Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, (9) if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you 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 is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
Cause and effect. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit. The cause: Peter presents a clear and concise statement of the situation. 1) A good deed was done. 2) A man was healed. 3) The healing agency was the name of Jesus Christ. 4) Jesus Christ was the one whom you rejected and crucified. 5) There is no other path to salvation.
The effect: the rulers and elders were that they 1) saw the boldness of Peter and John. 2) saw that they were two common fishermen, not the graduates of the School of Gamaliel. 3) recognized that Peter and John had been with Jesus. 4) were astounded.
Did any there that day become believers? Only time will tell, that time when we are all assembled before the LORD, God, the Almighty. But I will not be surprised. I need to focus on a clear, unvarnished presentation of the Gospel. It can only come about by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Today's readings in the Psalms:
Morning: Psalm 60
Mid-day: 119:89-96
Evening: Psalm 136
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