The Bold Wittness in Jerusalem

INTRODUCTION

At the end of chapter 2, Luke writes about how many signs and wonders had already been performed by the Apostles. Such miracles caused everyone to be filled with awe. Have you ever stood in awe at something that God has done?

At the end of chapter 2, we also recorded that the apostles were daily going up to the Temple. They had favor with God, and he was adding to their daily number of saved people. This was one continuous revival taking place in Jerusalem.

PETER AND JOHN WERE GOING UP AT 3 IN THE AFTERNOON TO PRAY

There was a consistent regular rhythm of praying 3 times a day with the early believers. What is your rhythm of prayer like?

Acts 3:1–10 ESV

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.

This is the first Apostolic miracle we have recorded in the New Testament after Jesus left Earth.

Up to this point the focus has been on Peter but now Luke adds John the son of Zebedee to the mix. Notice that it says they were going up indicating a past action that would have been a regular occurrence for the apostles.

Peter and John were a part of Jesus inner circle.

They were with him at the transfiguration.

They were instructed to prepare the pass-over meal.

Jesus took Peter and John with Him to the garden of Gethsemane.

They were with him at the healing of Jariah’s daughter.

Peter and John clearly were pillars in the early church. History shows that John was the father of the early church in Jerusalem. The apostles continued the task of going out two by two.

The apostles were clearly still hanging out in Jerusalem, seeking the multitude still gathered from the Passover. Imagine the follow-up that must have been taking place with 3,000 souls who came to know the Lord.

According to the Talmud people offered prayers 3 times a day in the temple. We read in the story of Daniel that he was going into his prayer room three times a day to pray.

The Shrewd Beggar

In Jesus' day, those born with physical afflictions were brought to public places to beg for alms or money. We read of an incident in John 9, where a man born blind was brought to beg. We read about a paralyzed man who was lowered through a roof because the crowd was so thick they had to go to extreme measures to get him to Jesus. (Mark 2:3-11; Luke 5:17-39).

Now we read about this man who had to be carried to the gate to beg. This was a shrewd and bold place for him to be laid. It is a very visible location, and at the time he was laid there, he must have known that people were going to pray. Perhaps people would feel more benevolent and merciful during a time of prayer.

Alms-giving was an act expected in Judaism. This is a responsibility that they all took very seriously.

Because Luke names it ‘the Beautiful Gate’, it is probably the one made of Corinthian brass which Josephus said ‘greatly excelled those that were only covered over with silver and gold’.

It was about seventy-five feet high and had huge double doors. But at the foot of this magnificent gate the cripple sat begging.

The man in view here is not simply broke; he is broken (his problem was not primarily financial)

To make matters worse, he is more than 40 years old, which during this time period was considered old.

Peter and John Directed their Gaze at him and insisted that he turn his gaze toward them

As Peter and John are entering the man calls out to them for money. There is nothing to indicate that the beggar had any idea who he was calling out to for help. He expected that when they are asked they will feel compelled to show mercy. While the gaze was shifted to the apostles, what they really were doing was shifting his gaze off of his affliction and onto Jesus.

It would appear at first glance that Peter and John initially had not planned on performing a miracle. However, they listened to the Holy Spirit to determine whether the man had faith.

“Look at us” was the first command. This is an individual call for the man to focus on the one who will bring ultimate healing to his body.

Picture the man sitting below the beautiful gate and Peter responding that they had no silver or gold to offer him, but what I do have, I give to you.

The direction of the gift is clearly stated as coming from Jesus of Nazareth.

Now we see the focus off of the multitudes he has been preaching, turning towards the individual.

Here is the Big Idea of the Witness in Jerusalem.

