Acts 4:13-31

Teaching Notes

Have you ever been in a situation where fear could have shut you down, but God gave you strength instead? That’s exactly what we see happening with Peter and John in Acts 4:13–31. They’ve just faced one of the most intimidating moments of their lives—standing before the Sanhedrin, the highest religious council in Israel. These weren’t just angry people with opinions. These were the most powerful, educated, wealthy, and influential religious leaders in the land, and they had the authority to jail, punish, and even kill. And yet, what stunned the council wasn’t just the miracle of the healed man—it was the boldness of these two “uneducated, untrained” men. The text says they marveled, and they realized something critical: these men had been with Jesus.

That’s the heart of this passage. It’s not about how impressive Peter and John were; it’s about who they had been with. The religious leaders couldn’t argue with them—there was a once-lame man standing, healed, right in front of them. They had no defense against that kind of evidence. But instead of softening their hearts, they decided to threaten Peter and John and command them to stop speaking in Jesus' name.

Now here’s where it gets really personal for us. When Peter and John are commanded to stop preaching about Jesus, they respond with incredible clarity: “Whether it’s right to obey you or God, you decide. But we can’t stop speaking about what we’ve seen and heard.” That’s not rebellion for rebellion’s sake. That’s obedience to a higher authority. They weren’t trying to be troublemakers. They weren’t seeking confrontation. But when human authority commands what God forbids—or forbids what God commands—our loyalty must be to Christ. Their response shows us that civil disobedience isn’t about defiance; it’s about allegiance.

But notice what happens next. After being released, Peter and John don’t gather to protest. They gather for prayer. They return to the community of believers, share what happened, and together they cry out to God. And this prayer is powerful. They don’t pray, “Lord, stop the persecution,” or “Make it easy again.” They pray for boldness. They ask God to help them speak His Word with courage and for His hand to continue healing and performing signs that point to Jesus. And then something beautiful happens: the room is shaken, they are filled with the Holy Spirit again, and they go out and speak the Word of God with even greater boldness.

This is such a clear reminder of how God works. The early church didn’t rely on political power, clever strategies, or cultural influence. They relied on the power of prayer and the presence of the Holy Spirit. They weren’t driven by fear—they were led by faith. They weren’t trying to avoid trouble—they just wanted to be faithful. And because they stood firm, the gospel kept moving forward.

So what does that mean for you and me? It means when the pressure is on—whether from culture, government, workplace, or relationships—we don’t have to shrink back. We’re not called to fight with worldly weapons; we’re called to pray, to speak truth with love, and to trust that God will give us the strength and boldness we need. The boldness you need doesn’t come from trying harder. It comes from being with Jesus. That’s what changed Peter and John, and that’s what changes us too.

And maybe you’re reading this and you feel like you’ve been silent out of fear. Take heart—God doesn’t shame you. He invites you to draw near, to spend time with Him, and to receive a fresh filling of His Spirit. He’s still in the business of emboldening everyday people to carry the greatest message the world has ever known. Like Peter and John, we’ve seen too much to stay silent.

So let’s pray for boldness—not comfort. Let’s pray for power—not popularity. Let’s ask the Spirit to shake up our hearts and churches again so that we speak with courage and love, no matter what we face. Because Jesus is still the hope of the world—and His church, no matter how small or threatened, is still the light in the darkness.