• ADA011 The arrest of Peter and John

    Covering Acts 4.1-4, this article examines the arrest of Peter and John by the religious authorities of Jerusalem. Following the miracles performed by the apostles, the Christian community experiences strong growth, prompting a cautious but firm reaction from the Jewish leaders toward this new faith that proclaims the resurrection, a central concept that particularly offends the Sadducees.

    Acts 4.1-4 (King James Version) :
    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 Jesus 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.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • ADA014 The deliberation and sentence of the Sanhedrin

    Faced with the Sanhedrin's embarrassment after a miracle performed by Peter and John, the religious authorities forbid preaching in the name of Jesus, hoping that threats will undermine the Christian message. Peter and John respond by affirming that obedience to God comes first, illustrating a spiritual transformation sustained by the Holy Spirit.

    Matthew 10.19-20 (King James Version) :
    But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • ADA020 The miraculous deliverance of the apostles

    This article examines the miraculous deliverance of the apostles (Acts 5.19-21) in Jerusalem in the spring of 33. Arrested by the high priest and the Sadducees, the apostles are freed from prison by an angel during the night. Luke relates this miracle with restraint, stressing its theological significance and its parallels with the Old Testament. The angel entrusts the freed apostles with the mission of announcing in the Temple 'all the words of this life', an expression referring to the message of salvation in Jesus Christ.

    Acts 16.25-26 (King James Version) :
    And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

  • ADA031 The persecution

    Article ADA031 examines the great persecution of the early church in Jerusalem (Acts 8.1-3), around AD 34-35. After Stephen’s martyrdom, the repression extends to all believers, women included. Saul of Tarsus is its chief architect, driven by a sincere but misdirected zeal for the Jewish traditions. This text illustrates the fulfillment of Jesus’ warnings about persecution and foreshadows Paul’s future conversion.

    Acts 5.40-42 (King James Version) :
    And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
    King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org
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    Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate