Opportunities To Preach Christ

Acts 3 NKJV

Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed. So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. “Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days. You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”

Up where my folks live we have some friends who live right on the edge of a huge lava rock bed. When I was younger my brother and I and our friends would hike out in the lava rock for miles. One day we came across a fresh water spring. This spring was so clear that it looked to us like it was only a couple feet deep. Yet when we reached into it we couldn’t touch the bottom. We dropped fairly large rocks into it and the sank completely within the pond. When we finally came back a different day and jumped in we discovered the pond was over 10 feet deep. To truly see the depth of the pond, we had to change our perspective. Perspective is everything. We can look at the people around us, the people at work, school, or in the grocery store, and we can see skin color, size, shape, gender, attractiveness, fitness, or something else. Or, we can look at people and see those in desperate need of a Savior. One of the things I have mentioned before that we find in Acts is the disciples taking every opportunity to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Today we are going to examine one of those opportunities.

Just to remind us where we are at in the book. We are dealing with the spread of the gospel in Jerusalem (chs. 1-8:3). Ch. 1 deals with a. The Preparation Of The Disciples To Preach Ch. 1. Ch. 2 covers b. The Enabling Of The Disciples To Preach Ch. 2. That brings us to…

c. The Opportunity For And Opposition Against The Disciples To Preach Chs. 3-4:31. Ch. 3 deals with…

i. Opportunity Presented Through Healing 3:1-26

A man is healed. When a crowd gathers as a result, Peter preaches the gospel. We are first going to work through the description of how this man is healed. Secondly we will look at how Peter used this as an opportunity to preach the Gospel.

This passage challenges us to take advantage of every opportunity to preach Christ.

As His ambassadors we must proclaim Him.

Preaching Christ changes our lives as the gospel transforms the lives of others.

This is our purpose! This is what we have been called to. And in this passage we learn how to grasp a gospel opportunity as it is presented. The early church has begun. We have been told how people are being added to the Church daily. As Luke describes the activity of the early church we come to the disciples…

What I love about this whole section is that Peter and John never want any of the acclaim for the healing. God alone gets the glory! Because they are pointing to God, it naturally results in pointing to Christ. Luke begins by setting the stage with the…

In v. 1 Peter and John are headed into the temple to pray. They are not looking for an opportunity to preach the Gospel but they are also not opposed to one. A willingness and desire to pray indicates a right relationship with the Lord. Apart from a right relationship, opportunities will be missed. The disciples are in the proper spiritual position for God to work through them and heal this man.

ii. The problem vv. 2-3

Vv. 2-3 reveal that this man had two problems. He had a physical disability which then led to physical destitution. V. 2 tells us that he has been lame, unable to walk since birth. “Lame” is the Greek word χωλός (chōlos) meaning crippled; lame. Disabled in the feet or legs. Later it will be revealed that it is his feet and ankles that were the problem. Every day he is carried in and laid down at the Beautiful gate (S). He is lain here that he might ask alms, essentially beg, from those who are entering the temple. The thing about this is that the OT Law has very strict and detailed requirements for helping the poor. This begging shouldn’t even have been necessary!

V. 2 tells us that he has been lame, unable to walk since birth. “Lame” is the Greek word χωλός (chōlos) meaning crippled; lame. Disabled in the feet or legs. Later it will be revealed that it is his feet and ankles that were the problem.

Verses 2 tells us that he has been lame, unable to walk since birth.

Lame – χωλός (chōlos) crippled; lame. Crippled – disabled in the feet or legs. Predicate adjective, nominative, singular, masculine.

Later it will be revealed that it is his feet and ankles that were the problem.

Every day he is carried in and laid down at the Beautiful gate (S). He is lain here that he might ask alms, essentially beg, from those who are entering the temple. The thing about this is that the OT Law has very strict and detailed requirements for helping the poor. This begging shouldn’t even have been necessary!

2. Physical destitution v. 3

Seeing Peter and John about to enter the temple in v. 3, he asks them for alms. “Alms” is the Greek word ἐλεημοσύνη (eleēmosynē) meaning alms; charitable giving. Donation of goods or money contributed to the poor; especially that flows from a disposition to kindness and compassion. The implication here is that he was asking everyone who entered. His disability and destitution have left him desperate! Yet it is this very disability, destitution, and desperation that is about to make this man aware of a deeper need. A need far more important than physical wellness or wealth. He is about to be confronted with his eternal need. And so, in vv. 4-5 everything changes.

