Theme Number 21 Gospel Outreach In Samaria

Gospel Outreach

Acts 8 :1-25
Saul  was persecuting Christians in Jerusalem. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. Saul began to destroy [i.e. to treat so shamefully or with injury,  as to ravage, devastate, ruin]
the church by throwing both men and women into prison. Those who had been scattered by this constant opposition and persecution went everywhere preaching the Word of God.
This mad violence Paul often recalled and mentioned while serving Christ. See Act_22:4; Act_26:10; 1Co_15:9; Gal_1:13; Phi_3:6; 1Ti_1:13.
Where Jesus Christ is preached and the gospel is embraced, Satan is forced to quit his hold of men, and those are restored to their right mind who, while they were blinded by Satan, were distracted and dissatisfied. The bringing of Christ’s gospel to any place or individual is a matter of great joy to that place or person. The Summarized Bible by Keith L. Brooks 1919

Acts 8 :4-8 The Gospel in Samaria
Act 8:5  while Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ there.
Act 8:6  Crowds of people, with one accord, gave attention to what they heard from him, listening, and witnessing the signs which he did.
Act 8:7  For, with a loud cry, foul spirits came out of many possessed by them, and many paralytics and lame persons were restored to health.
Act 8:8  And there was great joy in that city.

Note:a) Philip went to the Samaritans and proclaimed Christ to them. The Samaritans were estranged from the Jews who called them ‘dogs’ meaning ‘unclean half- breeds’.# So this was a very big step out for the Gospel as previously all ‘believers’ were only Jews - from all over the world.
b) They gave attention, listened and believed being convinced by the miraculous signs which Philip did. Surely Signs-following Evangelism convinces even your enemies of the Truth of your message.
c) Demon possessed were delivered with loud shreiks and many paralytics and cripples were made whole. This quickly brought attention.
When Pasteur Cizeron went to Isle de la Reunion in the Indian Ocean to preach the Gospel, the deliverance of a demon possessed woman soon had 5,000 crowding to hear the Gospel each evening. Many hundreds were saved in St Denis and the surrounding towns. Now about 200 assemblies are packed each Sunday to hear the Good News.

Theme Number 20 Stephen’s address to the Council in Jerusalem - His Martyrdom.

Stephen before the Council.

Acts 6:8 - 7:59
Stephen The name (grk stephanos) means crown or garland even wreath. The name is significant to Christians: according to the Book of Acts. Saint Stephen was a deacon who was stoned to death and is regarded as the first Christian martyr.
1.  He was a deacon but he did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Acts 6:8
2. He was opposed by the Synagogue of the Freedmen - Libertines ( as it was called) (A Greek-speaking synagogue in Jerusalem involved in instigating the dispute with Stephen (Acts 6:9 ; KJV “Synagogue of the Libertines”). The Greek syntax suggests two groups of disputants. The first consisted of the Synagogue of the Freedmen, composed of Cyrenians and Alexandrians (so NAS, TEV). It is possible that this first group has three parties, the freedmen (freed slaves), the Cyrenians, and Alexandrians. Some early versions have Libyans in place of “libertines,” giving three groups of North African Jews. The second party in the dispute was composed of Greek-speaking Jews of Asia and Cilicia. ) Holman Bible Dictionary. They could not withstand what he said.

3. They accused him of Blasphemy against Moses and against God. He was seized and brought before the Sanhedrin. All there looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
4. To the charges against Him he answered,:

