Bill Acton :: Acts 4 - The Witness on Solomon's Porch (Part 2)

Sermon Outline for Acts 4

The Witness on Solomon’s Porch (Part 2)

1. The Occasion of the Witness – Act 3:1-11
2. The Contents of the Witness – Act 3:12-26
3. The Results of the Witness – Act 4:1-31
   1. The first persecution – Act 4:1-7
      1. The arrest of Peter and John
      2. The priests, the captain of the temple and the Sadducees
         1. They were outraged by the proclamation of the resurrection
         2. Their leadership was threatened
         3. They placed Peter and John in custody – Act 4:3
      3. The great parenthesis
         1. Some heard the Word of God
         2. Some believed the Word of God
         3. God made the difference, not man
         4. The number of men was 5000 - how many women?
      4. The trial
         1. The Sanhedrin
            1. The rulers, the elders, the scribes, the High Priest and all his relatives
            2. The crucial question: “By what power, or by what name, have you done this?”
               1. They were afraid
               2. They were determined to stop it
                  1. Many governments today are opposed to this message
                  2. They are opposing it with all their might
   2. Another witness to the Sanhedrin
      1. To identify with Christ was certain death or imprisonment
      2. The amazing courage displayed
      3. The source of their courage - the indwelling Holy Spirit – Act 4:8
         1. The first weakness among believers lies in not knowing our resources
         2. The second weakness among believers lies in not believing in (counting on, relying upon) our resources
            1. Others can tell us what to do
            2. Only the Spirit of the risen Christ can empower us to do it
         3. The evidence of courage – Act 4:10-11
            1. Immediate exaltation of Christ
            2. Direct accusation against them
            3. Contrast Peter at the trial of Christ
   3. The content of the witness – Act 4:10-12
      1. The crucifixion of Christ
      2. The resurrection of Christ
      3. The continuing ministry of Christ
      4. The identity of Christ – Act 4:11 – He is the Jewish Messiah
      5. The salvation in Christ – Act 4:12
      6. The message of Christ – Act 4:10 – to all the people of Israel