“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 man who was lame and are being 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. Jesus is “the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.” Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:8-12
Cancel culture is not new. Peter and John experienced this firsthand. But it wasn’t coming from the secular authorities; it was coming from the religious community.
The Sadducees in particular were prominent in the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish legislative and judicial council in ancient Israel. They considered themselves the protectors of the Jewish faith. It was this body that “protected” the people from their Messiah. They had buried that “problem” in a tomb—or so they thought! Now these fishermen from Galilee bring before us the name of Jesus again, in association with a miraculous healing of a man who was lame from birth. Will it never end?
Jesus had something to say to them as well as to the Pharisees: “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”
(John 5:59-60)
Yet here were Peter and John boldly teaching the people , proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. We can’t have that! They arrested them and interrupted their testimony to silence them.
They were asked “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” Peter remembered the words of Jesus: “When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say." Luke 12:11-12
“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit…” said in effect: what is your real problem? Is it really with this man who has been made whole by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth? Or is it something else? Is it because He is the stone which was rejected by you, “the builders; the leaders of our people—but which has become the chief cornerstone? This is the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.”(Psalm 118:22)
Peter, the accused ,was accusing the Sanhedrin of dereliction of duty! Protecters of the faith?! In the words of Jesus:”Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” Matthew 21: 43-44
These untrained, uneducated fishermen who spoke so confidently that their accusers were amazed— and “began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.” (4:13)
The Sanhedrin decided to muzzle them—they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the of the name of Jesus. First century cancel culture—not unlike twenty-first cancel culture.
But Peter and John answered them: “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
When they had threatened them further, they let them go…. (4:19-21)
“And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken. (4:29-30)“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Jesus.
Questions To Think About:
Cancel culture is not new. Peter and John experienced this firsthand. But it wasn’t coming from the secular authorities; it was coming from the religious community.
The Sadducees in particular were prominent in the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish legislative and judicial council in ancient Israel. They considered themselves the protectors of the Jewish faith. It was this body that “protected” the people from their Messiah. They had buried that “problem” in a tomb—or so they thought! Now these fishermen from Galilee bring before us the name of Jesus again, in association with a miraculous healing of a man who was lame from birth. Will it never end?
Jesus had something to say to them as well as to the Pharisees: “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”
(John 5:59-60)
Yet here were Peter and John boldly teaching the people , proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. We can’t have that! They arrested them and interrupted their testimony to silence them.
They were asked “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” Peter remembered the words of Jesus: “When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say." Luke 12:11-12
“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit…” said in effect: what is your real problem? Is it really with this man who has been made whole by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth? Or is it something else? Is it because He is the stone which was rejected by you, “the builders; the leaders of our people—but which has become the chief cornerstone? This is the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.”(Psalm 118:22)
Peter, the accused ,was accusing the Sanhedrin of dereliction of duty! Protecters of the faith?! In the words of Jesus:”Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” Matthew 21: 43-44
These untrained, uneducated fishermen who spoke so confidently that their accusers were amazed— and “began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.” (4:13)
The Sanhedrin decided to muzzle them—they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the of the name of Jesus. First century cancel culture—not unlike twenty-first cancel culture.
But Peter and John answered them: “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
When they had threatened them further, they let them go…. (4:19-21)
“And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken. (4:29-30)“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Jesus.
Questions To Think About:
- In what areas of your do you feel the most pressure to “mute” your faith to keep the peace or stay “canceled” from certain social circles?
- The religious leaders rejected the very thing they were supposed to be building upon. Is there a part of Jesus’ teaching (e.g., loving enemies, radical generosity, total surrender) that you find yourself “rejecting” or ignoring because it’s inconvenient?
- Salvation is found in no one else except Jesus. In a world that offers many “saviors” (career, relationships , politics, or self-help), what make the Name of Jesus the only firm foundation for your life?
- Peter and John said they “cannot stop speaking” about what they had seen and heard. What has God done in your life recently that is so “marvelous in your eyes” that you find it hard to keep to yourself?
- The Sanhedrin recognized that the apostles “had been with Jesus”. If someone spent a day observing your life, what specific “evidence” would they find that you have been with Him?
Posted in No Other Name