanhedrin wants to kill the disciples, and the apostles are beaten for the first time (v. 40). What motivations does the text reveal for the Sanhedrin’s actions? Pay attention to verses 17 and 18.
- 1.3.2 In Acts 5:35-39, the Pharisee Gamaliel gives a speech, and his words in verses 38-39 could be seen as a thematic description of the entire book of Acts. Every time the gospel meets with opposition in Acts, God finds a way to advance the message. Some of the most overt attempts to squelch the movement—like the persecution of the church in Jerusalem—lead to a further expansion of the gospel (see Acts 8:104). No one is able to overthrow the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation, both here in Jerusalem and to the end of the earth (Romans 1:116).
- 1.3.3 Confident in God’s sovereignty, how do the apostles respond to all that has been done to them (5:41-42)?
- 1.1 1 The Church Continues to Grow in Jerusalem (3:1-4:31)
Welcome to our 12-week Bible study, ‘Acts: We Are The Church,’ delving into the Book of Acts—a continuation of Jesus’ ministry through the early church.
Throughout this study, you’ll gain a profound understanding of how the early church carried forward the mission of Jesus, performing miracles, spreading the gospel, and facing challenges with unwavering faith. We’ll explore the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and the formation of a vibrant community of believers.
Each week, we’ll dive into a different aspect of Acts, examining themes of faith, courage, and unity among believers. Together, we’ll discover what it means to be part of the body of Christ and how these early church experiences can inform our lives as modern-day Christians.
Discover a profound understanding of the Scriptures, relish the fellowship with fellow believers, and experience the delight of nurturing your faith while sharing the Gospel of Jesus with others. Don’t miss out!
Week 4: Growing Witness and Opposition
Here’s a quick recap of what we covered in week four using Justin S. Holcomb’s Acts: A 12-Week Study (Knowing the Bible) as our weekly discussion guide:
- The power of invoking the name of Jesus for miracles and signs.
- Growing opposition and persecution faced by the early church.
- The believers’ response to challenges, including unity and sharing of possessions.
- The significance of finding joy in hardship and remaining unwavering in faith and courage, even amidst threats and persecution.
1 The Church Continues to Grow in Jerusalem (3:1-4:31)
After the lame beggar is miraculously healed, how does the crowd respond to this miracle (Acts 3:9-11)? How does the beggar respond (vv. 8, 11)? How do Peter and John respond to the crowd’s amazement in verses 12-16?
When the lame beggar was miraculously healed, the crowd was amazed, and the beggar couldn’t contain his joy, leaping and praising God. Peter and John took this opportunity to preach about Jesus, emphasizing the need for repentance and faith in His name for forgiveness of sins. They pointed everyone to Jesus as the source of the miracle and the author of life.
Consider the number of different names and titles Peter attributes to Jesus in his speech in 3:12-26. What are they, and how does that help you understand Peter’s message?
In Peter’s speech in Acts 3:12-26, he calls Jesus by different names and titles like “Servant,” “Holy and Righteous One,” “Author of life,” “Christ,” and “Prophet.” These names highlight who Jesus is and what He came to do. Peter’s message is that faith in Jesus brings forgiveness and blessings to those who turn to Him in repentance.
In Acts 4:19-20, when Peter and John are confronted by the authorities and told not to speak about Jesus, they boldly reply that they can’t help but speak about what they have seen and heard. Their motivation is their strong commitment to obeying God and sharing their personal experiences with Jesus and His resurrection.
After the elders try to silence the apostles, the disciples pray for boldness to speak God’s word (4:24–30). In light of the threats from the established powers, it would be understandable for the believers to pray for relief from persecution. Instead, they ask for renewed courage to proclaim the word of God. From where are they drawing such confidence? Look at 4:24, 26–28.
The disciples find their confidence in the fact that God is the Creator of everything, and they trust in His ultimate authority over the universe. Despite facing threats and opposition from human authorities, they believe that God is in control and will fulfill His plan. This belief gives them the courage to pray for renewed boldness in sharing God’s word, even when facing persecution.
