Acts 4:1-4 And as they spake unto the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them...Being grieved that they taught the people and preached through Emmanuel.the.resurrection from the dead....And they laid hands on them and put them in hold unto the next day, for it was now eventide...Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed and the number of the men was about five thousand.

These corrupt religious leaders of the New Testament didn't want the people to know any different than what they had taught them. This is typical of the cabal today. Keeping information from them was one way to keep the people close-minded. Even when these leaders saw good, because they were steeped in corruptness, they held onto their low consciousness pathway:.Matthew 23:13-33.

Acts 4:5 And it came to pass on the morrow that their rulers and elders and scribes,

Acts 4:6 And Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest were gathered together at Jerusalem.

Acts 4:7-9 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power or by what name, have you done this? Then Peter filled with the Holy Ghost said unto them, You rulers of the people and elders of Israel, if we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Emmanuel the Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him does this man stand here before you whole.

Acts 4:11 This is the stone.(1Peter 2:6).which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is none other name.(or, no other being, human or otherwise:.Matthew 11:27; what's His name mean?).under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

1John 5:12.

Saved from what?

Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John.(John 19:35).and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men.(not trained in the pseudo.insincere ways of the so-called leaders in society back then), they marveled and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Emmanuel.

Acts 4:14-18 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Emmanuel.

Like we would say, don't speak about that man around me.

Acts 4:19,20 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge you. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

Acts 4:21 So when they had further threatened them, they found nothing how they might punish them, but because of the people.(the good people around who were watching and listening), they let them go, for all there men glorified God for that which was done. 

Acts 4:22,23 For the man was above forty years old on whom this miracle of healing was shewed. And being let go they went to their own company and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

Acts 4:24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord and said, Lord, you art God, which has made heaven and Earth and the sea and all that in them is.

Acts 4:25 Who by the mouth of thy servant.(original word for 'servant' here is same as in verse 29 below).David has said.(in Psalms 2:1-3), Why did the heathen rage.(Eclectic Notes:."this word 'rage' is properly used of horses, to snort fiercely").and the people imagine vain things?.(from Psalms 2:1,2)

Barnes Notes: The word here used means 'empty' in the original, such as a vessel which is not filled, then useless or that which amounts to nothing, etc. Here it means that they devised and followed a plan which turned out to be vain or ineffectual. They attempted an opposition to the true God which could not succeed. Such is the empty guidance provided by a plethora of books, articles, courses and subscriptions, which lead one along for awhile, until the individual wakes up by seeing no actual results in his or her life for what they wanted:.Matthew 7:16-20. Truly, a subtle trick of the dark side toward depression and discouragement for you. So, be strong in the true direction:.Ephesians 6:10; 2Timothy 2:1; 3John 1:3 "For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, even as you walk in the truth."

Acts 4:26 The kings of the Earth stood up and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ..(from Psalms 2:1,2)

Acts 4:27 For of a truth against thy holy child Emmanuel, whom you have anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together.

Acts 4:28 For to do whatsoever your hand and your counsel.(advice from others).determined before to be done.(Acts 2:23).

Acts 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings and grant unto your servants.(original here for 'servants' is 'bondman' 'an attendant', 'a slave', meaning that this is how they considered themselves they were so dedicated to God), that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

Acts 4:30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Emmanuel.

Comprised with.Adam Clarke's Commentary: the words, "thy holy child Emmanuel" should have been translated, 'thy holy servant' as it was in verse 25 above, where it says 'thy servant David', not 'thy child David'; the original word for 'servant' in verses 25 and 30 is the same in the original)

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul.(*), neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own.(Acts 2:44), but they had all things common..

They were excited to participate in that which brought others up to the mental and spiritual outlook they themselves possessed and were willing to share what they had with others to help as much as possible. In this they were all of one mind:.Ephesians 1:23.; Philippians 1:27; 2:2; 1Peter 1:8.

Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles.(Matthew 10:2).witness.(original 'testimony').of the resurrection.(Luke 24:50-53).of the Lord Emmanuel. And great grace was upon them all..(Greek word for "great" is 'mega')

Acts 4:34,35 Neither was there any among them that lacked. For as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them and brought the prices of the things that were sold and laid them down at the apostles' feet and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

Helping others was important to them. They were excited about the truth proven by Christ that there is no death, only a quick switching in coming back again as a new birth; born again;.1Corinthians 15:55.

Listen to the words in the Highwaymen song.

Acts 4:36,37 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, which is, being interpreted, the son of consolation, a Levite and of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
 

....continues to Chapter 5

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