Acts 4 - Under Pressure

As we unpacked yesterday in chapter 3, Peter and John were interrupted on their way to the temple by a beggar. Peter and John had no money, so they offered what they had, Jesus. Peter, in the name of Jesus, healed this beggar and transformed his life. Well, the story doesn’t end there. This act caused a great stir in the community, and the news got back quickly to the town leaders and the Sadducees. Before we dive in, let us clear up a few things about the religious sects of the day. Here is an excellent definition from Chuck Smith:

a. The Pharisees taught and practiced the oral traditions. They were the chief instigators of the crucifixion of Jesus. Jesus was continually violating, and putting down their traditions. He had accused them of making void the law of God with their traditions. It was His constant violating of their traditions that pertained to the Sabbath day that caused them to decide that He must be put to death.

b. The Sadducees, on the other hand, denied the supernatural, they affirmed the freedom of human will, and they held in contempt the teaching of the Pharisees. They did not believe in angels, spirits, or the resurrection. They were the modernists of the day, the rationalists. They had a natural explanation for every miracle of the Old Testament.

c. You can see how they became the enemies of the church and the chief persecutors of the early church. Notice that they were upset because of the preaching through Jesus of the resurrection. This was their chief problem.

Understanding this a little more now, you can see why immediately the Sadducees jumped in and had a problem with Peter and John. They were preaching the resurrection of Jesus, and this flew in the face of them, and they would not stand for it. 

“The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭4:1-3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So, right as the Jesus movement began, we see over three thousand people gave their lives to Jesus and were baptized. Then, Peter and John head to pray in the temple and heal a beggar and shock the community, and tick off the religious ones and wind up in jail. 

Think about it...something great happens, you see God move powerfully, I mean crazy powerful. And then boom, it all falls apart. You run up against headwinds and challenges at every turn. In these moments, I find it easy to start doubting, and relatively easy to fall on the side of the Sadducees. Start to question the miracles, start to logically process why it was never meant to be, and just circle right back into the old ways and start lowering our expectations. The pressure comes, and we can crack. 

But, let this inspire you, let it breathe life into your journey and walk because when we face those challenges when we find ourselves under pressure, this is the time to trust and lean on God. Look at what happens next!

“They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭4:3-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Even in the midst of the challenging and adverse circumstances, God’s message continued to spread. Why? Because Peter, John, and the followers of Christ didn’t back down, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to share the name of Jesus. 

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Under pressure, they stood with boldness and conviction. 

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished, and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭4:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As I shared above, when the going gets tough, what we do next is important. After the miracle happens, and then everything falls apart, and our faith is challenged, what do we do? Do we start to question it all, do we start to align with the internal voice of the Sadducees and doubt, or do we stand firm, go to God in prayer just like the boy's father who was miraculously healed in Mark and say “I believe, help me with my unbelief.” My conviction is this when the going gets tough, we find ourselves under pressure on the other side of a move of God; this is the time to lean in and stand up in the name of Jesus. This is what Peter and John did, watch this.

“Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” After further threats, they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭4:18-22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The earliest Jesus movement faced immediate pressure, resistance, and trials. It appears to me that a few little decisions could have squandered and derailed it all. Obviously, God didn’t allow that to happen, but God did choose to use individuals, people just like you and me. They faced trials, jail time, persecution, and public shaming, but they responded with great boldness under pressure. 

“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭4:29‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As we go into our day and plan for our weeks, may this be our prayer. Personalize this pray, and fill it in with whatever you are walking though, and I will do the same. In the midst of those trials and challenges, maybe be honorable servants of you, and speak your word with great boldness. Amen.