BIG IDEA: Jesus is the Focus of our Boldness

1. The Wonder of our Healing

(a). The Wonder happens when we Recognize our Great Need

He was desperate for healing healing. (he had been waiting over 40 years; this intensifies it)

He was calling out for help. (the call was for monetary gain)

He lived his life in a constant state of need. (The man saw his needy state)

What is the Cultural connection Today

People do not see their desperate need for healing. (People want a quick fix)

People are not calling out for help in the right places. (Like the beggar, we are looking for a social fix)

People do not lives their life recognizing their needs. (People see the physical not the spiritual)

Sometimes, we assume that Jesus was all about the multitudes; however, this was not the case. Much of Jesus' ministry was spent focusing on the individual. (look at the case studies below)

(1) Jesus meets Peter and John at the fishing boats. (he goes to where they are)

(2) Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well. (he should not have been there to begin with)

(3) Jesus meets Zacheus at a tree. (the crowds were all around Jesus, but he went to the man)

(4) Jesus heals Jairus’s daughter without the multitudes around. (he chose to bring healing away from the crowds)

(5) The invalid at the pool of Bethesda (Jesus went to where this man was; he did not even know who had healed him)

(b). The Wonder happens when we go to the One.

“Notice that the apostles did not stand back and watch the man struggle to his feet, he leaned forward, and took him by the hand and helped him to his feet.”

It is possible to come to church every Sunday and miss the hurting and desperate people sitting right next to us. The problem is that most people do not want to get involved in the messy.

It was not a gesture of unbelief but one of care and concern. It would have been something that Peter saw Jesus do when he healed Jairus’s daughter who Jesus offered his hand to when he healed here.

Then Luke goes into a description of his ankles and legs immediately being strengthened.

So strong and agile that he was able to jump and leap praising God.

(c). The Wonder happens in the continued Healing

This is not a one-and-done thing!

The verb for Leaping:

It is used in the present middle form of the verb indicating a continuous or continual action. This is almost an involuntary reaction to the healing. When someone truly experiences the healing that Jesus brings it a continual and ongoing process of healing in our lives.

Consider, the woman at the well, when she was offered the living water and immediately left her water jars behind to go and tell the village about Jesus and what He had done for her.

When Zacheus experienced Jesus' healing, he immediately professed that he would not only give back all of the money he had extorted from people but also give it back with interest.

All of the people saw him and knew that he was the one who sat at the Beautiful gate begging, day in, and day out.

What should be our response when we come in contact with the healing power of Jesus?

Is it one of amazement, wonder, or one of increased boldness and action?

It says that there response was one of wonder and amazement. This is absolutely an appropriate response to the miracles of God, however, for many people that is where it stays. They stand in awe and wonder, however, this awe and wonder is intended to move them to action and boldness.

OBSERVATION

It was easy to see the miracle that had taken place. The text continues to point to the observable result and reaction of the people—all who were there to witness the main's transformation. We get this from the phrase “all the people.” People's response to what had happened physically to the man occurs eight times in this chapter.

Acts 3:11–26 ESV

11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. 17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”

THE EXPLANATION OF THE MIRACLE

Two denials:

Peter denies that any part of the miracle had to do with witchcraft, magic, or sorcery. “Why are you looking at me, I am not some kind of wizard.” (note: the man is still holding onto Peter)

Peter denies the worthiness of either the healer or the healed man. (the miracle could not be attributed to Peter’s power or godliness. If God uses a person to heal it is never the healer who receives the glory)

False Ideas about Healing Faith

Some assume that the reason God has not chosen to heal them yet is due to a sense of not being worthy enough for healing. Some think God does not answer their prayers for someone else to be healed because their prayers are not perfect enough to merit his attention. Peter makes it clear that the miracle came because the all mighty God chose to intervene in this many’s situation. It had nothing to do with the worthiness, or amount of faith this man had to be healed. It was Peter’s faith not this man’s; there is no reason in the text to think he was believing when Peter spoke to him.

Jesus is on His throne ruling and reigning, and he can decide to intervene when he decides to intervene as He pleases. Later in chapter 4 the prayer of response identifies the sovereignty of God at play in this man’s healing.

Note: Luke tells us in verse 2 that the man had been laid daily at the gate. So Peter had most likely passed this man many times before without healing him. But today, when he looked at him, something happened. What? The faith to heal him came through Jesus. The Living Spirit did something for Peter and he knew this was the day.

