Acts (Written)

Monday, 10 January 2022

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: Acts 4:8

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

Standing before the leaders gathered at Jerusalem, Peter and John were just asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” Now, in response to that, Luke records, “Then Peter.”

As is the norm, Peter is the one who speaks on behalf of both. It was he that was given the keys of the kingdom of heaven as detailed in Matthew 16 –

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. ¹⁸ And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. ¹⁹ And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’” Matthew 16:17-19

The idea of the “keys of the kingdom” will be more clearly understood as Acts progresses. For now, it is also of note that it was also Peter who was given the main commission by the Lord to “Feed My sheep.”

Peter is given specific authority and responsibility, and so he is the one who the narrative focuses on. Luke next notes that Peter is “filled with the Holy Spirit.” This is something explicitly said to the disciples of Jesus concerning their ministry –

“Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. ¹² For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Luke 12:11, 12

In fulfillment of that, Peter is filled with the words and the wisdom of God to respond in the manner best determined by Him. As this is so, the exact and perfect words necessary to fulfill His purposes will be realized. Israel had rejected Christ and crucified Him. They bore the national guilt of what occurred.

Like in Acts 2 and again in Acts 3, Peter’s testimony now will be sufficient to unmistakably demonstrate that Jesus was and is their Messiah. They will have the freewill to repent of their actions and be healed, or the words Peter will speak will testify against them as a nation. The collective guilt will remain, and Acts will stand as a valid witness against them that their rejection and subsequent punishment by the Lord is justified.

This begins to be seen once again in the words of Peter now. As such, Luke continues, noting that Peter “said to them.” The council of rulers, elders, scribes, and priestly class – meaning all of those who should know and recognize Christ from Scripture, and who bear the authority for national decisions – are being addressed by the Lord’s messenger, filled with the Holy Spirit. It is in this state that Peter begins, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel.”

There is an underlying ominous tone for the nation with these words. The high priest was the mediator of the sacrificial system of the covenant. It is a minutely detailed system that was set up to anticipate the work of Jesus Christ. But a main point of that system was that various levels of authority within the nation required particular sacrifices for guilt.

In other words, when the high priest sinned, the sacrifice and the blood of the sacrifice had to be handled differently than for the common people (see Leviticus 4:1-12). This is true with a ruler of the people (see Leviticus 4:22-26) and of a sin committed by the entire congregation (see Leviticus 4:13-21).

However, because Christ had come and fulfilled the typology of all of these sacrifices, and because He had then brought the Mosaic Covenant to its fulfillment and annulment, those in these positions must come through Him to receive atonement – meaning the high priest, the rulers, and indeed the entire congregation. The national guilt exists, and it cannot be cleansed apart from acceptance of the work of their Messiah.

A clear note from the Lord’s mouth demonstrates this –

“Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, ² saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.” Matthew 23:1, 2

These rulers sat upon the seat of Moses. They administered the legislative aspect of the covenant. Along with the high priest who administered the sacrificial parts of it, they should have known better. They were responsible for knowing Scripture and understanding the time of their visitation. But they failed in this. The national guilt rested upon them. Peter is, once again, speaking to them in hopes of removing this guilt. If they reject His words, which are now recorded in Acts, those words will stand as a witness against them.

Life application: Luke 12 is cited above. Again, Jesus said, “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. ¹² For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say” Luke 12:11, 12.

Have you ever heard anyone quote this, claiming that their words are inspired of God because of Jesus’ promise? If so, what is the problem with that? The answer is that Jesus was not speaking to or of them. Rather, he was speaking to His disciples, under the law, and in relation to the events that would relate to that particular context, and into the issuing of the New Covenant.

With Scripture complete, we now have the full and complete word of God to guide our speech before the world. It stands as the witness to God’s workings in Christ. We are to know Scripture, and to stand – by faith – upon its words.

This does not mean that people will not be filled with the Spirit during the church age. It is quite apparent that they are from Paul’s words. But when Paul says, “Be filled with the Spirit,” it is passive in the Greek – ἀλλὰ πληροῦσθε ἐν πνεύματι (alla plērousthe en Pneumati).

