Monday Acts 4:5-12

Peter and John appear before the leaders.

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The temple police held Peter and John in jail overnight. The next morning they brought Peter and John to the religious leaders. Notice the names of those assembled. Annas and Caiaphas were there. Remember the night of Jesus’ arrest. Review John 18. When Jesus was arrested, they took Him to the house of Annas. Peter and John followed Jesus. John went into the courtyard and watched Annas interrogate Jesus. Peter stayed outside and denied knowing Jesus. Annas sent Jesus on to be interrogated by Caiaphas.

Now Peter and John are standing before Annas and Caiaphas. These two high priests had just orchestrated the execution of Jesus two months earlier. Peter, who was afraid to admit to a slave girl that he knew Jesus, is now boldly proclaiming the gospel to the high priest.

Peter is beyond bold. He makes it clear that they are responsible for the death of Jesus. He quotes from Psalm 118 and applies it to them as having rejected the Messiah. Then just in case they missed it, he says that there is salvation in no one other than Jesus.

Why such a difference in Peter? The answer is in verse 8; he was filled with the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who will also guide us in what to say when we speak up for Christ.