These small group Bible studies of Acts 4 contain commentary, discussion questions, and practical application. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.
Acts 4 Bible Study Guide – Peter Speaks Before the Council
I. Peter speaks before the Council (1-12)
Discussion Questions
• What were the leaders annoyed about?
• Why were the Sadducees especially annoyed that they were preaching about the resurrection of the dead?
• Since this passage mentions it was evening, how long had Peter been sharing?
• Where did they spend the night?
• What can you learn from Peter from his response to the leaders?
• What gave him such boldness?
• How can we be bold in similar situations?
• What were the key points of his message to them?
• What did he tell them was the way to salvation?
• Is it exclusive that salvation is in Christ alone? Is that narrow-minded or intolerant?
• What does this claim teach us about truth?
• What unique opportunities can you take advantage of today to stand up for the truth and share the good news?
Cross-References
Matthew 27:18 – For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.
Ephesians 3:12-13 – In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
Hebrews 13:6 – So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
Psalms 118:22 – The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
Ephesians 2:20 – Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. The leaders were greatly annoyed –
It doesn’t say that they were excited or joyful about the miracle. It doesn’t even say they were curious. They were surely aware of this lame beggar. Since his custom was to beg at the temple gate, they themselves must have passed him many times on the way to and from the temple. He had evidently been begging for a long time. It is possible they had seen this man hundreds or thousands of times.
Yet they don’t congratulate him or try to understand how this could have happened. Their hearts are totally closed. The miracle which has saved a man’s life is only an annoyance to them. It interrupted their routine.
These were apathetic and indifferent men who only cared about themselves.
The miracle upset them because it made them look bad. Believing they had already dealt with “the Jesus problem,” it frustrated them that their solution to kill Jesus hadn’t stopped the movement. The Sadducees were especially annoyed because they did not believe in the resurrection.
Acts 23:8 – For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.
Though most of the leaders refused to believe, five thousand other men had.
Reflect – What should the leaders have done when they witnessed this miracle and heard Peter and John’s preaching?
Application – It is hard for us to admit we are wrong. We don’t want to lose face. Do we double down on a losing position instead of humbly acknowledging our mistakes? That is what the leaders did here. They were so deeply entrenched in their position that they were unwilling to consider new evidence or even the possibility that they may have made a mistake. Let us humbly seek the truth with an open heart rather than wanting to win the debate or be proven right.
2. Peter and John had been sharing for hours –
Verse 3 says that when they arrested Peter and John it was “already evening.” It was a little before the ninth hour (3 PM) when they had healed the lame man (Acts 3:1). Peter and John had therefore been sharing for several hours already.
3. Being filled with the Holy Spirit resulted in boldness –
Jesus had predicted that the disciples would be persecuted and would be brought before authorities on account of the gospel. His prophecy quickly came true. But He also encouraged them with the promise that the Holy Spirit would give them wisdom and help during those moments.
Luke 12:11-12 – And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.
We see exactly that here. Peter was filled by the Spirit.
Acts 4:8 – Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders…”
The Spirit gave him great boldness to stand up with confidence and say what needed to be said.
Keep in mind Jesus had been executed by this very group of men around two months before. It was dangerous to go around associating with Jesus. Peter knew this well, which is why he was afraid and denied Jesus three times. What we see here is an all-new Peter. It is the Holy Spirit who emboldens him to react far differently now.
God graciously gives us what we need when we need it. The courage and peace many martyrs have shown in the face of death are hard to understand. God supernaturally gives them the strength they need in their most desperate times.
Perpetua and Felicity are two martyrs during Roman times who exhibited great courage and peace. They were sentenced to death in 203 AD during Emperor Septimius Severus’s reign for refusing to deny Christ. They were forced into the arena where they were attacked by wild beasts. Though these did not kill them, soldiers finished the job. They spent their final moments praying and encouraging each other.
A modern-day example is Maximillian Kolbe. He was imprisoned in Auschwitz in World War 2. A fellow prisoner was condemned to death, but Kolbe volunteered to die in his place. While waiting for his execution, he led hymns of praise to God.
Time and time again, God emboldens believers to triumphantly face persecution.
Application – In what area do you need boldness? Do you ask God for that boldness?
4. Peter’s message to the Jewish leaders –
A. Healing a crippled man is not a crime –
Acts 4:9 – If we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed.
I love this verse. Peter is incredulous. He exposes their absurdity. Are they really on trial for healing a man?
B. He gave the glory to Jesus –
Peter did not take the opportunity to promote himself. He wasn’t interested in receiving any of the credit for this man’s healing. He gave it all to Jesus where it belongs.
Application – Let us always seek opportunities to deflect praise and glory to Jesus. Do not seek credit or praise, but rather keep the focus on Christ.
C. He preached the gospel –
Peter, like Paul later in the book of Acts, made use of this opportunity to preach the gospel to the authorities questioning him. He was not on defense. He was not cowed by their power. The décor, pomp, and expensive clothing didn’t deter him. Neither did the guards who would have been posted nearby.
The authorities needed Jesus as well. Here was one of the best opportunities he would have to speak directly to them so he used it.
We are reminded of the importance of being ready to share the good news anywhere, at any time, to anyone.
2 Timothy 4:2 – Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season.
D. He reminded them of their responsibility in crucifying Jesus –
In the last chapter, we discussed that a person must know they are lost before they will get help. A person must recognize his sin before he will come to Christ for their salvation.
That is why Peter directly reminded them that they were the ones who crucified Jesus.
E. Jesus is the only way of salvation –
There are not many roads that lead to God. Scripture is very clear that there is only one way of salvation, Jesus. Peter said that no other person can save us.
Jesus Himself stated the same truth.
John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
These days it is very popular to believe in relative truth. Some people think that one person’s truth is not another’s. They think that if you believe something it is true and that if you don’t believe something it is not true. Others say there is no way to know the truth for sure. Even teachers and experts include many words in their theories such as “probably”, “I think”, and “maybe”.
Jesus wasn’t like that. This is an absolute claim. There is no middle. When Jesus taught, He taught with “authority” (Luke 4:32). He is truth and we can know the truth through Him and through His life. It is possible to know the truth and be certain of it because Jesus revealed it to us. Do not go through life discouraged because you don’t know what is right and wrong or have any absolute standard to live by. Jesus told us what is right and wrong. Jesus shows us the path we are to walk.
Jesus’ claims were absolute and exclusive. Many people in the world have a problem with that. The key reason is that they don’t want to accept any higher authority over their lives. When they talk about “my truth,” that is another way of saying that they are the boss, that they will not be held accountable by anyone else, and that they can do what they want. It is actually a denial of God as the Creator, Standard, and Judge.
Paul also said there is only one way to God and that is through Jesus.
1 Timothy 2:5 – For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
If you want to be saved, Jesus is the only way. That is an exclusive statement because truth is exclusive.
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