Click here for more messages from the book of Acts.
Click here to return to the Sermons page.

MESSAGE SERIES: “CHURCH ON THE MOVE”
Acts 4:1-22

INTRODUCTION: Our message series is called Church on the Move, and we are looking at how the early church grew and expanded as recorded for us in the book of Acts.

In chapters one and two of Acts we saw how the church had unprecedented success and was growing by leaps and bounds. But as we enter chapters three through five, the church encounters opposition for the first time. And that opposition is largely based around the name of Jesus. (Read Acts 4:10-12 and pray.)

—————————–

Why are we sometimes afraid to witness for Jesus? We love Jesus, we know that Jesus has changed our life, we know that Jesus has brought us salvation, we know that other people need Jesus—why are we so afraid to witness for him?

There are a number of reasons. Sometimes we are afraid we won’t know what to say. Sometimes we are afraid of saying the wrong thing. Sometimes we are afraid they might ask a question we don’t know how to answer. But probably the main reason we are afraid is because we don’t want to offend anyone. We are afraid to witness for Jesus because we know that people may get offended.

We are in the middle of a healing story in the book of Acts. This section began back in chapter three when Peter and John healed the beggar outside the temple. This man who had been lame from birth then entered the temple with Peter and John where he went walking and leaping and praising God.

This drew a crowd, and so Peter addressed the people telling them it’s all about Jesus. The healing may have caught the people’s attention, but it is Peter’s preaching that catches the leaders’ attention. And it is the name of Jesus that really causes the offense.

There is no other name like the name of Jesus. We are going to look at three aspects of the name of Jesus from our text today: 1) no other name brings such offense; 2) no other name brings God’s salvation; and 3) no other name is worthy of your deepest loyalty and praise.

I. No other name brings such offense (1-4)

First, no other name brings such offense. It seems you can talk freely about other religious faiths or figures, but the moment you bring up the name of Jesus, people get offended. That’s exactly what happened to Peter and John. Look at verses 1-3:

The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. (Acts 4:1-3)

When you speak the name of Jesus, four things are bound to happen.

   A. You will catch people’s attention (1)

First, you will catch people’s attention. When you’re talking with someone in a public place, nobody pays any attention to what you are saying, but the moment you begin speaking the name of Jesus, you will suddenly be aware that people all around start tuning into the conversation. When you speak the name of Jesus, you will catch people’s attention, for good or for ill.

In this case Peter and John caught the attention of the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees. It’s interesting—most of the opposition to Jesus in the gospels came from the Pharisees, but most of the opposition to the gospel in the book of Acts comes from the Sadducees. The Sadducees were a wealthy, ruling class that collaborated with Rome. They were often called conservative because they rejected oral teachings, but I tend to think of them as the liberal theologians of their day. Unlike the Pharisees, they were not looking for the Messiah, and they didn’t believe in the resurrection, angels or demons.

So that’s the first thing that happens when you speak the name of Jesus. The name of Jesus is like a lightning rod. When you speak the name of Jesus, you will catch people’s attention.

   B. Some people will get upset (2)

Next, some people will get upset. The religious leaders were upset. Why? Because the apostles were teaching the people about Jesus and the resurrection of the dead. If they had just been teaching people about the Jewish law or talking about the weather, there wouldn’t have been any problem. It was the name of Jesus that disturbed them.

Not everyone is happy when you speak the name of Jesus. People are more than happy to talk about God, church or prayer, but when you bring up the name of Jesus, watch out! I have had more than one conversation shut down when I’ve brought up the name of Jesus.

When praying in public situations, I have even been asked on occasion not to pray in Jesus’ name so as not to offend anyone present who is not a Christian. I always explain that it’s the only way I can pray. I can’t pray without Jesus, so I’m certainly not going to leave out his name.

   C. You may suffer persecution (3)

Thirdly, you may suffer persecution. The religious leaders were so upset that they seized Peter and John and put them in jail. You may or may not get arrested when you speak the name of Jesus, but you may get mocked, ridiculed, shut down or left out of certain social situations. It could cause a rift in your family. It may hurt your chances of advancement at work, and you could possibly lose your job.

   D. But it’s worth it, because others will be saved! (4)

But it’s worth it, because others will be saved! That’s what we see in verse 4:

But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. (Acts 4:4)

Wow! We already saw how over three thousand people came to the Lord after Peter’s first gospel message. What started out as a small group of believers at the beginning of Acts continues to grow. Nothing can stop the gospel! But you cannot share the gospel without speaking the name of Jesus.

