Dr. John Tweedie - How the Apostles Shared Their Faith Without Fear

March 28, 2025 | 27:29

Peter and John find themselves facing opposition and persecution from the religious elite after performing a miraculous healing in the temple. Despite threats and demands to stop preaching about Jesus, Peter and John boldly stand their ground and continue to share the gospel.

#Faith #TrustGod #Healing #Religion #Repentance #WordofGod #Miracles #Resurrection #Boldness #Authority #JohnTweedie #Matthew3

Closed captions

Show Timecode

Israel: The Prophetic Connection | Dr. John Tweedie - How the Apostles Shared Their Faith Without Fear | March 28, 2025

(tranquil ambient music) - so why does
00:00:00.470 --> 00:00:01.704
Preaching about jesus and his resurrection
00:00:01.704 --> 00:00:03.306
Invite so much ridicule and persecution?
00:00:03.306 --> 00:00:06.976
Answers next in this episode of the prophetic connection.
00:00:06.976 --> 00:00:50.253
In the last episode, based upon chapter three,
00:00:51.221 --> 00:00:54.290
We found peter and john in the temple courts
00:00:54.290 --> 00:00:57.527
And they were going up to pray,
00:00:57.527 --> 00:00:59.762
They were going at the third hour of prayer,
00:00:59.762 --> 00:01:01.631
Which was about three o'clock in the afternoon.
00:01:01.631 --> 00:01:04.434
And as they entered by the beautiful gate,
00:01:04.434 --> 00:01:06.836
A man was begging, he'd been paralyzed from birth,
00:01:06.836 --> 00:01:10.540
In fact, he was 40 years of age.
00:01:10.540 --> 00:01:13.343
And so he'd never walked and he asked for (indistinct)
00:01:13.343 --> 00:01:17.213
And i mean,
00:01:17.213 --> 00:01:18.648
The temple area was a great place to be a beggar.
00:01:18.648 --> 00:01:21.985
And instead of getting arms,
00:01:22.585 --> 00:01:25.088
He received a miracle of healing
00:01:25.088 --> 00:01:27.724
To the extent he could stand up, walk and jump,
00:01:27.724 --> 00:01:32.061
And it caused an incredible stir
00:01:32.061 --> 00:01:34.364
In the temple area in jerusalem.
00:01:34.364 --> 00:01:37.233
And it got the attention of the authorities again,
00:01:37.233 --> 00:01:39.636
And remember in acts chapter two on the day of pentecost,
00:01:39.636 --> 00:01:43.173
In response to peter's preaching,
00:01:43.173 --> 00:01:45.575
3000 were converted to faith in christ.
00:01:45.575 --> 00:01:50.046
So now peter and john are called to account
00:01:50.046 --> 00:01:52.315
Because of this incredible miracle.
00:01:52.315 --> 00:01:55.318
Not everyone in that area (tranquil ambient music)
00:01:55.318 --> 00:01:57.453
Was happy that this poor man,
00:01:57.453 --> 00:01:59.989
Paralyzed since birth had been healed.
00:01:59.989 --> 00:02:08.464
- [narrator] throughout the book of acts,
00:02:09.299 --> 00:02:11.167
We read the early church constantly running into trouble
00:02:11.167 --> 00:02:13.970
At synagogues throughout the roman empire.
00:02:13.970 --> 00:02:16.706
Why did the religious elite
00:02:16.706 --> 00:02:18.174
Try to silence preaching about jesus?
00:02:18.174 --> 00:02:21.144
- the religious elite of jerusalem
00:02:21.844 --> 00:02:24.013
Tried to silence the preaching of the gospel
00:02:24.013 --> 00:02:26.249
Because they knew instinctively
00:02:26.249 --> 00:02:28.284
This had the power to bring change.
00:02:28.284 --> 00:02:31.054
And they were worried about protecting the status quo,
00:02:31.054 --> 00:02:35.558
Their positions of authority
00:02:35.558 --> 00:02:37.160
Depended on the religious establishment,
00:02:37.160 --> 00:02:41.164
And that was something that they guarded zealously.
00:02:41.164 --> 00:02:45.969
- [narrator] was the miraculous healing of this layman
00:02:45.969 --> 00:02:48.171
Too close for comfort,
00:02:48.171 --> 00:02:49.472
Were these religious leaders were concerned,
00:02:49.472 --> 00:02:51.941
That is in the temple precincts near the seat of authority,
00:02:51.941 --> 00:02:56.145
Or were they more agitated and inflamed by peter's preaching
00:02:56.145 --> 00:02:59.449
About jesus as the long awaited messiah of israel,
00:02:59.449 --> 00:03:02.819
A truth they had earlier rejected?
00:03:02.819 --> 00:03:05.822
- peter performs this great miracle with the lay man,
00:03:05.822 --> 00:03:08.791
He's preaching the gospel boldly.
00:03:08.791 --> 00:03:10.927
This is upsetting the religious upper elite.
00:03:10.927 --> 00:03:14.864
And he says a few things that you could see why,
00:03:14.864 --> 00:03:17.867
They might get a little upset at first,
00:03:17.867 --> 00:03:19.502
He says that they killed jesus.
00:03:19.502 --> 00:03:22.639
Now he's not saying the general population,
00:03:22.639 --> 00:03:24.540
He's saying the leaders who made that decision
00:03:24.540 --> 00:03:27.010
And appealed to pilot to do that, right?
00:03:27.010 --> 00:03:29.345
And then he says, "you need to repent and be converted."
