Unauthorized Preaching

Acts 4:13-20

John Bunyan spent 13 yrs. in prison for unauthorized preaching and refusal to attend the State Church Services. Peter and John were faced with a charge of Unauthorized Preaching and must face the mighty Sanhedrin.

I: Persecution.
1. Initiated by the Sadducee s.
2. They were powerful in Government.
3. They controlled the Temple.
4. Much of their wealth was in Land and Property.
5. They lived for the present material world.
6. They didn’t believe in a future. (Their Heaven or Hell was now).
7. It was their concern to cultivate the Good Will of the Romans.
8. They feared the disturbing elements of the growing church.
9. If Peter was right, they were wrong.
10. If the Church lived, they must die.

II: Preaching.
1. No fear but sure of His ground.
2. Encouraged by the healed Mans presence.
a. The best evidence of Christianity is a Christians changed life.
b. The Church has no argument when it has a healed man.
3. Peter’s authority was in the Name of Jesus and his resurrection.
4. Peter was attacking the “status quota.”
5. They wouldn’t come to hear him preach so he preached where they were.
“When they deliver you up take n othought how or what you shall say.” Matt. 10:19
6. The Sanhedrin soon knew they weere faced with power not from their schools.
7. The Miracle wouldn’t be denied, but was rejected.

III: Persistence. I Like to Preach with Healed Men by My Side.
1. The truth of the Resurrection was preached.
2. No other name under Heaven given whereby man can be saved.
3. A religion of Materialism sent Jesus to the Cross.
4. Jesus is Lord.
5. “What shall we do to these men?” vs. 16
6. “Let us threaten them.” vs. 17

Tell them not to talk to anyone about Jesus!
“We can’t but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
Here is the secret of success for any church.