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Acts Chapter
Four
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Witness of the Church in the Persecution
I. The reason for their being persecuted------they
taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead (v.1-4).
II. The church overcame the persecution of the
council (v.5-22):
A. The
interrogation of the council (v.5-7).
B. The
apostles boldly answered the reason why the lame was healed according to the
fact (v.8-12).
C. The
council forbade the apostles to speak at all or teach in the name of Jesus
(v.13-18).
D. The
apostles refused to the attitude that listening to men more than to God
(v.19-20).
E. The
council let the apostles go after they had threatened them (v.21-22).
III. The reaction after they overcame the
persecution (v.23-27):
A. The
apostles reported to the church (v.23).
B. The
church praised God and prayed to Him with one accord (v.24-30).
C. They were all filled with the Holy
Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness (v.31).
D. The
example that they had all things in common and donated the proceeds of the
things that were sold (v.32-37).
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
Acts. 4:1 “Now as they spoke to the
people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon
them,”
YLT: “And as they are
speaking unto the people, there came to them the priests, and the magistrate of
the temple, and the Sadducees --”
Literal Meaning: “Now as they spoke
to the people” “They” shows that those who spoke were more than one.
“The priests, the captain of the temple”
“The priests” took their turns to serve and therefore they refer to the priests
who did service in the area of the temple during that week. “The captain of the
temple” may be the managers of the temple who took charge of supervising and
guarding the temple and maintaining the order of the temple. Their position and
authority were second only to that of the high priest (Acts. 5:24, 26; Luke.
22:4, 52).
“The Sadducees” are of a sect of
Judaism. The Sadducees were of the priest class and they were of the patrician
class that was both rich and influential. They had a good relationship with the
Romans and therefore they always abused their power and bullied those who hold
views different from their own. They did not believe the resurrection of the
dead and the apostles preached that the Lord Jesus was raised from the dead and
therefore they were in great disturbed (See v.2).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “The priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees” These people were Judaic leaders. They
should deeply understand the will of God and unexpectedly they became tools of
Satan to persecute the church. Today, probably many leaders of Christianity are
utilized by Satan so that they seem to serve God apparently but actually they
make the church suffer losses.
2) When the Holy Spirit works, the enemy Satan also
begins to disturb. Many times, the enemy stirs up trouble in the church. It
proves that a group of people in the church is willing to live in the will of
God and they cause the devil to hate out of jealousy. And therefore we should
be strong and stand for the sake of the Lord.
Acts. 4:2 “being greatly disturbed
that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the
dead.”
YLT: “being grieved
because of their teaching the people, and preaching in Jesus the rising again
out of the dead --”
Literal Meaning: “in Jesus” means
that they taught the people “in the power and nature of Jesus”.
“Preached the resurrection from the
dead” It may have three kinds of meanings: 1) from the instance of the
resurrection of Jesus Christ, they preached that the resurrection had taken
place; 2) through the resurrection of Jesus, they preached that the dead will
also rise (1Cor. 15:12-19); 3) they preached that death is of Adam and
resurrection is of Christ (1Cor. 15:20-22).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) We should not only believe from our hearts that
the Lord Jesus was raised from the dead but also “preach” His resurrection with
our mouths.
2) Believers should not only objectively believe
the truth of the Lord’s resurrection but also subjectively experience the
Lord’s life of resurrection.
Acts. 4:3 “And they laid hands on
them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.”
YLT: “and they laid hands
upon them, and did put them in custody unto the morrow, for it was evening
already;”
Literal Meaning: “for it was already
evening” The evening sacrifice ended at about four o’clock in the afternoon and
the gate of the temple was about to be closed. Any justice concerning life and
death should begin and end by day.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Though apostles were “put” in prison, their
preaching met the need of several thousand people (See v.4). It shows a
principle of service: the abundant life is released contrarily through the
shackle of the cross.
2) If those who serve the Lord are unwilling to be
“put in” and prefer to decide and act on their own, contrarily the work of the
Holy Spirit will be restrained and the service won’t be effective.
Acts. 4:4 “However, many of those
who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five
thousand.”
YLT: “and many of those
hearing the word did believe, and the number of the men became, as it were,
five thousand.”
Literal Meaning: “the number of the
men” “The men” usually refer to adult men and occasionally include women (Luke.
