On the next day their rulers, and elders and scribes
gathered together in Jerusalem.
Annas, the Chief Priest
and Caiaphas,
and John
and Alexander
and others of the Chief Priest’s family,
having set them
in the middle
questioned them:
‘In what power or
in what name
do you do these things?’
Then Peter,
full of the Holy Spirit said to them:
‘Rulers of the people and elders
if we are being questioned
today
about an act of kindness
done to a sick man
by what means this one was healed
let it be known to all of you
and all the people of Israel
that in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene
whom you crucified ,
whom God raised from the dead people
by him
this one stands before you
healthy.
Keep us, O Lord, while we tarry on this earth,
in a serious seeking after thee,
and in an affectionate walking with thee,
every day of our lives;
that when thou comest,
we may be found not hiding our talent,
nor yet asleep with our lamp unfurnished,
but waiting and longing for our Lord,
our glorious King, for ever and ever.
Richard Baxter (1615-1691)