00:03:29.345 --> 00:03:33.549
And then he says,
00:03:33.549 --> 00:03:35.084
"you need to turn away every one of you
00:03:35.084 --> 00:03:37.053
From your inequities."
00:03:37.053 --> 00:03:38.554
So peter is saying, you may think you're really holy
00:03:38.554 --> 00:03:41.791
And you're these great untouchable leaders, you've got sin,
00:03:41.791 --> 00:03:45.762
You need to repent and turn, so weren't very happy.
00:03:45.762 --> 00:03:49.032
- now what we're faced with is a challenge to the control,
00:03:49.032 --> 00:03:55.705
The domination,
00:03:56.072 --> 00:03:57.607
The monopoly of the religious, of course within that scope,
00:03:57.607 --> 00:04:01.878
You have several parties, you've got the pharisees,
00:04:01.878 --> 00:04:04.714
The sadducees and it's not exactly a united situation there,
00:04:04.714 --> 00:04:09.986
But the primary issue here is still the primary issue today,
00:04:11.187 --> 00:04:16.759
And that is who's gonna define judaism?
00:04:17.627 --> 00:04:20.763
Who's going to set the rules?
00:04:20.763 --> 00:04:23.366
Who's going to be in charge?
00:04:23.366 --> 00:04:27.103
Let's get a little bit basic here,
00:04:27.103 --> 00:04:30.773
Who's gonna be receiving the tithes
00:04:30.773 --> 00:04:32.909
That this was part of the whole situation?
00:04:32.909 --> 00:04:34.977
And of course in those days,
00:04:34.977 --> 00:04:36.779
When you have the roman administration
00:04:36.779 --> 00:04:42.051
They're watching every move,
00:04:42.652 --> 00:04:44.987
There was also a political sensitivity.
00:04:44.987 --> 00:04:47.990
So the religious leaders
00:04:47.990 --> 00:04:49.692
Were trying to play it cool with the romans,
00:04:49.692 --> 00:04:52.762
And then they see this sect
00:04:52.762 --> 00:04:55.064
Of basically arising out of the galilee,
00:04:55.064 --> 00:04:59.736
So they were kind of rough-hewn
00:04:59.736 --> 00:05:01.704
Compared to the jerusalemites.
00:05:01.704 --> 00:05:03.840
And so they could not allow the disciples
00:05:03.840 --> 00:05:07.343
To continue to preach yeshua openly.
00:05:07.343 --> 00:05:10.179
It was gonna create a competition that they didn't want,
00:05:10.179 --> 00:05:15.451
They were also convinced that yeshua was not the messiah
00:05:16.586 --> 00:05:19.088
Because there their theological and doctrinal comprehension
00:05:19.088 --> 00:05:24.327
Of the hebrew scriptures
00:05:24.827 --> 00:05:26.062
Did not allow for a suffering servant,
00:05:26.062 --> 00:05:27.897
Even though we can see that, and even in places,
00:05:27.897 --> 00:05:31.567
Particularly later on in jewish tradition,
00:05:31.567 --> 00:05:34.303
There are two messiahs,
00:05:34.303 --> 00:05:36.139
There's a suffering messiah and there's a reigning messiah,
00:05:36.139 --> 00:05:39.642
But they were blinded to that,
00:05:39.642 --> 00:05:41.978
And they couldn't acknowledge
00:05:41.978 --> 00:05:44.147
That their whole structure was corrupt.
00:05:44.147 --> 00:05:46.516
And that god had actually brought this pure,
00:05:46.516 --> 00:05:50.620
Incredible miracle working messiah to redeem the people.
00:05:50.620 --> 00:05:57.527
- [narrator] how did peter and john
00:05:58.261 --> 00:05:59.695
Respond to these religious critics and opponents of jesus?
00:05:59.695 --> 00:06:03.533
- the way their disciples responded to their critics
00:06:03.533 --> 00:06:06.335
After that miracle had taken place
00:06:06.335 --> 00:06:08.671
Was they simply refused to not connect
00:06:08.671 --> 00:06:13.142
What had happened, that the people had seen
00:06:13.142 --> 00:06:15.912
And the message that they were bringing about the death
00:06:15.912 --> 00:06:18.281
And the resurrection and new life through faith in jesus.
00:06:18.281 --> 00:06:22.518
They stood strong even against the authorities of their day.
00:06:22.518 --> 00:06:26.722
- so when peter and john
00:06:26.722 --> 00:06:28.191
Are told to stop preaching in the name of jesus,
00:06:28.191 --> 00:06:31.027
They're basically saying, "we listen to god,
00:06:31.027 --> 00:06:33.629
We don't listen to men."
00:06:33.629 --> 00:06:35.731
And they also said that we can't help
00:06:35.731 --> 00:06:38.434
But speak of the things that we've seen and heard.
00:06:38.434 --> 00:06:41.604
These are eyewitnesses of jesus, his power,
00:06:41.604 --> 00:06:45.341
And even his resurrection.
00:06:45.341 --> 00:06:48.010
- [narrator] according to the biblical account,
00:06:48.945 --> 00:06:50.746
When peter and john shared with their companions
00:06:50.746 --> 00:06:53.015
What had happened and how the religious authorities
00:06:53.015 --> 00:06:55.785
Had threatened them,
00:06:55.785 --> 00:06:57.253
And told them not to preach about jesus,
00:06:57.253 --> 00:06:59.722
The assembled disciples began to pray,
00:06:59.722 --> 00:07:02.425
But how did heaven respond to their prayers?
