In Acts, Luke is showing that God dwells within His people, and He gets His people moving. But conflict and danger didn’t cause them to wring their hands in worry, it moved them to pray.

They drew great confidence and boldness from the sovereignty of God. Part of the early church’s theology was that persecution had purpose. They didn’t pray for comfort in affliction, but that God’s will would be done above anything else.

1. Their prayer is rooted in God’s character.

2. Their prayer is rooted in Scripture.

3. Their prayer is focused on the mission, not their comfort.

These early Christians trusted the Lord and gracefully endured under pressure.

Despite the opposition, they believed that truth cannot be silenced no matter how it makes people feel and the Gospel cannot be stopped regardless of who or what comes against it.

The religious rulers feared losing power more than they feared the power of God. They willingly gave up eternal life for temporary control. But they recognized that Jesus is the key to the Christian’s witness and power - "don't speak or teach in His name."

If the choice is put before us of obeying God or man, we go with God. But even their righteous rebellion against evil authority was dominated by the example of Christ (Peter in 5:29, Stephen in 7:60).

- God can and will use Christians who are dedicated to Him.

- You are never alone when you choose to go with God.

Now is the time for followers of Christ to respond in godly boldness.

“If my life is fruitless, it doesn’t matter who praises me. And if my life is faithful, it doesn’t matter who criticizes me.” - John Bunyan

These early Christians trusted the Lord and gracefully endured under pressure.

Despite the opposition, they believed that truth cannot be silenced no matter how it makes people feel and the Gospel cannot be stopped regardless of who or what comes against it.

The religious rulers feared losing power more than they feared the power of God. They willingly gave up eternal life for temporary control. But they recognized that Jesus is the key to the Christian’s witness and power - "don't speak or teach in His name."

If the choice is put before us of obeying God or man, we go with God. But even their righteous rebellion against evil authority was dominated by the example of Christ (Peter in 5:29, Stephen in 7:60).

- God can and will use Christians who are dedicated to Him.

- You are never alone when you choose to go with God.

Now is the time for followers of Christ to respond in godly boldness.

“If my life is fruitless, it doesn’t matter who praises me. And if my life is faithful, it doesn’t matter who criticizes me.” - John Bunyan

These early Christians trusted the Lord and gracefully endured under pressure.

Despite the opposition, they believed that truth cannot be silenced no matter how it makes people feel and the Gospel cannot be stopped regardless of who or what comes against it.

The religious rulers feared losing power more than they feared the power of God. They willingly gave up eternal life for temporary control. But they recognized that Jesus is the key to the Christian’s witness and power - "don't speak or teach in His name."

If the choice is put before us of obeying God or man, we go with God. But even their righteous rebellion against evil authority was dominated by the example of Christ (Peter in 5:29, Stephen in 7:60).

- God can and will use Christians who are dedicated to Him.

- You are never alone when you choose to go with God.

Now is the time for followers of Christ to respond in godly boldness.

“If my life is fruitless, it doesn’t matter who praises me. And if my life is faithful, it doesn’t matter who criticizes me.” - John Bunyan

James David teaches on Acts 4:5-12 and Peter's testimony before the religious leaders.

James David teaches on Acts 4:5-12 and Peter's testimony before the religious leaders.

James David teaches on Acts 4:1-4 and the arrest of Peter and John.

James David teaches on Acts 4:1-4 and the arrest of Peter and John.

Peter consciously called on the name, power, and authority of Jesus, not on his power or authority. He won’t even take credit for the faith that was exercised in the healing [v.16]. Both the faith and the healing came from Jesus, not Peter.

Verses 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, & 26 all point specifically to Jesus! Jesus was the clear and consistent point of what the apostles said and did.

True workers of God are not glory-seekers; they are glory-reflectors.

"Times of refreshing" = there’s hope in the Gospel because, in Christ, your sins are wiped away.

Peter consciously called on the name, power, and authority of Jesus, not on his power or authority. He won’t even take credit for the faith that was exercised in the healing [v.16]. Both the faith and the healing came from Jesus, not Peter.

Verses 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, & 26 all point specifically to Jesus! Jesus was the clear and consistent point of what the apostles said and did.

True workers of God are not glory-seekers; they are glory-reflectors.

"Times of refreshing" = there’s hope in the Gospel because, in Christ, your sins are wiped away.