Acts 3

Last week we finished Acts 2 where Peter preaches to the crowd that had formed on the day of pentecost. WE see Peter quote old testament prophecy to explain what they had seen in the upper room. Then Peter tells them about Jesus and that he is LORD and Messiah. In last few verses we see they respond to the words from Peters call to repentance and they devoted themselves to to the apostles teachings as the apostles devoted themselves to the teachings of Jesus. They even began selling their properties and possessions to help others in times of need not from obligation but out of generosity.

Tonight we are gonna look at 1 one of these signs and wonders starting in chapter 3.

Verse 1 -9 , This man would have been placed here at the temple gate because one of the big ways of showing kindness and devotion to God would have been giving to the poor and these where called alms. This was one of the 3 pillars of Jewish faith that rabbis would teach The Tora, worship , and showing kindness and charity.

This man had been lame from birth which means he would have been denied access to the inner courts according to the Leviticus 21:17 ““Speak to Aaron, saying, None of your offspring throughout their generations who has a blemish may approach to offer the bread of his God.”

This miracle now set the scene for Peters speech because people had witnessed this incredible miracle and came running close to Peter and John and now Peter was not going to miss this opportunity.

I love Verse 12, Peter Saw his opportunity, the same man who once denied Jesus 3 times now says Im not gonna miss this chance to speak about Jesus Christ. This is an incredible picture of redemption in Christ. Now with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit Peter preaches a call to repent of the rejection of the true son of God.

Verse 13-16 , Peter speaks of the false trial and how the people asked Pilate to free Barabbas who was a murderer. They began to chant Crucify him. One thing we can point out is that Peter immediately corrected any misunderstanding that he or John had healed the man by their own power. IT was Faith in Jesus that healed this man.

Verse 17, theres almost a tone of understanding and empathy towards the people but Peter still tells them of their sin and calls them to repent.