00:07:02.425 --> 00:07:05.862
- peter and john after this experience go
00:07:05.862 --> 00:07:08.397
And report to their companions what happened
00:07:08.397 --> 00:07:10.399
And spontaneously a prayer meeting happens
00:07:10.399 --> 00:07:13.202
And they're calling on heaven,
00:07:13.202 --> 00:07:15.037
And it says that when they prayed
00:07:15.037 --> 00:07:17.607
That the whole house was filled with the holy spirit
00:07:17.607 --> 00:07:21.244
And they spoke the word with boldness,
00:07:21.244 --> 00:07:23.112
It reminds us of what had happened on the day of pentecost.
00:07:23.112 --> 00:07:26.315
So the holy spirit didn't just do a one off,
00:07:26.315 --> 00:07:29.619
Here he is doing it again, and he's anointing even a larger
00:07:29.619 --> 00:07:34.423
Number of followers of jesus.
00:07:34.423 --> 00:07:37.293
- the verses say that god responded from heaven
00:07:37.293 --> 00:07:40.329
By shaking the place.
00:07:40.329 --> 00:07:41.931
It says literally the place was shaking.
00:07:41.931 --> 00:07:44.467
And when they experienced that, they realized
00:07:44.467 --> 00:07:47.436
That they were getting a vote of confidence from god,
00:07:47.436 --> 00:07:50.206
And it infused them with a new boldness and courage
00:07:50.206 --> 00:07:54.210
To go on doing exactly as they had been doing.
00:07:54.210 --> 00:07:57.680
- as they're praying, the place is shaking.
00:07:57.680 --> 00:08:02.318
So think about it,
00:08:02.318 --> 00:08:04.053
If we are praying in this room right now,
00:08:04.053 --> 00:08:07.123
I mean, this is a fairly large building,
00:08:07.123 --> 00:08:09.525
It's made outta concrete, it's fairly well foundations,
00:08:09.525 --> 00:08:14.430
We're praying and suddenly the building starts to shake.
00:08:14.430 --> 00:08:18.534
So that's what was happening.
00:08:18.534 --> 00:08:19.902
And they were all filled with the spirit,
00:08:19.902 --> 00:08:21.604
Those who were gathered there, interceding,
00:08:21.604 --> 00:08:25.508
And they spoke the word of god with boldness,
00:08:25.508 --> 00:08:28.444
Here's this word again.
00:08:28.444 --> 00:08:30.012
It says they received a grace.
00:08:30.012 --> 00:08:32.882
Now this is something that all of us need.
00:08:33.783 --> 00:08:38.120
There's a wonderful statement in the new testament
00:08:39.155 --> 00:08:42.358
That i keep coming back to again and again, in weakness,
00:08:42.358 --> 00:08:46.429
And it says
00:08:46.429 --> 00:08:48.030
That be strong in the grace that is in messiah jesus.
00:08:48.030 --> 00:08:53.302
And our source of strength is that grace.
00:08:54.136 --> 00:08:57.340
And it said they were of one heart and of one soul.
00:08:57.340 --> 00:09:01.677
And they didn't say
00:09:01.677 --> 00:09:03.179
That anything they possessed was their own, in other words,
00:09:03.179 --> 00:09:05.481
There was not the emphasis that we have on possessions.
00:09:05.481 --> 00:09:10.152
I just love these chapters of the book of acts.
00:09:10.152 --> 00:09:13.155
- [narrator] the miraculous acts of the apostles
00:09:13.155 --> 00:09:15.124
Have been a source of encouragement
00:09:15.124 --> 00:09:16.392
For christians in all generations,
00:09:16.392 --> 00:09:18.794
Reminding them how heaven responded
00:09:18.794 --> 00:09:21.063
To the prayers of those first christians
00:09:21.063 --> 00:09:23.165
By empowering them again and again
00:09:23.165 --> 00:09:25.668
Through fresh outpourings of the holy spirit,
00:09:25.668 --> 00:09:28.838
As jesus had promised
00:09:28.838 --> 00:09:30.039
On the day of his ascension into heaven,
00:09:30.039 --> 00:09:32.074
"but you shall receive power
00:09:32.074 --> 00:09:33.643
When the holy spirit has come upon you
00:09:33.643 --> 00:09:35.711
And you shall be witnesses to me in jerusalem
00:09:35.711 --> 00:09:38.381
And in all judea and samaria and to the ends of the earth."
00:09:38.381 --> 00:09:48.157
Don't go away, after this short break,
00:09:48.991 --> 00:09:51.027
Dr. john tweety returns with his teaching.
00:09:51.027 --> 00:09:55.998
-[narrator] this past year has been incredibly challenging.
00:09:57.099 --> 00:09:59.902
From the attacks on israel to the ongoing struggles
00:09:59.902 --> 00:10:03.039
Faced by the jewish people worldwide, we've seen heartache,
00:10:03.039 --> 00:10:06.642
Loss, and resilience like never before.
00:10:06.642 --> 00:10:10.079
Yet in the midst of these trials, c4i
00:10:10.079 --> 00:10:12.682
Has been a source of hope
00:10:12.682 --> 00:10:14.050
And support in the holy land, providing aid, comfort
00:10:14.050 --> 00:10:18.287
And a tangible reminder that they are not alone.
00:10:18.287 --> 00:10:21.724
Your generosity makes this life changing work possible.
00:10:21.724 --> 00:10:25.161
Your one time gift of just $25 or more helps us continue
00:10:25.161 --> 00:10:29.098
This vital mission, and as a thank you for your support,
00:10:29.098 --> 00:10:32.401
You will receive the bi monthly newspaper
00:10:32.401 --> 00:10:34.370
Israel the prophetic connection, filled with stories and articles
00:10:34.370 --> 00:10:37.640
Keeping you informed and up to date
00:10:37.640 --> 00:10:39.675
On all that is happening in israel.
