First Baptist Church, South Haven
Join us for in-person worship in the sanctuary or live on Facebook at 10:30am. The service will also be posted to YouTube and Archive Sunday after church.
What We Have Seen and Heard
Acts 4:1-22
Pastor Jerry Koller
Setting: Peter and John had gone to temple at the time of evening prayer. They encountered a man who was crippled from birth who was begging at one of the main gates. The beggar asks them for a donation. Rather than give the man money, they heal him in the name of Jesus. The beggar stood on his own two feet and begins to walk. As Peter and John continue to head toward the prayer meeting, the man joins them jumping for joy and praising God.
Peter and John were still speaking to the people in the temple when the priests and the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees arrived on the scene.
The Sadducees were one of the major groups of religious leaders along with the Pharisees. The Sanhedrin, the Jewish Supreme Court was primarily made up of the Sadducees.
· They did not believe in a literal resurrection from the dead.
Acts 4:4 NIV
In Acts 4:5-7, we see how Peter and John spent the night in jail. The next morning, they were interrogated.
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit…
· Luke emphasizes the power behind their actions and message.
· Peter informs them that he and John are preaching in the name of Jesus.
·He then quotes Psalm 118:22; a prophecy also declared by the prophets Isaiah and Zechariah.
Psalms 118:22 NIV
Peter tells them how they should have embraced Him because...
Acts 4:12 NIV
Verse 13 tells us that when these leaders heard what was being preached, they were astonished.
Acts 4:13 NIV
Acts 4:13 NASB2020
This translation points out how these leaders observed something other than courage. They observed confidence.
· Confidence means to speak plainly and boldly.
· It is the same word we find in Hebrews 4:16
Hebrews 4:16 NIV
The leaders recognized a number of other things. They recognized they were unschooled and untrained.
· The Greek word for “ordinary or untrained men” is a word from which we derive our English word idiot.
· In our modern usage, the terms "idiot" and "idiocy" describe extreme folly or stupidity. But that is not an accurate description of Peter and John.
Finally, as they listened to Peter and John, they began to realize that these men had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:16 NASB2020
They decided to command the two to stop speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus.
Acts 4:19-20 NIV
Thoughts For Consideration:
· The Gospel is still not a popular message today.
· There is an increasing acceptance of the belief that Jesus is but one of many paths to heaven.
· However, Scripture tells us: Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
· Attempts will be made to keep the Gospel from being spread. The enemy had been actively trying to silence the Good News since the creation of man.
· We are not always aware of the fruit of our labor.
· There was something observable in the lives of Peter and John.
APPLICATION
If someone looked at you, could the same be said? Can others see you have been with Jesus?
What would you give to spend three years with Jesus like His Apostles did?
Those in Christ have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. He takes the things of Christ and makes them known to us.
Can others tell you have been with Jesus? Too many people claim to be followers of Jesus, yet their lives do not show they have been with Him.
What do your lives show?
· Gene Spence Jr. (Shirley Gregory’s brother) is 84 years old and recently lost his wife of 60 years. Please keep him in prayer during this time of loss.
· Vincent Bryant (Miriam Bryant’s son) fell and broke his ankle. Pray that swelling will go down so he can proceed with treatment.
· Koda Collins (infant step-grandson of Kim Collins) was born prematurely on 8/15, but overall is doing well. He will be evaluated in six months to determine if the extra urethra on his kidney is causing complications and will need to be surgically removed or if it is not interfering and can be left as is.
· Chet & Renee Goff and their family upon the death of Renee’s stepfather, Steve, on 8/8; Chet’s Aunt Mary on 8/5; Chet’s mother, Paulette Eldred, on 7/12; and Chet’s uncle (Paulette’s older brother) on 7/13. Chet’s Aunt Suzie is recovering from hip replacement surgery following a fall but is doing well as she recovers.
· Ruby Robinson (Stan & Jean Robinson’s sister-in-law, Bruce Robinson’s stepmom) has been diagnosed with colon cancer and is evaluating treatment options.
· Renee Goff continues to undergo testing and treatment for her VCP heart condition.
· Janis (the wife of Tina Wilburn's dad) has been diagnosed with cancer. She is hoping to get an appointment at the Mayo Clinic to evaluate treatment options
· Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.
First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com