Acts 4
Lutheran reading notes
In Acts chapter 4, the message of the gospel develops the theme of the spread of the early Church through the Holy Spirit. Lutheran interpretation frequently emphasizes the proclamation of Christ, the distinction between law and gospel, and the promise of justification through faith.
1
And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, {captain: or, ruler}
Acts 4:1 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3
And they laid hands on them, and put {them} in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
Acts 4:3 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
Acts 4:4 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
Acts 4:5 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
Acts 4:6 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
Acts 4:7 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
Acts 4:8 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
Acts 4:9 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, {even} by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
Acts 4:10 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Acts 4:11 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 4:12 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:13 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
Acts 4:14 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
Acts 4:15 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16
Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them {is} manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny {it}.
Acts 4:16 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17
But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
Acts 4:17 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18
And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
Acts 4:18 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
19
But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
Acts 4:19 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
20
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Acts 4:20 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
21
So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all {men} glorified God for that which was done.
Acts 4:21 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
22
For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
Acts 4:22 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
23
And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
Acts 4:23 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
24
And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou {art} God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
Acts 4:24 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
25
Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
26
The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
Acts 4:26 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
27
For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
Acts 4:27 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
28
For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
Acts 4:28 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
29
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
Acts 4:29 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
30
By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
Acts 4:30 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
31
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:31 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
32
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any {of them} that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Acts 4:32 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
33
And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Acts 4:33 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
34
Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
Acts 4:34 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
35
And laid {them} down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
Acts 4:35 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
36
And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, {and} of the country of Cyprus,
Acts 4:36 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
37
Having land, sold {it}, and brought the money, and laid {it} at the apostles' feet.