Paul’s words thus mean that we are not actively filled with the Spirit as Peter was. Instead, we receive the full measure of the Spirit the moment that we believe the gospel and are saved. Just as a man who marries a woman will never get more married, we will never get more of the Spirit. But just as a spouse can get more of his or her spouse through yielding to the other, the Spirit can get more of us as we yield our lives to God. In this, we are passively filled with the Spirit.

How does this come about? It comes about through study of the word, prayer, talking to God, rejoicing in the wonders of God, fellowshipping with other believers, praising God, etc. In our active pursuit of the things of God, we will be passively filled with the Spirit.

When a cup is filled, the cup doesn’t do anything active. It receives the wine because it is in a state ready to receive it. We must be in the proper state to receive the filling of the Spirit, and it isn’t in the manner that Pentecostals and Charismatics insist.

Let us honor the Lord with our lives and in our actions. In turn, we will be filled with the Spirit.

Lord God, thank You for our sealing with the Holy Spirit upon our faith in Christ. Now, may we be responsible with that event and yield ourselves to You, being filled – even to overflowing – with the joy of the Spirit and the life in Christ that we now possess. To Your glory we pray! Amen.

Sunday, 9 January 2022

And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” Acts 4:7

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

All of those leaders necessary to establish the authority of the tribunal have been named in the previous two verses. They were specifically noted as being “together at Jerusalem.” The seat of national power and authority has gathered together. It is an opportunity to repent and turn from their previous actions. The account to be presented will detail this. For now, with these gathered together, Luke next notes, “And when they had set them in the midst.”

Charles Ellicott notes, “The Sanhedrin sat in a semi-circle, the president being in the middle of the arc, the accused standing in the centre.” This would be a rather intimidating thing. Being encircled by the leaders, and with guards stationed around them as well, there would be every reason to be timid and to quickly acquiesce by even the strongest of rebellious souls. With this in mind, “they asked.”

The verb is imperfect. Rather than “they asked,” it more appropriately says, “they were asking.” One gets the sense of an interrogation being conducted and various people speaking out the same thing again and again. This doesn’t necessarily mean an unorderly questioning, but a repeated one. This occurred when Christ healed a blind man –

“Then they said to him again, ‘What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?’
²⁷ He answered them, ‘I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?’” John 9:26, 27

This is the same sense now. They asked and they kept on asking, trying to find a hole in the story of the apostles. And their question is, “By what power.” The Greek reads, “In what power.” There is a power that exists, and that power has extended to the apostles. As a man does not possess such power in and of himself, it is understood that the power they wield comes from a source external to them, even if it now comes through them.

It is similar to the question put before Christ as he stood before the leaders in the temple –

“Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, ‘By [literally: in] what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?’” Matthew 21:23

It is understood that authority bestows power. They understood that Christ Jesus bore the power. Therefore, the question presented to Him asked of the authority that granted the power. Here, in Acts, the leaders are simply first asking what kind of power was possessed by the men. Next, they ask, “or by what name.”

Again, the Greek reads, “or in what name.” This is the same as when Jesus was asked, “By [literally: in] what authority.” A name is to be taken synonymously with the authority. If a king calls for someone to be arrested or executed, it is in his name that this occurs. His name is the legal authority for the action.

The leaders are trying to determine the source of what has occurred, but the question is put in a most derogatory manner. This is seen in the final words where the English does not convey the sense of the Greek, “have you done this?”

The order of the words in the Greek is, “did this you.” First, the explanation for the word “this” is left off. Instead of saying, “did this miracle,” or “did this sign,” it simply says “this.” There is a note of contempt for those through whom the miracle was accomplished.

Secondly, the question ending with “you” is a way of heaping contempt on them. A long and flowery paraphrase may help convey the meaning – “You? You are country hicks from Galilee. And you did this? C’mon, tell us the story! We’re surprised you can even feed yourselves. So how did YOU do this?”

Life application: When talking about sharing the gospel, there is often the sense from one of the people in the conversation that they are “just not good at it.” This may mean a multitude of things, but one of them is, “I am just not an effective speaker.” Another may be, “I get intimidated by the people I want to talk to.”

Such things should be entirely erased from the mind. The gospel is “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). The gospel is not the power of (insert your name here). It is the power of God. What is there to be intimidated over? What is there that you cannot effectively speak forth?