• The Glory of God appeared to our father Abraham in Mesopotamia saying, “ Leave your country and your kindred and go to land I will show you.” He came to this country where he had no inheritance but God promised him and afterward his descendants would possess the land even though he had no child at that time. God told him that his descendants would be ill-treated and enslaved for four hundred years and he would bring them out and that they would worship God in this mountain. Gen 15:13-14. With the covenant of circumcision he fathered Isaac and circumcised him on the 8th day. Later Isaac fathered Jacov and he the 12 Patriarchs
• The jealousy of the Twelve brothers caused them to sell Joseph into Egypt where he became the ruler over all Egypt and all his palace.
• Jacov went down to Egypt when the famine was devastating the Land of Canaan. Jacov died as did the fathers and their bodies were carried back to be buried in Shechem in Canaan.
• Another Pharoah arose who did not know Joseph and he tried kill the Israelites having their sons thrown into the Nile River. Moses was born at this time and was miraculously saved out of his basket floating on the Nile. He grew up as supposedly the Son of Pharoah’s daughter. After trying to deliver the Israelites by killing an Egyptian slaver, Moses fled to Midian where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons. After 40 years God appeared to him in the flames of the Burning Bush and said, “Take off your sandals, the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
• God sent Moses back to Egypt after 40 years to be the Ruler and Judge of the Israelites. He lead the Israelites out with great signs and wonders in Egypt and at the Red Sea. He lead them in the desert for 40 years.
• God promised to Him that he would raise up another prophet like Moses from among his own people. God gave him the law at Sinai.
• The Israelites rejected God and asked Aaron to make them their own gods and to return to Egypt. They made and worshipped a calf idol.  Stephen then quoted Amos 5:25-27
• Their fathers had the tabernacle in the wilderness which Joshua took with them when they conquered Canaan. The tabernacle remained until David who asked that he might build a permanent dwelling-place for the God of Jacov. It was Solomon who built the house for Him.
• Stephen then said,” The Most High does not live in houses made by men quoting Isaiah 66:1-2. He divorced the presence of God from the temple site which they thought was holy.
• He then accused the Council of always resisting the Holy Spirit being stiff-necked and uncircumcised of heart. He said that their fathers had killed those who prophesied the Coming of the Holy One - the Messiah. And now they had killed the Messiah Himself. They received the law that was put into effect by angels but they have disobeyed the law
• The member  were furious and gnashed on him with their teeth. But he looked up to heaven and saw the Glory of God and Jesus standing at God’s right hand. “Look”, he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
• At this they all yelled with a loud voice, covering their ears they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. They laid their clothes at the feet of the young man Saul as they did the dreadful deed. He was giving approval to the murder.
• That Day a Great Persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem.

Applications

1. A deacon can be used mightily by God if he full of faith and the Holy Spirit like Stephen.

2. He knew the Historical background of his people and was will to tell them the truth about what had happened in the past. They had murdered the prophets and they had killed the Messiah Himself.
3. What a Man Stephen was. He was unafraid to tell the truth to these wicked men. He witnessed even though he lost His life for it.

Theme Number 19 Persecution No. 2
The Crowds came especially to Jerusalem bringing their sick and those who were demon possessed, and ALL were healed by the Apostles.5:16.

The High Priests and his associates especially the Sadducees [ modern-day scepticsted ] were filled with jealousy and arrested the Apostles and put them in the public jail. But an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out saying,
“Go stand in the Temple courts, and tell the people the FULL MESSAGE of this NEW LIFE.”5:20
At day break they did just that.

The Shock at the Jail that morning.
The Sanhedrin gathered [the full assembly of the Jewish rulers] and sent for the Apostles. The Captain of Guard reported, “ We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no-one inside. “ v 24 This really puzzled them and they wondered what would become of this.

Someone said, The men you put in jail are in the Temple courts teaching the people. They had them brought in quietly for questioning from the Sanhedrin.
The High Priest spoke up saying, “ We gave you strict orders not to teach in that name. You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” v.28
The  Reply of the Apostles to their persecutors. Act_5:18, Act_5:33, Act_5:40.

“We must obey God rather than men.” Then they went on to preach Jesus to the Sanhedrin.
Act 5:30  The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.
Act 5:31  God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
Act 5:32  And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."
When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. Then Gamaliel spoke up and calmed them down saying that if this was from god they would not be able to stop it.

Applications.

1. We must obey God rather than men. This brings up the question of Civil disobedience.

Question: "When is civil disobedience allowed for a Christian?" by www.gotquestions.org

Answer: The emperor of Rome from A.D. 54 to 68 was Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, also known simply as Nero. The emperor was not known for being a godly person and engaged in a variety of illicit acts, homosexual marriage being among them. In 64 A.D., the great Roman fire occurred with Nero himself being suspected of the act of arson. In his writings, the Roman senator and historian Tacitus recorded: "To get rid of the report [that he had started the fire], Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace" (Annals XV).