11:31). Luke usually clearly showed whether women are included in many parts of
this book (Acts. 5:14; 8:3, 12; 9:2, 17:12; 22:4) and therefore here the word
should refer to men only.
“Came to be about five thousand” has two
explanations: 1) the number of people who believed the Lord that day “was about
five thousand”; 2) the total of people who believed the Lord was “about five
thousand” to that day.
Enlightenment in the Word: though the enemy tries its best to block the
preaching of the gospel, the power of the gospel cannot be obstructed by any
power of men. The more the gospel is persecuted by men, the more effective the
gospel is manifested.
Acts. 4:5 “And it came to pass, on
the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes,”
YLT: “And it came to pass
upon the morrow, there were gathered together of them the rulers, and elders,
and scribes, to
Literal Meaning: “their rulers,
elders and scribes” “rulers” refer to priests. “Elders” refer to the gentries
among the people. Most of the “scribes” were the Pharisees and they were
familiar with the Law of the Old Testament and the traditions of the elders.
The council was made up of these three groups of people and it was also the
supreme court of
Acts. 4:6 “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
YLT: “and Annas the chief
priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the
kindred of the chief priest,”
Literal Meaning: “Annas the high
priest” was the high priest from A.D. 6 to 15. He was removed from office by
the Romans, however, he was still generally acknowledged as the high priest by
the Jews.
“Caiaphas” was the son-in-law of Annas
and he succeeded as the high priest from A.D. 18 to 36.
“John” may be Jonathan, the son of Annas
and he succeeded as the high priest at A. D. 36. Some people held that he was
John Benchark the ruler of the great council after the fall of
“Alexander” was unknown.
Acts. 4:7 “And when they had set
them in the midst, they asked, ‘By what power or by what
name have you done this?’”
YLT: “and having set them
in the midst, they were inquiring, `In what power, or in what name did ye do
this?'”
Literal
Meaning: “By what power”
“power” is the reliance on which men do something.
“By what name” It refers to source of doing
something and the one who authorizes.
“Have you done this?” “This” indicates that
they healed a man lame from his mother’s womb by miracle (See v.22; 3:2).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “By what name have you done this?” They asked
so, showing that the one they wanted to cope with was the “name”------Jesus
Christ. The enemy of Satan is the Lord and therefore naturally all the tools
that are under Satan’s power deal with the Lord.
2) The tricks of the
enemy are to make the sons and daughters of God fear， draw back and dare not confess the name of
the Lord.
Acts. 4:8 “Then Peter, filled with
the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and
elders of
YLT: “Then Peter, having
been filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them: `Rulers of the people, and
elders of
Literal Meaning: “Then Peter, filled
with the Holy Spirit” Peter had been filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts. 2:4)
and now he was filled with the Holy Spirit, showing that being filled with the
Holy Spirit takes place often and repeatedly (Acts. 4:31; 9:17; 13:9).
“‘Rulers of the people and elders of
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Unless the Holy Spirit is one’s provision and is
responsible for one, none of believers can contend against by himself the
system of the world which is under the domination of Satan. And therefore every
time we encounter the persecution of the enemy, we have to pray to be filled
with the Holy Spirit.
2) The Lord once promised the disciples that it
will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who
speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you (Matt. 10:19-20).
Acts. 4:9 “If we this day are judged
for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well,”
YLT: “if we to-day are
examined concerning the good deed to the ailing man, by whom he hath been
saved,”
Meaning of Words: “has been made
well”: has been saved.
Literal Meaning: “for a good deed done to a
helpless man” “a helpless man”
refers to the patient (Acts. 5:15-16).
“We are judged…by what means he has been made well” “Judged” refers to the legally judgment.
Enlightenment in the Word: from v.9 to v.12, Peter, using the chance of being
interrogated, announced a message of the gospel that is brief and to the point
before the catechists. We should also follow his example------preach the word;
be instant in season, out of season; be in all circumstances (2Tim. 4:2).
Acts. 4:10 “let it be known to you
all, and to all the people of Israel, that 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.”
YLT: “be it known to all
of you, and to all the people of
Meaning of Words: “stand”: be sound.
Literal Meaning: “the name of Jesus Christ of
Nazareth” The name of “Jesus Christ of Nazareth” was the one who was mocked by the Judaic
leaders (John. 1:45-46; Acts. 22:8; 24:5).
