R. H. Boll Lord's Day Lesson 6: The Boldness of Peter and John (1916)

 

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VOL. IX. JANUARY, 1916. No. 1.

THE LORD'S DAY LESSON.
Lesson VI. February 6, 1916.
THE BOLDNESS OF PETER AND JOHN.
      Golden Text.--"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." 1 Cor. 16:13.
      Lesson Text.*--Acts 4:1-31. Memorize verses 12, 13.

      8.   Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders, 9   if we this day are examined concerning a good deed done to an impotent man, by what means this man is made whole; 10   be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even in him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11.   He is the stone which was set at nought of you the builders, which was made the head of the corner. 12.   And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved. 13.   Now when they beheld the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14.   And seeing the man that was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16,   saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been wrought through them, is manifest to all that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17   But that it spread no further among the people, let us threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18   And they called them, and charged them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19   But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge ye: 20   for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard. 21   And they, when they had further threatened them, let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people; for all men glorified God for that which was done.

* Amer. Stand. Rev. Version; Copyright, Nelson & Sons.

 

      8. What promise of the Lord Jesus fell due now? Matt. 10:19, 20; Luke 21:12-15. Of what may all God's people be assured? Deut. 33:25.

      9. Are people usually brought before court because of a good deed done? Did Peter seem abashed and timid before this imposing council? What change was this that had come over Him? Matt. 26:56, 58, 69-75.

      10. Was Peter's answer evasive, or straight to the point? Did be tell them plainly of their sin? Was this an awful crime of which to accuse honored and respectable men? But were they guilty? How would God have his servants to speak about sin? Isa. 58:1.

      11. What is the idea in the comparison he uses?

      12. How many other ways of salvation, except through Christ are there? John 14:6. Will morality do? Can a man be saved in his own name in his parents' name? in his preacher's name? What if the one, only Name is disregarded or ignored? John 8:24.

      13. Were these judges accustomed to meet with such culprits? Who really turned judge, and who became culprit in this trial? To what did they lay the boldness of Peter and John? Can people tell by our manner that we have a relation to Jesus?

      14-16. What closed their mouths? Did the healed lame man show a fine Spirit in that he showed up at the trial? What did the Sanhedrin seem to be sorry of? Should they have been sorry? On their insane prejudices and blindness see John 11:47-53; 12:9-11. Is it possible for people to be that way today?

      17. How did they think they could stop this teaching? Had such a thing been done before? Amos 2:12; Isa. 30:10. What did God insist on in his servants? Jer. 1:17; Matt. 10:26-28.

      19, 20. Who comes first of all, and what is due Him? What did the apostles feel compelled to do? Jer. 20:9; 1 Cor. 9:16. To what did they bear witness? 1 John 1:1-3.

      21. Why (according to this verse) [47] did they find nothing for which to punish them? Does that imply that if it had not been for the people these judges would have found some pretext on which to punish them? Whom did the people glorify for the miracle they had witnessed? Compare Matt. 9:8; 5:16. How did it happen they did not glorify Peter and John? See Acts 3:12, 13. Can we do our work so that we get the glory for it? Can we do it so that God will get the glory? 1 Peter 4:11; Phil. 1:11.


NOTES ON LESSON 6.

      This lesson covers all the fourth chapter of Acts as far as verse 31 inclusive. It records the First Persecution, which was directly called forth by the sermon of chapter 3. There were two facts that stung the rulers: (1) The apostles taught the people. Think of it--without permission or diploma from them! And the people were lending them more ear than to these dignitaries. (2) The apostles proclaimed through Jesus the resurrection. That was both insult and injury. It involved a charge of their murder of an innocent man, whom God vindicated; and it was directly counter to their doctrine. For they were Sadducees. (5:17; 23:8).

      They put the two apostles in prison for the night. But the word of God was not bound. (2 Tim 2:9). For many heard and believed; so that the number of the men was swelled to about five thousand. (verse 4). When it says in this verse that they "believed," is it meant that they only believed and did not repent or were not baptized? (2:38, 41). Or was repentance and baptism involved in their believing?

      Passing over the trial itself (which is covered by the text printed on the preceding page, and the questions) let us follow the apostles home to "their own company." (verse 23). To them they related all their experience. Now they all saw that a new chapter had begun. Thus far they had favor (2:47) henceforth they should have opposition and persecution. There was one supreme need now--and that need they carried to the throne of grace. (Heb. 4:16).

      Their prayer was pointed and earnest. They quote from the second Psalm (25, 26). They had witnessed a fulfilment of that prophetic psalm; for truly a King, a governor, and Israel and the Gentiles were united to accomplish the destruction of God's Christ. But all their raging and effort resulted only to bring about so much as God had from of old planned to bring to pass. (verse 28, cp. 2:23). All the schemings and wrath of wicked men can accomplish no more. (Ps. 76:10). For an example see the story of Joseph. (Rom. 8:31). This is a fulfilment, not the fulfilment, of the second Psalm. All the prophecies have applications and incomplete fulfilments; but one ultimate complete and perfect fulfilment.

      Now these wicked opposers had begun a new effort, and uttered threatenings against the Lord's servants--threatenings which presaged a storm of violence Their great need now--the great need of all the Lord's people always, especially when face to face with great difficulties or persecution was boldness. See Josh. 1:6, 7, 9; Jer. 1:8; Ezek. 2:6; Eph. 6:19.

      In answer to this prayer they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Note that some who on Pentecost were baptized with the Holy Spirit and filled with the Holy Spirit (2:4) are now filled again. So likewise, although all Christians receive the Spirit at baptism (Gal. 3:26, 27 and 4:6,) can be "filled" with the Spirit subsequently. (Eph. 5:18). The filling comes again although the original reception of the Spirit is once for all.

      Upon their being filled with the Spirit they spake the word with boldness. The Holy Spirit helps our infirmities (Rom. 8:26) of whatever sort they be, and makes us strong. (Eph. 3:16). [48]

 

["Lord's Day Lesson 6: The Boldness of Peter and John." Word and Work 9 (January 1916): 47-48.]

ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC EDITION

      The electronic version of R. H. Boll's "Lord's Day Lesson 6: The Boldness of Peter and John" has been produced from microfilm of Word and Work for 1916.

      Pagination in the electronic version has been represented by placing the page number in brackets following the last complete word on the printed page. Inconsistencies in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typography have been retained; however, corrections have been offered for misspellings and other accidental corruptions. Emendations are as follows:

            Printed Text [ Electronic Text
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 p. 48:     with great difficultis [ with great difficulties

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 25 January 2002.
Updated 22 June 2003.

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