John Barnett here, and thanks for coming along with us! We’re on a journey through the book of Acts, reading God’s word one chapter at a time. Pull up a chair to the table, grab your journal, and let me give you a challenge for why the fourth chapter of Acts might be the most life-impacting chapter you could study this week.
In our class today, we are looking behind the scenes of visible persecution to understand the invisible war raging against the church. God is seeking to pour out His Unstoppable Gospel into the world, and Satan is doing everything he can to hinder it.
Here is a summary of what we will cover in this class, broken down into five major lessons:
1. The Providential Distraction and the Endless Cosmic War
(Acts 4:1-4; Ezekiel 28; Isaiah 14; Revelation 12) What do you see when you study Acts? You might see angry politicians and earthly courtrooms, but behind the scenes is an endless cosmic war. While the Roman Emperor Tiberius was living a decadent life and completely distracted on the island of Capri, God used this "providential distraction" to launch His church. However, the original Antichrist—Satan, the dragon—was launching his invisible warfare. In this class, we trace Satan’s everlasting enmity against God all the way back to his fall in Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14, and look forward to the heavenly war in Revelation 12.
2. The Exclusive Doorway of Salvation
(Acts 4:12) In Acts 4, the priests and the captain of the temple arrest Peter and John, marking the very first of the 47 to 49 recorded persecutions in the Book of Acts. What is God’s response to Satan’s intimidation? The church miraculously explodes to 5,000 believers. Peter then delivers the third of the 22 Gospel presentations in Acts, boldly declaring the "exclusive doorway" of salvation: "Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved".
3. The Doctor’s Office Mission: Jesus Can Use Anyone
(Acts 4:13) When the authorities saw the boldness of Peter and John, they marveled because they were uneducated, untrained men who had simply "been with Jesus". Jesus can use anyone! I share a personal story in this class about sitting in my annual Medicare wellness appointment. When my highly successful doctor admitted he was retiring and that life was short, I got a "bump" from the Holy Spirit. Right there in the exam room, I pulled out a Gospel tract and shared how Jesus took all my sins. Mundane moments become spiritual front lines when we surrender to God.
4. The Engine of Holy Boldness
(Acts 4:23-31) When the apostles were threatened and released, they didn’t go into isolation or hibernation. Instead, they went to "their own companions"—their Christian family. The engine of boldness is fed by speaking and praying with those who also share the Holy Spirit. As they prayed together with a holy passion, the place was shaken, they were filled with the Spirit, and they received the boldness to speak God’s Word.
5. Divine Stewardship: God Owns My Stuff
(Acts 4:32-37) How do you survive a collapsing economy or the threat of having everything taken away? By choosing divine stewardship over worldly ownership. The early church realized that God owns all their stuff. If you want the most liberating moment in your life, turn the ownership of your car, your house, your children, and your money over to the Lord, recognizing that they are just tools for Christ. We also meet Barnabas, the early church’s CEO—the "Chief Encouragement Officer"—who was driven by radical generosity rather than a worldly resume.
"Lord, I want to trust you through all my troubles… All my possessions belong to you and they’re yours to use for Jesus’ sake. Amen."
I hope this week will stir you to action. Join me in this class, pack a Gospel tract in your pocket, and let’s step onto the frontlines of the Unstoppable Gospel mission!
(260604; Acts 4)
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