Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is
“ ‘The stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
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Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Gracious God and Heavenly Father,
You have transformed many lives through your Holy Spirit. We see the courage of Peter in this account. Peter, who once was so afraid that he denied Jesus three times for fear of being arrested, is now bold to proclaim the resurrected Christ and is prepared to pay any price, because he knows the truth and is filled with the Spirit.
Peter had healed a lame beggar in the name of Jesus. The authorities who arrested them could not deny that the man had been miraculously healed but they rejected the truth the miracle pointed to. It showed that Jesus is the Resurrected Lord, the author of life and able to heal and perform miracles because he is God. They wanted Peter and John to stop spreading the gospel and told them to leave.
Peter’s words were foolishness to the religious rulers but to those who are being saved they are the way, the truth and the life. Peter and John would not be silenced because they wanted to obey Jesus by spreading his message of salvation; they wanted to please God and not man.
Father, this is a wonderful demonstration of how Christians should be. Bold and fearless in your service and ready to preach Jesus as the only way to salvation. May we be as bold and faithful to serve you in our corner of the world. Lord, give us strength and fill us with your Spirit so that it may be so.
In Christ’s name. AMEN.