Day 321 – Acts 4-6

Talking Points

• The persecution of the apostles Jesus had warned of begins in full force, as Peter and John are arrested for “teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.” The Bible records the Jewish leaders were “greatly disturbed,” which translates to “thoroughly worn out” (Acts 4:2). They literally had stood all they could tolerate of this message of Jesus.
• Faithfully proclaiming the gospel, the apostles provide the opportunity for thousands to hear and believe the message of Jesus Christ.
• Jesus is the “CHIEF CORNER stone,” the very foundation of our faith (4:11).
• When people have “been with Jesus” and are about His mission, it cannot be denied (4:13-16). They have boldness, confidence, and wisdom that is evident.
• The apostles are threatened and commanded not to speak in the name of Jesus any longer, yet, they “cannot stop speaking about what [they] have seen and heard” (4:20). May the same be our conviction, that we may seek Him in prayer, not for comfort or ease or safety, but for strength to continue speaking “the word of God with boldness” (4:31).
• In the face of increasing animosity toward the growing movement, we find a surprising reality — the biggest threat to the mission of the church is not from the dangers on the outside, but from hypocrisy, fakeness, or a lack of integrity on the inside. In fact, it was all such a threat to the reception of the gospel that God dealt quickly and convincingly with it.
• As the persecution of the apostles increases, they are found “rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name” and “they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” (5:41-42).
• God gave the church the office of deacon to guard the unity of the church and to serve the church so that the ministry of prayer and teaching the word of God would not be hindered.

Thoughts

“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

There is only one name, one Person, in whom people can find salvation. It “must” be through Him. Our rescue from our sin and the punishment that it earns, our deliverance from death, our salvation will not be found in ourselves, not in our own power or by our own actions. It won’t be realized in anyone or anything else. The Savior is Jesus Christ, alone.

And, in the unmeasurable grace of God, this name “has been given among men.” It has been given. Among men. He came and dwelt among us. He was proclaimed to us. In our hearing.

We are not left hopeless. We are not left ignorant. We are not left floundering. The prophets foretold of Him. The angels announced His name. He carried out His mission, fulfilling all of the prophecies regarding His name. The apostles proclaimed His gospel. From the very first sin, the Way of salvation, the only name by which we must be saved, has been given among men.

Praise God who gave.