"Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified..."

Acts 4:1-12, “While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the Temple, and the Sadducees came to them, much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead. So they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who heard the word believed; and they numbered about five thousand. The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is ‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.’ There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”

I love this exchange among the Temple authorities, Peter and John. Luke’s witness says that 5,000 people heard and believed in Jesus; even in the face Peter’s and John’s arrest. The Temple leaders wanted to know by what authority they were saying these things. These Temple leaders had just killed Jesus for the same teaching and preaching and now they were coming after the disciples. When Peter spoke he spoke with the power of the Holy Spirit and defied the Temple leaders and reminded them that Jesus of Nazareth who they killed and whom God raised from the dead who healed the man standing before them. Then he said this, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved;” NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MORTALS BY WHICH WE MUST BE SAVED!!!  Peter called out the Temple leadership for what they did and reminded them that they too must claim Jesus NOW in order to be saved.

Prayer: Thank You Father for redeeming us through Jesus. Thank You for this glorious day in Your Kingdom. Please work through us to love, teach and, claim those who have yet to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ Name we pray. AMEN.