The Rejected Stone and the Only Saving Name
Acts 4:1–12 centers on the rejected stone and the only saving name. Temple authorities arrest Peter and John because they teach the people and proclaim resurrection in Jesus. Before the rulers Peter, filled with the Spirit, identifies the healed man’s restoration with the crucified-and-risen Jesus and applies Psalm 118’s rejected stone to him, climaxing in the claim that salvation is in no other name.
The wider biblical story comes into focus here. Psalm 118’s rejected stone is an explicit Christological application, linking Jesus’ human rejection with God’s vindication. The resurrection hope contested by Sadducees now stands embodied in the apostolic witness and healing sign.