Welcome to Acts 4: Opposition Fuels the Mission, where the early church's unwavering commitment to the Great Commission faces its first significant resistance, yet triumphs through divine power and prophetic fulfillment.

In Acts 4, the fledgling Christian movement, still reeling from the miraculous events of Pentecost and the healing at the Beautiful Gate, confronts direct opposition from the religious authorities. Peter and John's bold proclamation of Jesus' resurrection, coupled with the undeniable healing of the lame man, sparks alarm among the Sadducees, priests, and temple guard. This chapter vividly illustrates the clash between established power and the revolutionary message of the gospel. Yet, it's precisely this opposition that serves to refine, strengthen, and ultimately propel the Great Commission forward, demonstrating the unstoppable force of God's plan.

This pivotal chapter unfolds through three dynamic segments: Peter and John’s Arrest and Interrogation (Acts 4:1-22), the Church's Prayer for Boldness (Acts 4:23-31), and the Community Life and Divine Judgment that extends into the next chapter (Acts 4:32-5:11). These narratives inspire unwavering faith in the face of adversity, offer practical lessons in courageous witness, and provide rigorous analysis to enrich teaching and research.

As we journey through Acts, each chapter serves as a profound illustration of the Acts2020Project's thematic framework. Acts 4, in particular, powerfully demonstrates all six core themes:

• The Great Commission: Actively advanced as Peter and John, undeterred by threats, continue to boldly proclaim Jesus, leading to further conversions.

• The Holy Spirit's Role: Evident in empowering the apostles to speak with courage and enabling the community to pray with unified power.

• Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel: The very content of Peter's defense, establishing Christ's identity as the only source of salvation.

• Prophecy Fulfillment: Demonstrated through the authorities' rejection of Jesus, fulfilling Old Testament scriptures, and the early church's recognition of divine opposition as part of God's plan.

• Christianity Accepted and Opposed: Reflected in the growing number of believers (5,000 men!) alongside the escalating hostility from the Jewish leaders.

• Connecting Acts to the Rest of the NT: Shown through the sermon's deep intertextual ties to Old Testament prophecy and New Testament Christology, establishing canonical continuity.

While all these themes are richly present, in alignment with our strategic focus from Acts 3 onward, the primary thematic exploration for Acts 4 will be The Great Commission. After we complete this first pass through Acts focusing solely on the Great Commission, we will return to Acts 4 to provide a deeper dive through the remaining five themes. This chapter, therefore, will be explored predominantly through the lens of how miracles, Peter's teaching, and the church's unified response specifically ignite and advance Jesus’s command to make disciples, even when faced with significant resistance.

Dive into this transformative journey, enhanced by AI-human collaboration, and discover how opposition, rather than hindering, can fuel a mission that continues today, defining the essence of God's work through His people.