Writing My Story

Acts 3

We are taking a journey through the Book of Acts and looking at how the Church began. In the first two chapters we have seen how God transformed the apostles from being a terrified handful of people hiding with little to no hope, to being a powerful force witnessing to thousands of people about Jesus as the Messiah and His mercy and saving grace.

After Jesus rose from the grave, He spent time with the disciples, teaching them and preparing them for what was to come. For 40 days had a one on one with Him as they experienced His transformative preparation. Afterward their mission was clear. They were no longer hiding in fear, instead they began patiently waiting. Their mission would begin in Jerusalem and spread across the entire world.

After a few more days of waiting, Pentecost arrived. This celebration happens 50 days after Passover. On Pentecost, the promised Holy Spirit was given to them as God gave them His words. We said that God gave the disciples His spoken Word through His Spirit in order to Proclaim God’s Word. A few months ago we talked about Mount Sinai and how it was like a marriage ceremony where God called His people to Himself in an invitation to partner with Him. This moment on Pentecost mirrored Sinai as God invited His people into a new dynamic with Him, to be bonded with Him by His Spirit. A fulfillment of the spiritual marriage ceremony that He began so long ago.

Last week was exciting! Something new was happening! There was a lot of scripture being referenced and fulfilled! Today is like the day after the party. The Monday after the weekend. It may not be as exciting, but it is just as important. Today we are going to see the first day of work through the eyes of Peter. Even though after reading about Pentecost in chapter two this story may seem a little mundane, there is a lot going on here. Between Peter’s spur of the moment preaching and Luke’s story telling, we can see several connections to the Old Testament if we just look.

Those kind of connections would have been important for the Jewish readers in the early days of the church. For us, they are important too, but probably pack a little less punch. However, another connection is happening in this moment. Peter’s actions and the story as a whole up to this point is a powerful presentation that mirrors Jesus’ ministry. This means two things for God’s Church. First, it shows us that Peter and the disciples are picking up the mantle of Jesus. Jesus’ followers are continuing what He began.

Second, it shows us the most important thing about the Book of Acts. What have we been calling the Book of Acts in this study? Instead of “The Acts of the Apostles,” we are calling it, “The Acts of Jesus through the Holy Spirit.” Through this story and Peter’s own words, Luke is showing us that Jesus is still at work. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus is still walking the earth in a powerful way.

In fact, now it’s better! Before, Jesus was in one place. There are multiple stories in the Gospels where Jesus wasn’t in a specific place and the people would say, “If you had have been here…” Now, Jesus’ power and presence has greatly increased. Through the Holy Spirit and His followers, His personal interactivity has expanded. Let’s pray and then we will see what happens next in chapter 3…

Pray

As we just briefly reviewed, Jesus came to the disciples, spent time with them, taught them, and then sent them on a mission. We talked about that in week one and titled it, “Empowered by the Holy Spirit.” Then, in a spectacular display of power the disciples were given the Holy Spirit and began to preach bringing thousands into the fold. We talked about that in week two and called it, “Baptized with Fire.”

Obviously, the mission has began! It’s getting exciting. It’s time to go to work! So, clearly the first thing the disciples are going to do is run straight into battle, preach up and down the streets, host huge gatherings and build mega churches all over Jerusalem until they cover the entire globe. Right? You might think that is the plan. Three thousand people came to Jesus in one day, and they didn’t even pass out flyers or invite people by word of mouth!

Chapter 3 paints a different picture though. I’m calling it, “Writing My Story.” It will make more sense by the end, but in chapter three it almost sounds as if the disciples were pretty much living life like normal. They didn’t abandon Jewish Temple life to start up these new home churches, in fact they were still going to the temple at the time of prayer. They didn’t even initiate the encounter between the guy in this next story. It even appears that the only reason they preached to the people here is because he dragged them into it!

Acts 3:1–3 NIV

1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 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. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.

I think this is an interesting note. Peter and John didn’t initiate the conversation here. Why? I don’t know, but what it says to me is that they were simply carrying on with their day when God interrupted them with a person who He wanted them to speak to. If you are taking notes, this brings us to our first thought…

God wants to interrupt you with someone who needs to experience His presence.

