“Standing in the Name”
Acts 4:1-22 May 7, 2006 Play
audio
Nothing to Fear But...
• an “A” for courage
• predominant theme in Ann Landers letters: fear
Threatened by the Big Guns
• Peter’s emphasis on Jesus’ resurrection at odds
with Sadducees (3:6,15,26; 4:1f)
• intimidating to be on trial before Annas, Caiaphas
- Jesus’ murderers (5f)
• those in power seek to protect ‘status quo’
• Tom Clegg: churches with ‘bronze snakes’ may
oppose change (2Kings 18:4)
• Sanhedrin threatens / commands apostles before
release (17f,21)
• Gideons or secularists more threatening?
Standing in the Name
• lame man’s healing attributed to Jesus’ name
(3:15f; Mt 28:18; Jn 1:12; Php 2:9f; 4:10)
• crucified / rejected by Sanhedrin, but raised /
chosen by God (10f, Ps 118:22; Mt 21:42; 1Sam 2:8; Ps 18:27; Prov 3:34;
Lk 1:52, 14:11)
• salvation found in no other name: Jesus the only
Way (Mt 10:19f; ac 4:12; Jn 14:6; 1Tim 2:5f; Heb 2:3)
• Trial turned around: Sanhedrin accused by events,
prophecy; people witnesses (14,16)
• Peter & John courageous because of time spent
with Jesus, sure trustworthy cornerstone (13; Is 28:16; 1Pet 2:23)
Bold in the Face of Death
• Polycarp at 86 not about to turn against the One
who has helped him so long
• prayed-up boldness to face a gunman, unflinching
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