It was during the reign of Nero that the Apostle Paul wrote his epistle to the Romans. While one might expect him to encourage the Christians in Rome to rise up against their oppressive ruler, in the chapter 13, we find this instead:

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor ” (Romans 13:1–7). compare 2 Peter 2 :13-17

A Brief Look at the Various Views of Civil Disobedience
There are at least three general positions on the matter of civil disobedience. The anarchist view says that a person can choose to disobey the government whenever they like and whenever they feel they are personally justified in doing so. Such a stance has no biblical support whatsoever as evidenced in the writings of Paul in Romans 13.

The extremist patriot says that a person should always follow and obey their country no matter what the command. As will be shown in a moment, this view also does not have biblical support. Moreover, it is not supported in the history of nations either. For example, during the Nuremberg trials, the attorneys for the Nazi war criminals attempted to use the defense that their clients were only following the direct orders of the government and therefore could not be held responsible for their actions. However, one of the judges dismissed their argument with the simple question: “But gentlemen, is there not a law above our laws?”

The position the Scriptures uphold is one of biblical submission, with a Christian being allowed to act in civil disobedience to the government if itcommandsevil, such that it requires a Christian to act in a manner that is contrary to the clear teachings and requirements of God’s Word.

Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/civil-disobedience.html#ixzz2M2PbFqEh

Theme Number 18 The Choosing of Deacons in the Church Acts 6

Those who are called to preach the Word of God must not neglect this special ministry for church activities that should be carried on by others. Those engaged in the work of Christ’s church regardless of how menial may be their task, must be free from scandal, men that can be trusted, possessed of discretion and filled with the Holy Ghost. The Summarized Bible By Keith L. Brooks 1919

The word deacon comes from a Greek word which means “minister” or “servant”. In the early Church it was the deacon’s duty to carry out the official charitable works of the Church, i.e., distributing food to the poor, visiting the sick, etc. .... theadventboston.org

1.  Complaint of the Grecians Jews
Act 6:1  Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
Notes: Arose a murmuring of the Grecians. "The Grecians" were not Greeks, or Gentiles, but foreign Jews, who were born and brought up out of Palestine, and spoke the Greek language. This class of Jews was found in almost every city where Paul preached. See Act_13:14-16.

against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected ...
the Hebrews — those Jews born in Palestine who used their native tongue, and were wont to look down on the “Grecians” as an inferior class. it properly denotes those who “imitate” the customs and habits of the Greeks, who use the Greek language, etc. In the time when the gospel was first preached, there were two classes of Jews - those who remained in Palestine, who used the Hebrew language, and who were appropriately called “Hebrews”; and those who were scattered among the Gentiles, who spoke the Greek language, Barnes Notes
were neglected — “overlooked” by those whom the apostles employed, and who were probably of the Hebrew class, as being the most numerous. The complaint was in all likelihood well founded, though we cannot suspect the distributors of intentional partiality. “It was really just an emulation of love, each party wishing to have their own poor taken care of in the best manner” JFB.

in the daily distribution.
Thayer’s Dictionary: the service of those who prepare and present food relief.

2. Contention causes the Necessity of Appointing Deacons
Act 6:2  And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.
Notes: The multitude of the disciples - It is not necessary to suppose that all the disciples were convened, which amounted to many thousands, but that the business was laid before a large number; or perhaps “the multitude” here means those merely who were more particularly interested in the matter, and who had been engaged in the complaint.

"It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. “
Notes : The Preaching of the Word was Priority for the Apostles. So many church leaders are surrounded with menial tasks while the believers sit and do nothing. It is thought that they are chosen and paid so they can do it. This is the disease of professional Ministry. The  answer is Act 6:4  But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word. MKJV.    Act 6:4  But, as for us, we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the delivery of the Message." WNT

Act 6:3  Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.

