Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. – Hebrews 13:8 (NASB)
The is by the name of Jesus
They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name (onoma) did you do this?” – Acts 4:7 (NIV)
Name: onoma – a “name”, authority (Strong’s)
(v.8)
(Jesus) Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. – Luke 21:14-15 (NKJV)
(v.9)
(Peter) …if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well (sozo)… – Acts 4:9 (NASB)
(v.12) “…for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved (sozo).” (NIV)
sozo: to save, i.e., deliver or protect (literally or figuratively)
KJV – heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole
Peter’s Point: (v.12)
Peter was untrained but he spent with Jesus, knew
God’s , and was with the Holy Spirit
…they saw the boldness of Peter and John… – Acts 4:13 (KJV)
…untrained (idiotes) men, they were amazed… – Acts 4:13 (NASB)
How do we know what was said when they sent the Apostles out?
(v.15)
Apparently, some of the Council (vv.15-17)
(Paul) “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And that is just what I did in Jerusalem…I cast my vote against them.” – Acts 26:9-10 (NIV)
Ministry done right causes people to look to not the (v.21)
Some True Things the First Church Believed: (vv.23-33)
That God (v.24)
“Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.” – Acts 4:24 (NIV)
The Apostles believed Scripture was (v.25)
You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David… – Acts 4:25 (NIV)
That current events were in the
(Psalms 2:1) (vv.25-26)
(Jesus) “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.” – John 15:18 (NASB)
In their circumstances God had (vv.27-28)
Because of what they believed they prayed for , not (v.29)
…with all boldness they may speak thy word… – Acts 4:29 (KJV)
Prayed for through the (v.30)
By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. – Acts 4:30 (KJV)
Being filled with the Holy Spirit leads to: (v.31)
What did they speak?
(vv.32-33)
...abundant (megas) grace (charis) was upon them all. (v.33) (NASB)
…and great (megas) favor (charis) was accorded them all. (v.33) (NAB)
…and great grace [God’s remarkable lovingkindness and favor and goodwill] rested richly upon them all. (v.33) (AMP)
Lord…You surround him (me) with favor as with a shield. – Psalms 5:12 (NASB) (Imago Dei)