I used the word presence here because there is something interesting happening in this story and we need to slow down a little bit to catch it. Notice that this man was being carried to the temple gate every day to beg. Why this gate? Why not inside? According to the law, no one with physical defects could enter the assembly of the Lord. So this man was only allowed as far as the gate. He was not allowed inside. Symbolically, he was not allowed any closer to God. The gate separated the Court of the Women from the inner courts where the main worship area was. So again, this man had no way of worshipping in God’s house like the rest of the Jewish men.

Why this gate? This specific gate was called the “Beautiful Gate” because it was more beautiful than any other gate. It sounds obvious when you say it out loud. One reason was because it was made of Corinthian bronze. The other gates were overlaid with gold and silver, but even so it was more beautiful. Is it important? Maybe not, but I think it informs Peter’s response...

Acts 3:6 NIV

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.”

It is interesting to note that Peter did NOT say, “I don’t have a single denarius or shekel. Sorry, I don’t have any money on me, but here is my card. On the back is a track to salvation!” He specifically said, “silver or gold I do not have.” Maybe it’s just flavor, maybe it’s coincidence, or perhaps Peter learned a teaching technique from Jesus! Today we have power points, slide shows, pictures, video, text on the screen, and so on. When Jesus, and apparently now Peter, taught a lesson, they would use their environment as teaching and illustration aids. Effectively, Peter could be saying, “I don’t have gold or silver, just as this gate has no gold or silver, yet, like the gate, what I can offer is access to the Father.”

As of Friday, silver is worth $36.31 per ounce. Gold is worth $3,361.20 per ounce. As the kids say these days, “That’s a lot of nuts!”

You have something even more precious. More valuable than gold or silver. Jesus wants to connect with someone that you will encounter. The Holy Spirit will interrupt you as you cross paths so they may experience His presence.

This story is a lot like what happened to Jesus just after He began His ministry. I’ll just summarize it, but if you want to study it further you can find it in Luke 5:17-26.

Luke 5:17-26

Jesus was teaching when suddenly a paralyzed man was lowered through the roof on a mat in front of Jesus. In both cases, there is a lame man who was given something greater than what he was asking. In both cases they were healed, got on their feet, and praised God. This is some of the imagery I mentioned at the outset where we are to see Peter and the disciples stepping into the role that Jesus began. They are, not only carrying forward with His teaching, but this also shows us how Jesus is carrying on with His work through the spirit. The key here is how they performed this miracle “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,” and Peter will solidify that further later. Let’s keep reading and see how this man praises God…

Acts 3:8–10 NIV

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.

The first place he went was into the temple courts, where he wasn’t allowed to go before! Jumping around and praising God the whole time! How did the people react? They were amazed!

This part of the scripture probably excites me the most. Have you ever sat down with someone and tried to have an intelligent conversation about a disagreement you have about God or scripture? There is one memory that haunts me still today. When I was younger my family hosted a few exchange students. I remember one of our exchange students was… interesting. She didn’t believe in God and she came from a culture that was very strongly not religious. One day she asked me a couple of questions about why we go to church, so I decided to help her understand that God loves her and wants to have a relationship with her.

It didn’t go well. I am not good at that kind of thing. I don’t ever want to miss-quote scripture, so I tend to freeze up when someone asks me something because I can also never quote verses word for word. Needless to say that conversation went NOWHERE. Over time, I realized something though. That type of conversation isn’t what I was created for. I realized it because that is also not how I learn things. I learn by doing. Even though my dad wasn’t perfect, I learned as much or more from watching and doing things like he did them than I could have ever learned from a book or from someone yapping at me.

For many people, it is the same thing when it comes to being drawn to God. Some people are like me and respond better to seeing and hearing someone’s excitement about what God is doing in THEIR life, rather than the facts that can be written on paper in a pro’s and con’s list. For our notes, we could say it this way…

Our excitement for God draws people, but it is God who amazes them.

Paul had a similar thought when facing a different problem with the Corinthian church. This is what he wrote…

1 Corinthians 3:6–7 NIV

6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

The people in the temple were amazed because this man was suddenly, not only walking, but jumping and praising God! It was a miracle! These were devout Jews, so they were probably familiar with Isaiah 35, and right here in the temple they are seeing God’s word come to life! The specific verse says…

Isaiah 35:6 NIV

6 Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy…

A deer just ran into the temple! His excitement was drawing the people. But Peter had to step in and explain to them that their amazement wasn’t because of the disciples, it was because of what Jesus had done...

Acts 3:11–16 NIV

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. 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?… 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.