Alms – ἐλεημοσύνη (eleēmosynē) alms; charitable giving. Alms (donation) – goods or money contributed to the poor; especially that flows from a disposition to kindness and compassion. Noun (direct object), accusative, singular, feminine.

The implication here is that he was asking everyone who entered. His disability and destitution have left him desperate! Yet it is this very disability, destitution, and desperation that is about to make this man aware of a deeper need. A need far more important than physical wellness or wealth. He is about to be confronted with his eternal need. And so, in vv. 4-5 everything changes.

iii. The proposition vv. 4-5

Physical disability can expose spiritual need.

1. Examination v. 4

God is at work in the physical struggles of life because it is when we are flat on our backs that we begin to look up! God uses physical trials to turn our hearts to Him.

Peter looks at this man in v. 4 and tells him to look at them. The term used for Peter “fixing his eyes” on this man has the idea of an intense focus. When Peter tells the man to look at them, a different word is used. Peter examines this crippled man calling for the man’s attention. Then in v. 5 we see that this attention creates an expectation.

Peter looks at this man in v. 4 and sees his need. In v. 5 we see that Peter calling for this man’s attention creates an expectation. He waits for them to give him alms. This is what he is expecting. With this, the groundwork is laid and the healing is about to take place. So we know that this man is disabled and destitute, and daily begs at the temple gate. He is a man who is vividly aware of his need. Yet he is entirely unaware that he is experiencing a divinely orchestrated encounter! When the disciples see this man, they do not simply see a crippled beggar, they see an eternal soul in need of a Savior! This is made very clear as we consider the…

He gives them his attention and waits for them to give him alms. This is what he is expecting. With this, the groundwork is laid and the healing is about to take place. So we know that this man is disabled and destitute, and daily begs at the temple gate. He is a man who is vividly aware of his need. Yet he is entirely unaware that he is experiencing a divinely orchestrated encounter! When the disciples see this man, they do not simply see a crippled beggar, they see an eternal soul in need of a Savior! This is made very clear as we consider the…

b. The reality of healing vv. 6-10

In these verses we have the healing as well as its presentation to those in the temple. The healing is performed in vv. 6-7. I love what Peter says in v. 6. I don’t have money, but I have Jesus. This needs to be the constant story of our lives. We may not have much in the way of monetary wealth, but what we do have we give you. What we have is Jesus Christ!

The healing is performed in vv. 6-7.

I love what Peter says in v. 6. This needs to be the constant story of our lives. We may not have much in the way of monetary wealth, but what we do have we give you. What we have is Jesus Christ!

This needs to be the constant story of our lives. We may not have much in the way of monetary wealthy, but what we do have we give you. What we have is Jesus Christ!

The gospel is not silver and gold! The gospel is not meeting financial needs! The gospel is the person and work of Jesus Christ bringing healing into our broken and sin-damaged lives! Peter emphasizes that this is taking place in the power of Jesus Christ! He is also very clear as to who this is. “Jesus Christ of Nazareth”. Peter is not doing this in his own strength! He is merely an intermediary performing the work of Christ! That is all we are. No glory goes to me and you! We are merely intermediaries and it is Christ who is working in and through us for His good pleasure. What Peter calls this man to do is the one thing he cannot do! He cannot rise up and walk! He never has. He has never learned! Yet in the power of God, he does!

It is very important to recognize that Peter emphasizes that this is taking place in the power of Jesus Christ! He is also very clear as to who this is. “Jesus Christ of Nazareth”. Peter is not doing this in his own strength! He is merely an intermediary performing the work of Christ! That is all we are. No glory goes to me and you! We are merely intermediaries and it is Christ who is working in and through us for His good pleasure.

What Peter calls this man to do is the one thing he cannot do! He cannot rise up and walk! He never has. He has never learned! Yet in the power of God, he does!

I love how in v. 7 the man’s feet and ankle bones receive strength immediately upon him being lifted up. That is how our God heals! Immediately. “Received strength” is the Greek word στερεόω (stereo) meaning make firm; make strong. To become firm, to be or become physically taut or tauter; especially used of muscles or limbs. This is a passive. Strength is coming from an outside source. What is this outside source? Christ!

