Speech #3: Peter given the opportunity to speak Acts 4:8 ....

The church was now increasing daily and immediately after Peter's speech in chapter 3, the authorities took hold of them.....yet the believers had increased to five thousand men.

Peter and John Before the Council

Act 4:1  And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

Act 4:2  Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Act 4:3  And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.

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

When Peter was given opportunity to speak he said.

Act 4:8  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

Act 4:9  If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

Act 4:10  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.

Act 4:11  This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

Act 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Act 4:13  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 message was clear and direct.

But the authorities commanded them to cease.

Act 4:18  And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

Act 4:19  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.

We see in Acts 5 that they were arrested again.

It's an interesting set of events, as they were healing the people when they were put in common prison. But then an angel came and released them.

And following his command again taught the people only to be again brought to the authorities.

The Apostles Arrested and Freed

Act 5:17  Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

Act 5:18  And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

Act 5:19  But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

Act 5:20  Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

Act 5:25  Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

Act 5:26  Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

Act 5:27  And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

Act 5:28  Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

Peter repeats his response from Acts 4:19.

Act 5:29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Act 5:30  The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

Act 5:31  Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

Act 5:32  And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

The reaction was not good......

Act 5:33  When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

But after much discussion they chose only to beat them in an effort to get them to submit.

Act 5:40  And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them,they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

Act 5:41  And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Act 5:42  And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.