God of second chances

• Greatly amazed…
  • The healing of the LAME man caused a huge COMMOTION…
  • Everyone KNEW [ἐπιγινώσκω] the LAME man – as the BEGGAR at the gate…
  • Seeing him STANDING next to Peter and John – they were astonished…
  • Peter told them – God had healed the lame man to bring GLORY to Jesus!
• Do not know God…
  • The same Jesus the crowd had REJECTED – DENIED – and KILLED…
  • Because they were IGNORANT [ἄγνοια] – they did NOT know God…
  • The reason was because they did NOT know His WORD…
  • Therefore they needed to REPENT – turn back to the WORD – so their sins could be ERASED…
  • While there was still time [before Jesus return] – so they could be REFRESHED by the Lord…
  • They had NOT listened when Peter preached on the day of PENTECOST…
  • But this day there were FIVE thousand saved – because God gives SECOND chances!

• 1^st – Persecuted for Jesus… vs. 1-4
  • 1^st – Thrown in Jail… vs. 1-2
    • The Sadducees… vs. 1
      • Now as they spoke to the people.
      • The priests – the captain of the temple – and the Sadducees came upon them!
      • While Peter was still giving [present] the MESSAGE to the people…
      • The PRIESTS and the [ὁ] CAPTAIN [στρατηγός] – he was in charge of the Temple guard…
      • Came along with the SADDUCEES to arrest them!
      • The Sadducees were the group in POWER in the New Testament…
      • They were more a POLITICAL party than a RELIGIOUS organization…
      • More concerned with money and power [politics] – than God or Heaven!
      • The Gospel Message will upset those who are invested in RELIGION…
      • Because it undermines their POWER – we do NOT need them to get to heaven…
      • Through faith in Jesus Christ – we can go straight to God – NO religion is needed!
    • The Resurrection… vs. 2
      • Being greatly disturbed that they taught the people.
      • And preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead!
      • The Sadducees were DISTURBED [διαπονέομαι] – to be in [διά] great PAIN [πόνος]
      • Because Peter was TEACHING people the MESSAGE [καταγγέλλω] of the RESURRECTION!
      • Sadducees only believed in the LAW [תּוֹרָה] – Genesis through Deuteronomy…
      • Since there is NO mention of the RESURRECTION in the Law of Moses…
      • They rejected the idea of life after death and the resurrection!
      • Acts 23:8 – “Sadducees say that there is no resurrection – and no angel or spirit.”
      • Although Peter had quoted from the Law [Moses] – Deuteronomy 18:15-19
      • He also warned the people they needed to LISTEN to ALL the prophets [the whole Bible]
      • Because when we only listen to ONE part – we can get BAD doctrine…
      • And if what we believe does NOT agree with ANY part of the WORD – we are WRONG!
  • 2^nd – Five Thousand… vs. 3-4
    • Evening… vs. 3
      • They laid hands on them – put them in custody until the next day – for it was already evening!
      • They threw them into PRISON until the next day – because it was EVENING…
      • And it was NOT legal to hold a TRIAL at NIGHT!
      • This same group had NOT cared about a NIGHT trial when it came to Jesus – Matthew 26:57
      • But Peter and John did NOT seem to them to be the same level of threat…
      • So they were willing to wait to the next day to JUDGE them!
    • Revival.. vs. 4
      • However many of those who heard the word believed.
      • And the number of the men came to be about five thousand!
      • BUT [δέ] – perhaps they should have been a LOT more concerned…
      • Because the number [ἀριθμό] who BELIEVED [πιστεύω] on that day – was FIVE thousand…
      • MEN [ἀνδρῶν] – meaning there could have been even more WOMEN and CHILDREN!
      • REVIVALS do NOT start when FAMOUS people stand up for Jesus…
      • They begin when ORDINARY people speak the TRUTH – give people the WORD of God…
      • We are the people the ENEMY should be afraid of – because God wants to use us!

