Community Baptist Church
July 26, 2026 - Acts 3–5 | Steve

      • Joel 2:12–13NLT

  • Everlasting God

      • Romans 8:26–27NLT

  • The Solid Rock

      • Psalm 18:30–33NLT

  • Holy Is The Lord
  • I Will Bless The Lord

      • Matthew 13:24–30NLT

      • Matthew 13:36–43NLT

  • The first few days after Jesus ascension Christians were an unkown group of believers. Jewish folks had gathered from all across the Middle East for the Jewish Festival of Pentecost. Jesus followers were doing what Jesus had commanded them: Acts 1:4–5 “While He was together with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “This,” He said, “is what you heard from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.””
    On the Day of Pentecost - celebrated seven weeks after Passover - was partly a celebration of early harvest and a reminder of the covenant God initiated with His people recorded in Deuteronomy.
    On that day, with crowds gathering at the temple to be part of the hour of prayer, coinciding with the morning sacrifice, around 9:00 AM.
    Shortly before this ‘hour of prayer’ those gathered in the Upper Room received the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise in Acts 1:4-5.
    The next few chapters of Luke’s record of what God was up to are a helpful guide to how we can anticipate what God is up to in and through us. Instead of focusing on Peter, John, and other leaders, let’s try and look the events of the first few days and weeks of the growth of what we call ‘church’ through the eyes of some of those present -

    A broken man restored

    Acts 3:1-10

    Not much uis known about this individual. We do know his brokenness was something he was born with, we know he had family or friends who tried to place him in advantageous positions for begging to earn some level of financial support. We also know he was not bashful about asking for money (see Acts 3:3).
    The response he received was certainly not what he expected. Certainly many turned him down. Many just ignored him as we likely would have done (i.e. when approaching someone begging for money our default response is most often to turn our eyes away, hoping to NOT MAKE CONTACT.)
    Peter’s response:
    Acts 3:6–7 HCSB
    But Peter said, “I don’t have silver or gold, but what I have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Then, taking him by the right hand he raised him up, and at once his feet and ankles became strong.
    We don’t have to imagine the broken man’s response:
    Acts 3:8 HCSB
    So he jumped up, stood, and started to walk, and he entered the temple complex with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.
    This action of Peter’s, reaching out, taking the man’s hand, raising him up to walk again was seen by hundreds of people. Luke records that those who had seen the event were astonished, or as one translation puts it ‘utterly astounded.’
    HThis man has known nothing but on others. He’s never held a job, It’s unlileky he has any family. Peter and John sroll be. As the man asks the Holy Spirit, literally the life of Jesus flows from Peter restoring all that is broken in this man’s body. No wonder he leaps as he walks with Peter, John and other believers into the Temple Precincts. In one moment this broken man is totally restored.

    Men annoyed at this display of God’s power

    Peter senses an opportunity. God is at work. God is up to something. Peter takes the chance and begins to speak to the crowd celebrating this remarkable and unusual display.
    Not everyone is thrilled.
    Acts 4:1–2 HCSB
    Now as they were speaking to the people, the priests, the commander of the temple police, and the Sadducees confronted them, because they were provoked that they were teaching the people and proclaiming the resurrection from the dead, using Jesus as the example.
    Instead of joining the celebration of what God had done in this one man’s life, these men (priests, captains of the Temple, and Sadducee’s) were annoyed, completely exasperated at what Peter was proclaiming.
    There is a hint in this passage that we are about to see a power struggle erupt. These men ‘annoyed’ by Peter’s message represent the entire power system of the Jewish faith. Just prior to Jesus’ death these were the men asking Pilate to out Jesus to death, as they noted
    Luke 23:2 HCSB
    “We found this man subverting our nation, opposing payment of taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is the Messiah, a King.”
    Subversion, direct disobedience to Caesar, and claiming to be ‘the Messiah’ were the accusations these leaders levelled against Jesus. Pilate was convinced. Pilate sentenced Jesus to death via crucifixion. Pilate and these leaders were done. Once Jesus is dead, the threat is over.
    Yet. here in the Temple itself, is living and breathing evidence that God is not finished, that God is up to something!
    Acts 4:7 HCSB
    After they had Peter and John stand before them, they asked the question: “By what power or in what name have you done this?”
    The next morning, having places Peter and John in protective custody overnight this is the only question they can think of.
    Peter’s response (Acts 4:9-12; 4:19-20) is fueled by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Those who were annoyed were left speechless -
    Acts 4:21–22 HCSB
    After threatening them further, they released them. They found no way to punish them, because the people were all giving glory to God over what had been done; for this sign of healing had been performed on a man over 40 years old.

