Acts Chapter 4

At a Glance

  • Acts 4 records the early church’s bold response to ongoing persecution.
  • Acts 4 continues the pattern of the Spirit-driven expansion of the church amid opposition.
  • - The Name of Jesus as Authority: Healing and salvation are inseparable from Jesus’ exalted status.
  • - Bold Witness under Persecution: The church proclaims fearlessly despite threats.
  • - Corporate Unity and Prayer: The early believers’ unity and shared prayer fuel courage and growth.

Acts 4 records the early church’s bold response to ongoing persecution. Peter and John, after healing the man, preach to the people, and their proclamation confronts the authorities—the rulers, elders, and scribes. The religious leaders challenge them, but Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly declares that salvation is found only in Jesus and that Jesus’ resurrection is the guarantee of new life. The authorities attempt to silence them, but many who hear believe, swelling the number of male believers to about five thousand. The chapter then shifts to a courtroom scene where the leaders demand by what power they did the miracle, and the apostolic response centers on Jesus as the chief cornerstone. The early church faces pressure to conform; instead, they pray for boldness, and God responds by filling the house with their Spirit, enabling even more courageous preaching and signs among the people. The chapter emphasizes the primacy of Jesus’ name, the unity and courage of the community, and the sovereignty of God in empowering His witnesses despite opposition.

Acts 4 continues the pattern of the Spirit-driven expansion of the church amid opposition. Luke situates legitimate authority under God, showing that human rulers may oppose the gospel, yet divine power advances the mission. The rhetorical structure mirrors a legal confrontation and a public sermon, with the believers’ response rooted in Scripture and the resurrection. This chapter highlights the tension between religious power structures and the new Christ-centered community, illustrating the early church’s public witness in the face of intimidation. It underscores the transition from private devotion to public proclamation within a hostile environment.

- The Name of Jesus as Authority: Healing and salvation are inseparable from Jesus’ exalted status.

- Bold Witness under Persecution: The church proclaims fearlessly despite threats.

- Corporate Unity and Prayer: The early believers’ unity and shared prayer fuel courage and growth.

- God’s Sovereign Empowering Presence: The Spirit’s filling sustains mission amidst pressure.

- Bold, principled witness: Christians today can learn from the apostles’ courage, relying on prayer and the Spirit in hostile or skeptical contexts.

- Ethical integrity: The denial of personal power in favor of Jesus’ lordship challenges self-promotion and emphasizes service and humility.

- Community resilience: The church thrives through communal support, shared practices, and alignment with the gospel’s central claim.

- Acts 1:8 (power for witness)

- Acts 2:1–4 (Pentecost Spirit moment)

- Matthew 28:18–20 (Great Commission)

- Romans 1:16 (gospel is the power for salvation)

- 1 Peter 3:14–17 (suffering for righteousness)

Key Themes

The Name of Jesus as Authority: Healing and salvation are inseparable from Jesus’ exalted status.Bold Witness under Persecution: The church proclaims fearlessly despite threats.Corporate Unity and Prayer: The early believers’ unity and shared prayer fuel courage and growth.God’s Sovereign Empowering Presence: The Spirit’s filling sustains mission amidst pressure.

Chapter Text

1

And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

2

Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

3

And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.

4

Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

5

And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

6

And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

7

And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

8

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

9

If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

10

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

11

This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

13

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

14

And beholding the man which was 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 that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.

17

But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

18

And 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 unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

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 nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

22

For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

23

And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

24

And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

25

Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

26

The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

27

For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

28

For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

29

And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

30

By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

31

And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

32

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33

And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

34

Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

35

And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

36

And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

37

Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Discuss This Chapter with Biblical Personas

Explore Acts Chapter 4 with Biblical figures who can provide unique perspectives grounded in Scripture.

Ask Apostle PaulAsk MosesAsk King DavidAsk Jesus Christ
← Acts 3Acts 5 →