Enlightenment in the Word: the lame was made well in the name of Jesus Christ.
It became the mark of the being spiritual “saved” of men who believed the name
of Jesus Christ.
Acts. 4:11 “This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has
become the chief cornerstone.'”
YLT: “`This is the stone
that was set at nought by you -- the builders, that became head of a corner;”
Meaning of Words: “reject”: despise,
least esteemed, regarded as worthless.
The
Background: when the Jews build
houses and lay the foundation, they first lay a foundation stone in the outer
corner. The stone is called “the chief cornerstone” and it is a massive rock in
the nook at the bottom of the building. It connects the walls and supports and
stabilizes the whole building.
Spiritual Meaning: “builders” refer to
the priests, scribes, the Pharisees and the Judaic leaders. They should work
for God’s building. The “stone” refers to the Lord Jesus and He is the base
material that God uses to build (Zech. 3:9). The Lord was rejected by the
Judaic leaders and was even crucified on the cross. However, God raised Him
from the dead and made Him be “the chief cornerstone” (Ps. 118:22; Matt.
21:42), i.e. the most fundamental and important chief cornerstone in whom all
the building fitly framed together for the building of the church (house) (Is.
28:16; Eph. 2:20-21; 1Pet. 2:4-7).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Christ is “the chief cornerstone” of the church
and in whom every kindred and every tongue are framed together. We should
regard Christ as the final basis and aim in everything.
2) In Christianity, v. 12 is regarded as a famous
verse and v.11 is neglected. In other words, Christianity only preaches the
Savior and does not preach the chief cornerstone. Christianity only preaches
the salvation and does not preach the building. Actually, the aim that God
saves us is to build His church and kingdom and His aim is not merely our
gaining eternal life and being delivered from hell.
3) The Lord saves us in order to change our natural
life so that we could become living stones from soil, be the materials for His
building (1Pet. 2:5), and accomplish the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:2).
Acts. 4:12 “Nor is there salvation in
any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we
must be saved.’”
YLT: “and there is not
salvation in any other, for there is no other name under the heaven that hath
been given among men, in which it behoveth us to be saved.'”
Meaning of Words: “be saved”: be
healed.
Literal Meaning: “Nor is there
salvation in any other” It means that Jesus Christ is the only way for
salvation and men can neither save themselves nor save others before God.
“For there is…under heaven…among men”
The word “for” is used to explain the previous sentence “nor is there salvation
in any other”. “Under heaven” refers to the whole world. “Among men” refers to
all mankind.
“There is no other name given by which
we must be saved” The name of Jesus
represents God’s works in Jesus and the message of salvation to the world
through Jesus. If men receive the name of Jesus, they indeed receive Jesus. The
salvation that God gives men is that men have to “believe that Jesus is the
Christ, the Son of God” so that “that believing you may have life in His name”
(John. 20:31).
Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit
and, before the rulers (also in the universe), announced a very affirmative
fact that the only way for men to be forgiven their sins, be reconciled with
God and gain eternal life is Jesus Christ. This verse shows four layers of
meaning: 1) Jesus is the “only” Savior------nor is there salvation in any other; 2) Jesus is the only “reliable”
Savior------by which we must be saved; 3) Jesus is the only reliable Savior
that is “given by God”------there
is no other name given; 4) Jesus is the
only reliable Savior that is given by God “under heaven among men”------for there is no other name
under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) One can believe several kinds of religions,
however, his sins cannot be remitted unless he receives Christ as the Savior.
2) Religion cannot save us and good works cannot
either. Only Christ can save us.
3) Admittedly, a sinner must be saved by believing
the Lord Jesus. The individual believer or the church has to rely on the Lord
Jesus so that difficulties will be solved and they will receive the abundant
provisions.
4) The name Jesus is not His own and is also given
to us. If we do not know our portion in it, we will suffer great losses.
5) The name Jesus not only has the power to heal
diseases but also is the proof of men’s being saved.
6) We should never exalt any other name except the
name of Jesus.
Acts. 4:13 “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.”
YLT: “And beholding the
openness of Peter and John, and having perceived that they are men unlettered
and plebeian, they were wondering -- they were taking knowledge also of them
that with Jesus they had been --”
Meaning of Words: “were uneducated”:
illiterate; “untrained men”: the common people, the ordinary people, unskilled
men.