All you need to do is to remember the simple gospel, be able to explain it, and let it be accepted or rejected by the one who hears. A child can do this because even a child can understand what the gospel signifies. Be bold about the power of God that is found in the gospel. Be willing to speak it forth! And then, when you have done your job, find someone else to tell it to.

Lord God, may we be bold in the proclamation of that which contains Your power to save. May we be willing to simply speak forth the gospel as responsible members of Your church. Give us the desire and strength of character to do so. Amen.

Saturday, 8 January 2022

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. Acts 4:6

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The previous verse noted the rulers, elders, and scribes. Now, added to them, Luke says, “as well as Annas the high priest.” Of him, Albert Barnes notes in his commentary from John 18:13 –

“He had been himself a long time high priest; he had had five sons who had successively enjoyed the office of high priest, and that office was now filled by his son-in-law. It was of importance, therefore, to obtain his sanction and counsel in their work of evil.”

As he is called the high priest now, it adds a note of difficulty to the overall narrative because of the next person’s name, Caiaphas. In John 18, it says –

“Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. ¹³ And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year.” John 18:12, 13

Caiaphas is called the “high priest that year” by John. He was the son-in-law of Annas. Assuming this is shortly after the ascension of Christ, then the narrative gets a bit confusing. However, this could be telling us the events are happening later in the year. Israel had two calendars by which they conducted their affairs.

One began in the springtime in the month of Aviv, which is known as Nisan. That calendar is focused on the Lord’s redemptive narrative (see Exodus 12:2). The other began in the fall in the month of Tishri. That is used in the Old Testament for civil matters and is considered the regnant, or royal calendar. It could be that by this time, the office of high priest had returned to Caiaphas. Of the confusing nature of the appointment of the high priests, the Pulpit Commentary says –

“The succession of the high priests was so irregular, and their tenure of the office so uncertain, in these later years of the Jewish commonwealth, being dependent upon the caprice of the civil rulers who appointed and deposed them at their pleasure, that it does not surprise us to find Annas and Caiaphas high priests at the commencement of John the Baptist’s ministry, then Caiaphas at the time of our Lord’s passion, and now Annas again. It is possible, however, that Annas may have continued to be president of the Sanhedrim, and be called high priest, even when not actually so.”

No matter what, there is not necessarily any contradiction between John 18 and Luke’s note here. And, indeed, it is certain there is not. Of these two, Charles Ellicott also provides insight –

“These are mentioned by themselves as representing the section that had probably convened the meeting, and came in as if to dominate its proceedings. The order of the first two names is the same as in Luke 3:2, and as that implied in John 18:13; John 18:24. Annas, or Ananus, had been made high priest by Quirinus, the Governor of Syria, filled the office A.D. 7-15, and lived to see five of his sons occupy it after him. At this time, Joseph Caiaphas was the actual high priest, … having been appointed in A.D. 17. He was deposed A.D. 37. He had married the daughter of Annas; and the latter seems to have exercised a dominant influence, perhaps, as the Nasi, the Prince, or President, of the Sanhedrin, during the remainder of his life. If he presided on this occasion, it may explain St. Luke’s calling him ‘the high priest.’”

Along with these two, Luke mentions “John, and Alexander.” Of these two, the Pulpit Commentary says –

“Of John and Alexander nothing further is known, but Farrar conjectures that John may be “the celebrated Johanan Ben Zakkai, and Alexander perhaps the wealthy brother of Philo.”

Regardless of their identity, they were known at the time of Luke’s writing, and thus they add validity to his narrative that would otherwise be lacking. Along with these, it next says, “and as many as were of the family of the high priest.”

These would be people of prominence and some measure of status and even possibly of authority. Some speculate that they would be of the party of the Sadducees. Others think they may have become members of the Sanhedrin. Luke finishes the thought, saying that they “were gathered together at Jerusalem.”

The words “at Jerusalem” are not unimportant. Rather, Luke – as led by the Holy Spirit – is clearly indicating the seat of power and authority of the nation. As such, their decision will affect the entire nation. The collective guilt of the people exists because of their rejection of Christ. That national guilt will only be atoned for when Jerusalem, the seat of the nation’s power, repents.

For now, it is certain that all of these chief officials are noted to show that there was a great resistance to the word of the apostles, and they had gathered in force to intimidate them into silence. Will this come about? Or will the testimony of these two apostles convert the hearts of these leaders?

