STANDING FIRM IN CHRIST ALONE

 

Acts 4:1-22

Voddie Baucham said, “To be a Christian is to submit your

thoughts and actions to the authority of Scripture.”

 

What does that look like practically in today world? One example that comes to mind recently is the three major league pitchers from the San Francisco Giants who wrote a bible passage reference on their caps representing what the rainbow truly means during a Pride Event game. The verse they used was, “And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” Gen 9:12-16. The MLB have now warned that writing Bible verses on their hats won’t be tolerated by players after these pitchers wrote Bible verses on "Pride Night" hats. These are men who are under contract, and the spotlight, to follow what their masters tell them to do, but these men also know who is more important to them than baseball, money or fame.

These bible references turn the light on to expose the perversion of mankind,

and their need to turn to Christ and live. They scream tolerance, but they have no tolerance for those who oppose their worldview. Ken Ham said, “Christians need to take the rainbow back. He bemoaned how it's become a symbol for the gay rights movement. He said the rainbow should not symbolize "freedom, love, pride or the LGBTQ movement," but rather God's covenant with Noah. For making this statement Ken Ham, personally, Creation Ministries, and The Ark; get a considerable amount of pushback, hateful comments, emails, and protestors. But what we see, is Christians standing up and doing what they have been called out of darkness to do, and that is “To be a Christian is to submit your thoughts and actions to the authority of Scripture.”

 

We see the beginning of Persecution against the Christian Church here in chapter four.

Persecution began when Jesus was killed for claiming to be God, and for that He is the cornerstone, which established the beginning of the church age. Persecution against the church didn’t take long to begin after Jesus’ departure as we read here in chapter four. From this point in time and throughout history, the church of Jesus Christ has faced extreme persecution.

During the Roman persecutions of the first three centuries Christans were…

 

Thrown to wild animals

Crucified

Turned into human torches

Tortured in unbelievable cruel ways

And its during these times and even onto death, that many of them

were calm, and having a peace by their tormentors.

 

Second century theologian Tertullian said, “Many were drawn to faith in Christ by observing how calmly and joyously Christians met their death.” That is evident in (v4) about five thousand people were born again by the message of the gospel when Peter and John were arrested. Why were the early believers so joyous and calm in their deaths? The genuine hope of the finished work of Christ in the gospel. What are we to be witnesses too? Our transformed lives through the gospel confession. What is the message? Our Might Champion has made it possible for mankind to find redemption, to be a at peace with God through fellowship with Him. We have the gospel; we have a solemn responsibility before God, and man; to be faithful to proclaim His absolute truth, to one another, and this fallen generation. Persecution serves a purpose, and that is to purify and strengthen the church to maturity, as they face trials and storms of life, from a hostile worldviews. Jesus said, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” John 15:18-19

 

Jesus is not instructing His disciples to hate, rather, He’s telling His disciples and by extension, all Christians to anticipate the hatred of the world. Jesus does not instruct Christians to counter the hatred of the world; we must not be surprised to find ourselves in the midst of hostile people. For our part we must live meek and peaceable with all men. “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Rom 12:18. We don’t return hate for hate; we must not do anything maliciously to provoke the hatred of this world. We are to be faithful to the Lord, as Jesus lays out the expectations for following Him. God’s presence, and His peace in our lives, are foundational just as they were with Peter and John.

 

It should be noted that it was the religious world which

were enraged against Christ.

 

It was the synagogue worshippers that sought to murder the Saviour. It was the religious elites that were upset that God would have compassion on whom He pleases. Its these men who arrested Peter and John, men who were to be spiritual smart and prepared to tell others about the Messiah. Understand! The world will hate you, think about the hot topics of today. Politics sexuality, progressivism, and the divided political climate we live in here in Canada. The official passing of Bill C9 (The Combatting Hate Act) has passed the House of Commons and the Senate.  This Act means that whatever I say from this pulpit from now on, could be deemed as hate speech according to those who are over us. My words could be deemed hateful if it conflicts with others worldviews that Canada protects; and if convicted I could receive from 5 to 10 years in prison.

The world’s persecution reflects their unbelief. 

Their outright hatred towards the church.

Their hatred toward pregnancy centers.

The hatred towards the family and traditional marriage

Their hatred towards the Word of God.

Their hatred of everything that is in opposition to their ideology

Their love for sin and their hatred for righteousness.

Their hatred towards the one who created them for His glory.

But as John Bunyan who was imprisoned for 12 years by English authorities for preaching without a license. He famously declared, "I will stay in prison till the moss grows on my eye lids rather than disobey God.” That is what every Christian should be saying to themselves, as they prepare for this, if it ever happens to them. Because I ask, “Are we ready for persecution?” I don’t think the church is ready for persecution, we are too busy being tired, and making excuses for our spiritual apathy. John MacArthur said this in his commentary, “Satan has largely destroyed the spiritual effectiveness of the church without having to kill the individual believer in it.”

This is what happens when the church lets believers live….