00:10:39.675 --> 00:10:42.144
Call now 1-888-206-1986
00:10:42.144 --> 00:10:46.882
Or visit c4iamerica.com
00:10:46.882 --> 00:10:48.851
To make your one time donation.
00:10:48.851 --> 00:10:51.353
Together, we can make a difference for the people of israel.
00:10:51.353 --> 00:10:55.658
(upbeat ambient music)
00:10:56.158 --> 00:11:03.566
- as chapter four opens,
00:11:04.066 --> 00:11:06.368
We find peter and john explaining
00:11:06.368 --> 00:11:08.437
To those that were listening,
00:11:08.437 --> 00:11:10.139
What on earth happened to the paralyzed man?
00:11:10.139 --> 00:11:12.341
I mean, he had to be a familiar figure to all the people
00:11:12.341 --> 00:11:15.945
Going up to the temple day after day,
00:11:15.945 --> 00:11:18.080
And certainly three times a day at the hour of prayer.
00:11:18.080 --> 00:11:21.484
And he'd been there presumably for all the years,
00:11:21.484 --> 00:11:24.053
And we knew he was paralyzed from birth,
00:11:24.053 --> 00:11:26.122
And now he was 40 years of age.
00:11:26.122 --> 00:11:28.858
So peter and john are explaining
00:11:28.858 --> 00:11:30.960
What god did for this poor man, but as they're doing so,
00:11:30.960 --> 00:11:34.697
We read in the opening verse of chapter four,
00:11:34.697 --> 00:11:37.433
And "as they spoke to the people,
00:11:37.433 --> 00:11:39.335
The priests, the captain of the temple
00:11:39.335 --> 00:11:41.804
And the sadducees came upon them."
00:11:41.804 --> 00:11:44.373
Because they were in the temple precincts,
00:11:44.373 --> 00:11:46.609
Presumably in the colonnades around the gate called
00:11:46.609 --> 00:11:49.512
"beautiful".
00:11:49.512 --> 00:11:51.013
"being greatly disturbed that they taught the people
00:11:51.013 --> 00:11:53.516
And preached in jesus the resurrection from the dead."
00:11:53.516 --> 00:11:58.754
These were the religious elite, primarily the pharisees
00:11:59.855 --> 00:12:02.324
And the sadducees, two very religious sex
00:12:02.324 --> 00:12:05.795
Who considered themselves closer to god
00:12:05.795 --> 00:12:08.764
Than the rest of the jewish people.
00:12:08.764 --> 00:12:10.766
Actually the dog jesus steps,
00:12:10.766 --> 00:12:13.903
But john the baptist saw them clearly
00:12:13.903 --> 00:12:16.539
Because we read in matthew's gospel in chapter three,
00:12:16.539 --> 00:12:20.810
Because john was attracting great crowds,
00:12:20.810 --> 00:12:23.445
They were coming from jerusalem,
00:12:23.445 --> 00:12:25.314
All the towns of judea
00:12:25.314 --> 00:12:27.082
To hear him preach by the river jordan
00:12:27.082 --> 00:12:29.118
And many of them to be baptized by immersion.
00:12:29.118 --> 00:12:33.088
In verse seven of matthew three, we read these words,
00:12:33.088 --> 00:12:36.625
"but when he, john, john, the baptist
00:12:36.625 --> 00:12:39.361
Saw many of the pharisees and sadducees
00:12:39.361 --> 00:12:41.831
Coming to his baptism, he said to them,
00:12:41.831 --> 00:12:44.600
'brood of vipers!
00:12:44.600 --> 00:12:46.035
Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
00:12:46.035 --> 00:12:49.238
Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,
00:12:49.238 --> 00:12:51.907
And do not think to yourselves,
00:12:51.907 --> 00:12:54.043
'we have abraham as our father.'
00:12:54.043 --> 00:12:56.478
For i say to you
00:12:56.478 --> 00:12:58.013
That god is able to raise up children to abraham
00:12:58.013 --> 00:13:01.217
From these stones."
00:13:01.217 --> 00:13:03.485
So there's the spiritual opposition again,
00:13:03.485 --> 00:13:06.355
But john, with the discernment of a prophet of god
00:13:06.355 --> 00:13:09.625
Saw them dressed in their fancy robes
00:13:09.625 --> 00:13:12.595
As if to stand out from the common people,
00:13:12.595 --> 00:13:15.631
But he saw through their facade
00:13:15.631 --> 00:13:18.100
And told them exactly who they were and how god viewed them.
00:13:18.100 --> 00:13:23.372
So now we have peter and john and we have similar context
00:13:24.540 --> 00:13:27.643
Where it's the religious elite that are coming after them,
00:13:27.643 --> 00:13:31.247
Not interested in the explanation,
00:13:31.247 --> 00:13:33.349
Not rejoicing that a paralyzed man
00:13:33.349 --> 00:13:35.384
Has been healed by the power of god,
00:13:35.384 --> 00:13:37.553
But rather protecting their religious turf
00:13:37.553 --> 00:13:40.990
In the temple area.
00:13:40.990 --> 00:13:43.692
And then, you know what, in my own experience,
00:13:43.692 --> 00:13:46.462
There is natural opposition
00:13:46.462 --> 00:13:49.465
And there is spiritual opposition.
