“THE BOLD WITNESS OF PETER AND JOHN” ACTS 4:1-22

The amazing miracle of the healing of the crippled man (Acts 3:1-10), provided Peter and John the occasion to witness boldly before a powerful Sanhedrin council.  The powerful apostles used the occasion of the healing of the cripple man to present the gospel message concerning the crucified, yet risen Christ (Acts 3:13-15).  It is of great interest to note that it was the Pharisees who challenged Christ in the gospels.  However, it is the Sadducees who are the main opposers to the Christians in the book of Acts.

The Sadducees were vexed with Peter and John because “they taught the people and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead” (Acts 4:2).  The Sadducees were staunch in their disbelief in the doctrine of the resurrection and the existence of angels (Matthew 22:23; Acts 23:8).  Although the Sadducees didn’t welcome the resurrection message, that same message became the paramount theme of the early church’s preaching (Acts 2:24-36; 3:15, 26; 4:10).  The bold witnessing of Peter and John resulted in their arrest during that evening (4:3).  The apostles were definitely confronted with opposition from the Sadducees; however, the message they presented had a definite effect upon many that heard the word (4:4).  Persecution and evangelism were definite companions in the book of Acts!

During the next morning, the Sanhedrin (composed of seventy religious leaders, plus the presiding high-priest) convened to interrogate the apostles regarding their actions (4:5-6).  The Sanhedrin brought the apostles in their midst and asked the question, “By what power, or by what name have ye done this?” (4:7). These   religious aristocrats could not deny the reality of the miracle of the crippled man, but they were concerned with whose power and authority was responsible for the crippled man’s healing!  Peter, a coward before the cross, now speaks boldly and explains to the Sanhedrin that the good deed accomplished in the lame man’s healing was through the name of Jesus of Nazareth (4:8-10).  Peter speaks boldly before these national leaders, informing them that the “One whom they had crucified was the One whom God raised from the dead” (4:10).

Quoting from Psalm 118:22, Peter informs them that they had rejected Jesus Christ, who God had made the cornerstone of salvation (4:11).  There is really no other way to salvation except through Jesus Christ (4:12).  You would have thought that such a compelling message by Peter would have brought a firm conviction to the hearts of these religious aristocrats.  However, the narrative goes on to tell us that they threatened the apostles with punishment if they continued to stress the name of Christ (4:13-22).  As believers, we are obligated to tell our message of the resurrected Christ even if it means facing opposition.

May God Bless!