Notice who it is that comes. It is the religious leaders. Not the world or the common people. It is the religious leaders. Who is it today that takes offense to what Jesus does? (Mostly the religious leaders.) Who gives you your biggest problems? 

[2] Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

What was their problem? (It was what they were teaching. Remember they were telling about the resurrection of Jesus and the Sadducees didn’t believe in the resurrection. Many times problem start over what is being taught.)

[3] And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.

It was evening so they took Peter and John and put them in jail.

[4] Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

When the WORD is preached there is results. Here we see 5000 were saved. This would upset the religious leaders. Even today preachers get upset if their people get blessed in another service where they are not a part of.

[5] And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, [6] And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

Notice the people are not included. Only those who are in authority.

[7] And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

They put Peter and John in their midst. Can you image how intimidating this would be? Imagine if you were placed in that position. They began to question them. Who do you think you are? By what authority are you teaching this doctrine? I think they expected Peter and John to just fold. They didn’t expect what they got.

[8] Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

Peter was different then he had been a few weeks before. Before he denied Christ three times. Now we see a bold Peter. What is it that made that change in Peter? (He was filled with the Holy Ghost). Peter then laid it on the line. He told them the TRUTH. The Holy Spirit gave Peter the words. Remember Jesus had told them not to worry when they faced this type of thing. Mat 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

[9] If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made who, [10] Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole

Peter and John were not the only ones there. The lame man who was healed was there also. If you have us here because of the lame man being made whole let me tell you and ALL the people of Israel just how it is. Jesus who YOU CRUCIFIED, God RAISED FROM THE DEAD and this man who God HEALED in the name of JESUS stands here before you.

[11] This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

Jesus is the head of the corner. He is the corner stone and you leaders who should realize this, you have tried to put Him aside. You crucified Him. But God raised Him from the dead. You rejected Him. Jesus is the foundation for real life. He is the corner stone. It isn’t a church demonition or a group pf people. It is Jesus and Jesus alone.

Mat. 16:15-18 [15] He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? [16] And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. [17] And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. [18] And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

When Jesus ask Peter who did Peter say Jesus was, Peter said Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Then Jesus went on to say That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. It wasn’t Peter that Christ was going to build His church on, it was the statement Peter made that Christ was going to build the church on. Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

[12] Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

There is no other name whereby men can be saved. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

[13] Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

This isn’t what they expected out of Peter. Peter got their attention with what he was saying. The fact he spoke the truth with boldness and he was not an educated man, but they knew he had been with Jesus. Isn’t it amazing that how people can tell when a person has been with Jesus yet today?

[14] And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

Here stood the lame man. He was over forty years old and had never walked. He laid every day at the temple gate. These men who were questioning Peter had seen this man laying there many times, so they knew it wasn’t fake. The healing was for real and here this lame man was standing in front of them. How could they deny it or even say anything against it. If they would have, they would have had the people coming against them and that is the one thing they didn’t want. In fact the whole reason for bringing Peter and John before them was the fact that they might lose their control over the people.

[15] But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, [16] Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. [17] But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

We can’t deny it happened. No doubt this was a great miracle. This man never walked and now here stands this man who was healed. There isn’t much we can do. Lets threaten them and warn them not to be speaking about this Jesus. So that is what they did.

[18] And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. [19] But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

They didn’t scare Peter. Man bold Peter speaks right up. You tell me. Should we listen to you or to God?

[20] For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

[21] So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

There wasn’t much the religious leaders could do. The people were giving God the glory for what had happened.

When God moves in power, there isn’t much the religious community can do about it.

[22] For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed. [23] And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

As soon as they were set free, they went back to the church and reported all that had happened.

[24] And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

When the church heard, noticed what happened. They were in one accord. Nobody was saying maybe we should stop. Instead they had a time of praise. They praised God for what was going on. They said Lord You are the God who made heaven and earth and everything else. Now this statement sets God who is the Creator apart from all other Gods. He is the living God. Not some dead God that some people worship. God is not dead. He is alive and He is still doing  miracles today. If you need one, call on Him. He is no respecter of persons.