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The Story of Redemption
The following day Annas and Caiaphas, with the other dignitaries
of the temple, met together for the trial of the prisoners, who were
then brought before them. In that very room, and before those very
men, Peter had shamefully denied his Lord. All 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 wicked
cowardice.
The company present remembered the part 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
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Peter who denied Christ in the hour of His greatest need was the
impulsive, self-confident disciple, differing widely from the Peter
who was before the Sanhedrin for examination that day. He had
been converted; he was distrustful of self, and no longer a proud
boaster. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, and through its power he
had become firm as a rock, courageous, yet modest, in magnifying
Christ. He was ready to remove the stain of his apostasy by honoring
the name he had once disowned.
Peter’s Bold Defense
Hitherto the priests had avoided having the crucifixion or resur-
rection of Jesus mentioned; but now, in fulfillment of their purpose,
they were forced to inquire of the accused by what power they had
accomplished the remarkable cure of the impotent man. Then Peter,
filled with the Holy Ghost, addressed the priests and elders respect-
fully, and 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 nought 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.”
The seal of Christ was on the words of Peter, and his counte-
nance was illuminated by the Holy 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 was
a helpless cripple, now restored to soundness of body, and being