The Source of Our Authority

Acts 4:1-12

Jesus had angered the Pharisees, calling them hypocrites for substituting their own ideas for God’s word. Then he’d gone into the temple and chased out the sellers of religious items, destroying a very profitable enterprise, implying the priests were not doing their job. The entire time, he’d been teaching that God was real and that people were obligated to obey him, offending the Sadducees, the Jewish agnostics.

In the process, he had performed miracles that proved he was qualified to speak on the subjects. Because his teaching was readily understood, and his lifestyle backed up the his teaching, the leaders hated him. That he had gained such a following among the people heightened their resentment, leading to their efforts to get him crucified. They would probably have ignored him as a crackpot, as did others, had he not had such a following. Even pilat recognized that it was jealousy that motivated their actions according to Matthew 27:18.

Can you imagine the consternation of the leaders? Two months after they had Jesus killed, on the day of Pentecost, the apostles had preached to a huge crowd, miraculously speaking in every person’s native language, and many had joined them. Now the lame man was healed right outside the entrance to the temple and instead of coming in to pray, the crowd was stopping to listen to what Peter was telling them about Jesus. Clearly, killing Jesus didn’t make the problem go away.

“And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.” (Acts 4:1-3)

Desperate to keep their control, they had Peter and John arrested, but it was too late in the evening to do much else, so they detained them until morning, to give themselves time to decide what to do.

“Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.” (Acts 4:4)

Notice this? There were about five thousand saved, and they didn’t even offer an invitation? They didn’t on the day of Pentecost either. Why? It’s something to think about and examine as we continue our study.

“And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, 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. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?” (Acts 4:5-7)

Several years ago, an investment book I read said to examine the list of a company’s officers. If they’re all related, it is a pretty sure sign that the decisions are going to be unduly influenced by family matters rather than what is best for the company. Annas and his father in law Caiaphas loaded the hearing with their relatives to ensure the decisions went their way.

When they had asked Jesus what was the basis of his authority, he had referred to John the Baptist, of whose authority there was little doubt, asking them where he got his. They refused to answer because they either had to admit that John had authenticated Jesus’ authority, or discredit themselves by denying John authority. They asked Peter the same question, in hopes of discrediting him.

“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 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. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.” (Acts 4:8-11)

Many believe that speaking in unknown tongues is the evidence of the Holy Spirit. There is no indication that Peter spoke in tongues at this time, yet he was filled with the Holy Spirit. He simply did what Jesus commanded in Luke 12:11-12. “And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.”

I have to wonder if the Scopes Trial would have turned out differently if they had depended on the Holy Spirit instead of on Clarence Darrow. A few Years ago, the Christian Law Association was giving the exact opposite advice. As I study the book of Acts, I realize that it is primarily the story of the Holy Spirit’s actions in people’s lives, not the story of the people. Hopefully, we can see some of the same power in our own lives as a result of the study.

Peter clearly states that the man’s healing is based on the authority of Jesus Christ, and was done in his name. He proceeds to remind them of the scripture in Psalm 118:22, “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner,” which they knew referred to the Messiah, and point out their rejection of Jesus Christ. He then pointed out that Jesus had been raised from the dead, as they knew, despite their efforts to conceal the fact described in Matthew 28:11-15. “Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and showed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.” They had known as early as any of the apostles. They can no longer claim they didn’t know.

The Jews thought they had the inside track on salvation because they had the Mosaic law. Peter’s conclusion must have jarred them thoroughly, contradicting their opinion. It still upsets people.

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

The Pope, Joseph Smith, Mohammed, Buddha, Moses, or any of thousands of other religious leaders cannot offer salvation. Being a member of the Catholic church, the Church of Christ, a Baptist church or any other religious group will not save you. Their names are just the term they are denominated by, what they are called. Salvation in only through Jesus Christ. John 3:17-18 states, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”