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The Sanhedrin Opposes Peter and John
The glorious success of the gospel at Pentecost and for sometime afterward could not last. The inherent hatred of the truth and righteousness on part of the power of the enemy was quickly manifested in the bitter opposition encountered by the Apostles. The first move against the church came suddenly. In the gospel accounts we read how Jesus argued with the Pharisees who were Jews that were strict legalist concerning the Law of Moses. In Acts the Pharisees were friendlier to the Christians. It was another party, the Sadducees, who were now the enemy. What we know of this sect is that they are rich, rude, and they did not believe in the resurrection, which meant they hated the followers of Christ.
Peter’s sermon was interrupted by the enemies of Christ, the Sadducees, who descended upon the Apostles with sufficient strength to stop their preaching and cast them into prison. The priests were from the tribe of Levi and were appointed by God to care for the spiritual needs of the people. They were in charge of the temple worship and sacrifices as well as being corrupt (MAL. 1:6-14; 2:1-9). The captain of the temple was in place to keep order in the temple and surrounding areas. The preaching and boldness of the Apostles was apparent, five thousand got saved. This jailing of the Apostles was illegal and no charges were placed against them as it was a highhanded abuse of authority. In light of this, they illegally held Jesus with no charges and put his trial over to the next day. This act on both occasions was not due to any concern for the holy law, but they simply needed time to figure out what they would do.
As they did with Jesus, the leaders came together to question the Apostles, they were anxious to know by what name and power these miracles were done. Peter being filled with the promised Holy Spirit spoke with boldness (1:8; 2:14). Peter knew that the Holy Spirit would speak for him. He explained that the judges who were to judge them were now being judged. While trying to convict them, they will be convicted of crimes against the risen Messiah. Instead of being defensive, the Apostles went on the offensive. In verse 9, Peter asked whether he was wrong to do good to the lame man and heal him. This did not seem to be a court of law because there were no clear charges for Peter and John to answer. Peter instructed them to listen well to what he was about to charge them with. Here is the answer you seek. The deeds (miracles) were done in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Surely you remember Him: He is the Christ whom you crucified and God raised Him from the dead.
Peter accused them of rejecting the cornerstone of which the house of Israel must and will be built. They rejecting the cornerstone was a fulfillment of prophecy (Ps. 118:22-23; Isa. 28:16; Luke 20:18). Jesus the Messiah is Israel’s only hope (Matt. 1:21; John 14:6; Rom. 11:26). The religious leaders came to recognize that the evidence before them could not be refuted. The evidence was standing right in front of them. The leaders argued with Jesus and did not win; they now argued with Jesus’ Apostles and did not win. There was something different about these men. Yes, they had been with Jesus. Not wanting to discuss any conversations before them, the Apostles were told to leave. They admitted that a miracle had taken place, yet they continued to deny the presence of the Holy Spirit. Instead of accepting the power of Christ, they threaten the Apostles. They couldn’t even mention the name of Christ (…no man in His name – Acts 4:17). The apostles would not be deterred in all things that they heard and witnessed. They had the backing of all the eye witnesses. The leaders’ fears intensified. Christ had taught the Apostles and Disciples, that they would be delivered into the hands of the council and condemned for His name sake. But when these persecutions begin, rejoice and be exceedingly glad, because of their future rewards (Matt. 5:11-12; Luke. 21:12; John 15:20; I Pet. 4:16). Peter quotes the prophecy of King David (Ps. 2:1-2) which found fulfillment in the action of those who joined together in killing the Messiah. Peter leaves no one out. First, there were the king of the earth, Herod; second, the ruler, Pontius Pilate; third, the nations, the gentile authority; and last but not least the nation of Israel.
Throughout their ordeals the Apostles did not asked God to be spared of the persecution, but to grant them more boldness to preach the gospel. They prayed that God would continue to validate their ministry with signs and wonders. God reassured them by sending a visible sign (shaking of the place where they were) that His promise of miraculous power to the twelve would continue. A communal system was being established and was in compliance with Jesus’ earthly ministry (Matt.19:21). The believers were not only united spiritually (one in heart and mind), but also united materially (Acts 2:44-45). Their selling of their goods was voluntary and distributed by each person. They continued to preach with much boldness concerning the resurrection of Christ. The word Grace (vs.33) is one of the numerous times that the word grace occurs in Acts (11:23; 13:43: 14:3, 26; 15:11, 40; 18:27; 20:24, 32).
Luke introduces Barnabas as a role model from among those who sold their property and laid it at the Apostles feet. This Barnabas will become a traveling companion of the Apostle Paul.
Questions/answers:
1. What and who was the Sanhedrin?
The rulers, elders, scribes, and priests made up the Sanhedrin or Jewish “Judicial council”- the same council that condemned Jesus (Luke. 22:66). It had 70 members plus the current high priest, who presided. The Sadducees held a majority in this ruling group along with the Pharisees.
2. Who was Barnabas?
Barnabas was a Levite from the island of Cyprus who later became a traveling companion of the Apostle Paul. His name means “Son of Encouragement” or “The Son of Consolation”.
