ACTS: The Church In Action
OVERCOMING OPPOSITION
Chapter Four


INTRODUCTION: The church in Acts was active; it spoke or rather the Holy Spirit spoke through it.  Everywhere the church preached signs and miracles followed.  The history of the church is filled with powerful sermons and purifying sufferings.  In the pages of the Book of Acts one sees the church as the visible expression of the invisible God.  All men and women are valued; the poor hear the gospel and are fed, the rich are called into accountability, and entire cities turn to Christ.


the old order: religious leaders are (4:1-7)
  1. Terrified of losing temporary power.
  2. Terrified of hearing the truth.
  3. Terrified of breaking with traditions.
  4. Terrified of a miracle.


The mark of a leader is to rehearse the victory in the midst of defeat


The new order: Peter is (4:8-12)
  1. A man transformed
  2. A man not terrified
  3. A man preaching truth

The old order: Religious Leaders Noticed (4:13)
  1. The boldness of their behavior
  2. The boldness of the belief
  3. The boldness of belonging

Class of Old & New Order (4:14-22)
Old Order

Control
Personal Power
Intimidation of Others
Suppression of the Miraculous 		New Order

God's Control
God's Power
Inspiration of Others
Spread of the Miraculous

Sustaining Prayer (4:23-31)
  1. Recognizing the power of united prayer
  2. Recognizing the power of God
  3. Recognizing the power of the Word
  4. Recognizing the power of divine intervention

Overcoming Opposition (4:8-31)
  1. Be filled with the holy spirit (4:8; I Pet. 4:14; Eph. 5:18-21)
  2. Be aggressive at seizing godly opportunities (4:8-11; I Pet. 3:15)
  3. Be obedient to God at all costs (4:14-22; Luke 14:25-33)
  4. Be committed to fellowship (4:23; Mal. 3:16)
  5. Be prayerful (4:24-28; 12:12)
  6. Be desirous of greater usefulness (4:29-31)