Acts 4:1-20

The rule in our society:

You can be sincere about your religion,

just don’t be so excited that you try to convert others

“And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,” (Acts 4:1, ESV)

“greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.” (Acts 4:2, ESV)

“And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.” (Acts 4:3–4, ESV)

“On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” (Acts 4:5–7, ESV)

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 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.” (Acts 4:8–10, ESV)

“This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 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.” 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.” (Acts 4:11–13, ESV)

“But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.” (Acts 4:14, ESV)

“But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 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. 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.” So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.” (Acts 4:15–18, ESV)

“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, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 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.” (Acts 4:19–21, ESV)

The miracle addressed 1 of the primary objections people have about Christianity—salvation is found only in Jesus.

The fundamental religious question throughout all human history:

Are there multiple ways to God?

Objection 1: Claiming that Jesus is the only way to God is arrogant.

“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.” (Acts 4:13, ESV)

Is it arrogant to believe that Jesus is who He says He is?

No. In fact it’s the opposite. It is humbling to admit that we aren’t smart enough to figure out truth, so God had to come down to reveal it to us.

If there is another way to God, other than trusting in what Jesus did on the cross, then why would God sacrifice His Son?

Scripture is consistent that Jesus is the only way to heaven (1 Timothy 2:5; John 10:9; Romans 10:13)

“This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.” (Acts 4:11, ESV)

Believing the gospel, making Jesus the cornerstone of your life, shapes who you are at your core.

Objection 2: Religion is a matter of personal preference.

God did for us what we could not do for ourselves:

1. He paid our sin debt by living the life we were supposed to live and dying the death we should’ve died.

2. He was raised from the dead.

3. We were healed by His stripes.

4. We were buried with Him in baptism into death and raised to walk in newness of life.

The most important question you have to answer:

Is what Jesus said, is what Jesus did….it is optional to believe?

If it is true, trusting Jesus is not about personal preference.

“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.” (Acts 4:12, ESV)

Salvation is at the heart of what Jesus accomplished for us.

He purchased our salvation and it is available to you if you respond in faith and repentance.

Two things about Acts 4:12

1. Salvation is given.

If it is given by God, it can only be found in the place where God has

provided it.

2. There is no other name (but the name of Jesus).

Salvation is found only in Jesus.

“Would that God make hell so real to the church that we cannot rest.” -Hudson Taylor