Literal Meaning: “they were uneducated and
untrained men” “uneducated” shows
that they had not received the special education, especially the education of
rabbis concerning the complex regulations of the Law. “Untrained men” refers to
ignorant men in the original and they are the laymen who do not have any
special professional qualification. Peter and John had not received the train
of rabbis or filled offices in the approved circle of religion.
The reason why the apostles had such
boldness and insight are nothing else than two causes: 1) they were deeply
taught and influenced by the Lord Jesus during the period of three and a half
years when they followed Him; 2) after the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, they
received the indwelling Spirit, were baptized by the Spirit and received the
instruction and power of the Holy Spirit.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) What we should ask for today is not knowledge or
eloquence but boldness. And one’s boldness is due to his being filled with the
Holy Spirit. And therefore we should pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit so
that we could bear witness of the Lord boldly.
2) The most important condition for one to serve
the Lord is not his theological knowledge or his status in the church but
whether the Lord has called and entrusted him.
3) At this moment Peter is totally different than
before. When he was in the court of the high priest and was recognized that “he
was also with Jesus of Nazareth” (Matt. 26:71) in the past, he cursed, swore
and tried his best to deny Him. However, he was not ashamed of Him now and
contrarily he showed that “they had been with Jesus” by many deeds and words.
4) We believers should make effort to be “living
image of Jesus Christ” and let others clearly recognize that we “have been with
Jesus” in our life and service.
Acts. 4:14 “And seeing the man who
had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.”
YLT: “and seeing the man
standing with them who hath been healed, they had nothing to say against [it],”
Meaning of Words: “against”: rebut,
refute, controvert.
Enlightenment in the Word: facts speak louder than words. The best way to
preach the gospel is to manifest the witness of facts that men’s life has been
changed before men.
Acts. 4:15 “But when they had
commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,”
YLT: “and having
commanded them to go away out of the sanhedrim, they took counsel with one
another,”
Acts. 4:16 “saying, ‘What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a
notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in
YLT: “saying, `What shall
we do to these men? because that, indeed, a notable sign hath been done through
them, to all those dwelling in
Enlightenment in the Word: “what shall we do?” The best way for men is to do
according to the truth. Things will become worse if one does not do them
according to the truth.
Acts. 4:17 “But 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.’”
YLT: “but that it may
spread no further toward the people, let us strictly threaten them no more to
speak in this name to any man.'”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The enemy tries its best to close our moths so
that we dare not “speak the gospel to others”. We should never think that it is
enough for us to preach the gospel by our deeds only and we do not need to
speak to others. If we close our mouths and dare not speak, we are indeed
trapped in the device of the enemy.
2) Some believers are spiritually weak and
therefore they dare not speak Jesus to others. Actually, the reason why he is
spiritual weak is that he does not speak. The moment one speaks, he will be
strengthened spiritually.
3) Some believers think that they Christian life is
not normal and therefore they dare not preach the gospel. Actually, the reason
for his abnormal life may be that he does not dare to speak. The moment one
speaks, he will be normal.
Acts. 4:18 “So they called them and
commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.”
YLT: “And having called
them, they charged them not to speak at all, nor to teach, in the name of
Jesus,”
Literal Meaning: “not to speak at all nor
teach in the name of Jesus” “Speak” refers to
talking clearly; “teach” refers to instructing others.
Acts. 4:19 “But 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.”
YLT: “and Peter and John
answering unto them said, `Whether it is righteous before God to hearken to you
rather than to God, judge ye;”
Meaning of Words: “judge”: decree,
conclude.
Literal Meaning: “listen to you more than to
God” “You” refers to the council. The common
Jews have the duty to listen to the council because the council is established
to represent God to take care of the people. The Jews should regard listening
to the council as listening to God. However, when the council strays from the
will of God and no long represents God to do things, men cannot hear the word
of God from the council and therefore men could not listen to them.
“You judge” Apparently, the apostles
were judged by the council, however, the apostles actually judged the council
that judged them.
Controversial Clarification: today, many preachers quoted this verse to
teach believers “not to listen to men more tan to God”. However, they did not
explain it correctly so that believers often have extreme attitudes. As a
result of that, they have not glorified God and contrarily make the name of the
Lord be reproached by the world. And therefore believers have to be aware of
the following points:
1) The so-called “listening to” and “not listening
to” do not teach believers that they could ignore the law of the country.