Our excitement for God draws people, but it is God who amazes them. After reading verse 16, Nate Sala summarized it this way…

Jesus’ power, presence, and authority is actively moving through the faith of His followers and transforming the lives of those who call upon Him.

At this point in the story, Peter and John are being interrupted for a second time. It is possible, and even likely that the whole reason they are there is to preach to the crowd of people. However, we have already seen that it was the beggar who stopped them at the gate. Next, in his excitement, the beggar dragged them into the temple with him. The NIV says that he held on to Peter and John, but the Greek word used implies that he captured them or detained them, similar to someone being held in handcuffs! Whether or not they came here to preach, this man was interrupting their day!

Yet they were prepared. When he stopped them at the gate, they shared Jesus with him. When he pulled them into the astonished crowd, they were prepared. They began to share about Jesus with the crowd, and they didn’t hold back. They immediately set into them and said, “God healed this guy through Jesus, the Messiah who He sent to heal and set the whole world free, and two months ago… YOU killed Jesus.”

Peter also called Jesus, “The author of life.” You killed the author of life. You had a choice, release a murderer or release the Holy and Righteous One… But God raised Him from the dead and He just now healed this guy. His speech may not have been as eloquent as it was on Pentecost, but it was to the point and his message was clear…

We have all tried to write our own story and failed, but God is the Author of Life who will erase your sins if you turn to Him.

I love the imagery Peter is creating here. In this entire chapter, Peter is referencing imagery from scripture, especially from Isaiah, he is using his surroundings to create imagery, and he is mirroring Jesus’ actions and His recent crucifixion create imagery that puts the message front and center. What’s the message? You tried and failed, but God is still waiting for you to turn to Him. Check this out. This is kind of a side note, but it will show us how Peter is mirroring Jesus again in the middle of this speech and how he pivots from showing their guilt to how God is a merciful God…

Acts 3:17–18 NIV

17 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer.

It’s okay, you were ignorant. You didn’t know what you were doing. This is what had to happen for God to fulfill prophecy. WHILE HE WAS SUFFERING, Jesus said the same thing. He said many times that He was fulfilling prophecy, but one of His last statements on the cross before He died was this…

Luke 23:34 NIV

34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”…

They are acting in ignorance. They don’t know what they are doing. They see a better way, but they don’t realize that it’s actually worse because it ends in death. They are writing their own story and they don’t realize that it conflicts with Yours, God.

You’re probably thinking, “Okay, we get it. Enough with the writing metaphor.” I get it. Sometimes I annoy myself, but there is a reason for it. Let’s look at verse 15 side by side with verse 19. I am going to get kind of Greeky on you for a second. Peter leads into this verse by pointing condemnation at the crowd. “Why are YOU surprised? YOU handed Jesus over to be killed… YOU disowned… You rejected… YOU killed…

Acts 3:15–19 NIV

15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this… 19 Repent (metanoeo - turn from your sins), then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out (exaleiphthenai - “cleansed” meaning to erase, especially of writing), that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

In other words, YOU took the pen from the author of life, the One who had written the book of life, the Creator, so you could write your own story, BUT you could change your minds about God. You could turn from your sins. You could turn TO God and let Him erase what you have written. Let Him refresh your story. Let Him refresh your life. Peter finishes his speech by saying, “God sent His servant to you to bless you, turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

Peter’s powerful message falls on us today. How will we respond to Peter’s words? Is God using his speech to communicate a message to me? Am I like the religious Jewish people in the temple that day? Going to church, and doing what I think is right, but without even realizing it I have taken the pen from God in order to write my own story? I might not be like the people in the temple, but maybe I can relate to someone else in the story.

Who do you relate to? Is it the disciples? Maybe there is someone who has been interrupting your day and God is saying, “Yeah! That’s me! I have been trying to get him in contact with you so you could tell him about me!” Are you ready to be interrupted? You don’t have to have the whole bible memorized. Are you ready to share what Jesus has given you. It’s worth more than gold and silver. It’s your story. The one you started to write when God interrupted you when He brought Peter and John to your gate and they shared Jesus with you, then you turned from your wicked ways and began to trust God, the author of life.

When you were the beggar at the gate and God shed His love on you and gave you the strength to stand up and walk. Did you stand up and walk off, or did you jump up and run into His presence?

Whoever you might relate to in this story, always remember that it is God who is transforming the lives of those who call on Him. We can plant seeds and we can water them, but it is God who makes them grow.

Pray