Peter and John Arrested

By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

Text: Acts 4:1-22

Acts 4:19-20

But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” 

(NKJV)

A great and undeniable miracle has occurred with a forty-year old man born lame from birth, able to stand up, run, and walk through the temple praising God with five thousand coming to believe in Jesus as Messiah (Acts 4:4). This is a threat to the teaching and the religious stranglehold of the religious leaders in the temple, especially the Sadducees who did not believe in the resurrection from the dead. However, they could not kill Peter and John due to the multitude coming to believe on account of the miracle. Left with no choice, they arrest Peter and John and question them in an attempt to end their teaching through intimidation. The question is, will they? 

While Peter and John are speaking in the temple, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them (Acts 4:1). Their point of contention with the teaching of Peter and John was preaching about Jesus and the resurrection from the dead, putting them in custody until the next day, since it was evening (Acts 4:2-3). However, many came to believe because of their teaching, and about five thousand were added (Acts 4:4). 

The next day, the rulers, elders, scribes, and the high priest. Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and the family of the high priest gathered in Jerusalem (Acts 4:5-6). Those of the Sanhedrin then asked them by what authority and by what name they had done the miracle of healing of the man born lame (Acts 4:7). Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, began to speak and asked if he and John were being judged for a good deed done to a helpless man (Acts 4:8-9). Peter lets them know that it was by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the one they crucified, that this man stands whole (Acts 4:10). Peter continues by letting them know that Jesus Christ is the stone rejected by them, the builders which has now become the chief corner stone (Acts 4:11). Peter concludes by telling them that the name of Jesus Christ is the only way for salvation under heaven (Acts 4:12). 

Those gathered marveled at the boldness of Peter and John because they were uneducated and untrained, realizing they had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13). They also could not deny what had happened because the healed man was with Peter and John (Acts 4:14). After asking Peter and John to leave so they could confer among themselves, wondering what to do with them since a notable miracle had occurred (Acts 4:15-16). They were threatened by word of this miracle spreading and decided to threaten Peter and John to no longer speak in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:17). 

Peter and John are brought back in and told to no longer teach in the name of Jesus, to which they ask if it is right in the sight of God to listen to them more than listening to God (Acts 4:18-19). Peter and John then tell the religious leaders they can only speak of what they have seen and heard (Acts 4:20). The Sanhedrin further threatens them, but cannot find a way of punishing them because the people were glorifying God for what had been done (Acts 4:21). The man healed was over forty years old (Acts 4:22). 

The religious leaders who handed over Jesus for crucifixion have witnessed a great miracle done through uneducated men who had been with Jesus. These religious leaders are threatened but cannot do anything because of the crowd glorifying God for what was done to a forty-year-old man born lame. All they can do is reprimand Peter and John, who vow to continue speaking of what they have seen and heard. These men are New Testament Joshuas who have seen the risen Lord and the miracles He performed, like Joshua, who saw what God did through Moses. Although fearful, he is commissioned by God and told to be strong and courageous, like Peter (John 21:15-19; Joshua 1:9). These men may be uneducated, but they are filled with the Spirit of God and mighty through God (Acts 1:8). 

The Church today needs men and women filled with the boldness of the Spirit of God who do not fear being reprimanded, even by religious leaders. While having education about the scriptures is important, knowledge of the scriptures without the power of the Holy Spirit is useless for even the Deamons know the Word of God (James 2:19). The word of God preached with the power of the Holy Spirit pierces the hearts of men, convicting them of sin (1 Corinthians 14:24-25). Please join me in praying for a revival in the Church, beginning with each believer being filled with the Holy Spirit, empowering the Church to go out into the community and declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If you feel convicted of your sin and want to receive forgiveness, please pray with me now.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life. 

If you just prayed, let someone know of your profession of faith or comment on this post. I also urge you to find a church of truth, teaching from the Bible that is empowered by the Holy Spirit, so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.