Bible Study Moment
In my opinion the 3rd chapter of Acts should go from Acts 3:1 through Acts 4:31. The first 8 verses tell of a person who is crippled asking for money from Peter & John, and instead Peter heals him! The rest of chapter 3 tells of Peter speaking to the crowd that has gathered with more people deciding to follow Jesus. Then in Acts 4:1 the Sadducees confront Peter & John. Thinking back to Luke 20, we know that the Sadducees do not believe in the resurrection and so they are upset because Peter & John are announcing that the resurrection is already happening because of Jesus’ resurrection. (The Sadducees along with the Pharisees represent two of the leading schools of thought in the Jewish religion.)
Acts 4:19 & 20 are significant verses in this story – Peter and John responded, “It’s up to you to determine whether it’s right before God to obey you rather than God. As for us, we can’t stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Then in verses 23-32 Peter & John go to the other Jesus followers and tell them about their day. The group prays and the Holy Spirit responds so that the building shakes and all gathered are filled with the Holy Spirit and speak the word of God with boldness.
Mark Phillips