In Acts chapter four, the Bible states “As they spake unto the people” the religious rulers became “grieved” or greatly disturbed by this message about Jesus and His “resurrection from the dead” (verses 1-2).

They had Peter and John arrested and put “in custody until the next day.” However, even as the apostles were jailed, “many of them which heard the word believed,” about “five thousand” men (verses 3-4).

The “next day” they brought Peter and John before their Sanhedrin court, the same court that falsely tried Jesus, and asked them “By what power or by what name have you done this?” (verses 5-7). In verses 8-12, Peter “filled with the Holy Spirit” gave another powerful message on the cross of Christ (note especially verse 12).

After hearing Peter’s defense, and observing their “boldness” they noted that they were “uneducated and untrained men.” They “marveled” and then they “realized they had been with Jesus.” Most men shook and shirked before them, the only one who had ever shown them such “boldness” was Jesus (verse 13).

The members of the court in verse 14 also saw “the man which was healed standing with them.” How could they argue with such a miracle? The religious rulers “further threatened them” and “let them go” because they had “no way of punishing them” (verses 21-22). Verse 23 says that when they were “let go” they “went to their own companions,” that is the church, and “reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.” I love it when God comes to church because I have prepared my heart. This is a tremendous example from Peter and John!