When you speak the name of Jesus you will catch people’s attention. Some people will get upset. You may suffer persecution. But it’s worth it, because others will be saved!

II. No other name brings God’s salvation (5-12)

That leads us to our second point this morning: no other name brings God’s salvation. Yes, no other name brings such offense. But also, no other name brings salvation. There are several things to consider here.

   A. Always be prepared to give an answer (5-7)
      – 1 Peter 3:15

First, the Bible tells us as Christians that we should always be prepared to give an answer. Look at verses 5-7:

The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” (Acts 4:5-7)

So, a whole group of very powerful people gather together in the morning. This was quite the assortment. You had the rulers, elders and teachers of the law. You had the Sanhedrin, consisting of the high priest and seventy other members. You actually have two high priests present: Annas the previous high priest (“high priest emeritus”) and Caiaphas the current high priest along with members of his family. You may remember Annas and Caiaphas were directly involved in Jesus’ trial. This group of leaders would have sat in a semi-circle with the accused in the middle.

Now, just think how Peter and John would have felt. This was the same group of people who tried Jesus and condemned him to death. That session also took place in the morning. What would be their fate?

And notice what the leaders focus on when they question Peter and John. They ask them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” They are not denying the fact that a miracle took place, but they are questioning the source. By what power or what name? Once again, it’s all about the name. It’s all about the name of Jesus.
So, what would you do if you were dragged before the authorities and questioned about using the name of Jesus? I hope you would be prepared to give an answer. 1 Peter 3:15 says: “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). You never know when you are going to be asked, so you need to be prepared to give an answer.

   B. Be bold! The Holy Spirit will give you the words to say (8-11)
      – Luke 12:11-12

And then, when you are questioned or given the opportunity to witness, be bold! The Holy Spirit will give you the words to say. Look at verses 8-11 next:

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’” (Acts 4:8-11)

Peter addresses the council. He exposes their hypocrisy in being upset over the healing of a man who had been lame. He boldly proclaims the name of Jesus. He addresses their responsibility in Jesus’ death and proclaims that God raised Jesus from the dead. He gives Jesus all the glory for the healing. He then quotes Scripture (Psalm 118:22) knowing the power of God’s word to present truth and convict hearts of sin.

So, who’s really on trial here? The religious leaders think they are trying Peter and John, but Peter turns the tables and levels the charges against them instead! The Sanhedrin expected a defense, but Peter gave them a sermon!

Where did Peter get the power and wisdom to speak like this? From the Holy Spirit. Notice before Peter speaks a single word, Luke tells us he was filled with the Holy Spirit. The tense of the verb in the original language implies that this was a special infilling of the Spirit empowering him to witness.

That same power is available to you today. Jesus said in the gospel of Luke: “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say” (Luke 12:11-12). When you speak up for Jesus, don’t worry about what you will say. The Holy Spirit will give you the words.

When I was a senior in high school, the administration did a wonderful thing for the students. They conducted a series of interviews with graduating seniors to help us prepare for college or job interviews. They brought us in one at a time and interviewed us, just to give us the experience of talking before a group of people.

When it was my turn, I walked in and there was the principal and vice principal along with several teachers and administrators from the school. They asked me a number of questions about classes, activities and outside interests. And then they asked me this question: “Who you admire most in the world and why?”

I knew what I needed to answer, so I asked God to give me the right words. And he did. I asked them if this person could be either dead or alive. They said it didn’t matter. So, I told them, “Then I choose someone who is alive. The person whom I admire most in the world is Jesus Christ. And the reason why I admire him is because he willingly died on the cross for all our sins and then rose from the dead.”

When you are questioned or given the opportunity to witness, be bold and trust God. The Holy Spirit will give you the words to say.

   C. Salvation is found only in the name of Jesus (12)
      – John 14:6

Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he spoke boldly to the gathered council. But then he spoke the most important truth of all, that salvation is found only in the name of Jesus. Look at verse 12 where Peter says about Jesus:

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

This is a BIG verse in Scripture. Salvation is found in no one else except Jesus. There is no other name under heaven—in all of creation, throughout all of history—there is no other name but the name of Jesus by which we must be saved. Jesus said the same thing in John 14:6 when he said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Peter did not shy away from the name of Jesus. He had set apart Christ as Lord in his heart, and he was prepared to give an answer. He was bold in his speech, trusting the Holy Spirit to give him the right words to say. And he proclaimed what is probably the most offensive truth about Jesus to people in the world today. There is no other name. Salvation is found only in the name of Jesus.