Christians are also responsible to obey the duties that the citizens of the
country should obey, such as the military service and taxes.
2) What Peter and John did not “listen to” here is
that they forbade them to preach the gospel in the name of the Lord Jesus
because the mission of believers is to preach the gospel and bear witness
(Matt. 28:19).
3) Believers only do not “listen to” the “orders”
that indeed hinder us from doing our mission.
4) Here “not listening to” does not mean “not being
subject to”. “Listening” and “being subject to” are two different things. The
former refers to deeds and the latter refers to the attitude. The basic
attitude of believers is to be subject to all powers: fear to whom fear; honor
to whom honor (
5) When the orders of the higher powers harm
believers’ faith and identities (e.g. they are forbidden to believe the Lord,
they are forbidden to preach the gospel, they are ordered to do things that are
against their conscience and morality and etc.), we cannot “listen to” them.
However, we should not show the rebellious attitude. We, especially sons and
daughters, could suggest something to our parents, however, we should not have
the disobedient attitude.
Enlightenment in the Word: many people are misfortunate because the voice of
“men” stays in their ears more than that of “God”.
Acts. 4:20 “For we cannot but speak
the things which we have seen and heard.’”
YLT: “for we cannot but
speak what we did see and hear.'”
Literal Meaning: “which we have seen
and heard” it refers to what believers have seen and heard from the Lord, i.e.
our experiences of Christ.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) A good preacher has to see and hear from the
Lord first and then he is able to preach what he has seen and heard. Only such
preaching could make the listeners “say nothing against it” (v.14).
2) Those who quench their conscious, reject the
truth and confound right and wrong cannot say what they should say and do what
they should do.
Acts. 4:21 “So 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.”
YLT: “And they having
further threatened [them], let them go, finding nothing how they may punish
them, because of the people, because all were glorifying God for that which
hath been done,”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “When they had further threatened them, finding
no way of punishing them” It shows that “threat” is the only way when there is
no other way. Threat is the customary tactic of the enemy from generations and
from ages.
2) The reason why Christians are not afraid of
threats is that they know all things that men could do upon them is temporary
and what God gives them is eternal.
3) To those who truly rely on God, threat does not
take any effect and contrarily presses them to rely on God closely.
4) The reason why Christian are not in any way
terrified by our adversaries, because it is to them a proof of perdition, but
to us of salvation, and that from God (Pill. 1:28).
Acts. 4:22 “For the man was over
forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.”
YLT: “for above forty
years of age was the man upon whom had been done this sign of the healing.”
Literal Meaning: “was over forty
years old” It shows that this man was already mature. His disease had a long
history and his condition was steady and he cannot be healed by remedies. And
therefore he must be healed by the great power of God.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) No matter how deep rooted men’s diseases (both
physically and spiritually) and the innate chronic diseases are, the Lord is
able to deal with them.
2) The more helpless the condition is to men, the
more it is manifested that it is of the work of God. The end of men is the
beginning of God.
Acts. 4:23 “And being let go, they
went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders
had said to them.”
YLT: “And being let go,
they went unto their own friends, and declared whatever the chief priests and
the elders said unto them,”
Meaning of Words: “own companions”:
people on their own side, private societies and recesses.
Literal Meaning: “they went to their
own companions” means “they went to the people on their own side”. Their deed
shows that: 1) though they had been threatened, they still did not lose their
will and they were willing to share weal and woe with other believers; 2)
though they had high status (they were chosen to be apostles), they did not
think that they had any advantages than others and they still needed the
assistance of other believers.
Some Bible exegetes held
that the word “own companions” may refer to the place where the disciples
gathered together in the beginning (Acts. 1:13-15) and it was the place where
they often shared the grace of the Lord.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Believers and unbelievers are unequal (2Cor.
6:14) and therefore the true Christians should regard other believers as
“people on their own side” (the original of “own companions”) from their
hearts.
2) “And being let go, they went to their own companions” It is the concrete testimony of “sharing
responsibilities” and “sharing cares and worries”. A brother is born for
adversity (Prov. 17:17). When you suffer adversity, is there anyone who is
willing to share your cares and responsibilities in the church?
