Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 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.(Acts 4:8-10)
God had performed an astounding miracle at the hands of Peter and John (a >40 year old man, crippled from birth was healed) and now they were being questioned by the rulers, elders and teachers of the Jews regarding it. They asked Peter and John, ""By what power or what name did you do this?"
Peter did not hesitate to proclaim the name of Jesus and told them that it was by the name of Jesus that the man was healed. Peter also proclaimed, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
The rulers were not very pleased with Peter's bold reply, but here was evidence of the power of God and no one could deny it, however hard they tried.
Our prime duty as children of God, is to make them who have not yet known Jesus and the power of his name, become aware of this glorious fact. We must not forget or ignore our precious calling to be effective witnesses for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Peter writes, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9)
Let us remind ourselves of this fact this day and declare the praises of the Triune God as long as we live.
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