00:13:49.465 --> 00:13:51.901
Every pastor who is called to a new church
00:13:51.901 --> 00:13:54.770
Is usually welcomed in a wonderful way,
00:13:54.770 --> 00:13:58.874
But he's not there very long
00:13:58.874 --> 00:14:01.176
Until he realizes within the congregation,
00:14:01.176 --> 00:14:03.579
There are people that have been there
00:14:03.579 --> 00:14:05.014
Obviously for a very long time, and some of them are the,
00:14:05.014 --> 00:14:10.085
We would say the pillars of the church,
00:14:10.920 --> 00:14:12.154
But there's certainly people of influence,
00:14:12.154 --> 00:14:14.089
And the church is their turf,
00:14:14.089 --> 00:14:16.158
They have a vested interest in it,
00:14:16.158 --> 00:14:17.626
The building, it's history and so forth.
00:14:17.626 --> 00:14:20.229
And so when a new pastor comes,
00:14:20.229 --> 00:14:21.897
Especially if he makes too many changes too quickly,
00:14:21.897 --> 00:14:24.533
He'll soon find out where the power rests
00:14:24.533 --> 00:14:27.736
In the life of that congregation.
00:14:27.736 --> 00:14:30.306
And some pastors are,
00:14:30.306 --> 00:14:32.541
Yeah, some pastors are seen as employees,
00:14:32.541 --> 00:14:35.477
Not men called of god, appointed by god
00:14:35.477 --> 00:14:39.448
Who have the authority of god
00:14:39.448 --> 00:14:41.116
To shepherd and guide the congregation.
00:14:41.116 --> 00:14:43.919
Some people in the congregation see them as hirings,
00:14:43.919 --> 00:14:47.122
We pay your salary,
00:14:47.122 --> 00:14:48.457
And so we've been here longer than you have,
00:14:48.457 --> 00:14:50.659
And we'll be here long after you're gone.
00:14:50.659 --> 00:14:53.062
So it isn't really,
00:14:53.062 --> 00:14:54.830
We will tell you how things should be done,
00:14:54.830 --> 00:14:56.899
And the pastor will experience,
00:14:56.899 --> 00:14:59.101
He'll be challenged here and there.
00:14:59.101 --> 00:15:01.070
And it really does take a lot of wisdom
00:15:01.070 --> 00:15:02.805
To know how to win those people over if you can at all.
00:15:02.805 --> 00:15:07.443
So there is the natural opposition.
00:15:07.443 --> 00:15:09.812
Some i've had experiences where i followed a pastor
00:15:09.812 --> 00:15:13.449
Who was driven out by two business people
00:15:13.449 --> 00:15:16.852
Who were really,
00:15:16.852 --> 00:15:18.287
The church was very dependent on their giving
00:15:18.287 --> 00:15:20.823
Because they were wealthy individuals
00:15:20.823 --> 00:15:23.792
And the rest of the people could not give at that level.
00:15:23.792 --> 00:15:26.795
And so they had the power and the influence,
00:15:26.795 --> 00:15:28.564
They didn't like the pastor who preceded me
00:15:28.564 --> 00:15:31.667
And it took a while, but eventually their influence,
00:15:31.667 --> 00:15:34.603
He was forced out.
00:15:34.603 --> 00:15:36.238
And so i followed him into that situation
00:15:36.238 --> 00:15:39.041
And i was there a while
00:15:39.041 --> 00:15:40.476
And i began to feel the pressure as well.
00:15:40.476 --> 00:15:43.312
But fortunately for me,
00:15:43.312 --> 00:15:45.614
Many new people came into the church.
00:15:45.614 --> 00:15:47.816
And so they were tithing,
00:15:47.816 --> 00:15:49.518
People attending the church, the givings increased.
00:15:49.518 --> 00:15:53.589
And so the influence of these wealthier individuals
00:15:53.589 --> 00:15:56.725
Wasn't as important as before,
00:15:56.725 --> 00:15:59.595
But that growth also created situations and challenges.
00:15:59.595 --> 00:16:04.366
It's just the way it is in the church,
00:16:04.366 --> 00:16:07.503
Down through the centuries, and certainly it exists today.
00:16:07.503 --> 00:16:10.773
So there's the natural opposition, but then as well,
00:16:10.773 --> 00:16:13.809
There's the spiritual opposition that is satan
00:16:13.809 --> 00:16:16.612
And his dark kingdom.
00:16:16.612 --> 00:16:18.080
And he will work through natural opposition to get his way,
00:16:18.080 --> 00:16:22.017
In the case of the sadducees
00:16:22.017 --> 00:16:23.452
And the pharisees, satan was in the details again
00:16:23.452 --> 00:16:27.489
And stirring things up,
00:16:27.489 --> 00:16:28.824
And so we always have to be careful,
00:16:28.824 --> 00:16:31.060
In fact, paul, in his letter to timothy,
00:16:31.060 --> 00:16:34.296
A young man that he mentored who became,
00:16:34.296 --> 00:16:36.632
In fact, who followed paul
00:16:36.632 --> 00:16:38.333
As pastor of the church at ephesus
00:16:38.333 --> 00:16:40.536
Warned in his new testament letter in 1 timothy 4:1-2.
00:16:40.536 --> 00:16:45.707
And i really think speaking prophetically,
00:16:46.542 --> 00:16:49.111
But speaking about our days that a time will come
00:16:49.111 --> 00:16:52.047
When deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons
00:16:52.047 --> 00:16:55.017
Will be very active in the church.
00:16:55.017 --> 00:16:57.086
And i do believe that we are living
00:16:57.086 --> 00:16:59.254
In the fulfillment of that particular prophecy
00:16:59.254 --> 00:17:02.091
And of course, several others.