Acts. 4:24 “So when they heard that,
they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: ‘Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea,
and all that is in them,”
YLT: “and they having
heard, with one accord did lift up the voice unto God, and said, `Lord, thou
[art] God, who didst make the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all that
[are] in them,”
Literal Meaning: “Lord” means “the
king of powers and authorities”. He has the absolute and infinite power that
men cannot resist.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The church is in the sinful world from beginning
to the end. Without the special care of God, she would have already been rooted
out by the murderous schemes of ministers of the devil.
2) The coming into being of the church is of
prayers (Acts. 1:14). The church also deals with difficulties through prayers.
3) Difficulties not only press the church to come
to the countenance of God but also press sons and daughters of God to be “with
one accord” more.
4) “They raised their voice to God with one accord and said” “With one accord” is the important
condition in praying to God and fighting for God. God does not answer the
prayer that is not made with one accord and Satan does not fear the church that
is not with one accord.
5) Great prayers must take effort through the
principle of the cooperation of the body.
6) “Raising their voice to God” is the key for
believers to overcome. Facing the persecution and threat of the enemy, “raising
voice to God” is the only and the best way.
7) The one whom we look upon is “the Lord” who “made heaven and earth and
the sea, and all that is in them”.
He is above all and sits as a king (Ps. 29:10) and everything------including
the enemy and its evil power------is under His control.
8) When we turn to and firmly believe “the Lord”
who has the infinite power and authority, we could disregard the relatively
limited authority.
Acts. 4:25 “who by the mouth of Your
servant David have said: ‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?”
YLT: “who, through the
mouth of David thy servant, did say, Why did nations rage, and peoples meditate
vain things?”
Literal Meaning: “who by the mouth of Your
servant David have said” The following
words are quoted from Ps. 2:1-2.
“Why did the nations rage?” “Rage” in
the original means to snort (the spirited horse). Here it is quoted to describe
the arrogance, imperiousness, fury and snarl of the world.
“And the people plot vain things?” “Plot” refers to thinking deeply and
planning carefully. “Vain things” means things that are not effective.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Men may show disrespectful attitude towards God,
however, God overcomes to the end. Though the spirited horse leaps and snorts,
it cannot escape the restrain of the bridle rein.
2) The one who knows “the Lord” (v.24) who is
infinitely powerful is able to thoroughly understand that the “raging” and
“plotting vain things” of the enemy are not worth a thought.
Acts. 4:26 “The kings of the earth
took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the LORD and
against His Christ.'”
YLT: “the kings of the
earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and
against His Christ;”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The aim of the “raging” and “plotting” of the
nations (v.25) is to remove Christ. Today the incarnate Christ was not on the
earth, however, He is in all Christians. And therefore today the raging and
plotting of the nations indeed deal with Christians.
2) Just as the more men resist Christ, the more
Christ is glorified, the more the political power and its subordinates
persecute Christians, the more people become Christians.
Acts. 4:27 “‘For
truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and
Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of
YLT: “for gathered
together of a truth against Thy holy child Jesus, whom Thou didst anoint, were
both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with nations and peoples of
Literal Meaning: “both Herod and
Pontius Pilate” “Herod” is Herod Antipas who was the tetrarck of
Acts. 4:28 “to do whatever Your hand
and Your purpose determined before to be done.”
YLT: “to do whatever Thy
hand and Thy counsel did determine before to come to pass.”
Meaning of Words: “determined before
to be done”: determine in advance.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) All that we encounter are in the God’s hand and
to do what God’s purpose determined before to be done.
2) God is the highest “historian”. He has already
written the history before the history takes place.
Acts. 4:29-30 “Now, Lord, look on their
threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your
word, by stretching out Your hand
to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy
Servant Jesus.”
YLT: “`And now, Lord,
look upon their threatenings, and grant to Thy servants with all freedom to
speak Thy word, in the stretching forth of Thy hand, for healing, and signs,
and wonders, to come to pass through the name of Thy holy child Jesus.'”
Literal Meaning: “grant to Your
servants that with all boldness” The prayer shows that they do not hold that
they could cope with the circumstance by their own power and they indeed rely
on the power that is not of their own.
