Thematic Bible




Acts 4:1 (show verse)

As they were speaking to the [crowd of] people, the [Jewish] priests, the captain of the Temple [guard] and the Sadducees [i.e., a sect of the Jewish religion] approached them

Acts 4:2 (show verse)

and were greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that Jesus had been raised from the dead.

Acts 4:3 (show verse)

So, these [Jewish] leaders arrested Peter and John and put them in jail until the next day because it was [already] evening.

Acts 4:4 (show verse)

But many of the people who heard the message [of God] believed [in Jesus] and the number of men [alone] came to be about five thousand.

Acts 4:5 (show verse)

And the next day the [Jewish] rulers, elders and teachers of the law of Moses gathered together in Jerusalem.

Acts 4:6 (show verse)

[They were]: Annas, the head priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all the head priest's family [members].

Acts 4:7 (show verse)

And when these men had Peter and John brought before them, they asked, "By whose authority or in what name have you done this thing [i.e., healed the crippled man]?"

Acts 4:8 (show verse)

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, addressed them, saying, "Rulers and elders of the people,

Acts 4:9 (show verse)

if we are being questioned today concerning how this man with a serious handicap was made completely well,

Acts 4:10 (show verse)

we want you men and all the people of Israel to know that this man was made completely well through the name of Jesus Christ from Nazareth. [He is the One] whom you people put to death on the cross, but God raised from the dead.

Acts 4:11 (show verse)

He is that [Psa. 118:22], 'stone that was rejected by you builders but was made the principal stone by which the entire building is aligned.'

Acts 4:12 (show verse)

And there is salvation in no other One [than Jesus] for there is no other Name in the whole world, proclaimed by men, by which [a person] can be saved."
holy Boldness » Exemplified » Peter and john
Caiaphas » Peter and other disciples accused before
Christ » Indispensable absolutely indispensable » The only saviour
Christ » Salvation through » The only saviour
Christ » Precious » The only saviour
Christian ministers » Faithful » Apostles
Confessing Christ » Exemplified » Peter and john
Courage » Instances of personal bravery » Peter and other disciples
Court » Accused spoke in his own defense
eternal Death » Christ, the only way of escape from
Defense » Of peter
Divine Requirements » Spiritual necessities emphasized by Christ » New Birth
Foundation » There being no real foundation other than jesus Christ
Government » Mosaic » Constitutes, with priests and scribes, a court for the trial of both civil and ecclesiastical causes
Christ Indispensable » The only saviour
Jesus Christ » Jesus Christ being the only Christ
Jesus Christ » In his name » Salvation
John » The apostle » Imprisoned by the rulers of the jews
Only saviour » Absolutely indispensable » The only saviour
Only saviour » Jesus the » His is the only saving name
Persecution » Instances of » Of the apostles
Peter » Accused by the council; his defense
Priest » Miscellaneous facts concerning » Reprove and threaten peter and john
Salvation » The lord being the only savior
Salvation » Is by Christ alone
Salvation » The only saviour
Jesus Christ, Savior » Absolutely indispensable » The only saviour
Jesus Christ, Savior » Christ the only » His is the only saving name
Sinners » Salvation » The only saviour
Spiritual » Spiritual necessities emphasized by Christ » New Birth

Acts 4:13 (show verse)

Now when these men saw how boldly Peter and John spoke, and perceived that they were uneducated and [even] ignorant men, they were quite surprised; then they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

Acts 4:14 (show verse)

And when they saw the healed man standing there with Peter and John, there was nothing they could say [to refute the obvious miracle].

Acts 4:15 (show verse)

But when the Council [of Jewish leaders] made Peter and John leave [the meeting], they discussed the matter among themselves,

Acts 4:16 (show verse)

saying, "What should we do to these men? For we cannot deny that a significant miracle was performed by them, and everybody living in Jerusalem knows it.

Acts 4:17 (show verse)

But we do not want this [teaching] to spread any further so let us threaten them [and demand] that they do not speak to anyone about Jesus anymore."

Acts 4:18 (show verse)

And so they called Peter and John in and warned them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus [anymore].

Acts 4:19 (show verse)

But Peter and John replied, "You decide whether it is right before God to listen to you men or to Him;
holy Boldness » Produced by » The fear of God
Caiaphas » Peter and other disciples accused before
Christian ministers » Faithful » Apostles
Conscience » Faithful » Of peter, in declaring the whole counsel of God
Courage » Instances of personal bravery » Peter and other disciples
Courage » Instances of the courage of conviction » Peter and john, in refusing to obey men, rather than God
Courageous reformers » Peter and john before the sanhedrin
Court » Accused spoke in his own defense
Government » Mosaic » Constitutes, with priests and scribes, a court for the trial of both civil and ecclesiastical causes
religious Intolerance » The jewish leaders » In persecuting the disciples
John » The apostle » Imprisoned by the rulers of the jews
Leaders » Courageous reformers, rebuke sinful rulers » Peter and john before the sanhedrin
Missionary-work by ministers » Obligations to engage in
Obedience to God » Obligations to
Peter » Courage
Peter » Empowered » Enduing him with boldness and courage
Peter » Accused by the council; his defense
Priest » Miscellaneous facts concerning » Reprove and threaten peter and john
Courageous reformers » Rebuke sinful rulers » Peter and john before the sanhedrin
Religious » Reformers courageous reformers, rebuke sinful rulers » Peter and john before the sanhedrin
Religious » Courageous reformers, rebuke sinful rulers » Peter and john before the sanhedrin
Seven » Example of steadfastness » Peter and john
Stability » Seven notable examples of » Peter and john
Steadfastness » Seven notable examples of » Peter and john

