In this Bible passage we join Peter and John, apostles of Jesus, as they go on trial. The court, made up of High Priests and other religious leaders, had a problem. They believed religion was the way to God, so they wanted to stop preachers going around saying Jesus was the Saviour God had sent for the world. (1stJohn 4:14.)
Peter and John were preachers about Jesus, but “a man crippled from birth” (Acts 3:2.) was standing there with them and he was now healed! (verse 14.)
The court asked Peter and John, “By what power or what name did you do this?"
“Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “… 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.’” (verses 7-11. Psalm 118:22.)
What could this court say? These High Priests and leaders were the very ones who had condemned Jesus Christ to death. Now here was a great miracle done in Jesus wonderful name! They had already made up their mind that Jesus Christ was not going to take the place of their religion; even though the name of Jesus had brought about such a miraculous change in this man’s life.
Today, Jesus’ name still brings about miraculous changes in the lives of those who truly trust Him as their Saviour. People are being converted from lives of slavery to drink, or drugs, or violence, or false religion, etc. (Titus 2:11-14.) This is the evidence that a person has indeed found the way to be made right with God. (2ndCorinthians 5:17. 1stJohn 3:7-8.)
You see, God makes men righteous “through faith in Jesus Christ” when they believe in Him as Saviour. (Romans 3:21-30.) No religion can do this for you; yet many trust religions, although their lives continue so obviously “crippled” by ungodly actions, ungodly thoughts and ungodly words! (Jude 14-15.)
Peter’s message to those unbelieving religious leaders left them in no doubt who the world's only Hope was. He told them, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (verse 12.)
These “unschooled, ordinary men”, who “had been with Jesus” (verse 13), had given this court a real problem! “But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.” (verse 14.)
Have they caused you to have a problem? Don’t you resist the wonderful message about the world’s only hope! Are you willing to believe that no other person, or no religion can change and save you? (John 1:10-13.) Repent - Turn to Jesus Christ in faith just now. (John 14:6. 1stTimothy 2:5-6.)
Read Acts chapter 4, verses 5-14.
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