These notes accompany the sermon found here.
Read Acts 4:1-22.
The Scene
Acts 4:5-6, First the Sadducees who controlled the council and do not believe in the resurrection. Also other rulers and elders.
Then the high priests: Annas, Caiphas, and family.
The Question
Acts 4:7, “By what power or by what name did you do this?”
The Answer
Acts 4:10, “By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.”
This Jesus:
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- You crucified. Acts 4:10.
- God raised from the dead. Acts 4:10.
- Was rejected by you. Acts 4:11.
- Is the cornerstone. Acts 4:11.
- Psalm 118:22.
- Is the only way of salvation. Acts 4:12.
Some Lessons
- Filled with the Spirit, God’s people can face any foe.
- Being Filled with the Spirit: Luke 1:15, 1:41, 1:67; Acts 2:4, 4:8, 4:31, 9:17, 13:9, 13:52; Ephesians 5:8.
- See also: 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13, 2:18, 2:22; Matthew 3:10-11; Luke 3:9-16.
- Most people in positions of power and influence do not yield it to God.
- The true gospel must be preached to everyone.
- If we preach the gospel, many will believe.
- Even faced with obvious miracles, some will refuse to believe.
Exclusivity
- Is absolutely true, but is a difficult subject.
- Difficult because of mankind’s rebellion to God.
- Difficult because of the popular illusion of “progress.”
- Jesus taught the exclusive nature of Himself.
- Exclusiveness as expressed by Jesus: Matthew 11:27; John 3:18, 6:53, 10:7-9; 14:6, 17:3, 18:37. In John 17:3 the definition of eternal life is knowledge of Jesus and the Father.
- See also: John 4; Matthew 19:16-29.
- And the Apostles continued to teach the exclusiveness of Christ.
- See 1 John 5:12; 1 Timothy 2:5; Galatians 1:6-9; Revelation 3:5, 13:8, 17:8, 20:11-15, 21:27.
The Relevance of this Teaching Today
- We live in a pluralistic society.
- Our desire for religion shows our need for God.
- Our desire for a religion other than Jesus Christ shows our rebellion.
- Deny exclusivity and we deny Jesus
- All religions cannot lead to God
- Make a decision about Jesus Christ
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