Untitled Sermon (6)

Acts 3:1–4:4 (LSB)

1Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer.

2And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried, whom they used to set down daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple.

3When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms.

4But when Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him, he said, “Look at us!”

5And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.

6But 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!”

7And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened.

8And leaping up, he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

9And all the people saw him walking and praising God;

10and they were recognizing him, that he was 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.

Luke began the book of Acts by telling his readers that he was going to record what Jesus continued, after his ascension, ‘to do and to teach’ through his apostles (1:1–2).

Luke has also told us that ‘many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles in V2:43.

In our verses tonight Luke supplies a particularly dramatic example at the start of chapter 3.

What was Lukes vocation? He was a DR.

Dr. Luke tells us in v1 that Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer.

The temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish worship and a place of significant religious activity.

"Going up" refers to the physical ascent to the temple, which was situated on a hill.

The Jewish day included three specific times for prayer: morning, afternoon, and evening.

The hour of prayer mentioned here aligns with the afternoon sacrifice, a time when many would gather at the temple.

This detail is important to remember because when we get to 4:4 we will see that the healing and message in chapter 3 had a huge impact on the large crowd and the early church numbers grew to 5k.

In v2 DR Luke introduced to a man who is lame from birth. This man has never walked Luke wrote that he was in this condition from birth emphasizes the severity and the permanence of his disability.

In biblical times, physical ailments were often seen as a result of sin or divine judgment, yet this man's condition from birth suggests innocence and evokes compassion.

His lifelong disability sets the stage for a miraculous healing, highlighting the power of God and faith in Christ.

So. The apostles’ arrival at the temple coincided with the arrival of a man crippled from birth, who was being carried there, presumably by friends and/or relatives, so that he could beg from those who came to worship and who thought that they would gain some merit by their almsgiving.

The daily routine of being placed at the gate underscores the man's dependence on others and the community's role in his survival.

In v3 we are told that When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms.

This information sets the scene for where this miracle takes place and why Peter gave his message. The temple was a place of prayer and teaching, and the apostles often used it as a platform for spreading the gospel.

This act of asking for money reflects the man's immediate physical need,

The request for alms is a catalyst for the miracle that follows, illustrating the transformative power of faith and the apostles' role in continuing Jesus' ministry of healing and restoration.

In v4 Luke tells us that Peter and John fixed their gaze on the begar. The wording here highlights the intentionality and compassion the apostles had for the man that was begging.

In the cultural context of the time, beggars were often ignored or looked down upon.

Their direct gaze signifies acknowledgment and respect, reflecting the Christian teaching of seeing the inherent value in every individual.

This act of looking directly can be seen as a reflection of Jesus' own ministry, where He often engaged personally with those marginalized by society (e.g., the woman at the well in John 4)

At the end of v4 the apostle Peter gives this man a command for him to look at them.

In the cultural context of that time, much like ours eye contact was a means of establishing a personal connection and a show of sincerity.

When we get to v5 our author Luke tells us the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Peter’s reply of ‘Silver and gold I do not have in v6 would initially have been a disappointment to the lame man,

his hopes that were raised just came crashing down, but it was swiftly followed by an offer of something better.

What peter could offer to the man was healing. Instant healing that was accomplished with a command to Walk.

Which is what we see at the end of v6.

The specific command was grounded in the name of jesus.

in the name of jesus means by the authority of Jesus.

Peter is careful to note that his miracle is truly done by Jesus; in doing so, he expresses Jesus’ nature, character, and power.

After Peter gave the command to walk the apostle did not then stand back and watch the man struggle to his feet; we see in v7 he leaned forward and, taking him by the right hand, he helped him up.

Then instantly our author Luke who is a physician continues, the man’s feet and ankles became strong (7b)—so strong and agile we read in v 8 that he jumped to his feet and began to walk, which he had never done before.

The healed mans first actions after being healed, was to walk, praise God and accompany the apostles into the temple.

When we arrive at v 9 and 10 we see that the sight of the once lame man walking and praising God was proof to the Jews that the man was truly cured.

In V10 Luke writes that the crowd recognized him.

This lame beggar was such a well-known figure around the temple after his years of begging that there could be no doubt about his identity and therefore about the reality of the cure.

Moving forward looking at 3:11–26, Peter explains the meaning of the miracle to the jewish crowd.

This miracle provides proof of the Church’s message.

Notice there is a pattern we are seeing. In chapter 2 the day of Pentecost there was a miracle of speech, then Peter gave a sermon to explain what happened.

In this case Peter again begins by dealing with the possible misunderstanding of the situation and then proceeds to explain how the power of jesus being raised from the dead relates to the lame man being healed.