• 2^nd – Bold for Jesus… vs. 5-12
  • 1^st – What Name… vs. 5-8
    • The Sanhedrin… vs. 5-6
      • And it came to pass on the next day that their rulers – elders – and scribes.
      • As well as Annas the high priest – Caiaphas – John – and Alexander.
      • And as many as were of the family of the high priest – were gathered together at Jerusalem!
      • The next morning the SANHEDRIN gathered to JUDGE Peter and John…
      • SANHEDRIN was the SEVENTY man ruling counsel of Israel…
      • It constituted their RULES [pollical] – ELDERS [religious] – and SCRIBES [scholastic]
      • They were led ANNAS – who is here referred to as the High Priest!
      • He was actually removed from that role in 15 A.D. – but was still very influential…
      • His son-in-law CAIAPHAS had been High Priest when Jesus was crucified – Matthew 26:3
      • JOHN – maybe a reference to his son Johnathan who also served as High Priest…
      • And we are told MANY of his family [Alexander?] were present at the TRIAL!
    • What Authority… vs. 7
      • When they had set them in the midst they asked:
      • By what power or by what name have you done this?
      • The SANHEDRIN demanded to know [imperfect]
      • In [ἐν] what POWER [δύναμις] – or in what NAME had they done this [healed the lame man]
      • The same men who had presided over the trial of Jesus – sentencing Him to death…
      • Were now looking for ANY excuse or opportunity to CONDEMN Peter and John…
      • It would have been VERY intimidating – even terrifying experience!
    • Full of the Spirit… vs. 8
      • Then Peter filled with the Holy Spirit said to them: Rulers of the people and elders of Israel!
      • Then PETER was filled [aorist] with the HOLY [ἅγιος] Spirit…
      • And he turned to address the LEADERS and ELDERS of Israel…
      • But it was NOT Peter who was speaking –the Holy Spirit was speaking through Him!
      • Matthew 10:19-20 – “When you are arrested do not worry about what to say in your defense because you will be given the right words at the right time.  It will not be you doing the talking – it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you!”
      • Many times we are SHY to talk about Jesus – we are AFRAID to speak up…
      • But we do NOT go out in our own strength – we go out in the POWER of the Spirit…
      • The number one result of being filled [aorist] with the Holy Spirit – is BOLDNESS…
      • It is NOT our words people need to hear – they need the Word of God…
      • We do NOT worry about what to say – just OPEN our mouth – God will speak through us!
  • 2^nd – Name of Jesus… vs. 9-10
    • Good Deed… vs. 9
      • If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man!
      • Peter pointed out the HYPOCRISY of their arrest and accusation…
      • They were NOT there because they were CRIMINALS – there had been NO crime…
      • [εἰ] therefore [indicative] the SANHEDRIN was trying to JUDGE [ἀνακρίνω] them…
      • Because of the GOOD deed they had [perfect] done – SAVING [σῴζω] a HELPLESS man!
    • Jesus Christ… vs. 9-10
      • By what means he has been made well – let it be known to you all and to all of Israel.
      • By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth – whom you crucified.
      • Whom God raised from the dead – by Him this man stands here before you whole!
      • Peter knew they were NOT looking for answer…
      • They were looking for an EXCUSE to CONDEMN them – and he was all too willing to HELP…
      • Let it be KNOWN [γνωστός] to ALL [πᾶς] of the SANHEDRIN – and to ALL [πᾶς] of Israel…
      • That in the NAME of Jesus Christ – who was from Nazareth [His complete name]
      • Whom the SANHEDRIN had CRUCIFIED [active] – but in spite of their flawed doctrine…
      • God RAISED [indicative] from the dead – in His name this man STANDS [not lame] before you!
      • Often as Christians we feel like we need to DEFEND our faith in Jesus…
      • As if there is something WRONG with going to church and Bible studies…
      • The world treats us like we are CRIMINALS for wanting to share the Good news!
      • We are NOT the ones who are wrong – we do NOT need to answer for our faith…
      • It is the world that is BACKWARDS – we should be the ones asking them QUESTIONS…
      • Why do you NOT go to church – how do you expect to get into heaven!
  • 3^rd – Only Name… vs. 11-12
    • The Stone… vs. 11
      • This is the stone which was rejected by you builders which has become the chief cornerstone!
      • This STONE [λίθος] that they thought was [ἐκ] NOTHING [οὐδείς]
      • Has become the HEAD [κεφαλή] – the most important STONE – Psalm 118:22
      • According to tradition – when Solomon built the first Temple…
      • The first stone sent to the building site was the chief CORNERSTONE…
      • In construction – the most important piece – sets the angles and location…
      • When the workers received the STONE – they were not ready – set it aside – forgot…
      • The stone the builders rejected – became the chief CORNERSTONE!
      • Matthew 16:18 – “On this rock I will build My church.”
    • Wrong savior…
      • The leaders rejected Jesus – because they were looking for the wrong kind of SAVIOR…
      • They wanted someone to save them from ROME not their SIN…
      • This is one of the MOST quoted verses from the OLD Testament [five times]
      • Matthew 21:42 – Mark 12:10 – Luke 20:17 – Acts 4:11 – I Peter 2:7
      • There is a principal of Bible interpretation – important TRUTHS…
      • If Jesus said [Gospels] – the Disciples taught it [Acts] – and the Epistles explain it [I Peter]
      • Then what is being stated is a VERY important TRUTH in the Bible!
    • No other name… vs. 12
      • Nor is there salvation in any other.
      • For there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved!
      • AND [καί] there is [present] NO other PERSON [ἄλλος] who can SAVE [σωτηρία]
      • For there is [present] NO other NAME [ἕτερος] given to men that can SAVE us [σῴζω]
        
