ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 4:1 THE CAPTAIN OF THE TEMPLE was second in rank to the high priest. THE SADDUCEES may have accepted only the Pentateuch as Scripture. They also denied the resurrection (see Acts 23:8). They worked closely with the Romans to protect their own political and economic interests. ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 4:2 Most other Jews, including the Pharisees, believed in the resurrection. The Sadducees were upset with Peter’s preaching that IN JESUS the general RESURRECTION had begun. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 4:3 The Jewish high court, the Sanhedrin, met in the mornings. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 4:4 Since the MEN alone were ABOUT FIVE THOUSAND, the total number of Christians was probably much greater. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 4:5 The Jewish high court had a majority of Sadducees and a minority of Pharisees, represented mainly by the SCRIBES (lawyers) of the court. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 4:6 ANNAS is named as HIGH PRIEST. High priests seem to have retained their title for life (see also note on John 18:24). His son-in-law CAIAPHAS was the official high priest at this time (serving A.D. 18–36). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0,... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 4:8 FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, SAID. See Luke 12:11. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 4:10 WHOM YOU CRUCIFIED. Peter accused the Sanhedrin judges of responsibility in Jesus’ death (compare Acts 2:23; Acts 3:15). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 4:11 CORNERSTONE. See Psalms 118:22; Isaiah 28:16. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 4:12 Peter’s statement that there was salvation in NO OTHER NAME meant the Sanhedrin had to place their faith in Jesus, the man they helped the Romans crucify. On Christ as the only way of salvation, see also Matthew 11:27; John 3:18; John 14:6; 1 John 5:12. ⇐... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 4:13 BOLDNESS is an important word in Acts 1:1, describing Spirit-inspired courage to speak in spite of any danger. See also Acts 2:29; Acts 4:29, Acts 4:31; Acts 28:31. UNEDUCATED, COMMON. They had not gone through the advanced training of the rabbinic schools, but they were not n [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 4:18 CHARGED THEM NOT TO SPEAK OR TEACH... IN THE NAME OF JESUS. Peter realized the impossibility of obeying this order (WE CANNOT BUT SPEAK). Believers cannot obey authorities when such authorities prohibit preaching the gospel or require Christians to disobey God’s commandments ... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 4:24 The believers prayed, quoting Psalms 2:1, a messianic prophecy. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 4:27 Psalms 2:1 is interpreted in light of Jesus’ death. The “kings” and “rulers” of Acts 4:26 correspond to HEROD Antipas (see note on Matt. 14:1) and PILATE (see note on Matt. 27:2). The GENTILES and PEOPLES OF ISRAEL are those who participated in the crucifixion (Acts 2:23).... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 4:29 Their prayer for BOLDNESS in witness shows a determination to disobey the Sanhedrin’s command and be faithful in their witness. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 4:31 God answered the believers’ prayer. THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT indicates that people could be “filled” with the Holy Spirit more than once. Peter had already been “filled with the Holy Spirit” (v. Acts 4:8), and all the disciples present at Pentecost had been “f... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 4:32 EVERYTHING IN COMMON. See note on 2:44. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 4:34 The believers’ voluntary sharing exemplified the OT ideal of there not being a NEEDY PERSON AMONG THEM (see Deuteronomy 15:4). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 4:36 BARNABAS is a major character in the later chapters of Acts 1:1, particularly as Paul’s companion on his first mission. That mission began on CYPRUS (Acts 13:4), Barnabas’s home. The nickname SON OF ENCOURAGEMENT describes his personality well (Acts 9:27; Acts 11:25; Acts 15:3... [ Continue Reading ]