Acts 4 Bible Study Handout

Scripture Reading: ACTS 4:1-4 1 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the
captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 being greatly disturbed
that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3
And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was
already evening. 4 However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the
number of the men came to be about five thousand.
History: Peter and John had healed a lame man at Solomon's porch. Then, they
preached the Gospel to the people. Sadducees were another ruling religious sect in
Israel. The chief priests were Sadducees, as were many members of the Sanhedrin.
Sadducees were wealthy, powerful and collaborated with the Romans to retain their
wealth and power. And unlike the Pharisees, Sadducees only believed in the first five
books of the Old Testament, and didn't believe there was life after death. Resurrection
of the dead" would have been disturbing to those who denied life after death
Questions
1. Who are "they" (Acts 4:1) _____________________________________
2. Where are Peter and John?______________________________________
3. Who are the "Sadducees" (Acts 4:1)? _______________________________
4. Why would they be "greatly disturbed" (Acts 4:2) with Peter's message?
_____________________________________________________________
5. What was the result of Peter's message? ____________________________
Thought for Discussion
What do you do when someone attempts to hush you up regarding Truth from the Word
or they even try to distort it? Are there times that you might find it best to keep quiet?
Scripture Reading: ACTS 4:5-6 5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their
rulers, elders, and scribes, 6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and
Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together
at Jerusalem.
History: The "John" named in this passage is most likely Annas' son who succeeded
Caiaphas as the "official" high priest in 37 AD. Not much is known about Alexander.
Wasn't Caiaphas the high priest? What about the discussion in John 18:13 about who
between Annas and Caiaphas was the real high priest. The Sanhedrin, which consisted
of 570 men plus the high priest, was the highest Jewish court. This group was the
wealthiest, most educated, and most powerful Jewish men in Israel. Annas had been
officially removed as High Priest in A.D. 14 by the Romans, but the Jewish people still
considered him as the High Priest. The Jewish people did not accept Roman authority
over such matters. At the time of Christ, the Roman governors appointed this office.

Questions
1. Why does the Scripture here in Acts list Annas as the high priest during this
time? ______________________________________________________
2. Who was actually the high priest? ________________________________
3. Challenge: In what order of these men were high priest John, Caiaphas, Annas
4. What was their relationship? _________________________________________
5. Who appointed the high priest in Christ time? ___________________________
Thought for Discussion
In thinking about the Jews and how they would not accept the authority of the Roman
governors, why do people accept one persons opinion yet not another when both are
qualified to either teach or lead others?
Scripture Reading
ACTS 4:7-12 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power
or by what name have you done this? 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to
them, Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good
deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be
known to you all, 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 stands
here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which
has become the chief cornerstone. 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no
other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
History
The filling of the Holy Spirit brought boldness for Gods work. Jesus had promised the
disciples they would stand before kings and rulers and that God within them would put
into their minds exactly what to say. They used the authority of Jesus to say what they
did. The OT refers to the cornerstone as the foundation of the earth, the foundation, the
stone for the corner, the head cornerstone, or the headstone. In the first century the
cornerstone was also used to refer to the stone placed on the summit of the Jerusalem
temple. The chief cornerstone is the first stone placed on the ground to build the
foundation for a building. Peter used the phrase to point out that when people rejected
Jesus Christ, they rejected the one who completed the plan of God for Humankind. A
person can only be saved by placing trust in ONE name only Jesus Christ. No other
name will save someone.
Questions
1. What were they asking with, "By what power or by what name have you done this
(Acts 4:7)?" _____________________________________________________
2. Did Peter and John have cause for concern? __________________________
3. Does Peter mince words or try to sugarcoat his words? ___________________
4. Can we be saved under any other name than Jesus? _________________
5. Who was really doing the speaking here? ____________________________

