Thoughts on Study Questions from Acts Ch4 on 8/26

My Sunday school class/Life Group is studying the book of Acts. I posted these questions this Monday and encouraged you to jot your thoughts down.

It's Wednesday. This post consists of some comments from the class discussion.

If you’d like a PDF file of the questions, email me at crd.author@gmail.com

Chapter 4

V5-12

Where have we heard of Annas and Caiaphas before?

Annas was the High Priest from 6-15AD.

Caaphas, his son-in-law, was the current High Priest. He was High Priest from 18-36AD.

Both were appointed by the Romans. Both were Sadducees.

What question is asked of Peter and John?

By what authority, power, or what name did you do this?

This is similar in form and substance to the question the Hebrews asked Moses after he killed the Egyptian Overseer. 

"Who made you ruler and judge over us?"

What is significant about v8?

It's the Holy Spirit, not Peter, who supplies the answer.

Aside (some of this is review).

Old Testament: The Holy Spirit "comes upon" individuals or groups until a specific task is completed. They the Holy Spirit returns to God.

New Testament: The Holy Spirit "fills" people and offers them to access His power indefinitely, as long as they maintain a relationship with Christ.

How does Peter begin his reply to be sure that all understand the significance of his answer?

It's directed at the rulers and elders. 

He wants all those listening to know that he's aware of who is asking the question by acknowledging their authority.

Peter also wants them to know that he holds them accountable for what they have done in the past.

Who “gets the credit” for the healing?

"It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified." 

This answer is targeted at the Sadducee High Priest and other Sadducees in the Sanhedrin.

• Jesus - They had Him killed.
• Christ - Another term for Messiah that the Sadducees did not accept as reality.
• of Nazareth - A common derogatory comment of the time was "can any good thing come from Nazareth?"

Why does Peter use the OT quote that he does in v11? What is its original context?

The quote is from Psalm 118:2.

The cornerstone of any building of the period, and even now in some parts of the world, is the critical piece of the foundation. It's used daily to keep measurements consistent over the time it takes to build a structure. 

Another reference in some Bibles was to Isaiah 28:16. 

See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;

Isaiah goes on to write about the importance of accurately measuring the stone (with justice) and setting the stone with a plumb line (righteousness).

While neither of these refers to rejecting the cornerstone, it would have brought those Scriptures to the minds of the listening rulers.

What is made perfectly clear in v12?

The ONLY source of salvation is Jesus.

            We got this far this week. 

For the rest of this month, Thursday Timeless Truth posts will be the 1st part of a two-part article. This Thursday, Timeless Truths: Baccalaureate Address. Does God Give Make-up Tests?

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