{"id":204,"date":"2021-11-02T00:58:41","date_gmt":"2021-11-02T00:58:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deadmannotwalking.org\/?p=204"},"modified":"2021-11-02T00:58:46","modified_gmt":"2021-11-02T00:58:46","slug":"bridge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/deadmannotwalking.org\/?p=204","title":{"rendered":"Bridge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; and Annas the high priest was there,<\/em> and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent.  When they had placed them in the center, they began to<\/em> inquire, \u201cBy what power, or in what name, have you done this?\u201d  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, \u201cRulers and elders of the people, if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead\u2014by this name<\/em> this man stands here before you in good health.  He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but<\/em> which became the chief corner stone.<\/em>  And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.\u201d  (Acts 4:5-12, NASB)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Acts 4, Dr. Luke continues the story of the growth of Christ’s Church.  It’s after Pentecost, and the number of followers of Jesus is about to explode (It’s God’s plan!).  Peter and John had gone to the Temple.  At one of the gates they had encountered a crippled beggar.  Instead of giving him money, Peter healed him in the mighty name of Jesus.  The crowds were amazed, at which point Peter launched into a sermon.  He told the throng that healing was not by him, but through him because of Jesus.  He further used the prophets to prove that Jesus Christ is the long-promised Messiah. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were two results of Peter’s sermon:  The first was that about 5,000 people believed and were saved that day. (verse 4)  The second was Peter and John were arrested and detained by the Temple authorities.  This text above details their “trial” the following day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I love Peter’s story.  He was so ashamed after denying Jesus following His arrest.  And this after Jesus had told him it would happen.  Indeed, Jesus spent some time rehabilitating Peter and building him back up after His resurrection.  And here, early in the book of Acts, Peter is boldly stepping up to lead and preach Jesus!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the text, the Temple leadership gathers the next day to interrogate Peter and John.  They demand to know by what authority or name the two apostles had been acting.  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, lets them know (well, they asked!)!  The lame man had been healed, and was indeed now walking, by the name of Jesus!  In the climactic statement of his delivery, Peter lets the priests and and scribes know that at the name of Jesus, “there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We as people have a problem:  We’re all sinners.  There has to be a way to be reconciled with God.  The Bible says that there is no good deed or deeds we can do to earn our way into God’s good graces.  This problem is well-illustrated by a diagram I’ve seen many times in Bible study and Sunday School.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Bridge to God, found at Christ Community Church, ccclife.org<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n


There is a chasm.\u00a0 On one side is God, on the other is us people.\u00a0 There is no way for us to cross the chasm to get to God.\u00a0 The teacher or facilitator then draws a cross, as a bridge to span the divide.\u00a0 Jesus hung on the cross as the only acceptable sacrifice for us to have a relationship with Him.\u00a0 The Bible says that God loves us so much He sent His Son for us.\u00a0 That’s why Peter told his interrogators there was “no other name” for salvation.\u00a0 Jesus Himself said that He is “the way, the truth, and the life.”\u00a0 THE way!\u00a0 Have you trusted in His name to get across the great divide?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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