Source: http://searchingthegospel.com/LessonDetails.aspx?CourseId=2&LessonNumber=11&LessonId=139
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 16:36:35+00:00

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And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
An when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done mis?
Being grieved that they taught the people.
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 comer: for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand before you whole.
whom God raised from the dead (v. 10).
Some in that assembly must have vividly remembered how some of them had gone to Pilate, after the crucifiction, and requested a Roman guard of soldiers be posted around Jesus' tomb. They had tried. But, you just can't get one-up on God. Now what about this council? Are they going to admit? Or, are they going to suppress? Peter drove it home, this man was healed by the power of that same Nazarene they had crucified. But, God raised him up again. Look at v. 11-12 in more detail. Now, if you remember Peter's speech from Pentecost and again in the temple (Acts 3), you might expect Peter to toss in a few quotes from the Old Testament. This one in v. 11 comes from Psalms 118:32.
by what authority doest thou these things? Matt. 21:23.
And, among other things, one of the things Jesus said to them, in v. 42 of that chapter was to quote this same identical scripture, Psalm 118. Then he drew a conclusion from it. Let's take time to listen to the last 4 verses of Matthew 21.
Therefore say I unto you, The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. An whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grand him to power. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitudes, because they took him for a prophet.
Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
It doesn't take a degree in homiletics to understand that.. Now, let me ask you a question. Where is salvation in v. 12? See if you can find it! If salvation is in none other than name, then salvation must be in Christ, right? Look at it close. It's worth your time, because a lot of people are looking for salvation out of Christ. Some say there is nothing in a name! Have you heard that? What did Peter say? There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby [whereby what?] . . . whereby we MUST be saved.
Look at it close. Peter gave it to them straight. O.K. Peter's little speech was 5 verses long (v. 8-12). It took a lot less time for him to make that speech than it has us to talk about it. One of the techniques they had tried to use with Jesus was to let him talk, then try to trap him in his speech. Of course you know they never did. But, if that's what they had in mind with these two old fishermen, Holy Spirit directed, I have the feeling they got the shock of their life. I think that is just what v. 13 is telling us.
We have already talked about exhibit "A" as I called it, in v. 14. The words "unlearned and ignorant men" in v. 13 simply mean this court recognized these two prisoners were not professionally trained in one of those schools for the rabbi. It doesn't mean they didn't have any smarts. Can you visualize v. 15? Someone must have said: "get them fellows out of here." Then the temple guard led the out. O.K. it's up to the jury to weigh the evidence. Luke, in v. 16-17 probably summarizes their discussion and conclusion rather than to give a verbatim quote.
Saying, what shall we do to these men? For indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us strait ly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
Whether it be right in the sight of God to harken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
The council could have looked upon Peter and John's statement as back-talk, had they been in the right mood. But, I sense they were not in the right mood. They didn't want the punishment to be very great. Not because they wouldn't like to deal it out, but because of the political implications. They were able to motivate and control the crowds to have Jesus crucified, but they recognized their position had been severely weakened to try a similar stunt with these men. And that only yarn-sock conscience just wasn't ready to go over the barrel. The only thing they could do was soft petal. The council let Peter and John go after making a few threats. Let's read v. 21-22.
So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish the, because of the people; for all men glorified God for that which was done. For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed.
Verse 23 tells us what these three did when they were let go. Let's read v. 23.
They must have gathered the other 10 apostles with as many disciples as they could find. After this little band of disciples heard the report, they prayed. This is the second prayer Like has recorded for us word for word. The first was at the selection of Matthias. These prayers were put here as an example for us. Study them carefully. I would assume one person in the group was called upon to lead or word the prayer, as the whole group reverently bowed or kneeled and followed or repeated the petition mentally. They expressed their own approval to the requests by "Amens" aloud. Now, assume you are there, with your head bowed among that crowd.
Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is; Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gather together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy hold child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever thy hand and they council determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings; and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of the holy child Jesus.
Where's the "Amen"? Anyway, let's review the prayer briefly. In the first line (v. 24) , they acknowledge God as the creator of all things. Verses 25-26 are a quotation from the second Psalm. Versus 27-28 say hi essence, Lord we recognize the fulfillment of this prophecy, i.e. the quote in v. 25-26, as coming to pass in Jesus and the events surrounding his death on the cross. If you study these words in depth you will find many interesting things. For example, if someone should question that David wrote the second Psalm, we have the statement of an inspired apostle here that he did. I'm assuming an apostle led this prayer. Perhaps not Peter or John, but one of the other 10. And even if that misses, Luke, the inspired writer, sanctions it. They ascribe the quotation in v. 25-26 to David. Thus, we have inspired proof, through Luke, that David did write the Psalm. Now, v. 29-30 get down to the immediate task at hand. They merely ask that the Lord grant to them the strength, courage and opportunity to continue to serve Him. They ask that the Lord would continue signs and wonders to confirm their words through the Holy Spirit. Notice, they did not ask any great thing for themselves or against their enemies. Verse 31 indicates they received assurance by a miraculous act of the Holy Spirit.
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Hold Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
You might call that an earth shaking prayer. They were assured the Lord was with them. We don't know where they assembled, but it most likely was not the temple. The calm they had enjoyed over the past several weeks had suddenly been interrupted by 24 hours of persecution. The whole fiasco was probably just enough to cause the disciples to appreciate the calm they had enjoyed. The over-all effect was, it probably strengthened their cause. Remember all the converts that were added? Apparently the Holy Spirit had decided it was time to give those priests and Jewish leaders another lesson. And keep those two alternative before their mind. Admit their sins or suppress them. It's ironic those leaders would continue to "mess around" with men like the apostles that were directed by the Holy Spirit and exhibited such powers. But, God is no respecter of persons, we have the same alternatives today. We can admit, i.e. confess Jesus as God's son and obey, OR we can continue to disobey and try to suppress our sins.

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