Acts 4

     4:1-4.  The Sadducees were the dominant party on the Sanhedrin and among the high ranking priests (5:17).  The general commotion created by Peter and John was  bad enough, but what really disturbed the Sadducees was their proclaiming the resurrection (2; see Acts 23:6-8).  The priests laying hands on them (3) is an ominous sort of ordination, so to speak.

     4:5-7.  Annas, though deposed by the Romans, was still the so called high priest, and was probably still the most powerful man among the rulers and priests (cf. John 18:13).

     4:8 is a fulfillment of Christ’s promise in Mark 13:11.

     4:12.  Truth is singular.  Error is (are?) plural.  Cf. John 14:6; Gal.1:6-9; 5:1-11.  There are not “many paths to God.”

     4:16.  A damning admission on their part, but a strong unintended support for the truth of what happened.  The miracle was undeniable by anyone who wished to be taken seriously.

     4:25-26.  Once again, note how the church used the OT, especially the Psalms, as the Spirit’s testimony of Christ.

     4:27-28.   Satan had gathered the powers of the whole world, both Jew and Gentile, against the Lord’s anointed, and they only succeeded in accomplishing God’s predestined purpose.   The Lord rules in the midst of his enemies (Ps.110:2).

     4:31.  Once again, as on Pentecost, the church is visibly strengthened by a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit in answer to their prayers.  The powerful working of the Holy Spirit will not for long be so visible, but “Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”  (John 20:29).

     4:32-37.  Their witness and their work was of one mind and heart.

     4:36.  A Levite.  Cf. Mal.3:3; Acts 6:7.