III. No other name is worthy of your deepest loyalty and praise (13-22)

No other name brings such offense. No other name brings salvation. And then, finally, no other name is worthy of your deepest loyalty and praise. When you take a stand for Jesus, the following four things will happen in your life.

   A. People will take note of your courage (13-14)

First, people will take note of your courage. Look at verses 13-14:

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. (Acts 4:13-14)

Peter and John weren’t anyone special. They had just spent time with Jesus. You don’t need to be exceptional or educated to be a witness for Jesus. You just need to open your mouth! It’s scary at first, and people may not like it, but they will take note of your courage.

Back to high school, I was active in witnessing as a student, and I took a lot of flak for it. I was teased, mocked, bullied and called names. But a funny thing happened when it came to graduation and yearbook time. A number of people who had teased me wrote in my yearbook that they were sorry and that they respected my courage in speaking out about my faith.

When you take a stand for Jesus, people will take note. They may not like what you are saying, but they will respect you.

   B. They may try to stop you from further witnessing (15-17)

Secondly, when you take a stand for Jesus, people may try to stop you from further witnessing. Look at verses 15-17:

So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” (Acts 4:15-17)

Notice what they tell the apostles here. They must speak no longer to anyone in this name. There is a villain in a fantasy series who is often referred to as “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.” Well, that’s okay for a villain in a story, but too often Jesus is treated in our society as “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.”

When you take a stand for Jesus, people may try to stop you from further witnessing. That’s really what all the teasing and mocking is about. People are trying to shut you up. Of course, that’s nothing compared to some countries where it is illegal to witness, and you can be fined or imprisoned for speaking Jesus’ name.

How about witnessing in the workplace? What if you’re told not to witness at work? Here, you need to use wisdom. You need to be careful to choose the right times to witness. If you’re witnessing when you’re supposed to be working, then you’re not being a good witness anyways! So, find other ways to share your faith. Put a Bible or a Christian book on your desk to spark conversation. Look for opportunities to talk with others during breaks. Don’t be obnoxious about your faith, but don’t be silent either. People need Jesus, and so we need to witness.

   C. Resolve to obey God rather than man (18-20)

When people try to stop you from witnessing, resolve to obey God rather than man. Look at verses 18-20 next:

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:18-20)

The religious leaders warned them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. This was a legal warning levied on them in the presence of witnesses. The next time they spoke in Jesus’ name, they could be punished for disobeying.

So, Peter and John have a choice here. They can either obey God or man. They choose God. I love how they turn the question back on their accusers: “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God.” Really, what can you say to that?

I also love how they say, “For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Oh, if this were only true of the church today! Oh, if we could not help ourselves from speaking about Jesus. We would truly be a church on the move.

We have a command from God to witness. So, what do you do when people try to stop you from witnessing? You resolve to obey God rather than man.

   D. Your loyalty to Jesus will bring great praise to God (21-22)

Finally, know that your loyalty to Jesus will bring great praise to God. Look at our last two verses now:

After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old. (Acts 4:21-22)

It’s interesting when you contrast the courage of Peter and John with the Sanhedrin’s fear of the people. The leaders want to punish them, but they can’t because all the people are praising God for the healing. This was truly an amazing miracle. This man was over forty years old. He had been lame from birth, and now here he was walking and leaping and praising God. So, take heart! When you take a stand for Jesus, your loyalty to Jesus will bring great praise to God.

CONCLUSION: We are often afraid to witness for Jesus because we know that people may get offended. But there is no other name like the name of Jesus. No other name brings God’s salvation. This is the main reason why the name of Jesus brings such offense. If Jesus were just one religious option among many, if he were just one item on the menu from which you could pick and choose, there would be no offense. But because he is the only way to salvation, that is what brings the offense.

In summary, when you witness for Jesus, some people may get upset and you may even suffer persecution, but other people will be saved. So, don’t be afraid to speak up. Don’t be afraid to share your faith with others at work, at home, at school or wherever God gives you opportunity. We should always be prepared to give an answer. Be bold! The Holy Spirit will give you the words to say. Resolve to obey God rather than man. Your loyalty to Jesus will bring great praise to God.

There is no other name like the name of Jesus. No other name brings such offense. No other name brings salvation. And no other name is worthy of your deepest loyalty and praise.

© Ray Fowler

You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this message provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and that you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For any web postings, please link to the sermon directly at this website.

Please include the following statement on any distributed copies:
By Ray Fowler. © Ray Fowler. Website: https://www.rayfowler.org

Click here for more messages from the book of Acts.
Click here to return to the Sermons page.