Seven men of good repute:  Seven was a sacred number among the Hebrews, but there does not appear to have been any “mystery” in choosing this number. It was a convenient number, sufficiently large to secure the faithful performance of the duty, and not so large as to cause confusion and embarrassment. It does not follow, however, that the same number is now to be chosen as deacons in a church, for the precise number is not commanded.Barnes
Of good repute or honest reputation. Of fair reputation; regarded as men of integrity. Greek: “testified of,” or “bear witness to”; that is, whose characters were well known and fair.

who are full of the Spirit and wisdom, and we will put them in charge of this work. ASV
Full of the Spirit  (see Infilling of the Holy Spirit) Theme Number 8 below.
wisdom: sophia:Thayer Definition: 1) wisdom, broad and full of intelligence; used of the knowledge of very diverse matters.(spec. the varied knowledge of things human and divine, acquired by acuteness and experience, and summed up in maxims and proverbs)

1. The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the quality of being wise.
2. The soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of such experience, knowledge, and good judgment: ( "some questioned the wisdom of building the dam so close to an active volcano"). Google Research

For further qualifications of a Deacon see 1 Tim 3:8-10


3. The Choosing and the Ordination of these men as Deacons
Act 6:5  And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.
Act 6:6  These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
Notes
1. They chose Stephen a man full of Faith and the Holy Spirit,
Each one of the seven has a Greek name and was undoubtedly a Hellenist, not an Aramaean Jew. Consummate wisdom is here displayed for the murmuring had come from the Hellenists, seven of whom were chosen to take proper care of the widows of Hellenists. This trouble was settled to stay settled so far as we know. Nothing is here told of any of the seven except Stephen who is “a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit” and Nicolas “a proselyte of Antioch” (who was not then born a Jew, but had come to the Jews from the Greek world).

Applications.
1.  Preaching and Prayer are priorities for  Ministers of The Gospel
2. Choose men full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom to do menial tasks in the church.

Theme Number 17 Sin and death of Ananias and Sapphira. ch 5:3;9

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Act 5:1  There was a man of the name of Ananias who, with his wife Sapphira, sold some property but,
Act 5:2  with her full knowledge and consent, dishonestly kept back part of the price which he received for it, though he brought the rest and gave it to the Apostles.
Act 5:3  "Ananias," said Peter, "why has Satan taken possession of your heart, that you should try to deceive the Holy Spirit and dishonestly keep back part of the price paid you for this land?
Act 5:4  While it remained unsold, was not the land your own? And when sold, was it not at your own disposal? How is it that you have cherished this design in your heart? It is not to men you have told this lie, but to God."
Act 5:5  Upon hearing these words Ananias fell down dead, and all who heard the words were awe-struck.
Act 5:6  The younger men, however, rose, and wrapping the body up, carried it out and buried it.
Act 5:9  "How was it," replied Peter, "that you two agreed to try an experiment upon the Spirit of the Lord? The men who have buried your husband are already at the door, and they will carry you out."

Comments
1.  In the Old Testament there was the incident where Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihou tried to use strange fire  and fire came out from the presence of the LORD and  consumed them.
Num_3:4  And Nadab and Abihu died before Jehovah when they offered strange fire before Jehovah in the wilderness of Sinai. And they had no sons. And Eleazar and Ithamar ministered as priest in the presence of Aaron their father. Lev_10:1  And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, and put incense on it, and offered strange fire before Jehovah, which He had not commanded them.

Violation of God’s law and punishment

In Leviticus 9 and Exodus 30, God outlines a proper sacrifice to him.[5] Aaron, the chief priest, was to present all offerings representing himself and the people.
Moses said to Aaron, “Come to the altar and sacrifice your sin offering and your burnt offering and make atonement for yourself and the people; sacrifice the offering that is for the people and make atonement for them, as the LORD has commanded.”

— Leviticus 9:7 New International Version

God would send his own fire to consume the sacrifice as a sign of his presence.[6]
When Nadab and Abihu lit the offering in the censers themselves, the fire was unauthorized and God was not in it.[7] They prepared an incense offering upon kindling of their own. No offering of incense had been ordered.[8] Aaron’s sons neglected the command to wait for holy fire and offered incense with unauthorized fire.[9] Anyone who altered the sacrificial system assumed a prerogative belonging to God alone.[10] God determines the judgments that are carried out against those who either add to or take away from the declarations of God.[11]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nadab_and_Abihu#cite.





