Exploring the Book of Acts: PersecutionSample

In This Name

After healing a man outside the temple (Acts 3:5-10), Peter and John are brought before the religious leaders who enquire about their authority to perform such a healing. Peter, empowered by the Holy Spirit, boldly proclaims that the healing was performed in the name of Jesus. The religious leaders, who are left astonished and speechless, eventually charge Peter and John to stop speaking to people in this name. Rather than quenching their witness, these threats serve to unite the believers together in prayer and they are empowered by the Spirit to continue speaking boldly.

Read Acts 4:1-31 and then consider:

1. Peter and John use the opportunity of being brought before the temple leaders to continue their proclamation. In what ways is the name of Jesus central in this passage?
2. How are the religious leaders portrayed in this passage? What do you notice about their response?
3. The believers’ prayer reveals that they interpret their experience through the lens of Scripture. How does their remembrance of Psalm 2 shape their perspective on Jesus' death and their current persecution?
4. Peter and John say that they ‘cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.’ In what ways might the Lord be encouraging you to speak in the name of Jesus? Ask him for greater boldness.