Peter and John Go Before the Sanhedrin; Acts 4:1 – 22 – Part 3

Church History: They could not, however, have asked a question which suited Peter any better. It left him at liberty to select anything he had done as the subject of reply, and, therefore, he chose to select that deed, which, of all that had been done, they were most unwilling to hear mentioned. He frames his answer, too, with a more direct reference to the other terms of their question, than they either desired or anticipated.8 “then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.” Acts 4:10. This statement needed no proof, for the Sanhedrim could not deny, with the man standing before them, that the miracle had been wrought, nor could they, with plausibility, attribute the deed to any other power or name than that assumed by Peter. To deny that it was a divine power would have been absurd in the estimation of all the people; but to admit that the power was divine, and yet reject the explanation given by those through whom it was exercised, would have been still more absurd8 Realizing the advantage which he had now gained, Peter pushes his adversaries into still closer quarters, by adding: This is the stone which was rejected by you builders. By your rejection and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, you have fulfilled one of your own prophecies, (Psalms 118:22); and, as one part of this prophecy is now so literally fulfilled, you may rest assured, so shall the other; and this rejected stone shall speedily become the head stone of the corner.1
Peter places his proud judges in the ridiculous attitude of searching about vainly for a stone to fit the corner of the foundation, while persistently rejecting the real corner-stone, without which the building can be reared. And, leaving the figurative language of David (Psalms118:22), he more fully declares, that there is no salvation for man except in the name of the very Jesus whom they had crucified. This proposition is universal, and shows that the redemption effected by Jesus will include every human being who shall finally be saved.8
Notice how convincing the boldness of the apostles was, together with the undeniable evidence of the miracle performed by them: When the council observed both, they marveled, the apostles being unlearned men, yet now able to speak all languages, and the cripple born lame, now able to leap and walk. These men were convinced, but not converted; silence, but not satisfied; they marveled, but not believed: they were full of admiration, but far from faith. The evidence of the fact, with the courage of the apostles, stopped their mouths at present, but did not cure their hard hearts.