Atos 4

Pedro e João perante o Sinédrio

1 Enquanto Pedro e João falavam ao povo, chegaram os sacerdotes, o capitão da guarda do templo e os saduceus.

2 Eles estavam muito perturbados porque os apóstolos estavam ensinando o povo e proclamando em Jesus a ressurreição dos mortos.

3 Agarraram Pedro e João e, como já estava anoitecendo, os colocaram na prisão até o dia seguinte.

4 Mas muitos dos que tinham ouvido a mensagem creram, chegando o número dos homens que creram a perto de cinco mil.

5 No dia seguinte, as autoridades, os líderes religiosos e os mestres da lei reuniram-se em Jerusalém.

6 Estavam ali Anás, o sumo sacerdote, bem como Caifás, João, Alexandre e todos os que eram da família do sumo sacerdote.

7 Mandaram trazer Pedro e João diante deles e começaram a interrogá-los: “Com que poder ou em nome de quem vocês fizeram isso?”

8 Então Pedro, cheio do Espírito Santo, disse-lhes: “Autoridades e líderes do povo!

9 Visto que hoje somos chamados para prestar contas de um ato de bondade em favor de um aleijado, sendo interrogados acerca de como ele foi curado,

10 saibam os senhores e todo o povo de Israel que por meio do nome de Jesus Cristo, o Nazareno, a quem os senhores crucificaram, mas a quem Deus ressuscitou dos mortos, este homem está aí curado diante dos senhores.

11 Este Jesus é“ ‘a pedra que vocês, construtores, rejeitaram,e que se tornou a pedra angular’.^[a]

12 Não há salvação em nenhum outro, pois, debaixo do céu não há nenhum outro nome dado aos homens pelo qual devamos ser salvos”.

13 Vendo a coragem de Pedro e de João e percebendo que eram homens comuns e sem instrução, ficaram admirados e reconheceram que eles haviam estado com Jesus.

14 E, como podiam ver ali com eles o homem que fora curado, nada podiam dizer contra eles.

15 Assim, ordenaram que se retirassem do Sinédrio^[b] e começaram a discutir,

16 perguntando: “Que faremos com esses homens? Todos os que moram em Jerusalém sabem que eles realizaram um milagre notório que não podemos negar.

17 Todavia, para impedir que isso se espalhe ainda mais no meio do povo, precisamos adverti-los de que não falem com mais ninguém sobre esse nome”.

18 Então, chamando-os novamente, ordenaram-lhes que não falassem nem ensinassem em nome de Jesus.

19 Mas Pedro e João responderam: “Julguem os senhores mesmos se é justo aos olhos de Deus obedecer aos senhores e não a Deus.

20 Pois não podemos deixar de falar do que vimos e ouvimos”.

21 Depois de mais ameaças, eles os deixaram ir. Não tinham como castigá-los, porque todo o povo estava louvando a Deus pelo que acontecera,

22 pois o homem que fora curado milagrosamente tinha mais de quarenta anos de idade.

A Oração dos Primeiros Cristãos

23 Quando foram soltos, Pedro e João voltaram para os seus companheiros e contaram tudo o que os chefes dos sacerdotes e os líderes religiosos lhes tinham dito.

24 Ouvindo isso, levantaram juntos a voz a Deus, dizendo: “Ó Soberano, tu fizeste os céus, a terra, o mar e tudo o que neles há!

25 Tu falaste pelo Espírito Santo por boca do teu servo, nosso pai Davi:“ ‘Por que se enfurecem as nações,e os povos conspiram em vão?

26 Os reis da terra se levantam,e os governantes se reúnemcontra o Senhore contra o seu Ungido’.^[c]

27 De fato, Herodes e Pôncio Pilatos reuniram-se com os gentios^[d] e com o povo de Israel nesta cidade, para conspirar contra o teu santo servo Jesus, a quem ungiste.

28 Fizeram o que o teu poder e a tua vontade haviam decidido de antemão que acontecesse.

29 Agora, Senhor, considera as ameaças deles e capacita os teus servos para anunciarem a tua palavra corajosamente.

30 Estende a tua mão para curar e realizar sinais e maravilhas por meio do nome do teu santo servo Jesus”.

31 Depois de orarem, tremeu o lugar em que estavam reunidos; todos ficaram cheios do Espírito Santo e anunciavam corajosamente a palavra de Deus.

Os Discípulos Repartem seus Bens

32 Da multidão dos que creram, uma era a mente e um o coração. Ninguém considerava unicamente sua coisa alguma que possuísse, mas compartilhavam tudo o que tinham.

33 Com grande poder os apóstolos continuavam a testemunhar da ressurreição do Senhor Jesus, e grandiosa graça estava sobre todos eles.

34 Não havia pessoas necessitadas entre eles, pois os que possuíam terras ou casas as vendiam, traziam o dinheiro da venda

35 e o colocavam aos pés dos apóstolos, que o distribuíam segundo a necessidade de cada um.

36 José, um levita de Chipre a quem os apóstolos deram o nome de Barnabé, que significa “encorajador”,^[e]

37 vendeu um campo que possuía, trouxe o dinheiro e o colocou aos pés dos apóstolos.

