SECTION B: THEMES FROM THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS AND THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
Question 7
- Highlight the persecution Peter and John had after the healing of the lame man.
- Mention two lessons that can be learnt from the reaction of Peter and John.
Observation
The persecution of Peter and John after the healing of the lame man. (Acts 4: 1-31)
This question was less popular among the candidates and a higher percentage of those who attempted it lacked mastery of this passage and their performance was below average. Points candidates ought to have pointed out are;
- After the healing of the cripple at the Beautiful Gate, the lame man demonstrated his cure by leaping and praising God, as he accompanied the disciples into the temple
- Many people recognized the cured man and they were amazed
- As they gathered, Peter and John preached and about 5,000 were converted
- Peter attributed their ability to heal the man at the Beautiful Gate to the resurrected Christ
- There was so much noise in the temple that Peter and John were arrested by the Priests, the Sadducees and the captain of the temple
- They were put in custody and tried by the council the following day
- During the trial, they were asked to tell the source of the power they used to heal the cripple
- Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit answered that it was through the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they crucified but God raised from the dead
- Peter also said that apart from Jesus, there was no other name by which men would be saved
- Peter added that Jesus is the stone which the builders rejected but has become the corner stone
- The Sanhedrin upon seeing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving that they were uneducated, common men, realized that they had been with Jesus.
- The Council saw the man who had been healed standing with them and they could not press any charge against them
- The captain of the temple and the Sadducees who did not believe in the resurrection were annoyed because the disciples were proclaiming Jesus’ resurrection from death
- Thus the Sanhedrin decided to restrain Peter and John by commanding them not to speak in the name of Jesus again
- But Peter and John resolutely insisted that they would obey God rather than man
- They were then set free and they joined the other apostles to pray, thanking God and asking for more boldness to speak the word of God and perform miracles
- As they prayed, the place where they stood shook and they were filled with the Holy Spirit.
B. Lessons that can be learnt from the reaction of Peter and John
- We should be bold and resolute in doing God’s work/perseverance
- -It is better to obey God than men/ have faith in God
- Opposition and persecution can never stop God’s work
- It is only God who equips one for his work
- We should be willing to die for our beliefs
- We should pray and thank God in every situation
- We need to value our principles