Two kinds of servants are mentioned in
this verse: 1) “Your servants” refers to Christians who treat themselves as
God’s servants and live for serving God. 2) “You holy Servant” refers to Jesus
Christ who was sent to the world as a man in order to accomplish the great work
of redemption.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) They did not ask God to take away the difficulty
but ask Him to give them sufficient grace to face the difficulty (2Cor. 12:9).
2) Many times, the Lord permits Satan to raise
difficulties to the church and edifies the church through difficulties. In this
way, difficulties actually become the blessing of the church.
3) “Stretching out Your hand” If God has not stretched out His hand, all our
works will be in vain. If He has stretched out His hand, all our problems will
come to naught.
4) What they ask in prayers is the boldness and
insight to preach and the power to heal. In other words, they ask the heart to
bear witness of the Lord and the ability to serve the gospel.
Acts. 4:31 “And when they had prayed,
the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all
filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.”
YLT: “And they having
prayed, the place was shaken in which they were gathered together, and they
were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and were speaking the word of God with
freedom,”
Literal Meaning: “And when they had prayed,
the place where they were assembled together was shaken” It shows that their prayer has been answered by
God or even God Himself has come among them (Exod. 19:18; Is. 6:4).
“And they were all filled with the Holy
Spirit” On the day of
Pentecost, they had been filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts. 2:1-4). And Peter
was filled with the Holy Spirit again when he debated with the council (Acts.
4:8). Now they were all filled with the Holy Spirit when they prayed and
praised. It shows that being filled with the Holy Spirit keeps continual. After
men have been filled with the Holy Spirit, there will be some spiritual
phenomenon, e.g. power, boldness, eloquence and etc.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) When the church prays for the will of God with
one accord, there will be the power “shaking the heaven and the earth” indeed.
2) “Spoke the word of God” The message that we preach should be the word of
God and the word of God’s Bible should be quoted in the message. It is
effective. And therefore we should be familiar with the Bible and we could use
them if necessary.
Acts. 4:32 “Now the multitude of
those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that
any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.”
YLT: “and of the
multitude of those who did believe the heart and the soul was one, and not one
was saying that anything of the things he had was his own, but all things were
to them in common.”
Literal Meaning: “the multitude of
those who believed” Since there are “the multitude of” those who believed,
their habits, customs, personalities, ideas, ages, professions, knowledge and
languages must be different.
“Were of one heart and one soul” It
means that they abandon their differences with each other and they are as one
man.
“Neither did anyone say that any of the
things he possessed was his own” Since “he
possessed” the things, the things should be “his own”. And therefore here the
statement seems to be contradictory. The attitude of believers in the early
church towards properties shows their love among each other in the Lord and
their sense of belonging to the church.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) When believers’ hearts to the Lord are raised
and their whole hearts are close to the Lord, nothing could hinder them from
gathering together and loving each other.
2) May no one in the church be selfish, timid and
speak the word that does not edify others.
3) All our belongings, bodies, wisdom and etc are
what the Lord has entrusted us and none of them are “our own”. If we are able to
know that all that I possess belong to the Lord and since they belong to the
Lord, they also belong to the church, we will have all things in common.
Acts. 4:33 “And with great power the
apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace
was upon them all.”
YLT: “And with great
power were the apostles giving the testimony to the rising again of the Lord
Jesus, great grace also was on them all,”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) When the church and workers are normal, all
people will receive great grace.
2) The Lord shall bestow great grace to very church
in which believers love each other and are with one accord.
Acts. 4:34 “Nor was there anyone
among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold
them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,”
YLT: “for there was not
any one among them who did lack, for as many as were possessors of fields, or
houses, selling [them], were bringing the prices of the thing sold,”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “Neither did anyone say that any of the things
he possessed was his own” (v.32) is first and then “nor was there anyone among them who
lacked”. It teaches us
that: in the church, concerning both the materials and life, if everyone is
willing to give them to others, all will enjoy the riches; if everyone is
stingy, all will be poor contrarily.
2) If love is not in lack, the need will not be in
lack. And therefore when someone lacks in the church, we should know first that
there must be something wrong with love.
3) “And brought the proceeds of the things that were sold” It shows that: in the church, all ideas
and thoughts of properties should be abandoned seriously. The church is not the
profitable institutions and therefore they should not do according to the
principle of “whether it profits”.
Acts. 4:35 “and laid them at the
apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.”
