Acts: Part 2 - Ch. 4-7
Suffering For The Gospel
As we carry on with our study of the book of Acts, we are now going to dive into the next four chapters as we cover four through seven. If you were with us earlier this week, you know that the first three chapters of the book of Acts cover some overlap from when Jesus ascended and sent His Spirit to indwell the believers that awaited Him. We discussed how this event isn’t a blueprint for all believers today, but rather an event in history that has been prophesied of since the major prophets were written in order for us to identify the true believers who were indeed being led by the Spirit during that current timeframe. Throughout those three chapters, we saw the importance of every believer being led by the Spirit, the overall goal of what the Church should accomplish in a believer’s life, and even what our preaching should be centered on when we gather. All of this is a perfect bridge to the next four chapters of Acts. In these following chapters, we will see the consequences that come our way for standing up for what we believe in, we will see how evil it is to lie to God and His Church, and we will even cover the famous story of the very first martyr for Christ. It’s crazy to think that all of these topics are covered in just four chapters, but again, this is what makes this book so unique and so packed with wisdom that we must break it down into small chunks. These Apostles for Christ have certainly gone through a whirlwind of events and emotions from Jesus dying and coming back to life, to the Holy Spirit indwelling them, to now certain people groups looking to have them killed. As John MacArthur so beautifully puts it, “What strikes you is that the gospel of Luke concludes with bewildered Apostles, a fearing Apostles, hiding Apostles, confused Apostles, reluctant preachers of Christ. But as soon as you get into the book of Acts, you find that they are not only bold, they are downright courageous, something dramatic has happened in their lives. It could be explained by the resurrection.” With that being said, let’s see where these next four chapters lead these Apostles in their journey and what we can learn from them.
Jail Time
To begin, you don’t have to look far into the book of Acts to see how servants of Christ are led to suffer on His behalf. Chapter four kicks off immediately with the arrest of Peter and John for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, after being in jail for just a day, the rulers and high priests gathered to discuss what to have done to these men. Acts 4:18-20 tells us “And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, make your own judgment; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” This is an amazing story because it shows us not only how the world will be against us if we are for Christ, but it also shows us how we must respond when the world tries to stop us from living for Christ. Yes, we may suffer and go along with the punishment that is given to us when the world tries to tear us down, but we must never let this punishment and suffering quiet our witness and evangelism. May our response be the same as Peter and John’s when we are criticized by this world. Regardless of what you may do to me, I cannot stop speaking about Christ. Beyond this, we start to see the functions of the Church beginning to take off. Chapter four ends by discussing the Church’s job in helping out needy believers, and chapter five kicks off with talking about giving to the Church. Unfortunately, the example we receive in chapter five is what not to do when giving to the Church.
Chapter five reveals to us the famous story of Ananias and Sapphira, a couple who sold a piece of land, claimed to give all they got from it to the Church, but actually held onto a portion of it. Then when they proclaimed that they gave everything to the Church, Peter was given insight from the Holy Spirit and knew that they had lied. Calling them out on this blasphemous claim, Peter told both Ananias and Sapphira that they would die and be carried out and that’s exactly what happens. Acts 5:8-9 says “And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you soldthe land for this price?” And she said, “Yes, for that price.” Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.” This may seem like a harsh response from the Lord but we have to see what is actually happening here. This couple isn’t just lying to Peter, they are lying to the entire congregation, and even worse, God Himself. Then when confronted about this lie, they double down on it and refuse to repent. This is a disgusting act that was done that cannot be permitted in God’s House. After this event, we have the Apostles being arrested again, and an angel of the Lord coming and setting them free! As much as I want to dwell on this story, we must continue on to chapters six and seven where Stephen comes into play.
The First Martyr
Once the Apostles were set free by God and still determined to preach the gospel, the Church selected seven men to be in charge of the needy members of the Church in order to help them. One of these men was named Stephen, as he was accused of speaking blasphemy by preaching the gospel. All of chapter seven records his defense where Stephen not only denies speaking and teaching about any blasphemous claims, but he doubles down on the truth of the gospel and the need that all lost people have for it. Acts 7:51-53 Stephen says “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. “Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, and you have now become betrayers and murderers of Him; you who received the Law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.” After these accusations from Stephen, his accusers stoned him to death. This powerful story is such an amazing way for this chapter to end. We see through these four chapters that the Church of God is not meant to fit in with the world but rather separate itself from it by being committed to the truth of the gospel. Regardless of whether or not we face jail time or even if our own lives are on the line, the truth of the gospel must be preached to all those who are lost. May God give us this same boldness to do the same today.
Sources
[1] Blue Letter Bible. (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/
[2] Introduction to Acts, Part 1. (2013, December 8). Grace to You. https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/44-1/introduction-to-acts-part-1
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