the acts of the apostles-第12章
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and the message He had given His servants to declare。 Every day； in their
refusal to repent； the Jewish leaders took up their rebellion afresh；
preparing to reap that which they had sown。
The wrath of God is not declared against unrepentant sinners merely because
of the sins they have committed； but because； when called to repent； they
choose to continue in resistance； repeating the sins of the past in defiance
of the light given them。 If the Jewish leaders had submitted to the
convicting power of the Holy Spirit； they would have been pardoned； but they
were determined not to yield。 In the same way； the sinner； by continued
resistance； places himself where the Holy Spirit cannot influence him。
On the day following the healing of the cripple； Annas and Caiaphas； with
the other dignitaries of the temple； met together for the trial； and the
prisoners were brought before them。 In that very room and before some of
those very men； Peter had shamefully denied his Lord。 This came distinctly
to his mind as he appeared for his own trial。 He now had an opportunity of
redeeming his cowardice。
Those present who remembered the part that Peter had
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acted at the trial of his Master； flattered themselves that he could now be
intimidated by the threat of imprisonment and death。 But the Peter who
denied Christ in the hour of His greatest need was impulsive and
self…confident； differing widely from the Peter who was brought before the
Sanhedrin for examination。 Since his fall he had been converted。 He was no
longer proud and boastful； but modest and self…distrustful。 He was filled
with the Holy Spirit； and by the help of this power he was resolved to
remove the stain of his apostasy by honoring the name he had once disowned。
Hitherto the priests had avoided mentioning the crucifixion or the
resurrection of Jesus。 But now； in fulfillment of their purpose； they were
forced to inquire of the accused how the cure of the impotent man had been
accomplished。 〃By what power； or by what name； have ye done this？〃 they
asked。
With holy boldness and in the power of the Spirit Peter fearlessly declared：
〃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。〃
This courageous defense appalled the Jewish leaders。 They had supposed that
the disciples would be overcome with fear and confusion when brought before
the Sanhedrin。
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But； instead； these witnesses spoke as Christ had spoken； with a convincing
power that silenced their adversaries。 There was no trace of fear in Peter's
voice as he declared of Christ； 〃This is the stone which was set at nought
of you builders； which is become the head of the corner。〃
Peter here used a figure of speech familiar to the priests。 The prophets had
spoken of the rejected stone； and Christ Himself； speaking on one occasion
to the priests and elders； said： 〃Did ye never read in the Scriptures； The
stone which the builders rejected； the same is become the head of the
corner： this is the Lord's doing； and it is marvelous in our eyes？ Therefore
say I unto you； The kingdom of God shall be taken from you； and given to a
nation bringing forth the fruits thereof。 And whosoever shall fall on this
stone shall be broken： but on whomsoever it shall fall； it will grind him to
powder。〃 Matthew 21：42…44。
As the priests listened to the apostles' fearless words； 〃they took
knowledge of them； that they had been with Jesus。〃
Of the disciples after the transfiguration of Christ it is written that at
the close of that wonderful scene 〃they saw no man； save Jesus only。〃
Matthew 17：8。 〃Jesus only〃 in these words is contained the secret of the
life and power that marked the history of the early church。 When the
disciples first heard the words of Christ； they felt their need of Him。 They
sought； they found； they followed Him。 They were with Him in the temple； at
the table； on the mountainside； in the field。 They were as pupils with a
teacher； daily receiving from Him lessons of eternal truth。
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After the Saviour's ascension； the sense of the divine presence； full of
love and light； was still with them。 It was a personal presence。 Jesus； the
Saviour； who had walked and talked and prayed with them； who had spoken hope
and comfort to their hearts； had； while the message of peace was upon His
lips； been taken from them into heaven。 As the chariot of angels received
Him； His words had come to them； 〃Lo； I am with you alway； even unto the
end。〃 Matthew 28：20。 He had ascended to heaven in the form of humanity。 They
knew that He was before the throne of God； their Friend and Saviour still；
that His sympathies were unchanged； that He would forever be identified with
suffering humanity。 They knew that He was presenting before God the merit of
His blood； showing His wounded hands and feet as a remembrance of the price
He had paid for His redeemed ones； and this thought strengthened them to
endure reproach for His sake。 Their union with Him was stronger now than
when He was with them in person。 The light and love and power of an
indwelling Christ shone out through them； so that men； beholding； marveled。
Christ placed His seal on the words that Peter spoke in His defense。 Close
beside the disciple； as a convincing witness； stood the man who had been so
miraculously healed。 The appearance of this man； a few hours before a
helpless cripple； but now restored to soundness of health； added a weight of
testimony to Peter's words。 Priests and rulers were silent。 They were unable
to refute Peter's statement； but they were nonetheless determined to put a
stop to the teaching of the disciples。
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Christ's crowning miraclethe raising of Lazarushad sealed the
determination of the priests to rid the world of Jesus and His wonderful
works； which were fast destroying their influence over the people。 They had
crucified Him； but here was a convincing proof that they had not put a stop
to the working of miracles in His name； nor to the proclamation of the truth
He taught。 Already the healing of the cripple and the preaching of the
apostles had filled Jerusalem with excitement。
In order to conceal their perplexity； the priests and rulers ordered the
apostles to be taken away； that they might counsel among themselves。 They
all agreed that it would be useless to deny that the man had been healed。
Gladly would they have covered up the miracle by falsehoods； but this was
impossible； for it had been wrought in the full light of day； before a
multitude of people； and had already come to the knowledge of thousands。
They felt that the work of the disciples must be stopped or Jesus would gain
many followers。 Their own disgrace would follow； for they would be held
guilty of the murder of the Son of God。
But notwithstanding their desire to destroy the disciples； the priests dared
not do more than threaten them with the severest punishment if they
continued to speak or to work in the name of Jesus。 Calling them again
before the Sanhedrin； they commanded them not to speak or teach in the name
of Jesus。 But Peter and John answered： 〃Whether it be right in the sight of
God to hearken unto you more than unto God； judge ye。 For we cannot but
speak the things which we have seen and heard。〃
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Gladly would the priests have punished these men for their unswerving
fidelity to their sacred calling； but they feared the people； 〃for all men
glorified God for that which was done。〃 So； with repeated threats and
injunctions； the apostles were set at liberty。
While Peter and John were prisoners； the other disciples； knowing the
malignity of the Jews； had prayed unceasin