Acts 4:20 (show verse)

we cannot help but speak about the things we have seen and heard."
Caiaphas » Peter and other disciples accused before
Christian ministers » Faithful » Apostles
Conscience » Faithful » Of peter, in declaring the whole counsel of God
Courage » Examples of » Christ
Courage » Instances of personal bravery » Peter and other disciples
Courageous reformers » Peter and john before the sanhedrin
Court » Accused spoke in his own defense
Duty » Pressure of » It makes the message imperative
Government » Mosaic » Constitutes, with priests and scribes, a court for the trial of both civil and ecclesiastical causes
religious Intolerance » The jewish leaders » In persecuting the disciples
Leaders » Courageous reformers, rebuke sinful rulers » Peter and john before the sanhedrin
Missionary-work by ministers » Obligations to engage in
Peter » Courage
Peter » Empowered » Enduing him with boldness and courage
Peter » Accused by the council; his defense
Power » Of testimony » Becomes irrepressible
Pressure of duty » It makes the message imperative
Priest » Miscellaneous facts concerning » Reprove and threaten peter and john
Courageous reformers » Rebuke sinful rulers » Peter and john before the sanhedrin
Religious » Reformers courageous reformers, rebuke sinful rulers » Peter and john before the sanhedrin
Religious » Courageous reformers, rebuke sinful rulers » Peter and john before the sanhedrin
Seven » Example of steadfastness » Peter and john
Stability » Seven notable examples of » Peter and john
Steadfastness » Seven notable examples of » Peter and john
religious Testimony » Withheld special marks of true » Becomes irrepressible

Acts 4:21 (show verse)

And when the Council had threatened them some more, they [finally] released them because they could not find any reason to punish them. [Actually] they were worried about how the people felt [about the matter], since everybody was giving honor to God for the miracle that had been performed.

Acts 4:22 (show verse)

Now the man who was healed was over forty years old.

Acts 4:23 (show verse)

So, after Peter and John were released, they went [back to the other disciples] and reported everything the leading priests and elders [of the Jews] had said to them.

Acts 4:24 (show verse)

And when the disciples heard this report they united their voices to God in prayer [saying]: "O, Lord, You made the heaven, the earth, the sea and everything in them.

Acts 4:25 (show verse)

[You] said, through the Holy Spirit and by means of [the inspired writings of] our forefather David, your servant, [Psa. 2:1-2], 'Why did the [unconverted] Gentiles rage [at the Messiah], and the people [of Israel] devise useless plans [for opposing Christ]?

Acts 4:26 (show verse)

The kings of the earth [i.e., Herod and Pilate] took their stand [against Jesus], and the rulers [of the Jews] gathered against the Lord and against His Anointed One [i.e., Christ].'

Acts 4:27 (show verse)

For [truly] it was both Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, who gathered together in this city [of Jerusalem] against your Holy Servant Jesus

Acts 4:28 (show verse)

to do what your plan and wisdom predetermined should happen.

Acts 4:29 (show verse)

So, now Lord, take account of the threats [of these Jewish leaders] and give your servants all the boldness [we need] to speak your message,

Acts 4:30 (show verse)

while you perform [miraculous] healings and signs and wonders through the name [i.e., by the authority] of your Holy Servant Jesus."

Acts 4:31 (show verse)

And after they had prayed, the place where they were gathered shook, and these disciples were all filled with [the power of] the Holy Spirit and they were able to speak the message of God with boldness.

Acts 4:32 (show verse)

So, the large number of believers were united in heart and soul [i.e., mind and spirit] and not one of them said that anything he owned [really] belonged to him, but they shared all things in common.

Acts 4:33 (show verse)

And the apostles testified concerning the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power, and the favor [of God] was upon all of them.

Acts 4:34 (show verse)

And no one lacked anything, for all who owned property or houses sold [some of] them and brought the money

Acts 4:35 (show verse)

and gave it to the apostles, who distributed it to each person who had a need.

Acts 4:36 (show verse)

And Joseph, who was called by the apostles, Barnabas (which means "son of encouragement"), was a descendant of the Jewish tribe of Levi, whose family originated from [the island of] Cyprus.

Acts 4:37 (show verse)

He owned a field, but [due to the great need] sold it and brought the money and gave it to the apostles [for distribution].