1 While Peter and John were speaking to the people, they were confronted by the priests, the captain of the Temple guard, and some of the Sadducees. 2 These leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching the people that through Jesus there is a resurrection of the dead. 3 They arrested them and, since it was already evening, put them in jail until morning. 4 But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of men who believed now totaled about 5,000.

Acts 4:1-4 (NLT) 中文

Peter Preaching – Aftermath

Peter preached his 2nd sermon to the crowd that had gathered when he and John healed a man lame from birth by the power of the Holy Spirit. He laid into them about their responsibility. He concluded by confirming that Jesus is the Prophet Moses prophesied. Now comes the aftermath.

Too much attention

You might say they got too much attention that day. The Jewish leaders, who despise Jesus and any attention given to Him, come to check what the disturbance is all about. They listen to Peter preach and decide enough is enough. Not only was he healing people, he was also telling them Jesus rose from the dead. 

“The Sadducees would be greatly disturbed that Peter and John taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead; they did not believe in the afterlife or the resurrection at all.” (enduringword.com) The joke is, that’s why they are sad you see.😁  

Eagle has landed

But they were too late. The “damage” had been done. The eagle has landed, so to speak. Probably over 1,000 had already believed their message. Three thousand came to faith after his first preaching and many more in between plus these for a total of 5,000 men (plus women). 

Changed by the Spirit

So the Jewish leaders arrested both Peter and John and threw them in prison until the morning. They were attempting to intimidate these representatives of this new movement. A short time earlier, they would have never preached in public. But now that they have been filled with the Spirit, it’s a different ball game.

RЯeflection

• How has the filling of the Spirit changed you? For one, your sin is forgiven. If you still have that same sinful nature, don’t be alarmed. We all do. Yet the Spirit gives us a new power to resist temptation. We need to call on the Lord for help.
• Consider what intimidates you. What causes you to fear? Is it perceived rejection from another? Is it a loss of comfort? Maybe it’s failing health. Look up. Remember who your Creator and Redeemer is.