As we read these verses notice how Peter seizes the opportunity to make the point that it was the Jesus whom the Jews had crucificed who had been glorified by God and is now still active.

And then notice that Peter doesn’t stop there. He goes on to evangelize the crowd.

11 And while he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the portico called Solomon’s, full of wonder. 12 But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk? 13 “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered 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 but put to death the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. 16“ And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which is through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all. 17“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. 18“But the things which God announced before hand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 19“ Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; 20 and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, 21 whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.

At the start of v11 the healed man kept close to Peter and John, and the people ran towards them they as they reached the colonnade of Solomon which ran along the east side of the Court of the Gentiles.

The crowds astonishment reflects the miraculous nature of the healing

The urgency with which the people ran to Peter and John indicates their eagerness to witness the miracle and to understand its significance.

The gathering of the large crowd provides Peter with an opportunity to preach the gospel to a large group of people.

Peter didn’t waste any time in seasing the opportunity to explain the significance of what had happened.

Peter's readiness to address the people reflects the boldness given to him by the Holy Spirit, as seen in Acts 2 during Pentecost.

Peter addresses the crowd in v12 as "Men of Israel," acknowledging their shared heritage and covenant relationship with God.

This phrase connects the audience to the patriarchs and the promises given to Israel, emphasizing their identity as God's chosen people.

In the middle of v12 He asks them why do you marvel at this?

Peter questions their surprise. His question was to make a point. His point would be suggesting that such acts should be expected as a continuation of Jesus' ministry.

Most likely the Jews that just left the prayer time at the temple would have related the miracle as

As either John and Peter possessed their own remarkable powers or

That they were so devout that God would respond to their prayers with miraculous signs.

Whatever the crowd thought, Peter immediately directs their attention away from the apostles to the source of the miracle.

By starting v13 with reference to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Peter makes it clear that he is speaking to them about the God of Israel, the God represented in their very own Hebrew Scriptures.

Peter continues and preaches to the crowd and says this God had glorified his servant Jesus.

This is a phrase drawn from Isaiah 52:13, one of the most important passages dealing with the Servant of Yahweh in scriptures.

In other words, what Peter is proclaiming is that prophecy was now being fulfilled.

Peter was claiming that what had happened to Jesus was the divine glorification of God’s Servant.

V13 ends with the 2 of 5 times the apostles remind the Jews of their role in killing Jesus. He says Whom you delivered up and denied: this is a reference to Pilate, the Roman governor, was determined to let Him go, but the Jewish mob insisted on the crucifixion of Jesus

In v 14 & 15 Peter presses home his point against the Jews. He has already dwelt with the Jews’ action in condemning an innocent man to death.

Now he emphasizes that the One who was denied by the Jews was Holy and Righteous.

Peter calls Jesus the holy and righteous one in v 14. There are two points he is making with his title.

The first being he is emphasizing Jesus perfect and sinless life which is a fullfilment of OT prophecy from Isaiah 53.

Peter’s second point is also related to Isaiah. Isaiah frequently describes God as the Holy One to show God’s distinctive character. By Jesus the title Isaiah uses for God, Peter implies Jesus’ divine character and status.

At the beginning of v 15 Peter says You put to death the Author of life.

The term "Author of life" signifies Jesus as the originator and sustainer of all life, aligning with John 1:3, which states that all things were made through Him.

This highlights the irony and gravity of their actions, as they sought to destroy the very source of life.

Peter then compares their actions to God’s he says God raised Him from the dead

This statement affirms our core Christian belief in the resurrection, which is central to the gospel message.

The resurrection is also a pivotal event that distinguishes Christianity from other faiths, as it demonstrates victory over sin and death, offering hope of eternal life to believers.

Before looking at v16 its important to remind ourselves about this phrase in v15 and we are witnesses of this fact.

Peter, John and The apostles, were eyewitnesses to the resurrected Christ, as detailed in Acts 1:3.

Their testimony and giving of their lives is foundational to the early church's proclamation of the gospel.

The emphasis on eyewitness accounts serves to authenticate the message and encourage faith in the resurrection.

V 16 tells us how the man was healed. “And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which is through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.

From this verse we get a good summary of our verses in Two basic points.

First, the miracle which resulted in a well-known lame man being healed before the very large crowd depended on the power associated with the name of Jesus.

Second, this power became effective through faith in the name of Jesus.

The phrase name of Jesus emphasizes the power and authority inherent in the name of Jesus.

Faith in Jesus' name implies trust in His divine power and identity as the Messiah.

What we see in v18 is that what the Jews did in ignorance had in reality furthered the plan of God, foretold by the prophets, that the Messiah should suffer

At the end of v18 we are told that this was the fulfillment of God's promise highlighting His faithfulness and reliability.

Notice in the middle of v 18 the term "Christ".