      • The LEADERS had rejected the ONLY way to be forgiven – the ONLY way to get to heaven…
      • Because God gave only ONE way – ONE name – through which men can be saved…
      • But Peter was NOT condemning them – he was giving them a CHOICE!
      • God desires that all men be saved – He does not want any to perish – II Peter 3:9
      • He did all the work for us – Jesus died on the cross so that we could live…
      • If we reject the way God has provided – there is NO second option…
      • The one and only way to get to heaven – for EVERYONE – is through faith in Jesus!
      • Matthew 7:14 – “Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life and there are few who find it.”

• 3^rd – Seeing Jesus… vs. 13-22
  • 1^st – Been with Jesus… vs. 13
    • Idiots…
      • Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John.
      • And perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men – they marveled. 
      • And they realized that they had been with Jesus!
      • BUT [δέ] when the SANHEDRIN saw the BOLDNESS [παρρησία] of Peter and John…
      • There was NO fear – NO doubts – only the absolute certainty of the Gospel…
      • From UNEDUCATED [ἀγράμματος] – meaning to be ILLITERATE…
      • And UNTRAINED [ἰδιώτης] men – we can almost speak this into English [idiots]!
    • Foolish…
      • As a result of their harsh estimation of the Peter and John and their abilities…
      • They were VERY impressed – even MARVELED [imperfect] – at their boldness…
      • And REALIZED [ἐπιγινώσκω] that these men had been with Jesus!
      • I Corinthians 1:27-29 – “God has chosen the foolish [μωρός] things of the world to put to shame the wise… that no flesh should glory in His presence.”
      • The LIE that satan loves to whisper in our ears – is we CANNOT be used…
      • Maybe because we think we are not SMART enough – BOLD enough – we have no GIFTS…
      • Or perhaps it is because of MISTAKES we have made in the past!
      • But God uses the FOOLISH – ignorant and unlearned men – that ought to encourage us…
      • Since God choose us because we are FOOLISH – He does not expect much from us…
      • And when God uses FOOLISH people – people do NOT give credit to the person…
      • They instead stand amazed because they see Jesus working through the person!
  • 2^nd – The Warning… vs. 14-18
    • The Evidence… vs. 14-16
      • Seeing the man who had been healed standing with them they could say nothing against it.
      • When they commanded them to go aside out of the council they conferred among themselves.
      • What shall we do to these men? For indeed a notable miracle has been done through them. 
      • [It] is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem – and we cannot deny it!
      • But SEEING [present] the LAME man STANDING [perfect] next to Peter and John…
      • There was NOT much they could say against them – the EVIDENCE was undeniable…
      • So they DEMANDED they leave the SANHEDRIN [συνέδριον] – to talk over what to do…
      • Indeed [μέν] a MIRACLE had been done by the men – ALL [πᾶς] Jerusalem knew [φανερός]
      • They did NOT have the POWER [δύναμαι] to be able to DENY it!
      • When God does a work – others may NOT like it – but they CANNOT argue with it…
      • The best answer we can give others is our TESTIMONY of what Jesus has done…
      • People can argue with our THEOLOGY – but the cannot argue with the FACTS!
        