Self-centered

Complacent

Lazy

Worldly and ineffective.

 

Martyrs of the church are respected for their strength, their character, where compromisers are despised. Chapter four is where we find courage, strength, and boldness in the face of wicked men; men with an ideology that claims what we say is wrong and it needs to be silenced, or punished. The aftermath of this divine encounter with a man who was previously crippled since birth, who is more than forty years old is now fully healed by the grace of God. This miracle has caused a massive shift in the day-to-day idolatry of the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees. (v1) Something that is absolutely amazing and the people should be so happy for this man, but instead it causes the religious elites to be annoyed. (v2) “Greatly annoyed” is experiencing an intense state of irritation, frustration, or exasperation. It describes a heightened level of displeasure caused by someone’s actions. This event has caused many to genuinely repent and follow Christ, to listen to Him as we saw Moses proclaim from Deuteronomy 18:5, found here in (v4)

 

I have two questions for each of you to ponder as we

go through this portion of Scripture.

ARE YOU WILLING TO GO TO JAIL FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL? (v3)

 

Peter and John, were immediately arrested. (v3) Jesus said this would happen and the one’s arresting you would think they were doing something honorable towards God. “They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me.” John 16:2-3. Paul told Timothy to prepare the church with these words. “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” 2 Tim 3:12

 

There are three types of leaders involved in the arrest of the apostles. The Priests, were ordinary priests who would conduct the evening sacrifice. They were divided into twenty-four men who were chosen by casting lots to serve at a given time. These men loved their job and authority, and they would have been greatly displeased about what Peter and John did. The Captain of the Temple Guard, these were the temple police, which was composed of Levites, the captain guard, was second in rank to the high priest. The Romans gave the right to police the temple to the Jews. Sadducees, were one of the four sects that made up first century Judaism, along with their archrivals the Pharisees, the Essence, and the Zealots. These men were highly influential. These men were the dominant religious and political force in Israel. These men were upper-class, wealthy landowners who would always protect their political position and wealth to protect their own personal investments.

We read what they truly desired in their hearts when Jesus exposed them with their hypocrisy. “So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” John 11:47-48

These men involved are very much like out political leaders today, whether its on either side of the isle in the House of Commence. My question is…. “Are you willing to go to jail for Christ and His message to the world?” Peter and John answer that question, because according to the charges by these groups of men, what they said was “greatly disturbing.” What made them so greatly disturbed? They were teaching people…these apostles had no training; they had no reputation as teachers. This was intolerable to the leaders, since Peter and John were uneducated and untrained. (v13) This means they didn’t receive training from the rabbinic leaders. And to make things worse they were from Galilee. And we know according to the Scriptures nothing good comes from Galilee. “Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” John 1:46

 

How can you, or I, speak on the authority of God when you

never had no formal training or seminary?

 

God has given us the Spirit to speak into the hearts of sinners as we see with Peter and John, they had the Spirit to speak God’s truth into their hearts. They were faithful in their calling as they spoke truth into darkness; and for that it cost them a night in jail.

 

ARE YOU WILLING TO FACE PRISON AND PERSECUTION FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL. (v4-v22)

 

Peter clearly preached a clear gospel to his captures as we see. (v8-v12) These men were annoyed by whom they were preaching in…Jesus Christ, the one they crucified with the hopes that this name would surely die with Him. They executed Jesus as a blasphemer, and now Peter and John are speaking in His place, His name. By proclaiming in Jesus’ name this was a direct attack on their authority, so they struggled to something about because of the attention they were getting after the healing of the lame man. Sadly, they weren’t excited, or happy, for this man who once was unable to walk for the past forty years. They saw this act of Divine grace as if it was an inconvenience to them, and their idolatry, and power over the people. (v2) This healing reminds me with the blind man from birth account found in John chapter nine. (Turn there with me for a moment read and explain briefly before next point)

 

What we see in both of these miracles is bitterness and anger because all glory belongs to Christ and Christ alone. So, they ask a question to get to the bottom of this rebel behaviour. (v7) “By what power or by what name did you do this? A name represents “authority” which means the legitimate right and power to command, make decisions, or enforce obedience. According to the Government and religious so-called giants, were the only ones to have such authority, not common fishermen. This question implied that Peter and John were rebels, since the Sanhedrin didn’t grant them permission or authority to act in this way. So, Peter with courage and boldness answers that question with the unadulterated gospel truth. (8-V12)

 

He leaves nothing out to be debated or lacking the information

about what we must do to find eternal life.

(v12) is the powerful closer to the gospel, and its this dogmatic statement the world, and these men hate to hear even today.

 

Are you willing to stand on that hill

when others will not?

We cannot have life apart from Christ alone; the gospel is exclusive about Jesus Christ. The true evangelical church is accused daily for being so narrow-minded, even intolerant, by other churches even. Why is that? All other religions, even one’s that claim to be evangelical in name, see that we must do something in order to find salvation.

