Jewish authorities stood guilty before God. Satan, enraged by the spread of the gospel, sought to silence the mouths of Christians from proclaiming the Name of Jesus. Yet the apostles did not retreat—they prayed for divine power and boldness.
Peter and John were ordinary, uneducated men by worldly standards. They were not products of seminaries or Bible colleges. Their boldness, wisdom, and knowledge came from the Holy Spirit Himself. This reminds us that true spiritual power does not come from human credentials, but from God.
The greatest miracle in history was that God became man in the Person of Jesus Christ, died for sinners, and rose again in victory. Peter and John were eyewitnesses of these glorious truths. Today, the greatest miracle is still the miracle of new life—a sinner being transformed by the saving power of Christ.
A great miracle had just taken place at the temple gate. In the presence of thousands, a man crippled from birth was healed. As Peter and John were preaching Christ to the gathered crowds, the religious authorities suddenly arrived.
Why were the authorities greatly disturbed?
Because they were guilty.
These were the same leaders who had condemned Jesus to death. They had mocked Him and joined in the scorn at the cross:
“He saved others; Himself He cannot save.”
(Matthew 27:40–43)
They even secured His tomb with a great stone and Roman guards to ensure that no one could steal His body. They did everything possible to prevent the resurrection Jesus had foretold.
Yet all the powers of darkness could not stop the risen Christ.
Jesus, our Master, rose from the dead victoriously.
Now, with this undeniable miracle before them and the apostles boldly preaching resurrection in His Name, their guilt burned even deeper. The Sadducees especially were offended because they denied the resurrection altogether.
Peter and John were arrested simply for preaching in the Name of Jesus.
Truth often brings opposition.
Despite persecution, the gospel continued to advance.
Previously, 3,000 had believed. Now another 5,000 came to faith.
That means around 8,000 souls had been brought to Christ.
Chains cannot stop the gospel.
The miracle could not be denied.
There were too many witnesses.
The healed man stood before them as living evidence of Christ’s power. The rulers could not erase what everyone had seen.
Peter answered them with remarkable boldness.
He was filled with the Holy Spirit.
His words were direct. He did not soften the truth, avoid confrontation, or dilute the gospel. His message was like an arrow shot straight into their hearts:
“You crucified Jesus, but God raised Him from the dead.”
He even quoted Psalm 118:22:
“The stone which the builders rejected
has become the chief cornerstone.”
The rejected Christ is now the exalted King.
Peter goes even further.
Not only was the crippled man healed in Jesus’ Name, but salvation itself is found in no one else.
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Not through religion.
Not
through good works.
Not through tradition.
Not through any
other name.
Only Jesus saves.
A wonderful and merciful thing had happened—a crippled man was healed.
Yet instead of rejoicing, the enemies of the gospel were angered.
This is the reality of spiritual warfare.
Whenever God works, Satan opposes.
The priests, rulers, and authorities were not merely resisting Peter and John—they were resisting Christ Himself.
Satan and his agents will always rise against the true servants of God. The conflict between God’s Kingdom and Satan’s kingdom continues until Christ returns.
Faithful preaching will attract opposition.
Bold witness will provoke resistance.
But like Peter, believers must stand firm.
We must not fear men.
We
must not soften the truth.
We must preach Christ crucified and
risen.
For there is salvation in no other Name but Jesus Christ alone.