What Right did
Peter Have to Make This Claim?
“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.” Acts 4:12
Resurrections - There
are several accounts of resurrections in the Gospels, but Peter was one of only
3 apostles to witness a synagogue leader’s daughter being brought back to life
in Mark chapter 5. The reaction Mark
records in verse 42 is “And immediately they were completely astounded.” The other is recorded in the Gospel of John,
chapter 11 where Jesus knew that a close friend was very sick. The message to that end was received from Lazarus’
sisters but Jesus chose to delay going to the home for two days, so by the time
He and the apostles arrived Lazarus had died and had been buried for four days. In fact Jesus tells His disciples in verse
14b-15, “Lazarus is dead and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so
that you may believe…”. In greeting one
of Lazarus grieving sisters He tells her, “I am the resurrection and the life,
he who believes in Me shall live even if He dies.” (verse 25). A very
strong statement considering how long Lazarus had been in the grave. But
all Jesus did was simply cry out (verse 43), “Lazarus, come forth,” and he did.
Peter witnessed first-hand someone who exercised power over death and he knew Jesus was someone worth following and listening to. In verse 45 we’re told, “Many therefore of
the Jews, who had come to Mary and beheld what He had done, believed in
Him.” What about you?
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