Power of the Resurrected Christ

MEMORY SELECTION: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” —Acts 4:12

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Acts 4:5-20

IN LAST week’s lesson we considered the scriptural account of the healing of the lame man by the apostles Peter and John. That miracle was a demonstration of the great power of our resurrected Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The passages of scripture which relate to that event are indisputable evidence that God’s power was, in turn, operating through the apostles, who acted as representatives of the kingdom of Christ. Peter acknowledged the power as being from above, for he said (Acts 3:6) that he was acting “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.” Peter was a humble man and said to the people (vs. 12), “Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?”

Many had seen the lame man walk and leap and had heard his praises of the most high God. As the crowd gathered in the temple, attention was focused on the man who was lame from birth but could now walk. Unfortunately, the religious leaders of Israel, who were responsible for the crucifixion of our Lord, were also attracted to the gathering by Peter’s ministry. They had no sympathy for those who preached Christ, “and as they [Peter and John] spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.”—Acts 4:1-3

It was not until the next day (the two apostles having spent the night in prison), that they were brought before the Sanhedrin. The doctors of the Law were evidently attempting to prove that the miracle performed by Peter and John was not of God, but of Satan. “And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?” (vs. 7) Peter, being filled with the Holy Spirit of God, was glad to have opportunity to testify to the source of the blessing which had been placed in his hands and which had made possible the healing of the lame man. He stood and raised his voice and proclaimed (vss. 10-12): “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Peter spoke with astounding brilliance before his accusers. He spoke boldly in the name of Jesus, for, as he explained, there is no other name known among men wherein rests such power and salvation. Indeed, the responsibility of Messiah’s cruel trial and death was laid before the religious leaders who had rejected him even as foretold by David, who said (Ps. 118:22), “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.” Peter had quoted from that prophecy in his testimony.

The doctors of the Law concluded that no fault could be found with the apostles or with the miracle which had been performed. Nevertheless they threatened the two apostles that they should preach no more in the name of Christ. “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”—vss. 19,20

There is a lesson here for all of the Lord’s people who are fully consecrated to God and attempting to lay down their lives in sacrifice during the present age. Although we have a responsibility to govern our lives in accordance with the laws and regulations of the land, we also have a responsibility to speak the truth when opportunity prevails. To do otherwise would show a lack of appreciation for the good things that will be ours when we become part of the resurrected Christ by the mighty hand of God.

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