– Acts 4:1-12 – After their release by the Sanhedrin, before whom they were taken because of their preaching of Jesus and His resurrection, Peter and John return to the band of believers. As they had before the Jewish leaders, Peter and John show how the Old Testament must be interpreted with Jesus in mind. They quote Psalm 2, a coronation psalm, in their prayer, and show how King Jesus fulfilled it.
There is salvation in “no one else.” In a pluralistic culture, who will buy this? The mood
of our day is to let each have his/her own religion because one will be saved
in and by it. Peter would have no part of this kind of thinking. He proclaimed
under the influence of the Holy Spirit that there is on salvation apart from
Christ. This position is a logical conclusion to the fact that Jesus is the
only Son of God who died for the sins of the whole world. No one else died on
the cross as the Son of God. No one else ever rose from the dead. To accept
other religions as equally true is to deny the truth of the Gospel.
Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit; He did
not only have the Spirit but was filled with the Spirit. This explains what he
said. The Spirit gave him courage as an unlearned fisherman to address the
rulers of Jerusalem. He was not only bold but he was certain and positive.
There was no question, no suggestion, no doubt, no hesitation. Openly and
frankly Peter explained that he cripple was healed by the power of Jesus’ name.
He was unafraid to blame them for the crucifixion and he was certain that Jesus
rose from the dead. How can one explain such boldness and certainty? The answer
– he was filled with the Holy Spirit.[1]
Lord God,
our shepherd, You gather the lambs of Your flock into the arms of Your mercy
and bring them home. Comfort us with the certain hope of the resurrection to
everlasting life and a joyful reunion with those we love who have died in the
faith; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.[2]
- 21 April, 2021
[1] Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brokhoff © 1981 CSS Publishing, Lima OH
[2] Collect for Easter 4, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
The Good Shepherd Window which adorns the North entrance of Zion Friedheim Lutheran Church, Decatur, IN
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