Bible Study- Faith In and Beyond Lockdown
-Acts 4: 1-12:
Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin
4 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’[a]
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Footnotes: Acts 4:11 Psalm 118:22. New International Version (NIV)
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Comment: Peter and John had their own experiences of “lockdown” only it wasn’t to keep them away from catching a virus, rather it was a vain attempt by the priests and Sadducees, to keep them, and their “life giving” message of the risen Jesus away, from the receptive ears of the crowds. Did this overnight stay in the local “clink” dampen their spirits or inhibit their determination to carry on where they had left off? Not at all! In fact their testimony, when they were subsequently hauled before the high priest the next day, was bold, direct, and completely uninhibited by any fear of the possible consequences. “Salvation is found in nobody else but Jesus”!
To Ponder:
What might have been the experiences that led Peter and John to have this high level of trust and certainty in the true identity of Jesus in the face of such intense opposition by the high priest and religious authorities?
-Acts 4:32-35
The Believers Share Their Possessions- Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
Specifically v33. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. (v. 33)
Comment.
Testimony is a powerful thing, Your story of faith and mine. Why? Because it is our direct experience of God’s action in our lives. It cannot be challenged in quite the same way as can other statements or assertions. It is real, because it has happened to us. For those first Christians, discovering that Jesus was alive, changed their lives completely and really radically forever. No longer was God just a theory. It turned out he was real and very much acting in and through their lives in a powerful way. And Jesus being alive meant that He was who he said he was, God’s only begotten son, the good shepherd, the way, the truth, the life. This was incredible news to let everybody know about, and they did. Solomon’s Portico became their speakers corner and when the authorities locked them up, miraculously the prison doors opened up and they were back teaching in the temple the next morning.
This radical reality of God transforming lives bought about incredible changes, people loved each other, shared their possessions, looked out for each other, no one was in need. And the wonderful thing is, this same living Jesus is with us still, even in lockdown when we may be feeling isolated and frustrated because our families cannot visit us. Even and particularly in these times, God will be with us. Think back on your story of faith. God is still with you and my prayer is that He will comfort and encourage you today. There’s an old hymn, “I serve a risen saviour, he’s in the world today, I know that he is living, whatever others say, I see his hand or mercy, I hear his voice of cheer, and just the time I need him, He’s always near, He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today, He walks with me, and talks with me, along life’s narrow way, He lives, He lives, Salvation to Impart, You ask me how I know he lives, He lives within my heart.
To Ponder:
In the new, post lockdown world that lies ahead, where people entering it may be full of fear and insecurity, what might this small group of early Christians who faced their fear and insecurity have to teach us?
Should we be taking this passage as a spiritual or practical example? Why and how?
If this style of community didn’t last very long in the Early Church, does that mean we should or shouldn’t follow it today? Why?
Acts 5: 12-41
The Apostles Heal Many
12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.
The Apostles Persecuted
17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”
21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.
25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.
27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
New International Version (NIV)
Comment:
It all started when Peter and John went to the temple to pray. On the way they encountered the lame man asking for money, but gave him something worth so much more; his health and, most importantly, an encounter with the power of the risen Jesus Christ. Peter and John practised what they preached, living out their faith in the traditions of the prophets and their Jewish faith. Signs and wonders were performed and many people believed. This was a revival of the first order, a completion of the hopes of Israel, a realisation that their Messiah had come and that a new way lay ahead for those who believed. Even jail could not hold back this sweeping tide of heavenly grace and angels sprang the locks and the message of this new kingdom life continued.
For Peter and John their practice of discipleship was costly. They were pursued, jailed and beaten, but even this did not deter them from sharing the good news of Jesus. Their surprising reaction was not anger but joy, v41: “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name”.
To Ponder:
What apparent setbacks might we see as a springboard for renewed faith and action?
What might a faithful working out of discipleship look like as a new normal is searched for after the pandemic?
Where have you seen or experienced people authentically obeying God? What does it look and feel like?
What might authentically obeying God mean for you today?
-A Prayer From The Methodist Prayer Manual
By, Jasmine Yeboah, Youth President, British Methodist Conference, 2018/2019
“Thank you, Lord, for your reckless love that heals the
brokenness within us, gives us the strength to live another day
and forgives us our sins.
Help us to live out your reckless love, so that through the power
of the Holy Spirit we will be able to love you, love our neighbours
and forgive other people.
We receive Jesus as our Lord and Saviour and surrender our
lives to the power of the Holy Spirit to be used for your glory
alone. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray. Amen”.
By John Henry Newman (1801-1890)
“Support us, O Lord, all the day long until the shadows lengthen, the evening comes, the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over and our work is done. Then in your mercy, grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest and peace at the last; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Benediction: May God the Father bless you, May Jesus the Son hold you, and May The Holy Spirit Fill you, now and forever more.
Amen
The Hymn , “On Christ, the solid rock I stand”
God Bless you all .
Colin