Acts 4:9-12 - There is no other name

4:9

When Jesus was confronted by the Pharisees for healing people on the Sabbath He often rebuked them for criticising Him for setting someone free. Peter adopts a similar line here, asking if they are being called to account for an act of kindness. Peter draws attention to two things, one it was an act of kindness, and secondly he was healed miraculously.

4:10,11

Peter is direct about how and why the healing took place, and his answer is directed towards all the people of Israel, not just the leaders. The man was healed by the name of Jesus Christ. Ie the power and authority that healed the man came from Jesus. Then Peter takes it to the next step, and directs them to the point that has been the focus of his preaching. They had crucified Jesus, but God raised Him from the dead. He then quotes from Psalm 118:22, saying that the stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. Jesus also quoted this Psalm against them (Matt:21:42). This was at the end of the parable of the talents, which Jesus gave in answer to the chief priests and elders challenging His authority. So at least some of those whom Peter was addressing would have been there when Jesus quoted the same Scripture.

4:12

The leaders thought they were questioning Peter, but in reality it was they who were on trial. Jesus is the only way of salvation, the only name by which anyone can be saved. The true question was not by what authority Peter and John were doing things, but whether or not the Jewish leaders, and indeed the whole nation, would turn to Jesus. If they would they would be saved, if they would not then they would perish. The same applies today if society puts us “on trial”. It is the unbeliever who has the most important question to answer, not us.