Acts 4:1-22
Peter and John before the Sanhedrin
1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is
“‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together.16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it.17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
It is often very difficult to stand up for what we believe in even though we are not threatened with physical injury or being taken off to jail or prison...After Peter and John had healed a crippled man, they had to stand up before the ruling Sanhedrin and had to decide that they would acknowledge Jesus as their Savior and Teacher...They knew that Jesus had healed the cripple man from heaven, and they would have to admit it to others, even the government, if they were to be true followers of Jesus...And this was a dangerous thing to admit to...They must admit that they were followers of the One who the Sanhedrin had just had crucified a short time ago...And what caused this admission is an act of kindness to a crippled stranger...What an odd thing that would cause officials to come down on you...
So after Peter had healed a crippled man, the Sanhedrin were watching him, John and the crowds around them...After the healing of this crippled man the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem, in wondering what they might do with Peter and John and the other followers of Jesus...Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family...They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”...This was really the first confrontation that we know of between a follower of Jesus and the Sanhedrin, the government of Israel (which was backed by Roman Authority and Caesar's laws)...
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!...If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed...Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’...Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”...Peter tells the Sanhedrin government that Jesus is the only Way to salvation and to heaven in the universe...And the Sanhedrin almost seem to blow off this most incredible and true statement...The Sanhedrin is not looking for the Truth...
When the Sanhedrin saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus....They were His Disciples...But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say...After all a man who had been crippled for years could now walk...So the Sanhedrin ordered Peter and John to withdraw from them and then talked among themselves....“What are we going to do with these men?” they asked...“Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it...But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”...The Sanhedrin did not want anyone, including Peter and John not to speak about Jesus, and maybe He and this issue around Him would go away...
Then the Sanhedrin called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus...But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to Him?...You be the judges!...As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”...After further threats by the Sanhedrin, they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened....For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old...
We know that it had to be very difficult for Peter and John to stand before these men, who were not only religious officials, but also their local government officials...These early followers of Jesus would be persecuted for years and would have to decide if they said and supported God and Jesus or if they supported Caesar's law...These were some of the most difficult days for Christians...And many were killed and persecuted...
And though it is different today, it is still hard and difficult to stand up for Jesus and God in front of some people and governments, and say what you really believe...