Acts Chapter 3:
- The Setting - Acts 3:1-5. The chapter takes place in the late afternoon at 3 pm, the time of the evening sacrifice. Peter and John are headed to the temple for prayer and worship and on the way they see a lame man who has been lame since birth collecting alms at the Beautiful gate. He asks Peter and John for money and Peter and John respond.
What we learn from this setting is that prayer and worship were important. We also see their attentiveness to the hurting as an example for ourselves.
- The Miracle - Acts 3:6-11. Peter responds to the lame man, "silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Peter takes the lame man's hand and helps him up. Right away the man's feet and ankles became strong and he jumps to his feet and walks. He goes with them into the Temple courts jumping and praising God. People see the lame man walking and are filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. They all begin to gather at Solomon's Colonnade.
The word that's translated "jumping" is the very word in the book of Isaiah about what will happen when the Savior comes. See Isaiah 35:6.
What do we learn from the miracle? We see humility before God from Peter and John and they took no credit for the healing. They also spoke healing in the name of Jesus. Additionally, we see the power of Jesus' name. Jesus' name has the power to restore the broken and bitter, to break the chains of bondage, to transform minds and hearts. Jesus' name is powerful then and now.
- The Message - Act 3:12-26. Peter tells the crowd it was not by their own power or godliness that made the man walk but that it was Jesus. He tells them how they had disowned Jesus, plotted to murder Him and then crucified Him. Peter goes on to tell of Jesus' resurrection and how they were witnesses. Peter also tells of Jesus' authority. Peter goes on to tell them that he understands that they acted against Jesus in ignorance and that it is how God fulfilled what He had foretold through the prophets - in saying that the Messiah would suffer. Then Peter calls them to repent and turn to God so that their sins would be forgiven. He calls them to turn to Jesus and prepare for the Second Coming, and calls them to a life-defining moment because God desires a change of heart.
What do we learn from Peter's message? We learn again of John and Peter's humility before God - taking no credit for the healing. They proclaimed Jesus to the crowd and the importance of knowing why He came and what He did for each one of us. Peter shares what the Scriptures tell us and how they point to Jesus as the fulfillment. Lastly, we see the call to repentance. Repentance is not a one time event, we are called to live a repentant life and to daily turn our hearts over to God.
This week's READING ASSIGNMENT:
Acts chapter 3 (if you want to read ahead, read chapter 4 as well)
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