Broadcast Word: Lesson 3

Lord, Help Me!

Our last lesson demonstrated a big change in behavior.  We see a very different side of Peter and John compared to their final days with their leader, Jesus Christ.  We have seen how they boldly healed a crippled beggar.  Now, the next day, we see how the leaders of the Jews deal with this continuing saga of Jesus.  Let’s see what happens.

Read Acts 4:5-31

  • Verse five reveals some familiar names. List them
    • ____________________
    • ____________________
    • ____________________
  • The leaders asked a very direct question about the authority by which they healed this man. How boldly did Peter and John reply? (verses 8-10)
  • Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, wastes no time in giving credit where credit is due, nor does he lay blame where it belongs. Let’s examine verse twelve in detail. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
    • According to this verse is there any other option for salvation? Go back to Matthew 1:32 when Christ was announced. How is this verse similar to Peter’s statement?
    • Verse thirteen displays the shock of the Jewish leaders. If the man had not been known to them and seen him in his new healed state, they would have laughed off their statements. How did they attempt to quiet this potentially volatile situation?
  • Peter and John could have taken a back seat to the instructions of the Jewish leaders, but they did not. In fact, their boldness continued. How does verse twenty continue to show God’s hand in their statement?
  • Peter and John return to their fellow believers. Put yourself in that room when Peter and John returned and began to tell their story. How would you have felt? Would your faith have been strengthened?
  • Now go to verses 24-30.
    • To whom is the prayer addressed? ____________________________
    • What credits are ascribed to the Lord?
      • _____________________
      • _____________________
    • Our lesson title is taken from verse twenty-nine. Did the believers ask God to eliminate the problem? List their prayer requests.
      • ____________________________
      • ____________________________
    • And what transpired when they said Amen? ____________________

Praying in all confidence.

We have just observed how the disciples and the early believers were strengthened through trials.  Times are no different today.  You and I are exposed to trials and tribulations during our lifetime.  Should we hide and very quietly ask God to take away our trouble?  Using the example of the disciples, get bold.  If we don’t ask and expect, then we won’t receive.  It’s that simple!    Spend a few minutes now and pray that God would provide you an attitude of high expectation regarding faith and its miraculous ability.  This is true in our corporate life as a congregation too.  Think back in our history.  How has God demonstrated His great power  (Insert your church name)?  In your City?  In your church body?

Read Acts 5:12-16

  • This section demonstrates how God enabled His church through the Holy Spirit. These verses show actions and results.
    • Actions
      • _______________
      • _______________
      • _______________
      • _______________
    • Results
      • _______________
      • _______________

Read Acts 5:17-41: New Converts and Gatherings

  • The gatherings and new converts were getting more and more threatening to the Jewish leaders.
    • The leaders became very jealous (17) and had the disciples arrested and jailed. Who does Luke tell us intervened? And what instructions were given to the released prisoners?
    • Verse twenty-two tells us that when sent for, they were not to be found. Describe the jail scene the next morning.
      • ________________________
      • ________________________
    • How does this scene parallel our Lord’s release from the grave?
    • Once again, they were brought before the Sanhedrin. Again, they boldly proclaimed Jesus the Christ. Who did God use to quiet the Sanhedrin?
    • God works in mysterious ways. Sometimes He uses people outside the Kingdom for His purpose. Do you think Gamaliel’s words were his own? Explain your answer.
    • This is not the last we hear about Gamaliel. Go to Acts 22:3. What is revealed here about Gamaliel?

Day after day. . .Acts 5:42 reminds us that we are to be about God’s business every day, not just on Sundays when we come together to worship, but everyday.

Heavenly Father help us to be bold as we walk each day as messengers of the new life shown here by the early Christian church.  Let us with all boldness; remember that perseverance produces character and character hope.  And hope does not disappoint us.  In the only name under heaven whereby we must be saved, Amen.