Arrested

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests…came upon them, greatly annoyed…they (Peter & John) were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Acts 4:1-22

As Peter is preaching, in the Temple, Temple priests and guards are dispatched to arrest them, holding them overnight. The next day, religious leaders, including Annas, Caiaphas and all the priestly family, question Peter and John regarding their authority to preach/teach in the Temple. Peter, filled by the Holy Spirit, responds to these “rulers and elders of the people” that if they are being examined for a good deed they did for the crippled man, then, the man was healed by the power of Jesus Christ whom they crucified. Peter continues to tell these religious leaders of the prophecies in the Scriptures, which they all knew well, regarding Jesus as being the stone they, the builders, rejected and that there is no salvation in any other man than this Jesus. The boldness of Peter and John and the healed man standing by them, though they were common folk, not educated like the religious leaders, left these evil religious leaders speechless. After conferring among themselves, considering what to do with Peter and John in light of the obvious miracle they had worked, they decided to rebuke Peter and John, commanding them to preach/teach no more of this Jesus. In response, Peter tells the council that they must consider whether it is right in the eyes of God for them to make such a command. Peter states that he and John, along with all God’s chosen ones, MUST speak of what they have “seen and heard.” Christians, here are our marching orders for us today. Christians must speak of their Savior, His Grace, Love and, sacrifice for our sins and His sinlessness for our righteousness. May God give us all the voice of salvation to all who will listen!

Source: S C Ball June 2, 2023