Acts (Part 33) - Acts 4:6-11

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Acts (Part 33) - Acts 4:6-11 1. Acts 4:6 – And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. A. And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, i. Annas and Caiaphas were co-high priests at this time (Luk 3:2). ii. Annas was Caiaphas’ father-in-law (Joh 18:13). iii. They were partners in crime and the chief instigators of the crucifixion of Christ (Joh 18:14, 24). iv. “There have been several theories advanced to reconcile the application of high priest to Annas and Caiaphas at the same time. Kitto thinks that Annas was regarded as being high priest jure divino, and having authority in spiritual matters, while Caiaphas was the pontiff recognized by the government. The probability is that his great age, abilities, and influence, and his being the father-in-law of Caiaphas, made him practically the high priest, although his son-in-law held the office.” (Annas, Unger’s Bible Dictionary, p. 67) v. “Here were Annas and Caiaphas, ringleaders in this persecution; Annas the president of the sanhedrin, and Caiaphas the high priest (though Annas is here called so) and father of the house of judgment. It should seem that Annas and Caiaphas executed the high priest's office alternately, year for year. These two were most active against Christ; then Caiaphas was high priest, now Annas was; however they were both equally malignant against Christ and his gospel.” (Matthew Henry) B. and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. i. “John is supposed to be the son of Annas; and Alexander is mentioned by Josephus as a man that made a figure at that time. There were others likewise that were of the kindred of the high priest, who having dependence on him, and expectations from him, would be sure to say as he said, and vote with him against the apostles. Great relations, and not good, have been a snare to many.” (Matthew Henry) ii. This was an “assembly of the wicked” (Psa 22:16) and an “assembly of treacherous men” (Jer 9:2). 2. Acts 4:7 – And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? A. The apostles are now on trial before the council in fulfillment of Christ’s prophecy (Mat 10:17-18). B. The high priests, rulers, elders, and scribes didn’t even try to deny that the apostles did a miracle by healing the lame man. C. Their question was not asked in a sincere effort to know the truth, for they surely already knew the answer (Act 3:6, 16 & Act 4:1-2 c/w Joh 9:10-11, 15, 26-27). D. They were likely seeking opportunity to make a man an offender for a word (Isa 29:21). 3. Acts 4:8 – Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,  A. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, i. The same Peter who was filled with fear when questioned about being a disciple of Christ (Mat 26:69-75) is now filled with the Holy Ghost and boldly begins to speak. ii. Jesus told the apostles that when they were brought before councils to not think about how or what to speak because the Spirit would speak in them (Mat 10:19-20). B. Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, i. He addresses them respectfully, as a Christian should. ii. We should honor rulers, even when they are mistreating us (1Pe 2:17-23). iii. Never become what your enemies accuse you of being. 4. Acts 4:9 – If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; A. If we this day be examined i. Examine v. – 1. trans. To try, test, assay (precious metals, etc.). Said both of personal and material agents. Also fig. Obs. (#1 went out of use in 1400s) 2. a. To test judicially or critically; to try by a standard or rule. Obs. exc. with mixture of sense 3 or 6, to one or other of which phrases like to examine oneself, one's conscience, etc. now chiefly belong. b. To try, investigate the guilt or innocence of (an accused person). Obs. Cf. 6. (The OED cites Act 4:9 in the AV1611 as a usage of this sense) 6. To interrogate formally, question (esp. a witness, an accused person). ii. Peter and John were being investigated and formally interrogated before a judicial assembly. iii. In such a situation, we should always look to the LORD for a just judgment rather than trying to win the judge’s favor (Pro 29:26). B. of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; i. He refers to the healing as a good deed. ii. Peter wisely frames the narrative, making it difficult for them to speak against it. 5. Acts 4:10 – Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. A. Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, i. Peter addresses his defense to the Jewish leadership. ii. He also directs his comments to the nation of Israel as a whole. iii. The gospel of Jesus Christ must be proclaimed to both small and great (Act 26:22). B. that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, i. He answers their question (Act 4:7) directly without rambling or deflecting. ii. Let this be a lesson to us to answer questions clearly instead of being scatter- brained and rambling for five minutes without providing a clear answer. iii. Peter does not shy away from proclaiming the name of Jesus Christ. a. Christians should not be ashamed to own their Lord’s name.  b. If we are, Jesus will be ashamed of us (Mar 8:38). C. whom ye crucified, i. Peter had already blamed the Jews for the crucifixion of Christ (Act 2:23, 36; Act 3:14-15). ii. Now he lays the blame for it on the rulers, elders, scribes, and high priests. a. He was right to do so because they were the instigators of it (Luk 23:13, 21, 23). b. God progressively gave Peter more strength to first stand up to people of Israel and then to the most powerful men in the nation. c. “…as thy days, so shall thy strength be.” (Deut 33:25) D. whom God raised from the dead, i. God (all three persons of the Trinity) raised Jesus Christ from the dead. ii. See comments on Acts 2:24. E. even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. i. Peter gives all the glory to Jesus Christ for the healing of the lame man. ii. He takes no credit for it (Act 3:12, 16). 6. Acts 4:11 – This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. A. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, i. Peter is quoting from Psa 118:22. ii. Our Savior declared that this verse referred to Him (Mat 21:42). iii. Jesus is the shepherd, the stone of Israel (Gen 49:24). iv. The Jewish rulers, leaders, and chief priests were the builders who set Jesus at nought. a. Nought – 6. to set at nought: to despise, defy, scorn, disregard. b. They were trying to build their own version of God’s religion based on their traditions (Mar 7:5-13). c. Jesus got in the way of their plans, so they rejected Him and killed Him (Mat 21:33-39, 45). d. They stumbled over Him (1Pe 2:7-8). B. which is become the head of the corner. i. God exalted Jesus Christ after His resurrection and made Him head over all things (Eph 1:19-23). ii. Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone (Isa 28:16). iii. He is the foundation stone upon which the church is built (Eph 2:20-22; 1Pe 2:5-6). iv. Jesus, the stone which the builders rejected, took the kingdom of God from them and ground them to powder (Mat 21:43-44).