00:17:02.091 --> 00:17:04.193
So there is the opposition, raises it's ugly head,
00:17:04.193 --> 00:17:08.363
And then we read this in verse three,
00:17:08.363 --> 00:17:10.866
"and they laid hands on them and put them in custody
00:17:10.866 --> 00:17:13.836
Until the next day, for it was already evening."
00:17:13.836 --> 00:17:18.040
So now peter and john, all they have done is used a miracle,
00:17:18.040 --> 00:17:23.378
The power of god to raise a paralyzed man onto his feet
00:17:24.513 --> 00:17:28.217
So that he can walk and leap and praise god,
00:17:28.217 --> 00:17:31.787
But they're arrested because of that.
00:17:31.787 --> 00:17:34.156
And then in verse four,
00:17:34.156 --> 00:17:35.624
"however, many of those who heard the word believed;
00:17:35.624 --> 00:17:39.228
And the number of men came to about 5,000."
00:17:39.228 --> 00:17:43.132
So 5,000 men were converted,
00:17:43.132 --> 00:17:45.167
Remember on the day of pentecost in acts chapter two,
00:17:45.167 --> 00:17:48.170
3000 were converted in response to peter's sermon.
00:17:48.170 --> 00:17:51.740
Now we have another 5,000 men
00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:54.243
And the number of women is not mentioned,
00:17:54.243 --> 00:17:55.811
But presumably there were many women
00:17:55.811 --> 00:17:57.446
Who were converted as well.
00:17:57.446 --> 00:17:59.214
But if we just count the numbers that the men mentioned,
00:17:59.214 --> 00:18:01.416
Three and five, 8,000 people
00:18:01.416 --> 00:18:03.485
In a matter of days have become followers of jesus,
00:18:03.485 --> 00:18:07.523
But they've done so in jerusalem
00:18:07.523 --> 00:18:10.592
And in response to the preaching of peter
00:18:10.592 --> 00:18:13.862
And the messages that he gave to explain
00:18:13.862 --> 00:18:17.466
That god was at work
00:18:17.466 --> 00:18:19.067
Through the power that raised jesus from the dead.
00:18:19.067 --> 00:18:23.105
And so we read in verse five,
00:18:23.105 --> 00:18:25.274
"and it came to pass on the next day, that the rulers,
00:18:25.274 --> 00:18:28.977
Elders, and scribes, as well as annas the high priest,
00:18:28.977 --> 00:18:33.348
Caiaphas, john, and alexander,
00:18:33.348 --> 00:18:36.051
And as many as were of the family of the high priest,
00:18:36.051 --> 00:18:38.954
Were gathered together at jerusalem."
00:18:38.954 --> 00:18:41.924
So you notice how this miracle and these conversions
00:18:41.924 --> 00:18:45.694
Have the attention of the high priest and his whole family.
00:18:45.694 --> 00:18:48.931
That means the religious elite in jerusalem
00:18:48.931 --> 00:18:52.501
Were very much stirred up and they came together
00:18:52.501 --> 00:18:56.605
And they asked the question verse seven,
00:18:56.605 --> 00:18:59.575
"and when they had set them,
00:18:59.575 --> 00:19:01.143
Peter and john in the midst, as if on trial,
00:19:01.143 --> 00:19:04.479
They asked,
00:19:04.479 --> 00:19:06.014
'by what power or by what name have you done this?'"
00:19:06.014 --> 00:19:10.652
So the question is asked
00:19:11.153 --> 00:19:12.854
And peter doesn't hesitate to answer
00:19:12.854 --> 00:19:15.390
And notice, this is a transformed peter
00:19:15.390 --> 00:19:17.793
Who earlier had denied knowing jesus three times,
00:19:17.793 --> 00:19:20.862
But there is no hesitation in his voice this time around.
00:19:20.862 --> 00:19:25.200
"then peter, filled with the holy spirit said to them,
00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:29.271
'rulers of the people and elders of israel,
00:19:29.271 --> 00:19:32.674
If this day we are judged for a good deed,'
00:19:32.674 --> 00:19:35.677
That's all it was, but it was a miracle,
00:19:35.677 --> 00:19:38.180
"done to a helpless man,
00:19:38.180 --> 00:19:40.282
By what means he has been made well,
00:19:40.282 --> 00:19:43.452
Let it be known to you all and to all the people of israel,
00:19:43.452 --> 00:19:47.656
That by the name of jesus christ of nazareth
00:19:47.656 --> 00:19:50.525
Whom you crucified, whom god raised from the dead,
00:19:50.525 --> 00:19:53.729
By him this man stands here before you whole.
00:19:53.729 --> 00:19:58.333
This is the stone, which was rejected by you builders."
00:19:58.333 --> 00:20:01.737
Which is really an illusion to a prophecy
00:20:01.737 --> 00:20:04.273
That's found in psalm 118 verse 22,
00:20:04.273 --> 00:20:07.309
A prophecy given more than a 100 years earlier,
00:20:07.309 --> 00:20:11.647
But peter quotes it, and he said,
00:20:11.647 --> 00:20:14.149
You are the fulfillment of it, you are the stone,
00:20:14.149 --> 00:20:16.818
You are the people that rejected the stone,
00:20:16.818 --> 00:20:19.988
The foundation stone, the cornerstone of everything.
00:20:19.988 --> 00:20:23.458
"this is the stone which was rejected by you builders,
00:20:23.458 --> 00:20:26.461
Which has become the chief cornerstone.
00:20:26.461 --> 00:20:29.164
Nor is their salvation in any other."
00:20:29.164 --> 00:20:31.867
What an incredible statement that was,
00:20:31.867 --> 00:20:34.336
Your religious ways, your works will not save you.
