Things have gone relatively smooth so far, but that is about to change.

Verses one through seven: A huge crowd having gathered following the healing of the crippled man, Peter took the opportunity to preach to them. At this point a fact needs to be brought out. Note that in verse 2 we learn that Peter had spoken to the people about the resurrection of the dead. Note also that this subject was not mentioned in the chapter 3 account. We must understand that not everything that was said and done by Jesus, the prophets, the apostles and the general public was recorded within the Holy Scriptures. If so, “the world would not hold the books that would have to be written” (Jn. 21:25). As Peter spoke to the crowd a group of priests and Sadducees (rulers and elders-vs. 8) came and arrested him and John and threw them into jail where they would remain until the following morning. But the spiritual damage had already been done. To the angst of the authorities, some 8000 men had believed what Peter had said and had embraced Jesus of Nazareth as their Messiah. Though we are not told why the rulers and elders were meeting at this particular time, they had probably come together to discuss the new religious group that was gaining so much attention. Now they had two of their leaders in their grasp. A great opportunity to get to the bottom of the problem had been presented to them.

On the morning following the miracle at the Beautiful Gate these Jewish leaders had Peter and John brought before them. First on their agenda was to find out “by what power, or by what name” they had healed the crippled man. Note that they equated the unknown entity’s name with his, her or its power. Note also that they were not happy about the life-long cripple being healed as one would assume they would be. To the contrary, the fact that people outside of their own group were involved infuriated them.

Verses eight through twelve: Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit (“ghost” is a misnomer used by King James translators), spoke to the “rulers of the people and elders of Israel.” Note that when addressing the Jews the apostles routinely used the expression, “ye men of Israel,” thereby acknowledging that the Jews (tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Levi) and “those who are afar off” (2:39-the other tribes) still comprised one indivisible entity–the House of Israel–God’s chosen people. In verse 10 Peter makes this clear when he addresses those within earshot (Jews from all over the world) as well as those to whom they would bear witness upon returning to their homes (the other tribes of Israel whom God had scattered in His wrath–those who were “afar off”). See White Fields. In verses 9-12 Peter tells the rulers that Jesus Christ–the One Whom they had killed, the One Whom God had raised from the dead–was the One Who had healed the crippled man through the power of His name. Peter went on to explain that they had rejected the very corner stone in Whom, and in Whom only, salvation could be found, and that it was only through His name that one could be saved.

Verses thirteen through twenty: When leaders saw the boldness of Peter and John, and that they were uneducated, ignorant men, they marveled. They also took note that they had been with Jesus of Nazareth, and that the formerly crippled man was standing in front of them totally healed. Common sense dictated that this was not a normal situation. Fearing that the problem would spread even farther among the people, they warned the apostles not to speak any more in the name of Jesus. To which Peter and John replied that they must obey God rather than men–an unalterable Truth still binding upon those who claim to be God’s people. See Denominations. Finding nothing legally wrong with what the apostles had done, the leaders threatened them again and let them go. L.J.