Acts 4:1-12

Teaching Notes

Have you ever felt like doing the right thing still landed you in trouble? That’s exactly what happened to Peter and John in Acts 4. They had just healed a man who had been lame for over 40 years—someone everyone in Jerusalem knew—and yet instead of celebration, they were arrested. Why? Because their boldness in Jesus’ name threatened the power structures of the religious elite.

The chapter opens with Peter and John being confronted by the priests, the temple captain, and the Sadducees—the religious heavyweights of the day. These were powerful men who cared more about protecting their system than seeing lives changed. They were greatly disturbed that Peter and John were preaching about Jesus and the resurrection. These apostles didn’t have the proper religious training, they weren’t from the right schools, and they didn’t hold the right titles. They were simple fishermen from Galilee. But what they did have was the Holy Spirit—and that changed everything.

What’s so beautiful is that even in the face of opposition and intimidation, the gospel wasn’t silenced. In fact, it spread. While Peter and John were thrown in jail overnight, 2,000 more people believed in Jesus that day. Isn’t that just like God? When the enemy tries to shut things down, the Spirit only ignites more hearts. You might be facing opposition too—maybe not from religious authorities, but from systems or people that want to quiet your faith. Let this passage remind you: God’s word cannot be chained.

Peter and John stood before the Sanhedrin—the highest religious council in Israel. This wasn’t just a scary room full of priests. These were the same kinds of people who had sent Jesus to the cross. Yet Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke with courage and clarity. He didn’t back down or soften the message. Instead, he said, “If we’re on trial for doing good to a helpless man, then let it be known—it was by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified and God raised, that this man stands healed.” That kind of boldness doesn’t come from within—it comes from the Spirit of God.

Peter goes even further, quoting from the Old Testament. He calls Jesus “the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.” In other words, Jesus is the very foundation they were supposed to be building on, and they missed it. Their system, their rituals, their control—it all caused them to overlook the One who had come to save them. And that’s when Peter says something that rings true across all generations: “There is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Salvation doesn’t come through religion, good deeds, or trying harder. It comes through Jesus alone.

This passage challenges us to check our own hearts. Are we more concerned with protecting appearances, traditions, or comfort than with embracing the power of Christ? Are we letting fear silence our witness, or are we willing to be led by the Holy Spirit—even when it’s costly?

You don’t need a title, a platform, or perfect words to share Jesus. You just need the Spirit and a willing heart. If you’re facing resistance—at work, in your family, even in church circles—know this: you’re not alone. The same Spirit that empowered Peter and John empowers you. And no matter how hard the world presses down, God’s truth will always rise up.

So stay faithful. Speak when the Spirit prompts you. Love boldly. And remember, there’s still no other name under heaven by which we must be saved—only Jesus.