“Acts 3:1-11”

Saturday, December 19, 2015

“Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms. But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, ‘Look at us!’ And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, ‘I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!’ And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God; and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.While he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the so-called portico of Solomon, full of amazement.”

---End of Scripture verses---

Acts 1:43 tells us, “Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.” In today’s reading we see the first of these awe-inspiring miracles that was actually recorded for posterity. Undoubtedly Peter and John felt a sense of pity on this poor lame beggar who had been laid at the temple gate every day of his adult life. When his legs were healed he most certainly was able to live a much fuller and more meaningful life. But let’s notice the details of this account to learn the greater importance of this miracle and the ultimate reason why it, and all miracles were performed.

First of all it is noted that when John and Peter went to the temple that it was the hour of prayer (verse 1). That's a very significant detail. This tells us that there were numerous people present, going up to the temple to pray at that common, appointed time of night. Secondly, it is said that this man had been lame since birth (verse 2). This point coupled with the fact that he was laid at the Beautiful Gate every day informs us that nearly everyone would have recognized him and would have know without doubt that he could not walk. Most of them knew he had never been able to walk. So in other words, the amazing thing that happened to this man at the hands of the apostles was an undeniable miracle witnessed by likely hundreds of credible witnesses. Compare these facts to the fabricated setups of the so-called miracle workers of today.

Now please try to imagine this remarkable scene in your mind to catch the essence of it. Peter tells a man that had never been able to walk in his life, “In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene — walk!” (verse 6). He reaches down and grabs him and he leaps into an upright position and begins to walk (verses 7-8). They enter the temple together in the quiet of the evening at the solemn hour of prayer and this man is “walking leaping and praising God” (verse 8). What a commotion this jubilant man was making in the Lord’s temple! As you would expect, the crowd was “taking note of him” and “they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him” (verse 10).

Okay, now the apostles had the undivided attention of a primed, receptive group of potential coverts. Peter used that opportunity to preach another sermon about Jesus to the Jews and proselytes who were gathered together in Jerusalem at that time. After he did that, more than two thousand people believed in Jesus and obeyed the gospel, and were saved and added to His church (4:4). Friends, this is the very reason that God used certain people for a limited period of time to perform miracles. Miracles were performed so that people would believe in Jesus and accept the eternal life that only He offers (John 20:30-31).

Miracles were performed to confirm the message of salvation. Consider what is written in Hebrews 2:1-4: “For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.”

Please read Acts 3:12-26 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

- Louie Taylor

Share