Acts 4:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders,

NIV: Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people!

NASB: Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, 'Rulers and elders of the people,

CSB: Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders:

NLT: Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, 'Rulers and elders of our people,

KJV: Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

NKJV: Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:

Luke records two of Peter's sermons since Jesus ascended into heaven: to a group of Jewish travelers who had come to Jerusalem for Pentecost (Acts 2:14–41) and to a crowd at the temple who had seen him heal a lame man (Acts 3:11–26). Likely, he has preached many more times. This is the first recorded time that he answers charges brought by the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council.

In fact, this may be the first time Peter has stood before the high priest Annas since he denied Jesus in Annas's courtyard (John 18:12–27). Shortly before, during the Last Supper, Peter had insisted he would die for Jesus (Matthew 26:33–35). But that was before the soldiers came, before Peter impulsively sliced off the high priest's servant's ear, and before Peter stood before that servant's relative in Annas's courtyard while the priest's guards beat Jesus (John 18:10, 26–27, 22).

The difference is the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised His disciples that when He returned to heaven, He would send a Helper to tell them what to say (John 14:16–17, 26). The Holy Spirit came to the Jesus-followers about ten days after Jesus ascended (Acts 2:1–4). When needed, the Holy Spirit fills them, giving them godly courage and guidance as to what they should say. In fact, Jesus promised them, "When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you" (Matthew 10:19–20).

Peter, a man devoted to Jesus but always sticking his foot in his mouth, uneducated and common (Acts 4:13), stands before priests, lawyers, and civil judges. He confidently and clearly accuses them of crucifying their Messiah. As Paul will later write, " But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong" (1 Corinthians 1:27).

Acts 4:5–12 covers Peter and John's defense before the Sanhedrin—the ruling Jewish council. The priests and other Sadducees have arrested Peter and John because after they healed a lame man, they taught a crowd that Jesus rose from the dead (Acts 3). The Sadducees don't believe resurrection is possible and really don't want to hear that a dissident they had killed has come back to life. They ask how Peter got the power to heal the man. Peter tells them, not only is Jesus alive, He's the Messiah of the Jews and the only path to salvation.

Acts 4 continues the story started in Acts 3. Peter and John have healed a man born lame and preached that Jesus has risen from the dead. The Sanhedrin orders their arrest for teaching the resurrection. The Jewish officials warn Peter and John to stop speaking in Jesus' name. Peter and John refuse, but, since they have committed no crime, the Sanhedrin releases them. Peter and John return to their friends, and the Jesus-followers pray for boldness in the face of growing persecution. The church continues to grow, sharing all their possessions so that no one is in need.

Acts 4 gives the first hints of the persecution the church will face throughout its history. Peter and John attract attention when Peter heals a well-known lame beggar, and Peter uses the publicity to tell others about Christ. The Sanhedrin cannot allow the apostles to continue teaching Jesus rose from the dead. They arrest, warn, and free Peter and John, but it's just the beginning. Soon, they will arrest and beat all the apostles (Acts 5:17–42). Then a mob will stone Stephen (Acts 7:54–60). And Saul will persecute Jesus-followers in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1–3) and beyond (Acts 9:1–2). The Sanhedrin fails to realize—if you send Jesus-followers fleeing into the world, they will take Jesus' message with them.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.