Atos 4 Commentary

Chapter 4

Peter and John imprisoned. (1-4) The apostles boldly testify to Christ. (5-14) Peter and John refuse to be silenced. (15-22) The believers unite in prayer and praise. (23-31) The holy charity of the Christians. (32-37)

Verses 1-4 The apostles preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. It includes all the happiness of the future state; this they preached through Jesus Christ, to be had through him only. Miserable is their case, to whom the glory of Christ's kingdom is a grief; for since the glory of that kingdom is everlasting, their grief will be everlasting also. The harmless and useful servants of Christ, like the apostles, have often been troubled for their work of faith and labour of love, when wicked men have escaped. And to this day instances are not wanting, in which reading the Scriptures, social prayer, and religious conversation meet with frowns and checks. But if we obey the precepts of Christ, he will support us.

Verses 5-14 Peter being filled with the Holy Ghost, would have all to understand, that the miracle had been wrought by the name, or power, of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, whom they had crucified; and this confirmed their testimony to his resurrection from the dead, which proved him to be the Messiah. These rulers must either be saved by that Jesus whom they had crucified, or they must perish for ever. The name of Jesus is given to men of every age and nation, as that whereby alone believers are saved from the wrath to come. But when covetousness, pride, or any corrupt passion, rules within, men shut their eyes, and close their hearts, in enmity against the light; considering all as ignorant and unlearned, who desire to know nothing in comparison with Christ crucified. And the followers of Christ should act so that all who converse with them, may take knowledge that they have been with Jesus. That makes them holy, heavenly, spiritual, and cheerful, and raises them above this world.

Verses 15-22 All the care of the rulers is, that the doctrine of Christ spread not among the people, yet they cannot say it is false or dangerous, or of any ill tendency; and they are ashamed to own the true reason; that it testifies against their hypocrisy, wickedness, and tyranny. Those who know how to put a just value upon Christ's promises, know how to put just contempt upon the world's threatenings. The apostles look with concern on perishing souls, and know they cannot escape eternal ruin but by Jesus Christ, therefore they are faithful in warning, and showing the right way. None will enjoy peace of mind, nor act uprightly, till they have learned to guide their conduct by the fixed standard of truth, and not by the shifting opinions and fancies of men. Especially beware of a vain attempt to serve two masters, God and the world; the end will be, you can serve neither fully.

Verses 23-31 Christ's followers do best in company, provided it is their own company. It encourages God's servants, both in doing work, and suffering work, that they serve the God who made all things, and therefore has the disposal of all events; and the Scriptures must be fulfilled. Jesus was anointed to be a Saviour, therefore it was determined he should be a sacrifice, to make atonement for sin. But sin is not the less evil for God's bringing good out of it. In threatening times, our care should not be so much that troubles may be prevented, as that we may go on with cheerfulness and courage in our work and duty. They do not pray, Lord let us go away from our work, now that it is become dangerous, but, Lord, give us thy grace to go on stedfastly in our work, and not to fear the face of man. Those who desire Divine aid and encouragement, may depend upon having them, and they ought to go forth, and go on, in the strength of the Lord God. God gave a sign of acceptance of their prayers. The place was shaken, that their faith might be established and unshaken. God gave them greater degrees of his Spirit; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, more than ever; by which they were not only encouraged, but enabled to speak the word of God with boldness. When they find the Lord God help them by his Spirit, they know they shall not be confounded, ( Isaiah 1.7 ) .

Verses 32-37 The disciples loved one another. This was the blessed fruit of Christ's dying precept to his disciples, and his dying prayer for them. Thus it was then, and it will be so again, when the Spirit shall be poured upon us from on high. The doctrine preached was the resurrection of Christ; a matter of fact, which being duly explained, was a summary of all the duties, privileges, and comforts of Christians. There were evident fruits of Christ's grace in all they said and did. They were dead to this world. This was a great evidence of the grace of God in them. They did not take away others' property, but they were indifferent to it. They did not call it their own; because they had, in affection, forsaken all for Christ, and were expecting to be stripped of all for cleaving to him. No marvel that they were of one heart and soul, when they sat so loose to the wealth of this world. In effect, they had all things common; for there was not any among them who lacked, care was taken for their supply. The money was laid at the apostles' feet. Great care ought to be taken in the distribution of public charity, that it be given to such as have need, such as are not able to procure a maintenance for themselves; those who are reduced to want for well-doing, and for the testimony of a good conscience, ought to be provided for. Here is one in particular mentioned, remarkable for this generous charity; it was Barnabas. As one designed to be a preacher of the gospel, he disentangled himself from the affairs of this life. When such dispositions prevail, and are exercised according to the circumstances of the times, the testimony will have very great power upon others.

Footnotes

• [a]. Sl 118.22
• [b]. Conselho dos principais líderes do povo judeu; também em todo o livro de Atos.
• [c]. Sl 2.1,2
• [d]. Isto é, os que não são judeus; também em todo o livro de Atos.
• [e]. Ou "consolador. " Grego: "filho da consolação."