 

Jesus isn’t the only way to Heaven, Jesus isn’t

the only begotten Son of God

Inclusive & Pluralistic Christianity: Hold to a more inclusive view (sometimes called "Christian inclusivism"). They believe that while Jesus makes salvation possible, God's grace may extend to sincere individuals of other faiths or those who have never heard the Christian gospel. Pluralist views argue that all major religions are equally valid paths to the same ultimate reality.

To include false teachings like this is treasonous before a holy God, in the gospel, it opens to be inclusive, where Peter is saying its in Christ alone.

 

And apart from Him you will perish in your sins. PERIOD! Remember what Paul so boldly said, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” 

Gal 1:6-10

 

The State of Theology What do Canadians in 2026 believe about God, the Bible, and salvation? Ligonier Ministries Canada and Lifeway Research partnered to find out. Here is just a couple of their findings. Jesus was a great teacher, but he was not God. 45% agree with that statement in an evangelical church today in Canada. The Holy Spirit is a force but is not a personal being. 66% agree with that statement in an evangelical church today in Canada. Everyone is born innocent in the eyes of God. 73% agree with that statement in an evangelical church today in Canada. The Bible, like all sacred writings, contains helpful accounts of ancient myths but is not literally true. 28% agree with that statement in an evangelical church today in Canada.

 

This what happens when the church compromises biblical truth to fit the narrative of the mob mentality, or the culture they try so desperately not to offend. We sometimes ponder why the church isn’t being persecuted? Well, with answers that this, we shouldn’t be surprised. I am here to offend you, with Biblical truth; so that you turn from your sins, and turn to Christ who is our only hope for your eternal life. That dogmatic statement is what the church is to die one, alone, if necessary, for the sake of lost souls. (v12) The true evangelical church is the only ones who truly believe this; and they are you willing to stand up for it, in the face of wicked men and women today.

John Hus said this before he died at the hands of the Catholic Church "You are going to burn a goose, but in one hundred years you will have a swan which you can neither roast nor boil." That swan, Martin Luther, 100 years later would say this bold statement before the Diet of the Worms, “Since your most serene majesty and your high mightiness’s require of me a simple, clear and direct answer, I will give one, and it is this: I cannot submit my faith either to the pope or to the councils, because it is clear as day that they have frequently erred and contradicted each other. Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience."

 

More Christians have been martyred in the 20th century than in all previous centuries combined.

 

About 170,000 Christians are martyred for their faith each year. (over 400 per day)

Currently over 200 million Christians are being persecuted worldwide

Christians are persecuted in 131 of the world's 193 countries

North Korea: in 2014 it continues to be the worst country in the world for persecution

 

Are you willing to face persecution for

the sake of the gospel as we see with Peter and John?

 

If they, the Government, tell you to stop speaking in His name; are you going to obey them, or go to jail and face torture or persecution for the glory of God. We are to be obedient to God at all costs, because these wicked men got into a huddle and they discussed what are we going to do with them. (v13-v16) “What shall we do with these men?” so they begin to scheme the perfect plan, to stop this rebellious work and cause things to go back the way they wanted it too. A few minutes go by and they all agree this will work and scare them enough to stop. So, their big plan to stop Peter and John is “you are not allowed to speak in Jesus’ name again. (v17-v18) Peter’s response, must be our response, to the culture and the Government that leads over us in respect to: The Word of God, Biblical truth, convictions, the Christian life, the church and the gospel message. (v19) The religious council could not punish Peter and John because of the healed, formerly crippled man, who was standing right beside them, and the public was praising God for the miracle. So, they threatened them again (v21) but to no avail they let them go, because of the people who were praising God for this miracle that took place at the Beautiful Gate.

We are to live in such a way that your transformed life acts

as undeniable proof of the Gospel.

We are to be… Trusting in the providence of God whether the outcome is different from Peter and John encounter. We do not fear men, but God Almighty! He is the one who is sovereign over our lives and the lives of this world. Evaluate where you draw your ultimate standard of truth. If human laws, workplace policies, or cultural norms directly conflict with the clear commands of Scripture, choose to honor God’s Word above the dictates of society. Do not shrink back from sharing your faith due to peer pressure, workplace culture, or fear of cancellation. Speak naturally and lovingly about what Jesus has done in your life, even if your beliefs make those around you uncomfortable Show radical generosity, compassion, and kindness to those around you; even our enemies, so that skeptics cannot help but notice the work of Christ in you. Your academic credentials or public speaking ability matter less than your personal relationship with God. Make daily prayer, scripture reading, and quiet time with God a priority; it is this intimacy that produces true, Spirit-led confidence and boldness. Speak Christ into their hearts, whether they want it or not. Love others with the gospel and be willing to lay your life down for a friend.

 

As Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” John 15:11-14

 

Whatever happens to us has already been won in Christ, whether its prison or persecution, it is always for our good, and the proclamation of the gospel. “To be a Christian is to submit your thoughts and actions to the authority of Scripture.