How will we win friends today? Dale Carnegie wrote an influential book called, How to Win Friends and Influence People. In fairness to Peter, the book had not yet been written when he answered the high priest’s accusation. Every time the apostles preached about the crucifixion and resurrection, they irritated the religious authorities who had sought Jesus’ death.
Peter’s response was not designed to soften his previous words. God raised Jesus from the dead, “whom you killed by hanging him on a cross.” Here is the line of the conversation. The high priest said, “Stop blaming us for Jesus’ blood.” Peter answered, “Well you killed him.” This did not assuage the anger of the one who was judging Peter. At no point did Peter let them off the hook.
Guilt is not the point. Peter did not desire to leave the high priest in his guilt. The rest of the story is so powerful. God exalted Jesus to his right hand as Prince and Savior. Here is hope: we may repent and find forgiveness. Peter had denied Jesus, but he had repented and found forgiveness. So could the high priest. So may we. Will we? So may our neighbors. Are we witnesses? God has given us the Holy Spirit to empower us to share Jesus. Our goal is not to win their admiration, but their souls.
