Saturday, September 27, 2014
Acts 4:8-10 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole."
HE IS RISEN AS HE SAID
At Jesus' trial Caiphas and His cronies brought (and bought) many witnesses against Jesus. None were called to speak on His behalf. Now there is one voice -- strong, bold, clear. A voice unexpected, for this witness was at Caiphas' compound the night of Jesus' arrest -- loudly denying he even knew Jesus of Nazareth.
Yes, it is Simon Peter who now bears witness to Jesus before the very court that condemned his Lord to death just three months before. What has gotten into the man? The Holy Spirit, that's Who!
But isn't it a bit late to be offering testimony in the case of Jesus of Nazareth? Hasn't He been crucified, dead, and buried? Yes, but when we listen to Peter's testimony it is clear that he is not speaking of a late Friend but of a living Lord. A Lord who has personally forgiven him and restored him to apostleship -- and promised and sent the Holy Spirit to fortify his faith, confirm His commitment, and equip him in mind and heart. Now Peter is a bold witness before the very men who sentenced Jesus to death.
Peter's voice rings out in the Hall of Stones:
"by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth this man stands here before you whole."
To do something in the name of another is to do it by their authority and power.
Dead men may leave a will but that is a directive given while they are alive.
Dead men are not aware of the needs of the living nor do they respond to them.
By healing in the name of Jesus, the actions of Peter and John
gave the same testimony as Peter gave in the temple afterwards
-- and here before the leaders of Israel.
Jesus lives!