00:20:34.336 --> 00:20:37.739
That's what he's really saying to them,
00:20:37.739 --> 00:20:39.975
"nor is there salvation in any other name",
00:20:39.975 --> 00:20:43.245
Any other person, but in christ alone
00:20:43.245 --> 00:20:46.448
"for there is no other name under heaven given among men
00:20:46.448 --> 00:20:49.951
By which we must be saved."
00:20:49.951 --> 00:20:52.454
You can tell as the text unfolds
00:20:53.088 --> 00:20:54.823
That these religious leaders didn't know what to think,
00:20:54.823 --> 00:20:57.025
They didn't know what to say.
00:20:57.025 --> 00:20:58.460
In fact,
00:20:58.460 --> 00:20:59.928
It's almost as if the text allows us enter their thoughts
00:20:59.928 --> 00:21:02.631
And the reasoning.
00:21:02.631 --> 00:21:04.166
Verse 13, "now when they saw the boldness of peter and john"
00:21:04.166 --> 00:21:07.703
And it was a boldness from the holy spirit
00:21:07.703 --> 00:21:09.938
And what happened on the day of pentecost,
00:21:09.938 --> 00:21:12.240
"and perceived that they were
00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:13.442
Uneducated and untrained men, they marveled.
00:21:13.442 --> 00:21:16.511
And they realized that they had been with jesus.
00:21:16.511 --> 00:21:20.082
And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them,
00:21:20.082 --> 00:21:23.218
They could say nothing against it."
00:21:23.218 --> 00:21:24.519
I mean, the proof was in front of them.
00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:26.621
"but when they had commanded them to go aside,
00:21:26.621 --> 00:21:29.157
Out of the council, they conferred among themselves."
00:21:29.157 --> 00:21:32.294
It's like a television movie plot
00:21:32.294 --> 00:21:34.529
Where we're allowed to stay in the room
00:21:34.529 --> 00:21:36.398
And to hear what's going to happen next.
00:21:36.398 --> 00:21:39.234
And that's what the scripture's giving us, verse 16, saying,
00:21:39.234 --> 00:21:42.904
"what shall we do to these men?
00:21:42.904 --> 00:21:45.407
For, indeed, that a notable miracle
00:21:45.407 --> 00:21:47.376
Has been done through them
00:21:47.376 --> 00:21:49.311
Is evident to all who dwell in jerusalem
00:21:49.311 --> 00:21:52.280
And we cannot deny it.
00:21:52.280 --> 00:21:55.217
But so that it spreads no further among the people,
00:21:55.217 --> 00:21:57.953
Let us severely threaten them, that from now on
00:21:57.953 --> 00:22:01.356
They speak to no man in this name."
00:22:01.356 --> 00:22:04.326
Meaning this name in the name of jesus.
00:22:04.326 --> 00:22:07.529
So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all
00:22:07.529 --> 00:22:11.433
Or teach in the name of jesus.
00:22:11.433 --> 00:22:14.369
Now we're told in scripture
00:22:14.369 --> 00:22:15.771
To respect the authorities that are over us,
00:22:15.771 --> 00:22:18.206
But the exception is when they ask us to deny
00:22:18.206 --> 00:22:22.210
The clear teachings of scripture,
00:22:22.210 --> 00:22:24.479
And peter and john were not gonna stop preaching the gospel
00:22:24.479 --> 00:22:27.682
To which christ had called them.
00:22:27.682 --> 00:22:30.152
Verse 19, so "peter and john answered and said to them,
00:22:30.152 --> 00:22:32.788
'whether it is right in the sight of god to listen to you
00:22:32.788 --> 00:22:36.158
More than to god, you judge.
00:22:36.158 --> 00:22:38.627
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen
00:22:38.627 --> 00:22:42.731
And heard."
00:22:42.731 --> 00:22:43.965
So what are these leaders going to do?
00:22:43.965 --> 00:22:45.767
Well, the answer is in the next verses.
00:22:45.767 --> 00:22:48.069
"so when they had further threatened them, they let them go,
00:22:48.069 --> 00:22:51.540
Finding no way of punishing them because of the people,"
00:22:51.540 --> 00:22:54.676
They were afraid of the people
00:22:54.676 --> 00:22:56.244
'cause of the miracle that had happened,
00:22:56.244 --> 00:22:58.280
"since they all glorified god for what had been done.
00:22:58.280 --> 00:23:01.283
For the man was over 40 years old
00:23:01.283 --> 00:23:03.752
On whom this miracle of healing
00:23:03.752 --> 00:23:06.488
Had been performed." (upbeat ambient music)
00:23:06.488 --> 00:23:08.657
So the authorities release them, they let them go,
00:23:08.657 --> 00:23:11.626
But when they let them go, they assembled to pray
00:23:11.626 --> 00:23:15.030
And they petition the god of heaven.
00:23:15.030 --> 00:23:17.265
More about what happened then after this short break.
00:23:17.265 --> 00:23:32.481
-[narrator] today more than ever before.
00:23:33.281 --> 00:23:35.684
It seems as though
00:23:35.684 --> 00:23:36.918
Our world is at a tipping point as generation after generation
00:23:36.918 --> 00:23:40.789
Slips further into chaos and darkness.
00:23:40.789 --> 00:23:44.493
Not since the days of noah has the earth
00:23:44.493 --> 00:23:46.795
Seen such decadence, immorality and violence.
00:23:46.795 --> 00:23:50.732
But what does this mean for those who believe?
00:23:50.732 --> 00:23:53.168
And what consequences await for those who do not?
