Peter healed the lame man in the name of Christ. The apostle knew that this man´s healing showed Jesus’ purpose of saving man completely and giving him everlasting life. The Lord does not help the believer only in part, but saves him completely - in body, spirit, and in soul. The love of God surpasses all our trust and understandings. The oldest of the apostles summed up his defense with the well-known statement: “Salvation is found in no one else.” The simple fisherman of Lake Tiberias testified to the educated theologians and the examining jurists that they were blind in spite of their knowledge of the Scriptures. Salvation cannot be obtained through diplomas, the reading of long, religious books, or false piety. Faith in Jesus, the Living One, who had been crucified and then raised from the dead, as well as the indwelling of the Holy Spirit produces salvation.
What is salvation? It is the deliverance from the wrath of God and our sanctification through the blood of Christ. Salvation is victory over death, which leads to everlasting life. Christ’s salvation signifies receiving the divine power to do good without falling into sin. True salvation is higher, deeper, wider, and stronger than people know. The devil has no power over him who believes in Jesus. He who commits himself to the Savior triumphs in Him.
Christ finished salvation for all men when He, instead of us, died on the cross, the just for the unjust, the immortal One for the mortal. The Lord took away our sins and justified us freely, knowing that no one could save himself. The Son of God became the Son of Man that the sons of man might become the sons of God. Thus, Christ redeemed us that we might receive the adoption as sons. The Holy, Solemn Judge is not against us, but is our loving Father. Christ purchased the Holy Spirit with His death that the love of God might be poured out in our hearts.
All men are invited to receive Christ’s salvation, for salvation is found in no one else. All religions, philosophies, human ideologies, and good deeds are insufficient to obtain the divine pleasure. In the blood of Christ alone is our deliverance. Without it we perish. Therefore, it is a necessity and a divine duty to accept Christ’s reconciliation, and join His covenant. He who does not receive Jesus rejects the love of God and finds no salvation. There is no way to God but through Jesus.
Peter, the fisher of men, told these comprehensive truths to the council of chief priests, theologians, scribes, and legal experts. He did not talk much, but summed up the gospel in one statement. The judges smiled sarcastically at him, for he spoke in easy to understand language, using simple sentences, without a hint of pomposity. They all saw that he and the young man beside him were uneducated. They could not deny, however, that the power of God had gone out of these two men. The power of Christ appeared again in Peter’s address, which testified to the rulers of his people that they were murderers. In the same way, he offered to the guilty God’s free salvation in the name of Jesus.
Probably the judges did not care much about the apostle’s complaint, or about his offering salvation to them. They were unwilling to take much notice of him. However, the name of Jesus on his tongue did annoy them, for they wanted to forget that name, avoid it, and never hear it again. They did not care about the healing of the poor beggar, who deserved the wrath of God anyway. These hypocritical, cultured men were loveless. Their chief concern was their books, their eloquent religious teaching, and their dignity.
The courage and boldness of the two apostles, who apparently did not fear punishment, affected the audience. In addition, the presence of the healed man beside them made it very difficult for the judges to condemn the apostles on charges of blasphemy and deceit. Thus, they conferred among themselves secretly after they sent the accused out of the council.
Finally, they could reach no other decision than to prevent them from preaching any more in the name of Jesus. They realized that this name was the reason for the power in His followers, which constituted a danger for the nation and its customs. So they commanded the two apostles to cease from speaking, teaching, or proclaiming this name, out of fear that the name of Jesus could work further miracles. This marks the summary of Satan’s design. He wants to end all preaching in the great name of Jesus so that the power of God may not save hearts. Do you, dear believer, hold your tongue from speaking in Jesus’ name? Or do you bear witness to him? Salvation is found in no one else. You are responsible for speaking in this name that others can be saved. Without the witness of testimony there is no salvation.