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BOOK 44 OF 66 · HISTORY · KING JAMES BIBLE

Acts 4

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REVIEWED OVERVIEW

Acts 4 Overview

Peter and John are arrested because they teach the people and preach resurrection through Jesus. Before the rulers Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, declares that the healed man stands whole by the name of Jesus Christ and that salvation is in no other name. The council threatens them but cannot deny the miracle. Released, the believers pray for boldness rather than safety, are filled again, and share resources so needs are met.

ActsBook
4Chapter
37Verses
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Before you read Acts 4

Coming from

Peter and John heal a man lame from birth at the temple gate called Beautiful. The crowd gathers in Solomon’s porch, and Peter refuses personal glory, attributing the miracle to the God who glorified Jesus. He confronts Israel’s rejection of the Holy One, proclaims that God raised Him from the dead, calls for repentance and turning, and points to the promised Prophet like Moses and covenant blessing through Abraham.

In this chapter

The healing and sermon of Acts 3 now provoke official resistance, testing whether the apostles will obey authorities or Christ’s commission.

Leads into

Acts 5 contrasts sincere generosity with Ananias and Sapphira’s deception, then shows continuing signs, persecution, and the apostles’ refusal to stop preaching Jesus.

Key understandingExplore deeper

Acts 4:12 is exclusive: salvation is in Jesus Christ alone. The verse does not present church membership, baptism, law-keeping, or sincerity in another religion as alternate saving paths.

The believers’ prayer is striking because they do not ask for persecution to disappear first; they ask for boldness to speak God’s word while God continues His work.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Jesus alone saves

The rejected stone has become the cornerstone, and no other name provides salvation.

Spirit-filled witness can be courageous under pressure

Peter speaks plainly before the same leadership structure involved in Jesus’ condemnation.

Obedience to God can require civil disobedience

The apostles refuse commands that directly forbid Christ-mandated witness.

Christian generosity meets real needs

The community’s sharing is voluntary, practical, and tied to unity.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Psalm 118:22

Peter applies the rejected-stone passage to Jesus.

Matthew 10:17–20

Jesus had warned that disciples would be brought before councils and promised help in their testimony.

Philippians 2:9–11

Paul likewise emphasizes the unique exalted name of Jesus.

Acts 5:29

The next confrontation states the governing principle explicitly: “We ought to obey God rather than men.”

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Do not soften the exclusivity of Acts 4:12

Luke presents Jesus as the only saving name.

Do not make boldness equal rudeness or reckless provocation

The apostles speak clearly but their courage is anchored in truth and prayer.

Do not turn the sharing of possessions into proof that private property ceased to exist

Acts 5:4 will explicitly recognize ownership and voluntary giving.

Read Acts 4 watching for…

Why the leaders are grieved by the apostles’ teaching.

Peter’s use of Jesus’ name.

The rejected-stone quotation.

The council’s inability to deny the miracle.

The content of the church’s prayer.

How unity expresses itself materially.

TWBC REVIEW STANDARD

Plain language. Scripture first. Fact distinguished from inference. No filler. No fake certainty. Designed to help you read the Bible itself.

Chapter outline4 sections
1-12Peter and John are arrested, and Peter declares salvation in Jesus alone13-22The council marvels at their boldness but commands them not to speak in Jesus’ name23-31The believers pray for boldness and are filled with the Holy Ghost32-37The church lives in unity and generously meets needs
1

And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

2

Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

3

And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.

4

Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

5

And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

6

And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

7

And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

8

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

9

If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

10

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

11

This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

13

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

14

And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

15

But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

16

Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.

17

But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

18

And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

19

But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

20

For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

21

So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

22

For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

23

And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

24

And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

25

Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

26

The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

27

For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

28

For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

29

And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

30

By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

31

And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

32

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33

And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

34

Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

35

And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

36

And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

37

Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

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Acts 4:10

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