This week we began discussing the actual “trial” (or “examination”) of Peter and John. We looked at how Jesus had prepared them for such a time as this by telling them,
Whenever they bring you before synagogues and rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how you should defend yourselves or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what must be said.” Luke 12:11-12
Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, and as he spoke in defense of the good deed done to the formerly lame man, he turned all attention away from himself and towards the real power behind the miracle. We looked at how Peter was able to use a Greek word that had more than one meaning to move from a position of defense to one of offense in the name of Jesus. (We also had a brief discussion regarding the possibility of the religious leadership being so close to Jesus and His ministry, and yet so far from understanding who He was and His purpose.)
>> Click to read this week’s passage in KJV, HCSB, ESV, NIV: Acts 4:5-12 <<
Acts 4:5-12 ~ The Warning Shot, Pt. 1
Peter and John before the Sanhedrin; Physical Wholeness; Spiritual Salvation
* Recorded: LIVE. This audio has been edited for class member privacy, time, and content.
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Additional Resources:
Below, you will see the basic word Peter uses in this speech for both healing and salvation. It is one word with two meanings. We have words like this in the English language as well. For example: “Fall” is both a verb (to fall down) and a noun (autumn). So, one could say, “Leaves fall off the trees in the Fall.” Similarly, Peter uses the root for sozo to easily shift his focus from the healing of the man to salvation for mankind. This is from the online New Testament Greek Lexicon:
Here’s a link to learn more about the XYSTUS in Jerusalem where the morning session of the Sanhedrin may have been held.
http://www.bible-history.com/jerusalem/firstcenturyjerusalem_xystus_market.html
Books Referenced in Class:
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