This is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Messiah," meaning "Anointed One."

The use of "His Christ" indicates possession, emphasizing that Jesus is the one chosen and sent by God.

This connects to the messianic expectations found in the Old Testament, where the Messiah is depicted as a deliverer and king.

Peter spoke boldly to the Jews about their sin, but he didn’t just want to make them feel bad.

That wasn’t the goal.

The goal was to encourage them to repent and believe.

The verb repent in v19 is the act of turning away from one’s former way of life to a new way of life that is characterized by a life based on faith and obedience to God.

The full phrase in v19 is Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away

Looking at the full phrase allows us to see that with repentance there is an immediate result; your sins may be wiped away which is another way of saying that their sins are forgiven as we see in 2:38.

Peter continues his message to the crowd at the temple, explaining the results of repentance and faith in Jesus in v20 & 21. He says that if they repent and turn to God,

God will send Jesus Christ again — referring to His second coming, when He will return from heaven.

Heaven must receive Him until the time of restoration of all things — meaning that Jesus will remain in heaven until the appointed time when God fulfills all His promises to restore creation and establish His kingdom, as foretold by the prophets.

In summary what Peter teaches about repentance in v 19 - 21 is that repentance brings

forgiveness,

spiritual refreshment, and

hope for the future restoration that will occur when Christ returns, fulfilling God’s prophetic plan for Israel and the world.

We will look at v22-26 together where Peter warns of the danger of rejecting Jesus.

The location hasn’t changed they are still in Solomon’s portico

22“Moses said, ‘THE LORD GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM YOUR BROTHERS; TO HIM YOU SHALL LISTEN to everything He says to you. 23‘ AND IT WILL BE THAT EVERY SOUL THAT DOES NOT HEED THAT PROPHET SHALL BE UTTERLY DESTROYED FROM AMONG THE PEOPLE.’ 24“ And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors onward, also proclaimed these days. 25 “It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘AND IN YOUR SEED ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED.’ 26“For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.”

Peter continues his message in Solomon’s Portico by quoting Moses who prophesied that God would raise up a Prophet like him in v 22 — pointing to Jesus Christ.

Peter warns that anyone who refuses to listen to this Prophet SHALL BE UTTERLY DESTROYED FROM AMONG THE PEOPLE.’

The destruction promised in the prophecy would become the legacy of this generation of Jews.

Many of this generation (certainly not all) rejected Jesus twice over.

With the phrase like me in v22. We can say that Moses was a unique prophet who spoke with God face to face and led the Israelites out of Egypt.

The comparison "like me" suggests that the coming prophet would have a similar intimate relationship with God and a significant role in delivering and guiding God's people.

This is seen as a typology of Jesus Christ, who is considered the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy, as He is both a prophet and the Son of God.

Peter then reminds the crowd that all the prophets, from Samuel onward, proclaimed these days — this would be referring to the time of the Messiah’s coming and the blessings that would follow (v.24).

Samuel is considered the last of the judges and the first of the prophets in a formal sense, marking a transition in Israel's history.

His role was pivotal in establishing the monarchy, anointing both Saul and David as kings.

The reference to "all the prophets from Samuel on" highlights the continuity of prophetic witness throughout Israel's history.

Samuel's ministry set the stage for the prophetic tradition that would follow, emphasizing obedience to God and the anticipation of a future messianic kingdom.

"These days" in v 24 refers to the era inaugurated by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which the early church believed fulfilled the prophetic promises.

The phrase indicates that the events of the New Testament, particularly the coming of Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, were the fulfillment of what the prophets had long anticipated.

Peter explains that these prophetic promises were made for the Jewish people in v25 & 26.

They were the ‘descendants of the prophets’, and therefore they could expect to see the fulfilment of the promises made to the people of Israel and to benefit from them.

The covenant Peter reminds his audience about is central to Jewish identity and theology, as it established Israel as God's chosen people.

The Abrahamic Covenant included promises of land, descendants, and blessing, which are foundational to understanding God's redemptive plan.

If we were to study this covenant we would see that it is an unconditional covenant, highlighting God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness.

1 Now as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, 2 being greatly agitated because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

The healing of the lame man and Peter’s sermon made a great impression on the ordinary people, but it aroused the opposition of the Jewish leaders who arrested the apostles.

Our last verse shows us the powerful impact of the preached gospel, even in the face of opposition.

4:4 But many of those who had heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

This phrase highlights the power of the apostolic preaching and the work of the Holy Spirit in the early church.

The message refers to the gospel of Jesus Christ, which Peter and John were proclaiming.

The belief of many indicates a positive response to the gospel, showing the effectiveness of the apostles' witness and the fulfillment of Jesus' promise that the Holy Spirit would empower them to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8).