Peter

Adaptation to His Audience—With clearness and power Peter bore witness of the death and resurrection of Christ: “Ye men of Israel, hear these words:VSS 365.3

Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him ... ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that He should be holden of it.”VSS 366.1

Peter did not refer to the teachings of Christ to prove his position, because he knew that the prejudice of his hearers was so great that his words on this subject would be of no effect. Instead, he spoke to them of David, who was regarded by the Jews as one of the patriarchs of their nation.—The Acts of the Apostles, 41.VSS 366.2

Christ As His Example—This courageous defense appalled the Jewish leaders. They had supposed that the disciples would be overcome with fear and confusion when brought before the Sanhedrin. But instead, these witnesses spoke as Christ had spoken, with a convincing power that silenced their adversaries. There was no trace of fear in Peter's voice as he declared of Christ, “This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.”VSS 366.3

Peter here used a figure of speech familiar to the priests.—The Acts of the Apostles, 63, 64.VSS 366.4