A Miraculous Healing Series

Introduction

Jim Jones was the founder of the Peoples Temple, a religious movement that began as a progressive and racially integrated community in Indiana.

Eventually, Jones and his church moved to San Francisco, CA. However, as Jones's influence grew, the group became increasingly authoritarian and cult-like.

Jones promised his followers a utopia in the jungles of South America after proclaiming himself the messiah of the Peoples Temple. On November 18, 1978, Jones orchestrated a mass suicide/murder in Jonestown, Guyana, resulting in the deaths of over 900 people, including children.

Hundreds of people believed that they were following a man who was teaching them the Bible. But, tragically, they lost their lives.

The Jonestown Massacre underscores one of the greatest needs of our day and that is to know what Christianity is.

What is the message that has been given to the Church?

It is vitally imperative that we know the answer to that question. For to get the answer wrong not only can lead to an unnecessary death but it will also lead to an eternity in hell.

Luke opened his second volume, the Book of Acts, by writing that his first volume dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach (Acts 1:1). Therefore, the Book of Acts is a continuation of all that Jesus began to do and teach.

Luke wrote about the giving of the Holy Spirit and Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost when 3,000 people were converted.

Then he described that first-century church that was populated by believers who were filled with the Holy Spirit.

We read of a church that was pulsating with the life of God. Believers were studying the word of God. They were enjoying fellowship with one another. They worshipped together. They served together. And they shared the good news of the gospel with unbelievers.

As Jesus continued “to do and teach” through the believers in that first-century church, Luke gave us an illustration of that truth.

Luke shared the story of a man who was lame from birth.

In today’s lesson, we learn what Jesus did by miraculous healing through the apostles to the lame beggar.

Scripture

Let’s read Acts 3:1-10:

1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Lesson

Acts 3:1-10 shows us what Jesus did by a miraculous healing.

Let’s use the following outline:

1. The Problem That Was Presented (3:1-5)

2. The Cure That Was Offered (3:6-10)

I. The Problem That Was Presented (3:1-5)

First, let’s examine the problem that was presented.

In verse 1, we read, “Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.”

The apostles believed that Jesus was the Messiah who was promised in the Old Testament. So they naturally continued attending the prayer services at the temple.

The prayer services took place three times a day. There was one in the morning, a second in the afternoon at “the ninth hour,” which is 3 p.m., and a third one in the evening.

Scholars suggest that the afternoon prayer service was the best-attended service.

Luke said in verse 2, “And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.” Acts 4:22 states that this man was “more than forty years old.”

We are not told who carried the man. Perhaps his parents had died and so he now had to take care of himself. Regardless, day after day he was taken to the gate of the temple, where he begged for alms.