00:23:53.168 --> 00:23:57.205
As it was in the days of noah, the dvd series of
00:23:57.205 --> 00:23:59.941
Dr. john tweedie's 21st season of the prophetic connection
00:23:59.941 --> 00:24:03.378
Explores the scriptures to uncover the meaning
00:24:03.378 --> 00:24:05.547
Behind the signs of these troubled times.
00:24:05.547 --> 00:24:08.149
Call the number on your screen now.
00:24:08.149 --> 00:24:09.784
1-888-206-1986
00:24:09.784 --> 00:24:13.622
Or visit c4iamerica.com to become a new monthly partner
00:24:13.622 --> 00:24:16.725
With your gift of just $25 a month or more
00:24:16.725 --> 00:24:19.394
And you will receive this dvd set.
00:24:19.394 --> 00:24:21.796
Ideal for individuals or small group studies,
00:24:21.796 --> 00:24:24.866
Along with the bi monthly newspaper
00:24:24.866 --> 00:24:26.635
Israel the prophetic connection.
00:24:26.635 --> 00:24:28.737
We're waiting to hear from you.
00:24:28.737 --> 00:24:31.806
(upbeat ambient music)
00:24:32.307 --> 00:24:40.448
- just before that short break,
00:24:41.082 --> 00:24:42.450
We saw that peter and john and the others,
00:24:42.450 --> 00:24:44.853
And other christians were moved to prayer,
00:24:44.853 --> 00:24:47.789
They petitioned heaven,
00:24:47.789 --> 00:24:49.457
But watch heaven's response in verse 31 of acts four,
00:24:49.457 --> 00:24:53.562
"and when they had prayed, the place
00:24:53.562 --> 00:24:55.530
Where they were assembled was shaken
00:24:55.530 --> 00:24:57.866
And they were all filled with the holy spirit
00:24:57.866 --> 00:25:00.268
And they spoke the word of god with boldness."
00:25:00.268 --> 00:25:04.039
That's what the holy spirit,
00:25:04.039 --> 00:25:05.640
Well, it's one of the things the holy spirit gives us.
00:25:05.640 --> 00:25:08.143
Peter was a changed man after the day of pentecost,
00:25:08.143 --> 00:25:12.914
The 120 believers that had assembled in that upper room
00:25:12.914 --> 00:25:16.351
Who were anointed with tongues of fire that were visible
00:25:16.351 --> 00:25:20.221
And began to speak in other languages they had not learned.
00:25:20.221 --> 00:25:23.525
That pentecostal experience,
00:25:23.525 --> 00:25:25.660
On the day of pentecost transformed them.
00:25:25.660 --> 00:25:28.997
And they were a powerful force for god.
00:25:28.997 --> 00:25:32.667
And that's why the church grew by leaps and bounds.
00:25:32.667 --> 00:25:36.004
But there were the practical aspects
00:25:36.004 --> 00:25:39.107
Of caring for a growing church with so many people
00:25:39.107 --> 00:25:42.143
And we've seen it as well,
00:25:42.143 --> 00:25:45.947
The needs within that large assembly of people.
00:25:45.947 --> 00:25:49.184
And so we read in verse 32,
00:25:49.184 --> 00:25:51.286
"now the multitude of those
00:25:51.286 --> 00:25:52.754
Who believed were of one heart and one soul;
00:25:52.754 --> 00:25:56.191
Neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed
00:25:56.191 --> 00:26:00.028
Was his own, but they had all things in common."
00:26:00.028 --> 00:26:04.332
That's a revolutionary idea because we,
00:26:04.332 --> 00:26:07.869
If we're honest with ourselves like what we have,
00:26:07.869 --> 00:26:11.172
And we want to keep what we have,
00:26:11.172 --> 00:26:12.540
We want to protect what we have,
00:26:12.540 --> 00:26:14.776
But when the spirit moved on those early church believers,
00:26:14.776 --> 00:26:20.215
They were sort of beyond themselves.
00:26:20.982 --> 00:26:24.319
And they realized
00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:25.987
That we're the servants of the most high god,
00:26:25.987 --> 00:26:28.690
Whatever we possess belongs to all.
00:26:28.690 --> 00:26:31.993
And we need to be able to share
00:26:31.993 --> 00:26:34.229
With those that don't have what we have,
00:26:34.229 --> 00:26:36.197
And so they had all things in common.
00:26:36.197 --> 00:26:38.133
That's a revolutionary idea.
00:26:38.133 --> 00:26:39.901
I mean, imagine if we did that today,
00:26:39.901 --> 00:26:42.937
How many lives would be changed
00:26:43.571 --> 00:26:45.106
By that kind of generous thinking and faith.
00:26:45.106 --> 00:26:48.777
In verse 33, "and with great power
00:26:48.777 --> 00:26:51.713
The apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the lord,
00:26:51.713 --> 00:26:54.549
Jesus and great grace was upon them all."
00:26:54.549 --> 00:26:58.420
So it's a very positive picture,
00:26:58.420 --> 00:27:02.290
But not everybody in that assembly
00:27:02.290 --> 00:27:05.026
(upbeat ambient music) was as noble as the others.
00:27:05.026 --> 00:27:07.729
And in the next episode,
00:27:07.729 --> 00:27:09.597
We're going to look at the lives of two people,
00:27:09.597 --> 00:27:12.367
A husband and a wife who lied to the holy spirit
00:27:12.367 --> 00:27:16.237
And paid a terrible price.
00:27:16.237 --> 00:27:21.209
- [narrator] we're so glad you joined us today.
00:27:22.210 --> 00:27:24.079
Tune in next time for a stirring of angels.
00:27:24.079 --> 00:27:24.079