Welcome to Acts 4

Acts 4 plunges the early church into direct confrontation with the established religious authorities in Jerusalem, powerfully illustrating how The Great Commission advances through fearless witness amidst intense Christianity Accepted and Opposed. The momentum from the miraculous healing in Acts 3 and Peter's subsequent sermon immediately provokes a strong reaction from the Sadducees and temple leaders.

The chapter opens with the arrest of Peter and John, who are brought before the Sanhedrin. Yet, far from being intimidated, Peter, filled with The Holy Spirit's Role, boldly proclaims Jesus as the crucified and resurrected Messiah, identifying Him as the "stone which was rejected" but now the "chief cornerstone" and asserting that "there is salvation in no one else". This powerful declaration is a direct Prophecy Fulfillment and the core of Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel. The authorities, astonished by the apostles' courage and unable to deny the undeniable miracle of the healed man, attempt to silence them with threats and strict orders "not to speak any longer to any man in this name".

However, the apostles' unwavering response, "We must obey God rather than men", exemplifies their commitment to The Great Commission. Upon their release, the believers gather in unified prayer, asking not for safety, but for renewed boldness to continue proclaiming God's Word despite the threats. This communal act of faith results in a fresh filling of The Holy Spirit's Role, empowering them to speak with even greater confidence. Acts 4 vividly demonstrates that even fierce opposition, an inherent aspect of Christianity Accepted and Opposed, cannot halt the divinely appointed advance of The Great Commission; instead, it often serves to propel it forward through Spirit-filled witness.