The glorious success of the gospel at Pentecost and for sometime afterward could not last. The inherent hatred of the truth and righteousness on part of the power of the enemy was quickly manifested in the bitter opposition encountered by the Apostles. The first move against the church came suddenly. In the gospel accounts we read how Jesus argued with the Pharisees who were Jews that were strict legalist concerning the Law of Moses. In Acts the Pharisees were friendlier to the Christians. It was another party, the Sadducees, who were now the enemy. What we know of this sect is that they are rich, rude, and they did not believe in the resurrection, which meant they hated the followers of Christ.
Peter’s sermon was interrupted by the enemies of Christ, the Sadducees, who descended upon the Apostles with sufficient strength to stop their preaching and cast them into prison. The priests were from the tribe of Levi and were appointed by God to care for the spiritual needs of the people. They were in charge of the temple worship and sacrifices as well as being corrupt (MAL. 1:6-14; 2:1-9). The captain of the temple was in place to keep order in the temple and surrounding areas. The preaching and boldness of the Apostles was apparent, five thousand got saved. This jailing of the Apostles was illegal and no charges were placed against them as it was a highhanded abuse of authority. In light of this, they illegally held Jesus with no charges and put his trial over to the next day. This act on both occasions was not due to any concern for the holy law, but they simply needed time to figure out what they would do.
As they did with Jesus, the leaders came together to question the Apostles, they were anxious to know by what name and power these miracles were done. Peter being filled with the promised Holy Spirit spoke with boldness (1:8; 2:14). Peter knew that the Holy Spirit would speak for him. He explained that the judges who were to judge them were now being judged. While trying to convict them, they will be convicted of crimes against the risen Messiah. Instead of being defensive, the Apostles went on the offensive. In verse 9, Peter asked whether he was wrong to do good to the lame man and heal him. This did not seem to be a court of law because there were no clear charges for Peter and John to answer. Peter instructed them to listen well to what he was about to charge them with. Here is the answer you seek. The deeds (miracles) were done in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Surely you remember Him: He is the Christ whom you crucified and God raised Him from the dead.
Peter accused them of rejecting the cornerstone of which the house of Israel must and will be built. They rejecting the cornerstone was a fulfillment of prophecy (Ps. 118:22-23; Isa. 28:16; Luke 20:18). Jesus the Messiah is Israel’s only hope (Matt. 1:21; John 14:6; Rom. 11:26). The religious leaders came to recognize that the evidence before them could not be refuted. The evidence was standing right in front of them. The leaders argued with Jesus and did not win; they now argued with Jesus’ Apostles and did not win. There was something different about these men. Yes, they had been with Jesus. Not wanting to discuss any conversations before them, the Apostles were told to leave. They admitted that a miracle had taken place, yet they continued to deny the presence of the Holy Spirit. Instead of accepting the power of Christ, they threaten the Apostles. They couldn’t even mention the name of Christ (…no man in His name – Acts 4:17). The apostles would not be deterred in all things that they heard and witnessed. They had the backing of all the eye witnesses. The leaders’ fears intensified. Christ had taught the Apostles and Disciples, that they would be delivered into the hands of the council and condemned for His name sake. But when these persecutions begin, rejoice and be exceedingly glad, because of their future rewards (Matt. 5:11-12; Luke. 21:12; John 15:20; I Pet. 4:16). Peter quotes the prophecy of King David (Ps. 2:1-2) which found fulfillment in the action of those who joined together in killing the Messiah. Peter leaves no one out. First, there were the king of the earth, Herod; second, the ruler, Pontius Pilate; third, the nations, the gentile authority; and last but not least the nation of Israel.
Throughout their ordeals the Apostles did not asked God to be spared of the persecution, but to grant them more boldness to preach the gospel. They prayed that God would continue to validate their ministry with signs and wonders. God reassured them by sending a visible sign (shaking of the place where they were) that His promise of miraculous power to the twelve would continue. A communal system was being established and was in compliance with Jesus’ earthly ministry (Matt.19:21). The believers were not only united spiritually (one in heart and mind), but also united materially (Acts 2:44-45). Their selling of their goods was voluntary and distributed by each person. They continued to preach with much boldness concerning the resurrection of Christ. The word Grace (vs.33) is one of the numerous times that the word grace occurs in Acts (11:23; 13:43: 14:3, 26; 15:11, 40; 18:27; 20:24, 32).
Luke introduces Barnabas as a role model from among those who sold their property and laid it at the Apostles feet. This Barnabas will become a traveling companion of the Apostle Paul.
Questions/answers:
1. What and who was the Sanhedrin?
The rulers, elders, scribes, and priests made up the Sanhedrin or Jewish “Judicial council”- the same council that condemned Jesus (Luke. 22:66). It had 70 members plus the current high priest, who presided. The Sadducees held a majority in this ruling group along with the Pharisees.
2. Who was Barnabas?
Barnabas was a Levite from the island of Cyprus who later became a traveling companion of the Apostle Paul. His name means “Son of Encouragement” or “The Son of Consolation”.
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