Kingdom Initiatives - Acts 4:1-22
Pastor Chris Casoni
Part of Kingdom Initiative
June 16, 2025

1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. 5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead–by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old. —Acts 4:1-22


Introduction: Today is Father’s Day, a time when we honor the strength, love, and leadership of dads, grandfathers, and father figures in our lives. But it’s also a day to reflect on the kind of legacy we leave behind, especially in a world that increasingly challenges biblical convictions. In Acts 4:1-22, we see Peter and John stand firm in the face of pressure, not with arrogance, but with Spirit-empowered boldness. This passage reminds us that one of the greatest gifts a father, or any believer, can give is the example of unwavering faith in the face of opposition. As we turn to God’s Word, let’s consider what it looks like to stand firm for Christ when it’s costly, and how that courage shapes the next generation.

Big Idea: In standing firm for Christ, we will face opposition, but we will also be emboldened by

, strengthened by the , and equipped with the gospel’s .


1. Stand Firm in the boldness of Truth (v. 1-4)

  • a. Peter and John are confronted by the religious leaders, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees for preaching the resurrection of Jesus. Despite the arrest, many believe. (v.1-4)
  • b. The Sadducees denied the resurrection and held great political and religious power. They saw the apostles as a threat to both theological control and social order. (v.2)
  • c. “They were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead”: the verb καταγγέλλω (katangellō) for proclaiming means a bold, public declaration, not a private conversation. (v.2)
  • d. Truth threatens systems built on falsehood.
  • e. Don’t be surprised when people oppose the truth of Christ, it has always been so. (v.3)

Like the apostles, we are called to

, not .

2. Stand Firm in the Power of the Spirit (v. 5-12)

  • a. The rulers include Annas (former high priest) and Caiaphas (current high priest), both of whom played key roles in Jesus’ trial (v. 6; John 18).
  • b. The Sanhedrin (Jewish Supreme Court) met in a semicircle, with the accused standing in the center, an intimidating setting meant to silence dissent. (v.7)
  • c. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly declares that the healing was done in Jesus’ name, the same Jesus whom the leaders crucified but whom God raised. He proclaims Jesus as the exclusive Savior. (v.8 & 12)
  • d. Gospel boldness is not a personality trait; it’s the result of being filled with the Spirit.
  • e. Christ invites all to repent and be saved. (v.10)
  • f. Peter quoted Psalm 118:22, a messianic prophecy, that was fulfilled when the spiritual leaders rejected Jesus, the capstone of what God was building to redeem His people. (v.11)
  • g. “There is salvation in no one else…”: The Greek ἐν οὐδενὶ ἄλλῳ is emphatic, there is absolutely no one else who can save. (v.12)

Because of the

we don’t have to in the presence of power.

3. Stand Firm in the Face of Pressure (v. 13-22)

  • a. Illiteracy was common among Galilean fishermen, but rabbinic training was considered the gold standard. The Sanhedrin is stunned that “commoners” speak with such authority. (v.13)
  • b. “They recognized that they had been with Jesus”: The verb ἐπιγινώσκω (epiginōskō) implies clear, full recognition. What triggered the Sanhedrin’s recognition was the realization that the apostles were doing what Jesus did. (v.13)

Courage comes not from

, but from time spent with .

  • c. Unable to deny the miracle, the leaders command them to be silent, but the apostles refuse. (v.18)
  • d. “We cannot but speak…” Greek οὐ δυνάμεθα… μὴ λαλεῖν = “We are absolutely not able not to speak”, a strong double negative, showing compulsion. It is utterly impossible for us to stay silent. (v.20)
  • e. The healed man was over 40 years old, emphasizing the miracle’s authenticity, skepticism wasn’t plausible. (v.22)
  • f. When pressured to compromise your convictions, ask: “Am I trying to please people or obey God?”
  • g. Peter and John stood firm in the face of religious, political, and cultural opposition. Not because they were exceptional, but because they had been with Jesus, were filled with the Spirit, and knew the truth of the gospel. When you face pressure to be silent about Christ, remember:
    1. You’re not alone, believers have stood firm for centuries.
    2. You’re not unqualified, God equips those He calls.
    3. You’re not powerless, the Holy Spirit gives courage, wisdom, and words.

Are you

or ?

Will people say of you, “They

have been with ”?


Small Group Questions

  1. What did God teach you through this passage and message? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.

  2. What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?

  3. What part of the Gospel can be tempting to soften to avoid confrontation? Where in your life is God asking you to speak up despite resistance?

  4. How does time with Jesus affect your ability to stand firm under pressure?

  5. How do you prepare your heart and rely on the Spirit to respond with both truth and grace when challenged?

  6. Spend time praying for the opportunity to witness but also for the boldness to speak when you’re afraid.