The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then 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. 11 Jesus is
“‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Acts 4:1-12
The religious leaders were distraught. They thought that they could squelch this religious movement that was drawing crowds away from them and turning people to be disciples of Jesus. This movement was given credibility by Jesus' power over sickness, death, the very powers of nature. They thought by giving him the public death that everyone feared that it would deter anyone from even mentioning His name. To their chagrin, it didn't work and now the very people that were yelling, "crucify Him", were repenting in the thousands and declaring His name in public. Not only that, but these followers of Jesus were also unafraid and had powers like Jesus did. If killing Jesus didn't work, what were they to do now?
Satan is faced with the same ongoing problem 2000 years later. He couldn't squelch it then and millions of converts later, it's going stronger than ever. He still uses imprisonment, death, torture to try to dissuade but nothing has stopped it. Eventually, he will bring the pseudo-Jesus, the Antichrist, who will do great things in the world and miracles and instill a system where unless you follow him, you'll be executed, but even in the midst of that there will be a revival and Jesus will come back and end Satan once and for all. Jesus can't be defeated and neither should we. But have you been defeated? Do you not speak in Jesus' name in public for fear of mockery, rejection, losing friends and popularity, losing your job? Join with Peter. Keep doing so much good that they can't deny your good deeds, the lame man standing in front of them. Keep sharing the gospel because this is the only means of salvation.
Notice Peter uses the churchy word "salvation". What does that mean? It means, like we've previously said, you can't understand the good news until you know the bad. The bad is you need to be rescued. We are all headed to an eternity in Hell. We are all, in a swimming metaphor, going under and need a lifeline thrown to us. Jesus is that lifeline. Imagine getting an inner tube thrown to you while drowning and saying, "No, I'm allergic to latex. I want a different one." No, you're just grateful that someone saved your life. That's the good news of salvation; Jesus has come to rescue you from hell and give you eternal life in Heaven. All you have to do is grasp on to Him and let Him do the rest. That's salvation; that's good news! Share it! Make Heaven crowded.
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