Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, (9) If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; (10) 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. (11) This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. (12) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
What a blessed discourse is here! Behold, Reader, the wonderful effects of the Spirit's influence. This is the same Apostle, whose timidity was such, when only confronted by a poor servant maid, that he was tempted to deny his Lord; and now, boldly chargeth the whole Jewish Council with the murder of Christ. Can your heart desire a more decisive proof, that the change was wrought by God the Holy Ghost? See that Scripture, of Jesus's promise, Mark 13:11. And observe how the Apostle, by that sweet figure of the Stone, Jehovah promised to lay in Zion, would lead them to their own Scriptures, in confirmation of the truth as it is in Jesus. See Isaiah 2:16; Matthew 21:42; Psalms 118:23. And observe how the Apostle intimates, by declaring that there is salvation in no other, that their rejection of Jesus will bring on, and fulfill, that other Scripture, to the same amount, where the Prophet declares, that he shall be a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence to both houses of Israel, Isaiah 8:14. Blessed Lord Jesus! do I not daily see thy solemn words concerning this Stone fulfilled? Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder, Matthew 21:44. Lord Jesus! do thou grant to my poor soul, that while thou art still a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, to many who call themselves Christians, after the holy Name, but have never felt the power of thy holy Spirit, teaching them the plague of their own heart; I may be enabled by thy grace, to build my whole hopes of salvation on thee, the Rock of ages: convinced, most fully convinced, that there is salvation in no other; neither any other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved!