Decisions—Do you believe?
The Book of Acts is the record of the “first” experiences of the Church. We have seen the promised Holy Spirit poured out on the 120. We have studied the first Gospel sermon preached by Peter, the first invitation given, the first salvations experienced, and the first baptisms. All of this is being accomplished in and by the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the first believers.
Last week we read In Acts 2:42-43 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. As we turn our attention to the third chapter we are going to see the first detailed miracle of the early Church. I believe that Luke’s intent as he records this encounter is to shed light as to what some of these “signs and wonders” he spoke of previously actually looked like.
Acts 3:1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.
Something that’s interesting here is that Peter and John, without fear, were going to the temple at the time of prayer. It wasn’t that long ago when they were cowering behind locked doors in fear for their lives. But now, they’re walking into the temple with boldness during one of its busiest times of the day. It is 3 in the afternoon, which would have been at the 9th hour, which would also be the very hour that the Lord had died on the cross. It was the hour in which He would cry out “It is finished!” and then said into your hands I commit my Spirit.
Vs2 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. (TEMPLE PICTURE)
Our lame man came into this world without the ability to walk. His parents had probably seen his twisted and deformed little legs at his birth, and they knew that he’d never be able to run, walk, work, or play with the other children his whole life.
He didn’t have a lot of options so after he became old enough, they would carry him to the gate called Beautiful, and they would set him down in this prime spot to beg as people walked into or came out of the temple.
It wasn’t much of a life, just existing the best way he could. Acts 4:22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old. This man was over 40 years old. So, he had been doing this for a while. Today was just like any other day, and yet before it was finished it would be the best day of his life.
Vs3-5 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!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
Vs6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
Silver and gold I do not have: Peter didn’t have any money, but he did have POWER and AUTHORITY from Jesus to heal the sick (what I do have I give to you). Peter knew what it was like to have God use him to heal others because Jesus had trained him in this. Luke 9:1-6 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5 If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. (PREPARING)
For some people, to say “silver and gold I do not have” is about the worst thing that can be said. Many feel the church is in ruins if it must say “Silver and Gold I do not have.” But it is much worse if the church never has the spiritual power to say, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
What I do have I give you: He gave the lame man power in the name of Jesus, but PETER could not give it unless he had first realized it in his own life. People want to be able to say, “Rise up and walk” without having tapped into the power of Jesus to transform their own life.
“It is not the Church’s business in this world to simply make the present condition more bearable; the task of the Church is to release here on earth the redemptive work of God in Jesus Christ.”
Vs7-10 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. 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.
Peter reaches out his hand to pull up this crippled beggar. He touched the man. And something happened when he did. He could stand up. He could walk. He was completely healed!
He could enter the Temple with all those who had passed him by over the years and worship. He was healed in soul as well as body. In Jesus’ ministry, some he healed never returned to give thanks. (Luke 17 10 Lepers) Not this man. When he was healed in Jesus’ name, he went in to worship, jumping, leaping for joy, and praising God.
He was no longer the beggar at the gate. He had a new identity. Now he was the one God had delivered.
This wasn’t something Peter did on a whim or as a promotional event; he did it under the specific prompting of the Holy Spirit. God gave Peter the supernatural ability to trust Him for something entirely out of the ordinary.
We know this man was more than 40 years old and had been crippled since birth. He was a familiar sight at this temple gate. Therefore, Jesus must have passed him by many times without healing him.
Jesus didn’t heal this man because God’s timing is just as important as His will, and it was for the greater glory of God that Jesus heal this man from heaven through His apostles.
Acts 3:16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.
Peter said that it was by faith in the name of Jesus that this man has been made whole. Peter offers this man an opportunity, and in his desperation, he takes it. We see here two desperate people, one desperate to offer Jesus and one desperate to receive Him.
This is what the Church is all about. This is why we pray for the people on our prayer list. It’s why God calls people to come down front for prayer, so the healing, delivering, victory-giving name of Jesus Christ can be spoken and placed within our hearts and lives, making us whole as God intended us to be.
Matthew 11:28-29 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Struggles, stresses, strongholds, the burden of a loved one
Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Nehemiah 8:10 “…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Psalms 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Isaiah 43:19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Brother, sister, this is the great word we have to declare today: “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”**
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