Bible Reading
Acts 4:1-22, 31 (ESV) —
> 1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,
2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.
4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem,
6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.
7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?”
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders,
9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,
10 let it be known to all of you 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 is standing before you well.
11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.
12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.
15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another,
16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.”
18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,
20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.
22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
...
31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
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## Observation Questions
1. What was the main reason Peter and John were arrested and brought before the religious leaders? (Acts 4:1-3)
2. According to the passage, what was the reaction of the religious leaders to the healing and the message about Jesus? (Acts 4:16-18)
3. How did Peter and John respond when they were told not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus? (Acts 4:19-20)
4. What happened after the believers prayed together in verse 31, and what does this show about the source of their boldness? [[51:52]]
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## Interpretation Questions
1. The religious leaders recognized that Peter and John were “uneducated, common men” but also that “they had been with Jesus.” What does this suggest about the true source of spiritual authority and boldness? [[01:15:41]]
2. The sermon described prayer as the “boiler room” and the engine of spiritual boldness. Why do you think prayer is so essential for courage and effective witness? [[01:00:06]]
3. Peter and John said, “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” What does this reveal about the role of personal experience in sharing faith? [[01:19:38]]
4. The filling of the Holy Spirit is described as both a gift and a responsibility. What does it mean to be continually filled with the Spirit, and how is this different from a one-time experience? [[01:09:13]]
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## Application Questions
1. The sermon emphasized that prayer is the starting point for boldness. What does your personal “boiler room” of prayer look like right now? Is there a specific way you can prioritize prayer this week, either alone or with others? [[01:00:06]]
2. Peter and John’s boldness came from their conviction about what they had seen and heard. Is there a story from your own life where you have seen God work? How could you share that with someone this week? [[58:22]]
3. The early church could not be silenced, even when threatened. Are there situations where you have felt pressure to stay silent about your faith? What would it look like to speak with both courage and love in those moments? [[01:19:38]]
4. The only stumbling block to salvation should be the cross, not our own hypocrisy or silence. Are there areas in your life where your actions or words might be a barrier to others seeing Jesus? What is one step you can take to address this? [[01:17:45]]
5. The sermon called us to “prayer, care, share.” Who is one person you can pray for, care for, or share the hope of Jesus with this week? What is a practical step you can take? [[01:30:32]]
6. The filling of the Holy Spirit requires emptying ourselves of fear, sin, and self-reliance. Is there something you need to surrender to God so that He can fill you and use you more fully? [[01:09:13]]
7. The pastor said, “A faith that you’re not willing to die for is a faith you’ll never be willing to live for.” What does it mean for you to live out your faith boldly in your current season of life? [[59:20]]
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