Peter and John Before the Council, Part 2

Peter's sermon to the Council drew upon Psalm 118 in order to show those men that their opposition to Jesus and His gospel was a matter of scriptural fulfillment. They were the builders who had rejected God's chosen stone, and yet it was through their rejection that He was made the "head of the corner." Peter's words should have pierced them to the heart, but their only concerns were the apostles' impudence in presuming to instruct them and how best to do "damage control" going forward. They couldn't deny the miraculous healing of the lame man, but their minds were blind to its meaning and import; rather than responding in repentance and faith, they sought to silence all further discussion of this episode and the proclamation of the gospel attached to it. These who refused to enter the kingdom of heaven were determined to keep all others from entering as well (Matthew 23:13).