6. What is meant by cornerstone? _____________________________________

7. Why would the chief cornerstone be so important in a relationship with Christ?
_______________________________________________________________
Thoughts for Discussion
How does the Holy Spirit speak through us today? How do we know when someone is
speaking through the Holy Spirit?
Scripture Reading
ACTS 4:13-22 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived
that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that
they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with
them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go
aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, What shall we
do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is
evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it spreads
no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they
speak to no man in this name. 18 So they called them and commanded them not to
speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said
to them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you
judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21 So
when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing
them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. 22
For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been
performed.
History
Peter and John had never had the education of some others in the Bible, but they spoke
with confidence and a freedom given by Holy Spirit working in them. What also make
them more confident and convincing was that they had been there, they had seen
Jesus, and they knew Him. The Sanhedrin knew that the miracles were real, but they
were more worried about damage control. They attempted to intimidate the disciples
from speaking in Jesus name. When human authority tried to stop something done
under Gods authority, things can fall apart or not go so well. God has worked in the
behalf of others who have been faithful to Him in the Bible.
Questions
1. How did they know Peter and John had been with Jesus? __________________
2. What made Peter and John so bold? _________________________________
3. What were they commanded to not do? ________________________________
4. Why couldnt the rulers deny what had happened? ________________________
5. What are some other times when God stood for His people against those who
meant it for evil? __________________________________________________
Thought for Discussion

Have you ever felt a time when you felt that God worked in your behalf even when
others may have or may not have meant it for evil, but could have been misguided?
Scripture Reading
ACTS 4:23-31 23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all
that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they
raised their voice to God with one accord and said: Lord, You are God, who made
heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who by the mouth of Your
servant David have said: Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? 26
The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against
the Lord and against His Christ. 27 For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom
You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel,
were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined
before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that
with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal,
and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant
Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together
was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of
God with boldness.
History
Notice here, that WHEN THE BELIEVERS PRAYED, THEY FIRST, PRAISE GOD,
then they told God their specific problem, and asked for His help. They did not ask God
tor remove the problem, but to help them through the problem. Herod was appointed by
the Romans to rule over the territory of Galilee. Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor
over Judea. He bowed to the pressure from the crowd and sentenced Jesus to death.
God is sovereign over all events in history and in the future of our history. Whatever evil
is determined against us, will only happen by His power carried out. No leaders, politics,
government, presidents can stand against what His will is for us. We can be like the
disciples and show boldness during this time to have courage to speak out as
necessary and warn others of the danger to come. (Paraphrased J. Meyer Study Bible)
Questions
1. In the prayer of Peter and John, how did they begin their prayer? ____________
2. Why is it important to begin our prayers with praise?
_______________________________________________________________
3. Whom had God allowed to be put into power here? _______________________
4. Does a bad leader mean that God is not in control? _______________________
5. How had Pontius Pilate ruled? _______________________________________
6. What territory did Herod rule? _____________________________________
7. What does boldness for Christ really mean? ____________________________
Thought for Discussion
What can we do in order to be responsible for things that have happened or will happen
that seem we have little control?

Scripture Reading
ACTS 4:32-37 32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one
soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they
had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the
resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there
anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold
them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the
apostles feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. 36 And Joses, who
was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement),
a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and
laid it at the apostles feet.
History
The apostles distributed to each as anyone had need, and this is an example to be
heeded today by anyone who wishes to qualify himself as a "disciple" of Jesus, or as a
Christian leader. Our possession are not out own. Everything belongs to God. Jesus
commanded, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, as I have
loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples,
if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35). The early Christians shared their
possessions with those in need. The sharing was voluntary and did not involve all
private property.
Questions
1. The apostles distributed to those who had____________________________
2. Our possession are not our ____________________________________
3. Everything belongs to ____________________________.
4. Jesus commands _________________________________________________
Thought for Discussion
If we really love one another, how will we be willing to treat them and how far will we go
to do that ____________________________________________________________

Resources: NKJV Study Bible, Joyce Meyer Study Bible, and Bible Verse Study.com.
Created by Jeanne McIntosh, 2016