2. The Word of our Healing

The primary purpose for Jesus heal people was to draw their focus and attention back to the cross and God’s glory.

“The faith through Jesus [not in Jesus!] has given this man perfect health.” Jesus gave the faith to heal, and Peter acted on it. (“Jesus’ Name Made This Man Strong”) not necessarily this mains faith in Peter and John to heal him.

Note: Peter responds in his sermon that God has already sent the ultimate healer, Jesus Christ, speaking of the God of the promise through the nation's patriarchs.  However, the mob delivered Him up to be crucified.

Peter concludes that they are all witnesses now to His great power to heal.

Might God decide to do something like this among us today? Sure. I think apostolic miracles were unique in number and nature, but I know God still does miracles through his people in particular moments for his own purposes.

In 1 Corinthians 12:9–10 Paul lists these three gifts together—faith, healing, and miracles. Where do we most often see these gifts on display today? Certainly one place is within the prayer ministry of the church. James writes,

Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (Jas 5:14–15)

Note: Jesus points them back to the author of Life as the one who holds the power of Healing in his hands.

What happens when we pray for healing, and the person is not healed?

I am confident that the apostles prayed many times for healing that did not happen. We must also remember that Jesus did not heal everyone while he was here. It does not mean one person is more worthy of healing than another.

We read that this man was at the gate everyday for all of his life. Would it not be possible that Jesus saw the lame man. He could have always missed him because of a sequence of events.

Or maybe the Savior saw the man and realized he was not yet receptive to the Gospel message.

Maybe Jesus saw this man and thought, “Well, I better leave someone for my disciples to heal once I’m gone.”

We read in

Matthew 9:35 says that Jesus went about the cities and villages, teaching, preaching, and healing every sickness and disease.

From this, we might get the idea that Jesus healed everyone. However in Mark 6:1- 6, we see him come into his hometown, and it is a very different story.

Mark 6:4–6 ESV

4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” 5 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching.

So, is it possible that Jesus was somehow incapacitated by their unbelief to heal people, because of their lack of faith? Of Course not.

Jesus came to heal the sick, among other things. I believe that Jesus could have even done mighty works there just like he could have called 12 legions of angels to rescue him from the cross (Mark 26:53). But, Jesus never acted apart from the instructions given by His heavenly Father. He prayed, “not my will, but yours be done.”

He did not perform mighty works because God did not direct Him to do so. Jesus said “I can do nothing own my own apart from God, because He seeks not his own will, but the will of the Father… (John 5:30).

So, it appears it may have been a good thing that Jesus did not heal everyone. Otherwise, his commissioning of the Apostles to preach the gospel and heal the sick would have failed. There would have been no one left to heal. They had to prove the truth of who Jesus was.

(a). The word of the healing points to the Subject of our healing

God is not limited by our unbelief.

He alone provides the source of ultimate life and healing.

It would be ridiculous to believe that God is not big enough or powerful enough to work through our unbelief. The faith that produces life in us does not come from ourselves. Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God.” Faith is what God produces in you to bring you to the place of belief, or saving faith.

Peter absolutely denies the worthiness of either the healer or the healed man.

Story of Costi Hinn

Costi is Benny Hinn the famous faith healers nephew. During Costi’s early years he used to follow his uncle around the world to his supposed faith healing events. He had completely bought into the lie that was fed to him by his family. Costi had girl friend in high school who was diagnosed with cancer.

Costi begged for his uncle go to the hospital and heal her. His response to his nephew when asked to go to the hospital was, those people do not have enough faith therefore, I cannot go and heal them. The questions is does anyone truly have complete faith apart from Christ and His spirit living inside of us. No, it is the Spirit of God that produces such incredible faith.

(b). The word of our healing points to the Kingdom of our Healing.

In verse 21, Peter reminds us that the day of complete restoration is coming in the eternal kingdom, the day when all things will be restored.

This man is a great picture of the coming kingdom that is promised.

