Walking with Peter: the Crucible

Definition of crucible - a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to influence development.

Peter had experienced a crucible in the hours after Christ’s betrayal. Intense, stressful, high anxiety. He failed. Peter almost allowed that failure to influence his development as a follower of Christ …. To go back to fishing rather than become an apostle. Were it not for Christ’s intervention in John 21, he probably would have.

Summarize the healing of the lame man at the temple gate. Acts 3:1-10.

Read Acts 3:11-26

1. What was the people’s response to the healing of the lame man? All the people in the temple area ran to see what was going on. They were amazed at what they saw. They began to crowd around Peter and John.

2. When Peter saw the crowd what did he proceed to do? Speak to the crowd. Deliver a sermon.

3. What qualities do you see in Peter in the way he delivered his sermon? Boldness, courageous, direct, straightforward.

Read Acts 4:1-7

1. vs. 1-3. What happened to Peter and John? They were placed under arrest. Why? a) For teaching the people – only priests (Sadducees) and teachers of the law (Pharisees) had authority to teach the people about God. b) Speaking in the name of Jesus – an outlaw/a criminal c) proclaiming the resurrection of the dead. Why would the Sadducees have a problem with the latter? They did not believe in the resurrection.

2. vs. 4. What was the outcome of Peter’s sermon? 5000 men believed their message and became Christians. The total does not include women and children who probably believed as well.

3. Peter and John spent the night in jail. What do you think was going through their minds? What do you think they were doing? Probably praying.

4. vs. 5-6 - Who were these guys? Pharisees and Sadducees who made up the Sanhedrin – the highest Jewish religious court. It was similar to our Supreme Court. These men were the same men who tried Jesus. These were the same men who cursed, mocked, spat, and beat Jesus with their fists. These were the same men who handed Jesus over to the Gentile Romans to be put to death. These were the same men who rallied the people to cry out for Jesus’ blood. Did Peter know who these guys were? Yes he did.

5. vs. 7 - Where did Peter and John stand? In the center. Why? The Sanhedrin did this in an effort to intimidate Peter and John. Instill fear in them. Peter and John stood in the same spot where Jesus stood during his trial only four and five months earlier. Peter was standing where his Master stood. This is a crucible moment. Forces are interacting here. Peter being pressured in the temporal and spiritual realms. Temporal - Sanhedrin. Spiritual - the Enemy. How Peter responds to this moment will have an impact on his future and the future of the Church. In the past, Peter how did Peter handle pressure situations? Each time he failed to overcome the crucible.

6. What question did the Sanhedrin ask Peter? By what power or what name did you do this? Who gave you the authority to teach the people and perform this miracle?

7. Before we hear Peter’s answer, let’s ponder for a moment that the Enemy is present at this trial, what do you think he is whispering in Peter’s ear? Remember …. Not to long ago what was Peter’s response to a similar question? Fresh memories flood into Peter’s brain of his denial of Christ. While Jesus was standing in the exact same spot, Peter was just outside denying he ever knew Jesus. These guys killed Jesus, what makes you think they won’t kill you? Attempted to play on Peter’s guilt and fear.

Read Acts 4:8-12

8. What was Peter’s response? Jesus, whom you rejected and killed, gave us this authority. What qualities does Peter exhibit in giving his response? Boldness, courage. What or who enabled Peter to give such a response? vs. 8 – Holy Spirit.

9. How does the Peter in Acts 4 differ from the Peter in the Gospels who denied Christ?

Point out difference between Peter in courtyard during Christ’s trial (frightened, coward, no self-confidence, no longer sure of himself) and Peter standing in front of the Sanhedrin (bold, courageous, confident - not in self but in God) Difference? Holy Spirit. No longer reliant on self. Totally reliant on the Holy Spirit. No fear of the outcome of the trial - beatings or death.

Read Acts 4:13-22; Acts 5:17-42

APPLICATION

When a crucible moment hits you (loss of a job, marital tension, financial crisis), how will you respond? How will it influence your growth/development as a Christian? How will you respond to a crucible moment? In the flesh (fear/anxiety/anger/depression) or will you allow the Holy Spirit to give you the boldness/courage/wisdom to overcome the flesh and confront the crucible?