Bible Study Snacks, Acts 4:1-37

Hi, everyone!

Welcome to another presentation of Bible Study Snacks. I'd like to thank you for joining me again as we walk through the richness of God's spoken word and wisdom together. I hope that your week has gone well, and that today finds you in good health and strong in faith!

This week, we will continue our study with the Book of Acts, Chapter Four.

I have designed these studies to be brief, yet packed full of good information for everyone regardless of your level of biblical knowledge. I might add that these quick studies make perfect small group discussion starters, as well!

As always, I whole-heartedly believe in the importance that any Bible study should begin with prayer. If you have your Bible ready, let's pray together...

Heavenly father, please guide us as we study your Word today; I pray that our hearts and our minds will be open so that we will not only receive your Gospel, but learn from it as well; you are the Light of the world, Lord, and your Spirit will illuminate our path as we journey through your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen

If you are taking notes for yourself, or using this for a bible study with others, here are the objectives for this week's lesson...

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER: The reader will...

1) Study the beginning of the persecution against the church, and the reason for it.

2) Note the apostolic response to persecution, and continued progress of the church in Jerusalem.

For your convenience, here is a summary of Acts, Chapter 4:

The first case of persecution against the church is described in this chapter. Peter and John are put into custody because their preaching on the resurrection of Jesus disturbed a number of the religious leaders (in particular the Sadducees who denied any resurrection, Matthew 22:23; Acts 23:8). In spite of this, the number of men who believed came to be about five thousand (Acts 4:1-4).

After a night in jail, Peter and John are brought before the council, including the high priest and members of his family. Challenged to explain themselves, Peter proclaims the healing was done by the name of Jesus Christ, the very one they crucified yet whom God raised from the dead and who has now become "the chief cornerstone" (cf. Psalm 118:22), and in whose name alone salvation is now available.

Amazed at Peter and John's boldness, and unable to deny that the lame man had been healed, the council sends them outside and confer among themselves. They decide to prevent the spread of the apostles' doctrine by threatening Peter and John not to preach or teach in the name of Jesus. The apostles respond that they must speak what they have seen and heard. The council, unable to do anything more at this time because of the people, simply threaten the apostles once again and let them go (Acts 4:5-22).

Returning to their companions, Peter and John report what has been said. Prayer is offered, asking for boldness in view of the persecution foretold in Psalms 2:1-2, and for signs and wonders to continue in the name of Jesus. At the conclusion of the prayer, the place where they prayed was shaken and all were filled the Holy Spirit, emboldening them to speak the Word of God (Acts 4:23-31).

The chapter ends with a description of the continued growth of the church, with the oneness of the brethren and the empowered testimony of the apostles to the resurrection of Jesus. The great liberality continues, meeting the needs of the saints. One example in particular is noted, that of Barnabas, whose work is featured later in the book (cf. Acts 11:22-30; 13:1-15:41), and whose liberality stands in stark contrast to what takes place in the next chapter (Acts 4:32-36).

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1) What are the main points of this chapter? (Acts 4:1-22; 23-31; 32-37)
2) Who came upon Peter and John while they were speaking? (Acts 4:1)
3) Why were they upset with Peter and John? (Acts 4:2)
4) Why did that upset them? (cf. Matthew 22:23; Acts 23:8)
5) What did they do with Peter and John? (Acts 4:3)
6) How many men had come to believe in Christ? (Acts 4:4)
7) Who joined the rulers, elders and scribes on the next day? (Acts 4:5-6)
8) What did they ask Peter and John? (Acts 4:7)
9) What name did Peter given them? (Acts 4:8-10)
10) What had the religious leaders done? What had God done? (Acts 4:10)
11) What else did Peter say about Jesus? (Acts 4:11-12)
12) What did the religious leaders see, perceive, and realize about Peter and John? (Acts 4:13)
13) What could the religious leaders not deny? (Acts 4:14)
14) After Peter and John were put out of the council, what did the council confer among themselves? (Acts 4:15-17)
15) What did the council command Peter and John? How did they respond? (Acts 4:18-20)
16) After threatening the apostles some more, why did the council not punish them further? (Acts 4:21-22)
17) Once released, what did Peter and John do? (Acts 4:23)
18) What did they then do? (Acts 4:24)
19) What Messianic prophecy did they refer to in their prayer? (Acts 4:25-26)
20) Who were mentioned as a fulfillment of opposing God and Christ? (Acts 4:27)
21) In their opposition against God, what had they actually done? (Acts 4:28)
22) In their prayer, what did the apostles ask of God? (Acts 4:29-30)
23) What happened in response to their prayer? (Acts 4:31)
24) What manifested the oneness of the believers at that time? (Acts 4:32)
25) What manifested the greatness enjoyed by the church at that time? (Acts 4:33)
26) What manifested their love and generosity at that time? (Acts 4:34-35)
27) Who was singled out as an example of their liberality? (Acts 4:36-37)

After completing this weeks' study, go back and read through it again. Take your time and read each topic and scripture reference as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you just might see something new that you overlooked the first time around.

As we journey through the Bible together, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until next time, I wish everyone a blessed week!

God bless you!

Sheri