Life application: These are generally the same men who were gathered together to hold trial against Jesus. They had violated the law in many remarkable ways in their interrogation and sentencing of the Lord. As such, they felt they were above the law. But the law issued from Moses and Moses received it from the Lord. One can see that there was no true fear of God for them to have done the things they did. Now, Peter and John have been hauled before them to receive their own interrogation.

In the world today, there is a state of increasing wickedness. The thought of “God” is one of intimidation for those who can be intimidated by religious authority, but it is certain there is no corresponding fear of God in those same people. As such, there is no care about truth, justice, or pursuing that which is righteous. Judges make arbitrary decisions without any fear of God, nor with any care for the rule of law.

Therefore, should you be brought before such people for trial, you can expect that you will not be treated fairly if you are an avowed Christian. As such, you should probably firmly resolve, in advance, that you will uphold your faith in Christ at all costs. If you have a fear of God, and if you are certain that the message of Jesus Christ is true, then you must be willing to live by that. Have faith that He will, in fact, deliver you. It may not be deliverance from prison or execution, but He will deliver you unto Himself – just as He has promised.

Have faith, pronounce your faith without fear, and let the chips fall where they may.

Lord God Almighty, we know that the message of Jesus is true. We know that we have You on our side because of our faith in Him. Give us the courage and the resolve to stand fast in our proclamation of the truth of the gospel and of the faith that saves men. Help us to always be willing to stand up and proclaim JESUS. Amen.

Friday, 7 January 2022

And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, Acts 4:5

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The words of this verse are in response to what has happened in verses 4:1-3. Some of the leaders gathered together against Peter and John because of their preaching, they laid hands on them, and they put them in custody “until the next day” (4:3). Now, that time has arrived. Luke says, “And it came to pass, on the next day.”

Peter and John were incarcerated all night. With the coming of the new day, Luke records that there was a gathering of the leaders of Israel. This included “their rulers.” The Greek is archón. It signifies one of first rank or power. This is referring to the Sanhedrin or ruling seventy of Israel. In verse 4:15, the gathering will be called a “council.” As such, it certainly would have included some or all of the Sanhedrin. Saying “their” rulers, it indicates that this is a Gentile author writing to a Gentile audience. That is a reasonable inference to be made. Next, he says, “elders.”

The Greek word is presbuteros. It refers to a mature person who is considered one of seasoned judgment. What their distinction from the Sanhedrin is cannot be certain, but they surely held some position of importance. Along with them, it then says, “and scribes.”

The Greek is grammateus. This would be a person learned in the law and thus a religious teacher. Ezra was a scribe as is noted in Ezra 7:6 and elsewhere. These men would have kept recordings of court cases, probably the registers maintained in synagogues, and so on. They would have also kept genealogical records, provided receipts for sales of land and other such things, issued bills of divorce, and so on. Their functions would be more societal rather than religious in nature.

These, and more to be listed in the coming verse, are gathered together to consider the matter of the arrest. It is not at all unlike what had happened in the not too distant past concerning the arrest of another Man –

“As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying, ⁶⁷ ‘If You are the Christ, tell us.’” Luke 22:66, 67

Life application: To this day, people around the world are gathered together to judge matters concerning those who preach the gospel of Christ. In once-Christian nations, preachers are arrested for simply speaking out the words of Scripture and telling people to turn to (or back to) the Lord.

Telling someone that there is only one path to God is deemed offensive. Telling someone that his path to God is false is termed “hate speech.” Because of this people are handcuffed and put in prison. And yet, the fact is that there is only one path to God, and anyone who seeks God apart from Jesus Christ is following a false message.

How willing are you to actually speak what the Bible proclaims? Is it worth being ostracized by friends or family? Or is it easier to just keep your mouth shut and to keep the words of life and restoration to yourself? To what extent are you willing to go to share what others simply cannot do without?

Lord God, help us to never be ashamed of the gospel. May we be willing to proclaim it at all times and in a manner that does not water down the truth of what it conveys. Help us to be bold in our proclamation of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thursday, 6 January 2022

However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. Acts 4:4

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The previous verse referred to arresting Peter and John and taking them into custody until the next day. Despite this, their words to the people were not without effect. This is seen as Luke continues, saying, “However, many of those who heard the word.” This is referring to those mentioned in Acts 3:11 –

“Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed.”