    • The command… vs. 17-18
      • So that it spreads no further among the people let us severely threaten them.
      • That from now on they speak to no man in this name.
      • So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus!
      • Hoping to limit the impact that the MIRACLE might have…
      • To try and keep the Gospel from becoming the LAW [διανέμω] among the people…
      • They decided to severally [cognate accusative] THREATEN [ἀπειλέω] Peter and John…
      • They were NOT to speak the name of Jesus to ANYONE…
      • So they called them and COMMANDED them [παραγγέλλω]
      • They were NOT to even WHISPER [φθέγγομαι] – much less TEACH in His name!
      • If someone has a sickness – they often want to AVOID the doctor…
      • The idea is if I do NOT hear about it – maybe the BAD news might go away!
      • No one thinking clearly wants to go to HELL – a place of eternal suffering…
      • Most people just do NOT think about it – they push it out of their minds…
      • They want to go about their lives intentionally IGNORANT of their eternal fate…
      • But when we talk about JESUS – when we talk about SIN – it convicts them…
      • And they get upset – NOT at us – but at the BAD news we remind them about!
  • 3^rd – Sight of God… vs. 19-22
    • You Judge… vs. 19-20
      • Peter and John answered and said to them:
      • Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God – you judge.
      • For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard!
      • Peter – still full of the Holy Spirit – was quick to ANSWER…
      • Was [present] it RIGHT [δίκαιος] in the sight [ἐνώπιον] of God…
      • To listen to MAN [the counsel] – or to God – they must [imperative] JUDGE [κρίνω] 
      • But for [γάρ] Peter and John – they did NOT [οὐ] have a choice [δύναμαι]
      • To stop speaking [present] about what they had SEEN and HEARD!
      • We CANNOT make the choice for anyone else…
      • The decision to BELIEVE in Jesus is a personal one – everyone has to make…
      • But for our part let it be said – we CANNOT stop preaching in His name…
      • Because like Peter and John – we have seen and heard the TRUTH…
      • Therefore no matter what MEN might tell us – we will HONOR God!
    • Glorifying God… vs. 21-22
      • When they had further threatened them they let them go – finding no way of punishing them.
      • Because of the people – since they all glorified God for what had been done.
      • For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed!
      • The SANHEDRIN continued to THREATEN [ἀπειλέω] them…
      • But they had to let them go FREE – finding NO reason to punish them…
      • EVERYONE [πᾶς] was giving GLORY [imperfect] to God for the MIRACLE…
      • Because the man who had been HEALED was over FORTY years old…
      • A man who had NEVER walked – who was RUNNING from that day on!
      • People who struggle with alcohol – gambling – drugs – pornography…
      • From the perspective of the world – will because people do NOT change…
      • You can try and be rehabilitated – but the norm is people fall back into their old ways!
      • But people who come to Jesus are NOT rehabilitated – they are NOT improved…
      • They are TRANSFORMED – and the world has no ANSWER for that…

When a SINNER becomes a SAINT – people end up giving GLORY [imperfect] to God!