Peter’s Bold Response:
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people, are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:8-12
Now we come to the next section for us to investigate. It is clear that it is connected to what went before it and what follows it. This segment is placed clearly in the flow of thought or theme related to the growing opposition. Luke did this before in his first book.
In focus are:
- the actions of the disciples
- the teaching of the disciples
- the manifestations and miracles of the Holy Spirit at work
- the question asked of Peter and John by the council
I am not sure that it was solely a result of the healing of the lame man. I think it might well be a cumulation of all that has been going on in the days preceding this morning council as they met and asked their questions. No doubt there were a number of questions and not just one. I find it hard to imagine that this council would limit themselves to one question.
- (AMP) And they set the men in their midst and repeatedly demanded, By what sort of power or by what kind of authority did [such people as] you do this [healing]?
- (CEV) They brought in Peter and John and made them stand in the middle while they questioned them. They asked, “By what power and in whose name have you done this?”
- (EMTV) And they brought them forward and began to inquire, “By what power or by what name have you done this?”
- (ISV) They made them stand in front of them and began asking, “By what power or by what name did you do this?”
- (LITV) And standing them in the midst, they were inquiring, By what sort of power, or by what sort of name did you do this?
- (MSG) They stood Peter and John in the middle of the room and grilled them: “Who put you in charge here? What business do you have doing this?”
- (Murdock) And when they had set them in the midst, they interrogated them: By what power or what name, have ye done this?
- (NASB) When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”
- (YLT) and having set them in the midst, they were inquiring, `In what power, or in what name did ye do this?’
The focus for us here is one question and Peter’s answer to it. Take time to consider the questions you need to ask in order to put all the pieces together.
In order to be fully committed to your purpose you must be fully persuaded of God’s promise.
Rick Godwin
The wise are open-minded and hear all sides before making a decision and humble when they do.
Anon
Let you who have been shown grace be self-aware enough and humble enough to offer grace to others in need.
Ian Vail
It is important to realise who you are but it is more important to realise who you are not.
Ian Vail
From last night’s Deeper Bible class:
If you could see you through my eyes instead of your ego, I believe you’d be surprised to see that you’ve been blind. When you strike out and try to hurt me, it hurts you. Before you abuse, criticise and accuse, just walk a mile in my shoes.
Joe South