Now Look at Ananias and Sapphira
2. Ananias . . . gave up the ghost. Fell down and expired. There was a visible judgment upon him for his great sin. It was inflicted by the Holy Spirit through Peter, and shows how hypocrisy is regarded by the Lord.
Compare Act_4:36-37; Act_5:1-11  Ananias and Barnabas
The Spirit of God is the source of generous and liberal giving. It is a poor substitute to set up bazaars, and fairs, and ice cream suppers. When the Church is filled with the Holy Spirit, her pockets will be easily emptied before His gracious, thawing presence. Let the sun arise in the heavens, and the frozen streams are instantly liberated and begin to sing on their way to transform wildernesses into gardens.
Mark the contrast between Ananias and Barnabas. The same phrases are applied to each.

The sin of Ananias was not in keeping back part of the purchase money, but in pretending to have brought all to the Apostle. He wished to pose as a saint, and at the same time to line his own nest. In the act of consecration, we must not allow one corner for Satan or selfishness to possess, because instantly we shall have to concede the right of way, and a thoroughfare will be opened, along which all manner of contraband may be smuggled in. Peter had no doubt as to the personality of the Holy Spirit. You cannot lie to an influence! Note the interchange of Holy Spirit and God in Act_4:3-4. F.B. Meyer




1. Don’t presume to do something that is not in your authority to do.
2. Hypocrites in the church yes. But God will deal with them in due time. Don’t play ‘God’.

Theme Number 16 : The Church at Jerusalem. It’s Leaders, It’s structure and it’s fellowship.

The Primitive or the First church expanded at such an amazing rate that soon they had filled all of Jerusalem with their teaching and preaching. This church in Acts was Pentecostal,  Evangelistic and spread throughout the city in the chapters 2 to 8. As Jesus had told them they were to be witnesses in Jerusalem and in Judea and Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the earth. See acts 1:8

Now lets look at the Leadership of  Jerusalem Church.
1.  Peter seems to be the first spokesman on the day of Pentecost but he was closely supported by the  Apostles. Acts 2: 14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven and raised his voice.


2. The Apostles, Peter and John, were going up to the temple  at the hour of Prayer when they raised up the Cripple at the gate of the Temple called Beautiful. They seemed to be the oneswhom God was using.  Acts 3 Compare the healing in Acts 5 :12-16


3. They devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship and the breaking of Bread and to prayers. Acts 2:42 So the Apostles were instructing them and ministering.


4. It was the apostles who were arrested  in Acts 5:17 but the Angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out saying, “ Go stand in the Temple and tell the people the full message of this new Life.”v.20


5. The first part of Acts concerns Peter the Apostle to the Jews and the second part ch 9-26 concerns Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles.

The Apostle Peter

The Apostle Paul

6. Philip is promoted from Deacon of the church in Jerusalem to being an evangelist to the Ethiopian Eunach , the Samaritans and then to Joppa by the Holy Spirit.


7. There is no room for Nepotism in the church. Paul and Barnabas had a falling out over John Mark who was Barnabas’ nephew. John Mark had gone along as a helper on the First Missionary journey but had deserted the team when the going was getting tough. Barnabas wanted to take him on the second missionary journey but Paul balked at the thought.  Paul and Barnbas split up after a very heated disagreement.  Nepotism: favoritism (as in appointment to a job) based on kinship.


8. James, Jesus natural half-brother, became the leader of the Church in Jerusalem.
James (Hebrew: יעקב Ya'akov; Greek Ἰάκωβος Iákōbos), first Bishop of Jerusalem, who died in 62 or 69, was an important figure in Early Christianity. He is distinguished from the Apostle James, son of Zebedee by various epithets; he is called James the brother of the Lord by Paul (Galatians 1:19), James the brother of the Lord, surnamed the Just byHegesippus and others, "James the Righteous", "James of Jerusalem", "James Adelphotheos" (Ἰάκωβος ὁ ἀδελφόθεος), and so on.
9. James in “ Profiles of faith James - The half Brother of Jesus” www.ucg.org

Throughout Jesus' ministry His half brother James, along with the other three brothers, didn't give Jesus the respect due Him (John 7:3-5.

). It appears they thought He was not thinking clearly, and perhaps they wanted Him gone from their home (Mark 3:21

, 31-35). James and Jesus' other brothers showed Him no honor, which saddened Jesus, who spoke from personal experience when He said, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor" (Mark 6:4

, New International Version, emphasis added throughout).

