February 2, 1911

Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin

EGW

On the day following the healing of the cripple, Annas and Caiaphas, with the other dignitaries of the temple, met together for the trial of the prisoners, who were brought before them. In that very room, and before those very men, Peter had shamefully denied his Lord. This came distinctly before the mind of the disciple, as he now appeared for his own trial. He had now an opportunity of redeeming his former cowardice.RH February 2, 1911, Art. A, par. 1

Those present remembered the part that Peter had acted at the trial of his Master, and they flattered themselves that he could be intimidated by the threat of imprisonment and death. But the Peter who denied Christ in the hour of his greatest need was impulsive and self-confident, differing widely from the Peter who was brought before the Sanhedrin for examination. Since his fall, he had been converted. He was no longer a proud boaster, but was distrustful of self. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, and through its power he had become as firm as a rock, courageous yet modest. He was ready to remove the stain of his apostasy by honoring the name he had once disowned.RH February 2, 1911, Art. A, par. 2

Hitherto the priests had avoided mentioning the crucifixion or the resurrection of Jesus. But now, in fulfilment of their purpose, they were forced to inquire of the accused by what power they had accomplished the remarkable cure of the impotent man. “By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?” they asked.RH February 2, 1911, Art. A, par. 3

With holy boldness and in the power of the Spirit, Peter fearlessly declared: “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”RH February 2, 1911, Art. A, par. 4

This courageous defense, in which Peter boldly avowed whence his strength was obtained, appalled the Jewish leaders. They had supposed that the disciples, being only ignorant fishermen, would be overcome with fear and confusion when brought before the Sanhedrin. But instead, the disciples spoke as Christ had spoken, with a convincing power that silenced their adversaries. There was no trace of fear in Peter's voice as he declared of Christ, “This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.”RH February 2, 1911, Art. A, par. 5

Peter here used a figure of speech familiar to the priests. The prophets had spoken of the Rejected Stone, and Christ himself, speaking on one occasion to the priests and elders, said, “Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore I say unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.”RH February 2, 1911, Art. A, par. 6

As the priests listened to Peter's fearless words, “they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Of the disciples after the transfiguration of Christ, it is written that at the close of this wonderful scene, they “saw no man, save Jesus only.” “Jesus only”—in these words is contained the secret of the life and power that marked the history of the early church. When the disciples first heard the words of Christ, they felt their need of him. They sought, they found, they followed him. They were with him in the temple, at the table, in the closet, in the field. They were as pupils with a teacher, daily receiving from him lessons of eternal truth. After the Saviour's ascension, the sense of the divine presence was still with them. It was a personal presence, full of love and light. Jesus, the Saviour, who had walked and talked and prayed with them, who had spoken hope and comfort to their hearts, had, while the message of peace was upon his lips, been taken from them into heaven. As the chariot of angels received him, his words had come to them, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” He had ascended to heaven in the form of humanity. They knew that he was before the throne of God, their friend and Saviour still; that his sympathies were unchanged; that he was still, and ever would be, identified with suffering humanity. They knew that he was presenting before God the merits of his blood, showing his wounded hands and feet as a remembrance of the price he had paid for his redeemed ones; and this thought strengthened them to endure reproach for his sake.RH February 2, 1911, Art. A, par. 7

The seal of Christ was placed on the words that Peter spoke in his defense, and the countenance of the disciple was illumined by the Spirit. Close beside him, as a convincing witness, stood the man who had been so miraculously cured. The appearance of this man, who but a few hours before had been a helpless cripple, and who was now restored to soundness of body, added a weight of testimony to Peter's words. Priests, rulers, and people were silent. The rulers were unable to refute his statement. They had been obliged to hear that which they most desired not to hear,—the fact of the resurrection of Christ and his power while in heaven to perform miracles through the medium of his apostles on earth.RH February 2, 1911, Art. A, par. 8

Christ's crowning miracle of raising Lazarus had sealed the determination of the priests to rid the world of Jesus and his wonderful works, which were fast destroying their own influence over the people. They had crucified him, but here was a convincing proof that they had not put a stop to the working of miracles in his name, nor to the proclamation of the truths he had taught. Already the news of the healing of the cripple and the preaching of the apostles, had filled Jerusalem with excitement.RH February 2, 1911, Art. A, par. 9

In order to conceal their perplexity, the priests and rulers ordered the apostles to be taken away, that they might counsel among themselves. They all agreed that it would be useless to deny that the man had been healed through the power given the apostles in the name of the crucified Jesus. They would gladly have covered up the miracle by falsehoods, but this was impossible; for it had been wrought in the full light of day, before a crowd of people, and had already come to the knowledge of thousands. They felt that the work of the disciples must be stopped, or Jesus would gain many believers. Their own disgrace would follow, and they would be held guilty of the murder of the Son of God.RH February 2, 1911, Art. A, par. 10

But notwithstanding their disposition to destroy the disciples, the priests dared not do more than threaten them with the severest punishment if they continued to speak or to work in the name of Jesus. “They called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered, ... Whether it be right in the sight of God to harken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we can not but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Gladly would the priests have punished these men for their unswerving fidelity to their sacred calling, but they feared the people. “For all men glorified God for that which was done.” So, with repeated threats and injunctions, the apostles were set at liberty.RH February 2, 1911, Art. A, par. 11

While Peter and John were prisoners, the other disciples, knowing the malignity of the Jews, had prayed unceasingly for their brethren, fearing that the cruelty exercised upon Christ would be repeated. As soon as Peter and John were released, they sought the rest of the apostles, and reported to them the result of the examination. Great was the joy of the believers, and “they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold, their threatenings, and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.”RH February 2, 1911, Art. A, par. 12

The disciples prayed that greater strength might be imparted to them in the work of the ministry; for they saw that they would meet the same determined opposition that Christ had encountered when upon the earth. While their united prayers were ascending in faith to heaven, the answer came. The place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. With hearts filled with courage, they went forth to proclaim the word of God in Jerusalem with convincing power. “With great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,” and God marvelously blessed their efforts.RH February 2, 1911, Art. A, par. 13