Acts 4:7-12

 

Acts 4:7 (KJB)

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

 

The scenario is probably that Peter and John are in the midst of this huge group of leaders and are surrounded by them. The first thing that they are doing is acknowledging that a miracle had taken place. They could not deny this because it was done in the sight of thousands. They then asked them two questions, the first was what power did they use or did they have to be able to effect the miracle in question. Then the second question was by what name did they do this miracle? They may have thought that this was done in the name of some false god who gave them the power to do it. Some ancient documents which were found had claimed that there was residual power in the name of some of the ancient gods and they wanted to find out if this was done by sorcery.

 

Acts 4:8 (KJB)

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

 

Peter then speaks up as he is filled with the Holy Ghost. (Mat 10:19-20 KJV) 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. {20} For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. Jesus had stated in His earthly ministry that when His followers are brought before leaders or are examined by any authorities, then they are not to sit down and think about what they were to say but the Holy Spirit will give them the needed words at that moment. Peter commences to answer them by addressing them according to their positions which would put them at ease for a while.

 

Acts 4:9 (KJB)

If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

 

Examined - Judged, investigated, or inquired

 

Peter now understands that they are going to be investigated concerning the good deed or good work which was done to the impotent man. If they wanted to know the details of what had happened, then Peter would be able to fill them in on the healing.

 

Acts 4:10 (KJB)

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 now begins to preach the Gospel message to the leaders of Israel and this time every one of them were present so no one can say that they never heard the truth. Peter begins by stating that the man was made whole by the power of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He states Nazareth so there is no mistaking who Peter is speaking about. The leaders knew Jesus as Jesus of Nazareth. Peter then states that they had crucified Him. Now it was Rome who had the authority to crucify a man but what Peter is stating here is that the leaders were just as guilty as the Romans for crucifying Christ. Then Peter makes sure that they know that in contrast to them crucifying Christ, God had raised Him from the dead. In other words, what they thought was a permanent solution was only temporary and their solution was negated by God who raised Jesus. God placed His approval on His Son and not on the actions of the leaders of Israel. The raising of Jesus proved that they were wrong. Now it is in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ that the man stands whole before them.

 

Acts 4:11 (KJB)

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

 

Set at nought - Utterly despised, make of no account or disdain

Head - Chief part or authority

 

(Psa 118:22 KJV) The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. Peter quotes a passage from Psalm 118 to drive the message home to the leaders. They should have been busy building the Kingdom of God on earth, instead they were corrupt and cared only for personal wealth and fame. Instead of them building the Kingdom, they had rejected the cornerstone. The cornerstone in a building unites the walls. It is also the major stone which is found in the corner of the foundation of the building. This allusion that Peter was making was to the Lord Jesus Christ who is the binder for the Kingdom of God as He unites God and man through salvation. They had utterly despised Him because they feared that people would follow Him and then their finances would decrease as donations to the temple would fall off. Jesus was the foundation upon whom the true believers build. (Eph 2:20 KJV) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; The Kingdom of God is built through the power and person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Acts 4:12 (KJB)

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

 

Peter is now giving a piece of information to these leaders that salvation comes only through the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation cannot be found in keeping the law or any other legalistic additions which were added to the law. There is no other name given under Heaven which can bring salvation. To these leaders, the name Moses would have been a way of salvation. Once Christ died on the cross and the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom, it signaled the end of the Mosaic system. (John 14:6 KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6 is a very popular verse but it gives a very exclusive message stating that there is no other way to come to the Father except through Jesus. Peter is basically stating this same exclusive truth but in different words. The law with all its feasts and ceremonies has now been revoked. Peter shows his boldness in testifying in the Spirit by making that statement in front of all the leaders who still hold to the law and will continue to hold to it for years to come, in fact, right up to the last day.

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