IN DEFENSE OF CHRIST

Acts 4:8-12 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, if we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 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.

In order to put an end to the uproar caused by the healing of the lame man, which resulted in thousands hearing and believing the inspired teaching of Peter and John, the Jewish authorities arrested and imprisoned them overnight. In verses 5-8 preceding the lesson text we find that on the day following, Peter and John were brought before the council (See verse 15 following). This body, titled the Sanhedrin, is the highest ruling body of the Jewish justice system. It was made up of seventy-one rulers, one of which was the High Priest, who presided over the body. Although it included a few scribes and Pharisees, the aristocratic Sadducees dominated it. The council, presided over by the High Priest, Annas, had Peter and John brought before them. In regard to the healing of the lame man, they asked this question of them: by what power, or by what name, have ye done this (Vs. 7)? Since they had not authorized the acts and teaching of Peter and John, and since the Sanhedrin held all authority over the Jewish people, their question was: by whose authority did you heal the lame man?

With His divine foresight Jesus promised His apostles spiritual guidance when brought before accusing authorities. He said, But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you (Matt. 10:19-20). With this in mind, consider the following defense of Peter, his fellow apostle, John, and, more importantly, his defense of Christ Jesus as the promised Messiah, the Son of God.Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, if we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 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.

To be tried in a court of law for a crime that was harmful or unjust to another, is understandable by all. But to be taken by authorities, imprisoned, and charged and for doing a good deed to an impotent man seems to be a misapplication of justice. Yet this, the highest Jewish court of law, demanded to know by what means he is made whole. Demonstrating respect for this high court, Peter defended Jesus by telling these rulers that Jesus Christ of Nazareth was, by their authority, crucified - put to death on the cross of Calvary, having done nothing but good deeds. And, in order to demonstrate Him as the Messiah, God raised Him from the dead. Peter continued by confessing that it was by the power of the vary one whom they had condemned, Jesus Christ, that the impotent man was able to stand here before you whole.

Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, Peter continued his defense by saying Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of the prophecy found in Psalm 118:22: This is the Stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the Head of the corner. The religious leaders of the Jewish nation are referred to here as the builders, through whom God chose to bring salvation to all mankind by His Son, Jesus Christ. Yet, when He came into the world, Jesus was rejected and crucified, but by the power of God, was made to be the most important and indispensable stone in the structure of God's plan of salvation. And by the healing of the lame man through His apostles, we have proof that Jesus Christ is the Savior sent from God. And as our Savior of mankind, Peter gives the Sanhedrin this assurance: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. This is our example. When our Savior is denied, all Christians must come forward to defend Him.