Isaiah 35:6 ESV

6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert;

Many think Jesus is like other religious teachers. They thus think of him as a historical figure to be studied, like one of the many presidents whose contributions are summarized in a United States history textbook.

While an understanding like that might lead a few to honor Jesus by chiseling his likeness on Mount Rushmore, it completely misses the truth that he’s in a class by himself. Peter rightly says there’s Jesus, and then there’s everyone else—including all other religious leaders.

(c). The word of our healing points to the unshakable Hope of our Healing.

This is similar to the ending of Peter’s first sermon in Jerusalem. He is pleading with people to repent and enjoy the hope of Christ’s power to restore what is broken. He is the cornerstone of our healing.

3. The Boldness of our Healing

Show video from the martyrs 2024

“We are not all called to die a Martyr’s death, but we are all called to live a martyr’s life.”

2 Timothy 3:12 “All who seek to live the Christian life will experience persecution.”

Acts 4:1–4 ESV

1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

Peter and John are now greatly annoyed at what Peter is preaching about following the healing. The apostles were not preaching rules; they were preaching about the resurrection of Christ from the dead.

(a) The Boldness of our healing is an Exclusive Message.

Acts 4:11–12 ESV

11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

In the post-Christian culture we live in anytime that you bring the name of Jesus Christ into the conversation as the exclusive and only way to true healing and hope for life you will become enemy #1.

The Next Day

The Apostles were brought before the rulers, elders, and scribes of Jerusalem. They were asked one simple question, “by what power did you do this?” Peter filled with the Holy Spirit gave the exclusive, narrow way that leads to healing and life.

The gospel is absolutely incompatible with:

Universalism: which says (In the end, all will be saved)

Inclusivism: (In the end, some who are ignorant of Jesus but who responded to “the light they have received will be saved”).

No matter what you may have heard from many modern teachers today, the early church took the exclusive nature of Christ very seriously.

1). To say that there is another way to God is unloving because it is simply a lie straight from the pits of hell. (the lie from the garden, did God say that).

2). To say that there is another way is degrading and disrespectful to Jesus. It suggests that he did not have to die on he cross.

The world today stands Paralyzed Before the Evidence that demands a verdict......

vs. 13-18

Here is the problem the Jerusalem counsel finds themselves in: They cannot refute the evidence of the healing. The man is standing in front of them, clinging to Peter. What can they say?

Now, there are another 5,000 converts who believe. However, they cannot have their authority challenged or come back and say that Jesus was the Messiah after orchestrating His death.

These men act out of fear for their own futures rather than out of fear of God.

(b) The boldness of our healing is a God fearing message.

Do you fear God or man more?

Matthew 10:28 ESV

28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

NASB “We cannot stop speaking of what we have seen and heard.” (this shows the fear of God over man)

*You Obey the one you Fear

The person whose reward of approval we desire the most - and whose curse of disapproval we most fear to receive - is the person(s) we will obey, our functional god. That is why the Bible so often commands us to “fear the Lord.”

Confess your fear of man

Question your fear of man

Confront your fear of man

CLOSING

The Prayer for Boldness

The prayer of Boldness is focused on Mission success not Comfort.

During this moment, notice that the people prayed for boldness and perseverance rather than comfort. They knew that Jesus was worth the sacrifice.

Could it be that our prayers are more about maintaining or enhancing our comfort than about asking that God’s greater glory be displayed?

God’s answer to their prayer caused the place where they were praying to shake, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Do you want to experience an earth-shaking, life-changing prayer with God? Pray for Boldness to carry out the mission He has called you to fulfill for His glory alone.

We only live a several-hour plane ride away from people who are being killed for their bold faith in Jesus. Yet our lives are paralyzed by fear at the thought of sharing the gospel here in our land of freedoms. This should make us ask. Why do we not see a move of the Spirit like in Acts?

Could we have become more concerned about our social standing or reputation than Christ and His mission? Are we more interested in accumulating more toys and gadgets to feed our addictions than seeing the mercy of Christ being powerfully proclaimed to and embraced by our neighbors?