Wednesdays are for the New Testament
2/7/24
Bruce, F.F. (1988). "Acts 4:1-31." In The Book of Acts (Revised). (pp. 89-100). William B. Eerdmans Publishing,
Acts 4:1-4 describes such a throng of people around Peter and John after the healing of the lame man that the temple authorities noticed. Possibly fearing a riot and certainly evaluating the teaching about Jesus, some of the authorities who were Sadducees and rejected the resurrection intervened. Bruce observes that their chief objection may well have been the message of resurrection (Bruce 1988, p. 89). Bruce observes the time of day. Because Peter and John had gone to the afternoon prayers, it was near nightfall when they were arrested, so the inquiry would wait until morning. Therefore, Peter and John were detailed (Bruce 1988, p. 90). We observe with Luke that the count of believing men is now about five thousand.
Verses 5-12 describe the testimony of Peter and John in front of the Sanhedrin. Bruce suggests that those who were Sadducees were especially likely to be well represented because of the nature of the case (Bruce 1988, p. 91). He also notes that this seems to be only a few weeks after the arrest of Jesus, not long after Pentecost. The trouble surrounding Jesus was continuing. In the answer given by Peter, Bruce considers him to have been led by the Holy Spirit in accord with Acts 2:14-15 (Bruce 1988, p. 92). The Holy Spirit will give the apostles answers when they are confronted by adversaries. In this case, they replied that Jesus had healed the man, who was also present in the inquiry. Bruce is clear that the apostles, who were technically the defense, went on the attack in verse 11. They boldly accused the leaders of rejecting Jesus (Bruce 1988, p. 93). The health which matters, in verse 12, comes only from Jesus, who is also the only one who can save the Sanhedrin.
Acts 4:13-17 describes the Sanhedrin's deliberation. Bruce recognizes that the fact Peter and John had been with Jesus as an important element in the power of their response (Bruce 1988, p. 94). The Sanhedrin recognized that the apostles were speaking and acting very much like Jesus. Because they had broken no laws and were seen as "popular heroes" there was little the authorities could do (Bruce 1988, p. 95). Bruce agrees with the Sanhedrin that there was no way to refute the apostles. All they could do, in verses 18-22, was to threaten them and release them (Bruce 1988, p. 96). Peter and John notably stated their intention to continue obeying God.
In verses 23-31, Peter and John report back to their companions - Bruce suggests they went "to the place where their fellow-apostles and other believers were " (Bruce 1988, p. 98). This is probably too broad a statement, as the believers numbered some 5,000 or more. Whoever they reported to, making reference to Scripture, recognized that the Sanhedrin had acted offensively toward God in their rage. Bruce discusses the Messianic nature of Psalm 2, highlighting how it fits the situation rather precisely (Bruce 1988, p. 99). The apostles prayed for ongoing boldness in verses 29-30, then received a sign of the place shaking in verse 31, assuring the apostles of God's ongoing favor.
2/7/24
Bruce, F.F. (1988). "Acts 4:1-31." In The Book of Acts (Revised). (pp. 89-100). William B. Eerdmans Publishing,
Acts 4:1-4 describes such a throng of people around Peter and John after the healing of the lame man that the temple authorities noticed. Possibly fearing a riot and certainly evaluating the teaching about Jesus, some of the authorities who were Sadducees and rejected the resurrection intervened. Bruce observes that their chief objection may well have been the message of resurrection (Bruce 1988, p. 89). Bruce observes the time of day. Because Peter and John had gone to the afternoon prayers, it was near nightfall when they were arrested, so the inquiry would wait until morning. Therefore, Peter and John were detailed (Bruce 1988, p. 90). We observe with Luke that the count of believing men is now about five thousand.
Verses 5-12 describe the testimony of Peter and John in front of the Sanhedrin. Bruce suggests that those who were Sadducees were especially likely to be well represented because of the nature of the case (Bruce 1988, p. 91). He also notes that this seems to be only a few weeks after the arrest of Jesus, not long after Pentecost. The trouble surrounding Jesus was continuing. In the answer given by Peter, Bruce considers him to have been led by the Holy Spirit in accord with Acts 2:14-15 (Bruce 1988, p. 92). The Holy Spirit will give the apostles answers when they are confronted by adversaries. In this case, they replied that Jesus had healed the man, who was also present in the inquiry. Bruce is clear that the apostles, who were technically the defense, went on the attack in verse 11. They boldly accused the leaders of rejecting Jesus (Bruce 1988, p. 93). The health which matters, in verse 12, comes only from Jesus, who is also the only one who can save the Sanhedrin.
Acts 4:13-17 describes the Sanhedrin's deliberation. Bruce recognizes that the fact Peter and John had been with Jesus as an important element in the power of their response (Bruce 1988, p. 94). The Sanhedrin recognized that the apostles were speaking and acting very much like Jesus. Because they had broken no laws and were seen as "popular heroes" there was little the authorities could do (Bruce 1988, p. 95). Bruce agrees with the Sanhedrin that there was no way to refute the apostles. All they could do, in verses 18-22, was to threaten them and release them (Bruce 1988, p. 96). Peter and John notably stated their intention to continue obeying God.
In verses 23-31, Peter and John report back to their companions - Bruce suggests they went "to the place where their fellow-apostles and other believers were " (Bruce 1988, p. 98). This is probably too broad a statement, as the believers numbered some 5,000 or more. Whoever they reported to, making reference to Scripture, recognized that the Sanhedrin had acted offensively toward God in their rage. Bruce discusses the Messianic nature of Psalm 2, highlighting how it fits the situation rather precisely (Bruce 1988, p. 99). The apostles prayed for ongoing boldness in verses 29-30, then received a sign of the place shaking in verse 31, assuring the apostles of God's ongoing favor.
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