34 - Judgment and Blessing [B]

As we wrap up Acts 3 and get into Acts 4, we look back at the first of the chapter with Peter healing the lame man. Catching the attention of the Jews who witnessed this, Peter begins his third message in vs. 19-21 admonishing them to change and drawing the parallel of the unique and distinct prophet Moses to the promised Messiah, reminding them that "Jesus is this prophet". As he reminds his listeners of the one specific aspect of the Covenant, the seed promise, and ties it to the physical resurrection of Christ, the Jews knew first hand this had happened. As we begin Chapter 4 of Acts, we see Peter meeting his next challenge - the Sanhedrin, a Council of approximately 71 priests, temple guards, and Sadducees. This wasn't the first time Peter had encountered this group. Did he handle them differently this time, and why? What was it Peter was teaching and preaching that had them so upset and hostile? As we start this section of Acts, the question arises: is it ever legitimate to violate the laws of the government under whose authority we find ourselves?