Last week, we began the conversation about what gives us meaning in this life and I suggested that is a mute point for those who call themselves Christian because if we believe that Christ came, died and rose again then we must also live it. To live out this belief we are called to become a witness for Christ. An impossible role without the power of God offered through the Holy Spirit. I then invited everyone to commit or re-commit their life to Him through the acceptance of the Holy Spirit. The hope was for a fresh anointing on our community - an anointing on the scale of what happened in Jerusalem when the gift of the Holy Spirit arrived. The second chapter of the book of Acts describes this amazing event when the Spirit of God was no longer offered just to prophets but to everyone. The cliff notes for the chapter go like this: The Holy spirit breaks into the community with a large audible gust. All the disciples present in the upper room begin to talk in a new language. The ruckus gets the town in an uproar and Peter seeing what is taking place begins to preaching some hell and brimstone to which the people respond. The community is now formed and God adds to their tribe every day. We talk about this every year when we celebrate Pentecost so I encourage you to read chapter two this week as a refresher.
This week we will begin in the third chapter of Acts. If you have your bible with you this week, or a bible app or grab the bible in front of you in the seat back, let’s turn to ACTS chapter 3 and begin in the first verse. As you’re turning to the scripture, let e give you’re a little background before I once again do a little old school teaching with you. The book of Acts was originally called the Acts of the Apostles because of all the amazing sign acts which took place in the early church. The book was written by a doctor who was also a great story teller by the name of Luke. This is the same Luke who wrote the gospel which bears his name. The book itself is dated between 63-70 AD. It explains the amazing growth of the church and the issues that developed but didn’t destroy it. The book is a history lesson of colliding relationships (the new Christians, the Jews and the Gentiles) which would challenge the new movement of God. Let's begin.
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.
v. 1 the new Christ followers still considered themselves faithful Jews. They continued to head to temple for the traditional prayer times at 9am, 3pm and sunset. Eventually, they would be expelled but for the moment they were still accepted.
2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.
v.2 It was common practice to lay the disabled at the gates for the people to see and have pity on. Many a Jew would give to those in need for the same reasons you might give to the person at the train station or in the intersection holding a sign asking for help.
When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!”
v.3-4 In my mind from the movies I see Jack Nicholson here playing Peter, “Look at us! Look at us! Can you handle the truth?!” It’s a moment of clarification to blot out the rest of the surrounding distractions. He was after all on the street leading into the city. It’s at a busy intersection of humanity.
5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
v.5-6 The disabled man’s attention is full engaged now and Peter performs a miracle in Christ’s name. The prior mention of John’s presence becomes clear. In the culture of that day, a truth needed a verifying witness to give credibility to the account. Remember who this was. It’s impetuous Peter the one who lacked faith, the one Christ would restore and the one who would doubt. It’s a moment which further defines Peter’s leadership. He was the first preacher in Acts 2 and the first of the apostles to perform a miracle. The results of his actions are now becoming well known.
7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
v.7-8 The description of the moment of healing creates a lot of thought. I wondered for a little while this week why God would have worded the scripture the way he did. The scripture explains the way the man sprang to his feet. It was through a hand extended to the beggar and then Peter’s on going assistance until the man is stable and the healing has fully taken place. The image of a Christian miracle process is not unique. It entails:
a) The power of God through the Holy Spirit being accepted, trusted and ready to be deployed (empowered)
b) The desire by both parties of the ability of God to change a situation which seems hopeless (desired)
c) A hand extended to lift up and then used to provide stability (extended)
d) Finally, after the healing has taken place, it is not the healer who takes the credit or shares the result with others; it’s the person or situation that is healed. (Praised)
9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
v.9-10 The result of every miracle moment is the joy and praise for God who performed the miracle through the power of the Holy Spirit using Peter as the delivery vehicle. Secondarily, a true miracle creates a communication buzz which glorifies God’s restorative power and love for all things lost or broken.
11 While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.
V.11 An excitement so powerful it once again attracts others. No Facebook or tweet or Instagram alert needed. The area was suddenly filled with onlookers. It was worse than an accident on I-90 at rush hour.
The rest of this chapter is a second preaching event by Peter who is letting it once again fly. This time he is in the temple area and the core message is repent of the rejection of Jesus as Messiah. He brings core message:”repent, receive, refresh and restore.”
a) Repent of your sins
b) Receive the Holy Spirit and his power
c) Be Refreshed in the knowledge of the Messiah’s coming, the power of the Holy Spirit, the forgiveness of sins and His assured return!
d) Restore (v.21) – The day is coming when God will come again in the establishment of His kingdom will restore (heal) the earth to a pre-Adam and Eve state (Romans 8:20-21)
So what are the practical lessons, we need to take from this chapter of text for our lives as witnesses.
1) God’s has the power and he has given it to all his followers
2) We access the power when we are made right with God through our requesting of the forgiveness of sins
3) Our role is then to look for others to help, offer the help, establish a lifeline to the person is stable
4) Instruct and give credit to God’s Spirit when others recognize the change
5) Share the message of the moments of repentance, the receiving the power, the refreshing ones life and finally the restoration displayed through His presence with us.
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