2 Ananias and Sapphire (4:32-5:11).
In 4:32-37, a number of important characteristics of the first community of believers are mentioned. What are the characteristics? Looking at verse 33, what two “great” things empowered this reality?
In Acts 4:32-37, we see the early believers sharing everything they had, living in unity, and being generous towards one another. This was possible because the apostles had great power, including performing miracles, and they all experienced God’s abundant grace. These qualities made them a close-knit and blessed community.
The account of Ananias and Sapphire (Acts 5:1-11) is one of the most disturbing narratives in the New Testament. It reveals how essential unity within the church is go God, and how seriously God takes deceit that threatens that unity. Examine 5:34-4. What specifically does Peter say Ananias and Sapphire have done wrong?
In Acts 5:3-4, Peter confronts Ananias and Sapphira for lying to the Holy Spirit. They pretended to give their full property sale proceeds to the church while keeping some for themselves. Their wrongdoing wasn’t the withholding of money but deceiving the church and damaging trust and unity among believers.
Thankfully, we do not receive immediate judgment for our sings as Ananias and Sapphire did. Such judgment is rare in Scripture. However, we can be sure that sin will be dealt with, and that the consequence of sin is always death (Romans 6:23). Jesus didn’t not choose to die for us because our sin was trivial. Our sin was great, but he chose to die for us because his love for us was greater. We have seen in Acts (2:23,37-39,3:13-20) that the God who punished Ananias and Sapphire is the same radically merciful God who offers grace even to those who arranged the crucifixion of his Son. Where else in Scripture do you see examples of God’s radically merciful grace?
Throughout Scripture, we discover beautiful examples of God’s incredibly merciful grace. Take the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32, for instance. Here, a father lovingly embraces his wayward son, despite his past mistakes. Then, there is Saul’s conversion in Acts 9. God’s grace radically transforms him from a persecutor into a passionate follower of Christ. These stories illustrate God’s boundless mercy and His open arms for forgiveness and redemption when we come to Him with a repentant heart.
3 Opposition Cannot Stop the Gospel (5:12-42).
In Acts 5, the Sanhedrin wants to kill the disciples, and the apostles are beaten for the first time (v. 40). What motivations does the text reveal for the Sanhedrin’s actions? Pay attention to verses 17 and 18.
The Sanhedrin’s actions in Acts 5 were motivated by jealousy and fear of losing control. They were jealous of the apostles’ growing influence and feared their teachings threatened their authority and the established religious order. As a result, they took aggressive actions against the apostles, including beating them and wanting to kill them.
In Acts 5:35-39, the Pharisee Gamaliel gives a speech, and his words in verses 38-39 could be seen as a thematic description of the entire book of Acts. Every time the gospel meets with opposition in Acts, God finds a way to advance the message. Some of the most overt attempts to squelch the movement—like the persecution of the church in Jerusalem—lead to a further expansion of the gospel (see Acts 8:104). No one is able to overthrow the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation, both here in Jerusalem and to the end of the earth (Romans 1:116).
Confident in God’s sovereignty, how do the apostles respond to all that has been done to them (5:41-42)?
Confident in God’s sovereignty, the apostles responded to all that had been done to them in Acts 5:41-42 with joy and perseverance. They rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for the sake of Christ and continued to preach and teach about Jesus, both in the temple and from house to house. Their response was marked by unwavering commitment to spreading the gospel despite opposition and persecution.
Take a few moments now to ask the Lord to bless you, change you, and help you understand and apply the unique light Acts throws on the gospel to your life.
We hope these notes have helped catch up on what we’ve covered. We’re excited to continue our study of Acts together next week in week five!
In the meantime, explore a very engaging animation video from the Bible Project team that explains the first twelve chapters of the Book of Acts.
Alvin Brown, the Lead Pastor of Mosaic Church Fort Worth, brings over a decade of pastoral ministry experience and more than 20 years of operational and technical leadership expertise. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Telecommunications Management from DeVry University and an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management. He enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Mallary, and their three children and contributing as a writer to various media outlets.