No indication of how many were gathered is given, but it would have been no small number. The people were amazed and curious concerning the healing of the beggar, and they would want to know everything they could about the matter. Because of this, they were willing to listen to Peter’s discourse for several hours.

Eventually, the leaders got word of what was going on and were furious that Jesus Christ was being portrayed as resurrected. But it was during this time of Peter speaking that the people were convinced and many “believed.”

This clearly indicates that they had “repented” as Peter told them to do in Acts 3:19. They were a part of the nation that had crucified the Lord Jesus, and they had changed their minds about what happened. No longer was Jesus rejected by them, but rather they had accepted that He died for their sins and rose again. Thus, those who believed were saved through their faith in Christ. This is the intent of what is conveyed by Luke. As such, it demonstrates that they were saved by faith alone in the grace of God found in Jesus Christ. With this noted, Luke next records, “and the number of the men.”

This is the general way that numbers were reckoned. It is found time and again in Scripture –

“You shall observe the Feast of Tabernacles seven days, when you have gathered from your threshing floor and from your winepress. ¹⁴ And you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates. ¹⁵ Seven days you shall keep a sacred feast to the Lord your God in the place which the Lord chooses, because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you surely rejoice.
¹⁶ “Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed. ¹⁷ Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you.” Deuteronomy 16:13-17

All people were to attend each pilgrim feast, without exception. However, the reckoning is based upon the males. Likewise, it says in Matthew –

“Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. ²⁰ So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. ²¹ Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.” Matthew 14:19-21

In the feeding of the five thousand, only the men were counted. As such, the number was at least double and possibly triple or more of that number, depending on how many family members were present. Based on Luke’s wording, the same is probably true here. The men are counted, standing as representative of those who accompanied them. With this understood, Luke provides the numbers, saying, “came to be about five thousand.”

Some older translations like the Geneva and the KJV say the number “was” about five thousand. This gives a false sense of what is being conveyed by Luke. It was not five thousand who had been converted, but the number of believers had grown (in total) to about five thousand men. Before Pentecost, in Acts 1:15, there were recorded one hundred and twenty believers. On Pentecost, it says that “three thousand souls were added to them” (Acts 3:41).

In that account, it does not specify men, but that may be the case. However, Luke’s specificity now in Acts 4 indicates a body of about five thousand men, meaning a much larger body of believing family members would be counted in that number as well. It is a large amount, but it is still only a very small portion of Israel, and it does not include the leaders who must be a part of the faith before a true national turning can be considered for the coming of the promised times of refreshing Peter spoke of in Acts 3:19.

Life application: No dating is given concerning the event which has taken place. It could have been days, weeks, or months after Pentecost. The matter is not included by Luke because that is not what was important. The fact that the event happened, and that many believed, is what is important.

Further, the number of believers had increased now to about five thousand men. However long that took, it is the result that is focused on. It is a good lesson. If we get caught up on setting numbers in a ministry, the focus is all wrong. We are to enter into the ministry, in whatever particular job we do, without worrying about numbers. We are to continue to minister whether there are five or five hundred.

It is very easy to get so caught up in numbers, such as YouTube views, that we forget that what we should be doing is simply the thing we have been called to do. If we are doing our job properly, and in accord with Scripture, then what we are doing is proper. It doesn’t matter if we have seats filled in a stadium of fifty thousand people if what we are doing is not in accord with the word of God. If it is not, the ministry is to be considered a failure.

Can you imagine the Lord saying, “What you did was not in accord with My word, but the result was effective, so here is a big reward for you”? No. The ends never justify the means, if the means are not aligned with God’s word. Be content with what you do for Christ if what you are doing is done in obedience.

It is certain that the faithful in heart who quietly sit in church on Sunday, and the only thing they have to offer is a small monetary gift or a box of donuts for the ministry, are more pleasing to the Lord than a preacher with a hundred thousand followers on YouTube, but who misuses the word of God. The former will receive their reward while the latter will be punished for his disobedience.

Heavenly Father, help us to have our priorities right. May we not feel that what we do for You is lacking just because it is not great in the eyes of the world. Even the small things we do, when done with a right heart toward You, are pleasing in Your eyes. Help us to remember that this is so. Amen.