Luke wrote by THE SPIRIT in Acts chapter 4:
5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes,
6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?”
Peter and John had been arrested for a good deed done to a helpless man. They were taken before the entire leadership of Israel residing in Jerusalem thus the good deed was being challenged by those who were to follow and “enforce” the Law. These are the same people who crucified Our Lord Jesus Christ and attempted to cover up His ascension. Their motivation was to stay in power no matter what the cost, even if it meant robbing the helpless from a good deed of healing. Can you imagine a man or woman living with an infirmity for over 40 years being robbed of the opportunity to walk and be like everyone else?
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:
9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well,
10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.
11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’
12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Now the disciples were empowered by being filled with The Holy Spirit Whom Jesus sent and they too were being challenged by those in authority. However the helpless man stood in their midst as a witness to this empowerment from Heaven and his witness could not be denied or covered up.
If we are to be at the center of being fully led by THE SPIRIT, I believe we must fully embrace all aspects of Acts chapter 4. Peter had a boldness he was missing before the time of Jesus’ crucifixion. What changed? Being filled with The Holy Spirit! Peter was now fully empowered to manifest the ministry of The Holy Spirit-(1) expose sin, (2) guide others into all Truth, and (3) glorify Christ. Isn’t this what happened when Peter was confronted by the leaders? He exposed their sin of greed and exploitation. He spoke the Truth of Jesus’ ministry and Who He is. He glorified Christ by healing the helpless IN HIS NAME.
Once He had fulfilled the ministry of The Holy Spirit:
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
After Peter successfully walked out this aspect of ministry, something else happened when Peter prayed for boldness:
27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together
28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.
29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,
30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
The Holy Spirit responded:
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
They all received an additional “filling or anointing” of the Holy Spirit which empowered them to be even greater witnesses speaking with boldness. This is what is critically needed today so that we can without reservation help the helpless.