YLT: “and were laying
them at the feet of the apostles, and distribution was being made to each
according as any one had need.”
Literal Meaning: concerning the
corporate life style that “they had all things in common” in the early church,
please see the notes in Acts. 2:44.
Acts. 4:36 “And Joses, who was also
named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a
Levite of the country of
YLT: “And Joses, who was
surnamed by the apostles Barnabas -- which is, having been interpreted, Son of
Comfort -- a Levite, of
Literal Meaning: “of the country of
“Who was also named Barnabas by the
apostles” “Barnabas” means
“Son of Encouragement”, showing that he was one who encouraged others. However,
he did not speak hollow and gentle words to encourage others. He used his
actual acts to encourage others by his personalities, deeds and his own
properties.
Acts. 4:37 “having land, sold it, and
brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.”
YLT: “a field being his,
having sold [it], brought the money and laid [it] at the feet of the apostles.”
The
Background: according to the Law
of Moses, Levites could not possess the right of land (Num. 18:23-24). Barnabas
was a Levite (v.36), however, he had land and sold it. The reasons may be that:
1) the laws and regulations of Moses were only applied to the lands within the
borders of
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
The Comparisons between Workers of the Lord
and Workers of Satan
II. By the name of
Jesus Christ of Nazareth (v.10-12)------they commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the
name of Jesus (v.17-18).
III. The boldness
(v.13)------being greatly disturbed (v.2), and were scared (v.17).
IV. A notable
miracle has been done (v.16)------finding no way of punishing them (v.21).
V. They were judged
apparently but actually they judged others (v.19)------they judged the apostles
apparently but actually they were judged by the apostles (v.17).
VI. Cannot but speak
(v.20)------say nothing against it (v.14).
The Example of the Preaching of Workers
II. Exalt the Lord
Jesus Christ (v.9-10).
III. Lead the way of
being saved (v.11-12).
IV. The witness that
they have followed the Lord is manifested in them (v.13).
V. Have the actual
witness of works (v.14).
VI. Listen to God’s
guidance and speak to and teach people (v.18-19).
VII. Speak the
things which they have seen and heard (v.20).
VIII. They cannot
but speak the things which they have seen and heard (v.20; Acts. 20:27).
IX. They are moved and
all glorify God (v.21).
The Cooperation in the Church
I. The cooperation
among workers------sometimes one speaks (v.8) but the expression of two is
manifested (v.13); sometimes two speak together (v.19).
II. The cooperation
between workers and all saints------workers need the care and support of all
Saints (v.23); they pray with one accord (v.24) so that all are filled with the
Holy Spirit (v.31).
III. The cooperation
among members------all of them are of one heart and one soul and they have
mutual communions (v.32-35).
One Example of Prayer in the Church
II. All people
(raise their voice) with one accord and pray to God urgently (v.24a).
III. Rely on and
look upon the Lord who controls everything (v.24b).
IV. The negative
aspect------ask the Lord to search the difficulty that the church is facing
(v.25-29).
V. The positive
aspect------ask the Lord for help (v.30):
A. with all boldness
B. stretching out His hand to do signs
and wonders
VI. The prayer takes
effect immediately (v.31):
A. the place where they were assembled
together was shaken.
B. they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and
they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Another Example of Prayer in the Church
I. All those who pray
are with one accord (v.24a).
II. They trust that
God has the great power (v.24b).
III. They receive
God’s revelation from the Bible (v.25-28).
IV. They pray for
some certain thing (v.29-30).
V. They regard glory
as the aim (v.30b).
VI. They have the
gifts of the Holy Spirit (v.31b).
VII. They could do
the better works (v.31c).
The Way of the Testimony of the Church
II. Neither did
anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all
things in common (v.32b)------love your neighbor as yourself (Matt. 19:19), it
shows that one’s life of “self” is willing to be deprived of.
III. With great
power the apostles (v.33a)------those who speak for the Lord could show the
power of the Holy Spirit.
IV. Gave witness to
the resurrection of the Lord Jesus (v.33b)------the “life” of Jesus is
manifested (2Cor. 4:10).
V. And great grace
was upon them all (v.33c)------great grace was upon the whole church.
VI. Nor was there
anyone among them who lacked (v.34a)------enter into the abundant land.
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Sharon Ren