SECTION B: THEMES FROM THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS AND THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES (A) Highlight the persecution Peter and John had after the healing of the lame man....

(a) The persecution of Peter and John after the healing of the lame man (Acts 3-4)

• After Peter had healed the lame man at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple, a crowd gathered, and Peter preached boldly, proclaiming that it was through faith in the name of the risen Jesus that the man was made whole, and calling the people to repentance.
• While they were still speaking, the priests, the captain of the Temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
• They arrested Peter and John and put them in custody until the next day, since it was already evening. Yet many who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
• The next day the rulers, elders, scribes, the high priest Annas, Caiaphas and others of the high-priestly family gathered in Jerusalem and set Peter and John in their midst, demanding, "By what power or by what name did you do this?"
• Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter boldly declared that it was by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they had crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that the man stood before them well, and that there is no other name under heaven by which men must be saved.
• The council marvelled at the boldness of these uneducated, common men and recognized that they had been with Jesus. Seeing the healed man standing beside them, they could say nothing against it.
• They conferred and then charged and threatened Peter and John, commanding them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
• But Peter and John answered, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." After further threats they were released.

(b) Two lessons from the reaction of Peter and John

1. Courageous faithfulness to God. Christians should obey God rather than men and remain firm in the face of threats and persecution.
2. Boldness in witnessing to Christ. Believers should not be silenced but continue to proclaim what they have seen and heard, trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit.