Acts 4:8-10 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9if we are being questioned today concerning a good deed for a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by this one this man is standing before you well.
Peter was perceptive and understood what was at stake. He saw right through their question but also the opportunity it brought. Luke adds the important note that Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit. He had God’s presence in him, guiding and inspiring his words, like the Old Testament prophets, but he was also full of faith and courage to speak out in front of these leaders. This event was the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy in Luke 12:11, that his disciples would stand before the rulers to give an account for what they believed. Peter was respectful in his response, acknowledging the position of these people as the rulers and elders. As the leaders, they could determine so much about the future of their people. They faced a crucial decision that could either lead the Jewish people to their Messiah or send them towards judgment.
Peter got right to the point and did not avoid confrontation. He spoke the truth simply and powerfully so that the choice would be clear for these leaders. He first clarifies and repeats the question in the form of a conditional sentence to make the point even clearer. If the leaders were worried about the healing, then the answer was simple. The issue is given simply at the end of verse 9: how was this man healed? The word for healed (sesōtai) comes from the same word translated as “save.” The man was healed physically, but something deeply spiritual happened as well when he came to believe in Jesus.
Verse 10 gives Peter’s answer. He begins this part of his response as a formal declaration: let it be known to all. He was not afraid to give a testimony of the healing power of Jesus’ name before the leaders of the nation. The fearful denier became the fearless proclaimer. The name of a person represents that person’s position, character, and authority. Peter was simply recounting what he said to the man in 3:6, to get up and walk in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Ever since Pentecost, Peter had been proclaiming the man Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah the Jews were looking for.
Peter not only identified the source of healing but also confronted the leaders with their great sin of crucifying the Messiah. The blame was clear. Those gathered in that group could instantly recall the events just a short time before when they conspired and consorted together to get rid of Jesus. The surprise and what got Peter into big trouble was claiming God raised Jesus from the dead. This claim put the leaders against God. The high priests and elders could not explain what happened to Jesus’ body on Sunday morning but had contrived a great lie that someone had stolen the body (28:11-15). The leaders knew exactly what happened, if they believed the clear evidence presented by the tomb guards. Now they had further proof of the claim that Jesus was the Messiah. What more evidence do people need to accept Jesus as Lord and the answer to their needs? Evidence supports faith but cannot replace it.
For older posts, click here.