Peter's arrest at the Temple

Luke was very careful in his choice of words and this chapter in Acts could be exhibit "A". Luke uses the conjunction, but, more in this chapter than anyone else uses it in any other chapter of the Bible. The reason was everything about Peter when he was filled with the Holy Spirit was contrary to the secular leadership in his time. Even though this was less than three months after the resurrection, Peter and his cohorts were turning Jerusalem on its head by preaching and teaching Jesus was the Messiah! In this section, the high priest, Caiaphas, has him arrested for his witness only to have him defended by the head of the Sanhedrin, Gamaliel. Peter stood for everything Caiaphas did not stand, BUT he made a choice. He would obey God and not the contrary opinion of a man, even if he is the High Priest.