    Great power, Great grace, Great esteem, Great fear

    3,000 men, and their families had experienced a life transforming encounter with Jesus twere reluctant to leave the place where they had met Jesus. The activity of God was drawing people from neighboring towns and villages (Acts 5:12).
    Logistical issues multiplied. Instead of 120, the number of those gathered on the Day of Pentecost, now there were thousands. Lodging, meals, basic provisions were necessary.
    Acts 4:32–34 HCSB
    Now the large group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common. And the apostles were giving testimony with great power to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them. For there was not a needy person among them, because all those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of the things that were sold.
    Those who were transformed recognized that God was up to something! They wanted to be part of what God was doing.
    Acts 5:12–14 HCSB
    Many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles. By common consent they would all meet in Solomon’s Colonnade. None of the rest dared to join them, but the people praised them highly. Believers were added to the Lord in increasing numbers—crowds of both men and women.
    When God is up to something, people notice. People want to join in on the experience - Acts 5:16 “In addition, a large group came together from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.”
    Look carefully at the evidence of God’s work:
    Acts 4:33 HCSB
    And the apostles were giving testimony with great power to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them.
    Acts 5:11 HCSB
    Then great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things.
    Acts 5:13 HCSB
    None of the rest dared to join them, but the people praised them highly. (i.e. ESV = ‘high esteem

    Great men greatly provoked

    Acts 5:17–18 HCSB
    Then the high priest took action. He and all his colleagues, those who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. So they arrested the apostles and put them in the city jail.
    Once again, this time specifcially becaause of ‘jealousy’ the leading men of Judaism take action. In thhe OT, jealousy, is most often ascribed to God in His dealings with His people Israel:
    Exodus 20:5–6 HCSB
    You must not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the fathers’ sin, to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commands.
    The jealousy of these men was not for the honor and praise of God, but rather that God was up to something that they had dismissed!
    After being arrested and charged with the crime of disobedience Peter and John were put in prison till the trial could occur.
    But, God is up to something:
    Acts 5:19–20 HCSB
    But an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail during the night, brought them out, and said, “Go and stand in the temple complex, and tell the people all about this life.”
    These powerful men, claiming responsibility for the honor of God and His purposes were clueless as to God’s activity:
    Acts 5:40 HCSB
    After they called in the apostles and had them flogged, they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them.

    REFLECT AND RESPOND

    Let’s review:
    A broken man is made whole by the power and name of Jesus
    Powerful men, claiming responsibility for God’s honor and purpose are totally out of touch with what God is up to
    People are being drawn to the words and deeds of those ‘who had been with Jesus’
    Day by day, house to house (family by family) the gospel is being proclaimed
    As we conclude our time together today, let me ask you to commit with me to
    memorize our verse of the week -
    Philippians 3:13–14 HCSB
    Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.
    learn our mission and vision statement:
    God’s Word Transforming Our World
    We are seeking to become fully formed followers of Jesus, who live intentionally, seeking to share Jesus and invite others to join us in becoming fully formed followers of Jesus
    if you are broken today…
    draw near because Jesus is present in this place
    Allow God’s activity to direct you in obedience…
    let us know how we can pray for you as you seek ti discover what God is up to in your life….
    join Him as He is at work in our church/community/world…
    by confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Lord; and believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead
    following in obedience: baptism; church membership

      • Acts 3:6–7HCSB

      • Acts 3:8HCSB

      • Acts 3:8HCSB

      • Acts 4:1–2HCSB

      • Luke 23:2HCSB

      • Acts 4:7HCSB

      • Acts 4:21–22HCSB

      • Acts 4:32–34HCSB

      • Acts 5:12–14HCSB

      • Acts 5:12–14HCSB

      • Acts 4:33HCSB

      • Acts 5:11HCSB

      • Acts 5:13HCSB

      • Acts 5:17–18HCSB

      • Exodus 20:5–6HCSB

      • Acts 5:19–20HCSB

      • Acts 5:40HCSB

      • Philippians 3:13–14HCSB

      • Philippians 3:13-14HCSB

Community Baptist Church
sschenewerk@gmail.com
5416799569
http://www.winstoncommunitybaptist.com
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