Jesus and the Authorities

Acts 4:1-22

1 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. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.

5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 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. 11 Jesus is

“‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’[a]

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

13 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. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

21 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. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

 

1. Jesus’ Authority Threatens Authorities

        V.1-4

 

This statement is only true if Jesus is not accepted as the Messiah, the Son of God.

 

1. Different types of authorities

Specialized areas, specialized power, specialized power        and respect. But if you are wrong…

 

1. Political authorities: These people speak to what the laws of the land are. Why would they be threatened by Jesus? The Anti-Christ is this kind of authority. The beasts of Daniel’s visions are this kind of authority.

 

Who has the right to tell people how to behave in social       situations with your neighbor? .

 

2. Religious authorities:

 

Leviticus 19:18
“‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

 

Look up any commands to love your neighbor in the Old Testament, there is only one instance. And here it is. This should speak to the importance of not denying the importance of a law because it only occurs once or a few times.

 

Micah 6:8

 

*Parable of the Good Samaritan is a rebuke.

*Parable of the Prodigal Son is a rebuke.

*Jesus befriending tax collectors, sinful women   and sinners in general is a rebuke. (A major NT   theme) Seek and save the lost.

 

The false prophet in Revelation. Or the beast from the land.

 

Sadducees and the theology of Resurrection

 

3. Educational authorities: Temple leadership. I’m calling this educational because it is here that they are taught what to believe. Jesus reinterprets the temple. Jesus embodies the ministry of the temple. Jesus is the reality of what the temple is a shadow.

 

4. Priestly authorities added in at the hearing after the arrest.

5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family.

 

These guys are piling up judgement against themselves!

 

1. Jesus Person and Work Divides People

Jesus has instituted a new covenant, just like Moses. This is the statement in 3:22-23

22 For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. 23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’

 

Authorities clearly understand threats to their authority!

 

By what power or name have you done this?

Notice that they are unconcerned about the miracle, just as they attribute Jesus’ miracles to Satan:

 

Matthew 12: 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”

26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. (Kingdom= Authority)

29 “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house. (Jesus has authority over Satan and demons)

30 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.

 

Once you accept who Jesus is, you must then accept what He says. And when He says things that are different from what others say, there is a clash of authority. If you voluntarily submit to the authority of Jesus then you enter the kingdom of God! Think rule, not geography!

 

This is why Peter says back in chapter 3:

3: Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

 

13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. 

 

16 By faith in the name of Jesus, (name=authority)  this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

 

23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’

 

1. Authorities defend themselves

 

If the authorities do not accept the new covenant, what is left for them? How fiercely will they hold on?

 

There is an overlap here from approximately 30-70AD. And then there is a Jewish rebellion against Rome in 66AD and the disastrous destruction of both Jerusalem and the temple. Since then there have been no sacrifices. And this is why Jesus so sternly warns the people in Matthew 23 and 24. Bad leadership in 23. Disastrous results of bad leadership 24.

 

Jesus warned the Apostles about this conflict with the authorities and it is coming to pass very quickly.

 

Matthew 10: 16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

 

Mark 13:

9 “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

 

1. Jesus Can Be Seen in the Apostles

 

1. The same cast of characters 6

        6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family.

 

         What must they be thinking?

 

        Remember these are Matt 23 people!

 

2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

5 “Everything they do is done for people to see:

 

 

1. Respectful submission to God

 

1. Explanation of what is going on: v.9-12

       

9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 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. 11 Jesus is

“‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

        Does Jesus save from the Romans? What does history tell us?

 

2. Challenge without rebellion.

The Apostles are not rebelling to set themselves up as authorities!

 

1. They refuse to submit to their demands

       

1. When in conflict with authority, we are called to practice submission unless what the authorities command goes against God.

 

2. If you choose to not submit to authority, then humbly receive the consequences of your actions, trusting in God to take care of you.

 

The Jewish leadership sees Jesus in the actions of the Apostles.

 

What do we see the Holy Spirit doing in them? Consider this in contrast to the fear and uncertainty they experience the night of Jesus’ arrest!

 

• The Holy Spirit Seen in Them

        Again, verses 10-12

10 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. 11 Jesus is

“‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’[a]

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

 

1. The Spirit gives them words

        They are threatened and attacked. They saw these   men treat Jesus with incredibly brutality. They hate        Jesus! And Peter confronts them directly with Who Jesus      is.

 

        19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!

 

What is the answer to their question?

 

20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

 

The Apostles have made their choice obviously.

 

1. The Spirit gives them wisdom

        What is God doing in their midst?

 

A call to follow Jesus. God calls all people to turn from their own ideas of how to live and follow Jesus. Jesus is the cornerstone of a relationship with God.

 

We recognize God’s working through Jesus.

 

The number of men who believed grows to 5,000!

        These are the greater works that Jesus referred to!

 

1. The Spirit gives them boldness

        A simple view of life can make you bold.

 

Are you doing what God wants you to do?

 

Are you following Jesus?

 

Has God promised to take care of you? Then so be it!