Peter and John were arrested late in the day, held in jail overnight and then questioned the next day. 

(NASB) Acts 4:5 “On the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem;
6 and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander and all who were of high-priestly descent.
7 When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, ‘By what power, or in what name, have you done this?’” 

  Mixed signals by the religious authorities were sent out with the arrest of Peter and John.  “They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.” 
(Acts 4:2)  

  Then when Peter and John were questioned the next day…the questions had to do with the healing of a lame man (Acts 3:1-10). 

  After the lame man had been healed a crowd had gathered and Peter gave a sermon concerning the resurrected Jesus Christ.  This crowd was peaceful, respectful, no placards, no demonstrations…and Peter and John were arrested by the Jewish religious authorities.  No Roman soldiers were involved. 

  When you are put in a position where you are confronted and accused because of doing good in the name of Jesus – how do you respond?
 Peter and John were surrounded by their accusers.  They were placed in the center of this body of men.
  The accusers wanted to know, whose permission had they received to heal that man?  Where was their “license” to heal?  From whom had they been granted authority?  After all, their permission and authority had not been given!   

  Sometimes circumstances hurl accusations at God’s children who are doing God’s work, God’s way.
  Doing God’s work God’s way may be hard…very hard.  But that is not to stop God’s word from being taught and lived out day by day. 

  For the followers of Christ, we are to work and live by the power of God the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus (the Son of God), and by the authority of God the Father. 

  God’s people are to plow the ground, plant His words and pray!  No matter if we are surrounded by accusers or are in circumstances that seem futile. 

  Don’t you think that if Peter and John had known they would face jail and be accused, they would have done it anyway?
  Our God is a mighty God!  He is the Creator, Savior, Redeemer, Counselor, Helper!