The boldness of Peter and John before the Sanhedrin in Acts 4:8-12 stands as one of the most powerful defenses of the Gospel in the early Church. After being arrested for preaching the resurrection of Jesus, Peter and John were brought before the highest Jewish authority, the same council that had condemned Jesus to death. Yet, instead of backing down, Peter delivered a clear and uncompromising message—Jesus is the cornerstone Israel rejected, and salvation is found in no one else.
This sermon is deeply rooted in Old Testament prophecy, particularly Psalm 118:22, and emphasizes that Israel still had an opportunity to accept their Messiah. From a dispensational perspective, Peter’s message shows that the Gospel was still being preached to Israel first, urging them to repent and believe before the full transition to the Gentile-focused Church Age. Examining the setting of this trial, breaking down Peter’s response, and exploring the theological and dispensational significance of his message reveals the depth of its impact on both Israel and the unfolding plan of God.
Words: 1397 / Time to read: 7 minutes
The Setting: Peter and John on Trial for Preaching Christ
Peter’s sermon before the Sanhedrin took place in the aftermath of the miraculous healing of a lame man at the temple (Acts 3:1-10). This healing, performed in the name of Jesus, had drawn a crowd, leading Peter to deliver a sermon at Solomon’s Portico (Acts 3:11-26), where he called Israel to repent so that the Kingdom might come. However, Peter’s bold proclamation of Jesus as the risen Messiah angered the Jewish leaders, particularly the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection of the dead.
Luke records that as Peter and John spoke to the people, they were confronted by the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees. These authorities were greatly disturbed by the apostles’ teaching because it proclaimed Jesus’ resurrection, a doctrine that directly contradicted Sadducean theology. In response, Peter and John were arrested and held overnight, as Jewish law prohibited trials at night. The next morning, they were brought before the Sanhedrin, the ruling religious council of Israel, which was led by the high priest Annas, with Caiaphas—the same high priest who had condemned Jesus—also present.
This was a high-stakes trial, as Peter and John stood before the most powerful Jewish authorities, men who had the power to imprison, flog, or even seek their execution. The council demanded an explanation, asking, “By what power or what name did you do this?” (Acts 4:7). This question set the stage for Peter’s bold proclamation of Jesus as the rejected cornerstone and the only source of salvation.
Peter’s Bold Response: Proclaiming Jesus Before the Sanhedrin
Rather than responding with fear or evasiveness, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke with confidence and conviction. He began by addressing the very premise of their questioning, making it clear that they were on trial not for any crime but for an act of kindness in healing a crippled man. He declared that the miracle had been performed “by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead” (Acts 4:10).
This statement served as both a defense and an indictment. Peter turned the trial against the Sanhedrin by exposing their rejection of Jesus while reaffirming the reality of His resurrection. The very leaders who had condemned Jesus were now forced to hear that God had vindicated Him by raising Him from the dead. The Sadducees, in particular, would have been deeply unsettled by this claim, as their theology denied any possibility of resurrection. Peter also emphasized that the miracle was not an isolated event but a demonstration of Jesus’ continuing power and authority.
Having established the source of the healing, Peter then made a bold theological assertion by quoting Psalm 118:22: “Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone’” (Acts 4:11). This statement was a severe rebuke to the Sanhedrin, as it directly identified them as the builders who had rejected God’s chosen foundation. The imagery of the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone was a direct fulfillment of prophecy, reinforcing that their rejection of Christ had been foreseen in Scripture.
The dispensational significance of this verse is profound. It highlights the reality that Israel’s rejection of their Messiah resulted in the postponement of the fulfillment of the kingdom promises. Though Jesus had been rejected, He was now the foundation upon which the Church would be built. However, this did not mean that God’s plan for Israel was abandoned. The rejected cornerstone would one day be fully recognized by the nation when Christ returns, fulfilling the promise of Zechariah 12:10, where Israel will look upon the One they have pierced and mourn in repentance.
Peter’s message reached its climactic point with one of the most definitive declarations of salvation in Scripture: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). In a religious system that emphasized obedience to the Law and trust in Abrahamic lineage, this statement was radical. Peter did not present Jesus as merely another prophet or a righteous teacher but as the exclusive means of salvation. He refuted the idea that salvation could be obtained through the Law of Moses, making it clear that Jesus alone was the pathway to redemption. His use of the word “must” left no room for alternative means of salvation—Jesus was the only way.
The Dispensational Implications: The Ongoing Offer to Israel
From a dispensational perspective, Peter’s sermon carries significant implications regarding God’s unfolding plan. At this stage, the Gospel was still being proclaimed to Israel first, in accordance with God’s covenantal promises. The early focus of the apostles was to call Israel to repentance so that the kingdom could be established. Peter’s earlier sermon in Acts 3:19-21 had explicitly stated that national repentance was a prerequisite for the “times of refreshing” to come.
Despite their rejection of Jesus, the invitation to believe remained open to individual Jews. The message of salvation continued to be preached in Jerusalem, and many Jews did come to faith in Christ. However, the nation as a whole persisted in its unbelief, ultimately leading to the transition from a Jewish-focused proclamation to the Gentile mission. The rejection of Christ did not mean that God had abandoned Israel, but rather that the fulfillment of the kingdom was delayed until a future time when the nation would recognize their Messiah.
Jesus remains the cornerstone not only for the Church but also for Israel’s future restoration. While the Church is currently being built upon Christ as its foundation (Ephesians 2:20), Israel will one day fully embrace Him as their King and Redeemer, as foretold in Romans 11:25-27. Until that time, individual Jews and Gentiles alike are invited to place their faith in Christ, who alone offers salvation.
Conclusion: A Bold Stand for the Gospel
Peter’s boldness before the Sanhedrin demonstrates the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. The same disciple who had once denied Jesus three times now fearlessly proclaimed His resurrection and exclusive authority to save. His unwavering conviction serves as a model of faithfulness, even in the face of persecution.
This sermon also reaffirms the ongoing plan of God for Israel. Though they had rejected their Messiah, the invitation to believe remained open. The rejection of Christ did not nullify God’s promises but postponed their fulfillment until a future time. Peter’s reference to Jesus as the rejected cornerstone underscores both the present reality of Israel’s unbelief and the certainty of their future restoration.
For believers today, Peter’s words serve as a powerful reminder that salvation is found in no one else but Jesus. In a world filled with religious pluralism and compromise, his sermon stands as a clear and uncompromising declaration of the exclusivity of Christ. The invitation to receive salvation remains open, but one day, when Christ returns, Israel will finally recognize Him, and the cornerstone they once rejected will be exalted as King over all the earth. Until that time, believers are called to proclaim His name boldly, just as Peter did.
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” (Matthew 23:39)
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