Even at His death Jesus entrusted the care of His mother, Mary, not to His half brothers but to His disciple and close friend John (John 19:26-27).

As The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia explains: "A bond of fellowship had . . . been established between John and Mary that was closer than her nearer blood relationship with her own sons, who up to this time had regarded the course of Jesus with disapproval, and had no sympathy with his mission. In the home of John she would find consolation for her loss, as the memories of the wonderful life of her son would be recalled . . ." (1979, "Brothers of the Lord").

However, after Jesus' resurrection James and his brothers joined the company of believers, now convinced Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah and Son of God (Acts 1:14

). A special appearance by Jesus to James, mentioned only in 1 Corinthians 15:7

, probably played a major part in James' change of heart.

When James wrote his epistle some 30 years later, his humility is evident by the way he saw himself: "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ" (James 1:1). James identified himself as the servant of Jesus rather than as a close relative.

These are some random thoughts on the leadership of The Church in Jerusalem.

Theme Number 15 ch 4 The First Persecution.

The more resolute are Christ’s servants to witness of Him, the more spiteful will be the agents of Satan. 

Persecution gives wings to the truth. Peter and John before the Sanhedrin - the elders of the Jews

Key Word: Persecution,
Act 4:1  While they were saying this to the people, the Priests, the Commander of the Temple Guard, and the Sadducees came upon them,
Act 4:2  highly incensed at their teaching the people and proclaiming in the case of Jesus the Resurrection from among the dead.
Act 4:3  They arrested the two Apostles and lodged them in custody [prison] till the next day; for it was already evening.
Act 4:4  But many of those who had listened to their preaching believed; and the number of the adult men had now grown to be about 5,000.

The Elders of the Jews called the two Apostles but they were confused and didn’t know what to do.

The Apostles preached to the Sanhedrin
Act 4:10  be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that through the Name of Jesus the Anointed, the Nazarene, whom *you* crucified, but whom *God* has raised from among the dead-- through that name this man stands here before you in perfect health.
Act 4:11  This Jesus is THE STONE TREATED WITH CONTEMPT BY YOU THE BUILDERS, BUT IT HAS BEEN MADE THE CORNERSTONE. A Quote from the OT. Ps 118:22
Act 4:13  As they looked on Peter and John so fearlessly outspoken--and also discovered that they were illiterate persons, untrained in the schools--they were surprised; and now they recognized them as having been with Jesus.


They threatened them and forbade them to teach or preach in the name of Jesus.
Act 4:19  But Peter and John replied, "Judge whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you instead of listening to God.
Act 4:20  As for us, what we have seen and heard we cannot help speaking about."
Act 4:21  The Court added further threats and then let them go, being quite unable to find any way of punishing them on account of the people, because all gave God the glory for the thing that had happened.
Act 4:24  And they, upon hearing the story, all lifted up their voices to God and said, "O Sovereign Lord, it is Thou who didst make Heaven and earth and sea, and all that is in them,
Act 4:25  and didst say through the Holy Spirit by the lips of our forefather David Thy servant, "'WHY HAVE THE NATIONS STAMPED AND RAGED, AND THE PEOPLES FORMED FUTILE PLANS?
Act 4:26  THE KINGS OF THE EARTH CAME NEAR, AND THE RULERS ASSEMBLED TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS ANOINTED.'"
Act 4:27  "They did indeed assemble in this city in hostility to Thy holy Servant Jesus whom Thou hadst anointed--Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and also the tribes of Israel--
Act 4:28  to do all that Thy power and Thy will had predetermined should be done.
Act 4:29  And now, Lord, listen to their threats, and enable Thy servants to proclaim Thy Message with fearless courage,
Act 4:30  whilst Thou stretchest out Thine arm to cure men, and to give signs and marvels through the name of Thy holy Servant Jesus."

Applications
1. The Rulers try to impose their beliefs and worldview upon the people.
2. The apostle know the truth and declare it fearlessly.
3. God confirms His Word with miraculous signs.
4. The leaders are confused and let them go. They have a prayer meeting with the Saints in Jerusalem. What a  demonstration of the Power of God over evil.