THIS PASSAGE GIVES THE BASIS OF OUR FREE SPEECH TODAY* BUT WE MISSED THE POINT

• In Berkeley the savages are demanding freedom for filthiness, while we neglect our freedom to preach Christ
• Christ was presented to the street crowd, the temple crowd, now Sanhedrin.
• Here is the first persecution of Christians, and how they handled it- study it well, for we are facing a deliberate plan of persecution today- how will we handle it?

THE NAME OF JESUS IS PROCLAIMED AS THE NAME OF HEALING (Acts 4:1-11)

THE IMPRISONMENT FOR TEACHING THE PEOPLE AND PREACHING RESURRECTION*

• There had been a miracle- and a message calling for repentance- 3:1-26 - from 3-6PM
• Those angry- priests- supposed to teach: captain, supervisor to guard: Sadducees- did not believe resurrection
• The disciples were put in prison for judgment the next day-3, but many believed - 4

THE TRAIL BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN- 71 PERSONS: ELDERS- LEADERS, SCRIBES- LAWYERS, PRIESTS- SADDUCEES

• Annas- had tried Jesus- a judge that maintained his power with cruel dictatorship- 
• Caiaphas- (Cf John 11:49-50) already had suggested death to those who were different.
• No mention of Nicodemus, Josephus, Gamaliel (Paul's teacher)- must have been absent.

THE DECLARATION OF THE HEALING POWER OF JESUS

• The officers asked by what power or what name- the first question- by what authority.
• Peter declares to all- before in the street, the temple, now to official leaders of Israel.
• The healing was done in the name of Jesus- the Messiah- from Nazareth-whom he crucified- whom God raised from the dead- every question brings out the gospel.

THE NAME OF JESUS IS PROCLAIMED AS THE NAME OF SALVATION (ACTS 4:12-14)

THE STONE SET AT NAUGHT IS BECOME THE CORNERSTONE***

• The leaders here assembled were the "builders" of the faith of Israel-
• They had overlooked the stone- (Ps 118:22) a biblical prophecy they should recognize
• A biblical illustration of a biblical illustration- (Exod 17:6) the stone that gave water of life

SALVATION IS NOT AVAILABLE IN ANY OTHER NAME

• For many- this meant physical, temporal, corporeal, healing, food, help in physical things.
• But for others- the more important- the healing of the soul of man- sin sick and sad.
• Many ways to heaven- NO- if you think any other name- Buddha, Mohammed, etc.- you are not Christian- none of these arose from the dead.

THE ONLY NAME WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED.

• Not just if you wish to- this is the command of God, to disobey is treason! 
• The Sanhedrin marveled at the boldness of men not in their union-V 13.
• But they couldn't deny the healed man- the proof of the testimony of Peter V 14

THE NAME OF JESUS IS FORBIDDEN--- NOT TO BE SPOKEN OF AGAIN.

THE ACTION OF THE SANHEDRIN

• The executive session- could not deny the miracle, yet refused to admit it publicly.
• Their decision- to stop the spread of the story of Jesus- covered their own ignorance by forcing the world to be ignorant
• The command was given- not to heal, teach name of Jesus

THE ACTION OF THE APOSTLES

• I wish the Civil Rights bums could read this- answer- courteous, a leading question- 19
• Frank, respectful, yet plain- we cannot but speak-illustration Jeremiah 20:9 in trouble.
• They obeyed God, but did not use it as an excuse for anarchy!

THE PRAYER OF THE APOSTLES Acts 4:23-31

• They recognize the opposition of the wicked world and its leaders- and praised God.
• They prayed for boldness- 29- to speak the word- as they ought, not as they wanted.
• God gave them power, and boldness- and we need a touch of this today.

WE NEED BOLDNESS TO SPEAK PLAINLY OF THE WORDS OF JESUS AND HIS SALVATION!

• If you aren't man enough to claim Christ here you won't be able to in the world.
• If you aren't sure enough to claim only Him- don't expect Him to share you with the gods of the world.
• If you let the small persecution of today stop you, what will you do later?

Invitation