One day after the healing of the lame man at Gate Beautiful, Apostle Peter continues to defend the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Speaking of him, he reminds them of the prophecy below concerning him and them.
“The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.”
Psalm 118:22
Then, Peter reveals how they fulfilled this prophecy. Therefore, he said:
“This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.”
Acts 4:11 & Matthew 21:42
Let’s proceed with our Book of Acts Bible Study, Acts 4:11-22.
Nevertheless, Apostle Peter continued with his defense of the name of Jesus Christ. Subsequently, he proposes:
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
They Had Been With Jesus
In all the universe, which other name atones for the sins of all humanity? There is only one. Jesus.
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”
Acts 4:13
When you come to Jesus Christ, irrespective of your state, he never retains you in the same.
If you were proud before, now you are humble; and if you “were unlearned and ignorant”, now you are learned and knowledgeable.
He promotes us!
They Could Say Nothing
Subsequently, when these celebrities “beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it” (Acts 4:14).
These religious celebrities definitely wanted to speak against the name of Jesus. But there was no opportunity for this.
“But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves” (Acts 4:15).
Keep the Name of Jesus Out of it
“Saying, what shall we do to these men? [F]or that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it” (Acts 4:16).
Even though they admit that a miracle had happened, yet they planned to keep the name of Jesus out of its occurrence. Thus, they resorted to this.
“But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name” (Acts 4:17).
These celebrities had no legitimate reason to threaten these apostles so they manufactured one.
“And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus” (Acts 4:18).
Any time you come face-to-face with this type of brutal rejection and denial of the name of Jesus Christ, recognize it for what it’s: devilish.
This is exactly what Peter and John hint at when they say:
“Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye” (Acts 4:19).
These Apostles Confessed the Name of Jesus
Despite these attempts by these religious celebrities, these two apostles confessed Jesus Christ.
So, they explain, “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).
This boldness of the apostles inflamed them further.
“So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done” (Acts 4:22).
Finally, those who forbid the mention of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth when we invoke it in healing, have one motive.
They seek to divert from God the glory that is His. Therefore, they describe such operations as anything besides done in the name of Jesus.
“For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed” (Acts 4:22).
In summary, any time the name of the Lord Jesus Christ constitutes any healing at least these two features are present. One, “everybody” knows about the victim’s condition. Two, the victim had experienced that condition for an extended time. Sometimes for a lifetime. That is, since birth. The glory is the Lord’s.
Leroy A. Daley is an author, blogger, YouTuber, and Bible teacher. Globally, he's helped hundreds of Christians understand the Bible better. He has been studying and teaching the Bible for more than forty years. He is passionate about the Lord and spends quality time with the Word of God every day.
His Books are available for purchase wherever books are sold.