I love how in v. 7 the man’s feet and ankle bones receive strength immediately upon him being lifted up. That is how our God heals! Immediately.

Received strength – στερεόω (stereo) make firm; make strong. To become firm – to be or become physically taut or tauter; especially used of muscles or limbs. Finite verb, aorist, passive, indicative, third person, plural.

This is a passive. Strength is coming from an outside source. What is this outside source? Christ!

Having been performed in vv. 6-7, the healing is proclaimed in vv. 8-10. This healing is so complete and so immediate that he is able to leap up in v. 8! He leaps to his feet, stands, and then walks into the temple with Peter and John. The whole time he is walking, leaping, and praising God! He is giving verbal expression to his praise for God’s healing. Proclaiming it for all to hear.

This healing is so complete and so immediate that he is able to leap up in v. 8! He leaps to his feet, stands, and then walks into the temple with Peter and John. The whole time he is walking, leaping, and praising God! He is giving verbal expression to his praise for God’s healing. Proclaiming it for all to hear.

This healing is so complete and so immediate that he is able to leap up! He leaps to his feet, stands, and then walks into the temple with Peter and John. The whole time he is walking, leaping, and praising God! He is giving verbal expression to his praise for God’s healing. Proclaiming it for all to hear.

Along with the physical healing of this man’s body, he receives the divinely imparted knowledge and ability to walk though he has never learned! This is more than just healing bones that hadn’t grown properly. The muscles, tendons, and balance, and coordination necessary to walk that this man had never learned, these too are divinely given! God’s healing is never partial! As this man enters the temple, everyone sees him walking and praising God in v. 9. Emphasis is placed here on him both walking, and praising. Someone who is lame from birth doesn’t just get up! Yet here he is, walking, leaping, and praising God! It is God he is praising, not Peter and John. We don’t want the glory, the glory is God’s alone!

As this man enters the temple, everyone sees him walking and praising God in v. 9. Emphasis is placed here on him both walking, and praising. Someone who is lame from birth doesn’t just get up! Yet here he is, walking, leaping, and praising God! It is God he is praising, not Peter and John. We don’t want the glory, the glory is God’s alone!

Everyone sees him walking and praising God. Emphasis is placed here on him both walking, and praising. Someone who is lame from birth doesn’t just get up! Yet here he is, walking, leaping, and praising God!

Because God does the healing, He gets the glory.

According to v. 10, the people know who he is. You don’t lay at the gate of the temple begging for years without being recognized. He is 40 years old (4:22) and has lain there his entire life. The people knew him by his spot at the gate. They are filled with wonder and amazement to see him now walking, leaping, and praising God. These words denote a sense of awe and astonishment at what has taken place. This is a powerful proclamation of what God has done. This healing is God’s set up. Like ch. 2 where they speak in tongues and everyone comes to hear, this man is healed and loudly, and visibly proclaims it so everyone comes together. This provides the disciples with the perfect opportunity for…

We don’t know exactly how old he was, but we know that he is referred to here as a man. Apparently the spot at the Beautiful Gate was his. That is how people knew him. They are filled with wonder and amazement to see him now walking, leaping, and praising God. This is a powerful proclamation of what God has done.

According to v. 10, the people know who he is. You don’t lay at the gate of the temple begging for years without being recognized. We don’t know exactly how old he was, but we know that he is referred to here as a man. Apparently the spot at the Beautiful Gate was his. That is how people knew him. They are filled with wonder and amazement to see him now walking, leaping, and praising God. This is a powerful proclamation of what God has done.

These words denote a sense of awe and astonishment at what has taken place. This is a powerful proclamation of what God has done.

This healing is God’s set up. Like ch. 2 where they speak in tongues and everyone comes to hear, this man is healed and loudly, and visibly proclaiming it and so everyone comes together. This provides the disciples with the perfect opportunity for…

This is the Divine plan here. There were probably other beggars. But God chose to have Peter and John heal this one. Through his physical healing there is the opportunity for many to be spiritually healed. Peter first gives…

The man who is now healed is holding onto Peter and John in v. 11. This word “held on” is the idea of seize or arrest. It is possible that these verses take place after the prayer service. Everyone runs to gather at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s porch (S). Peter sees everyone running together as an opportunity to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Everyone is greatly amazed at what has taken place and the natural conclusion could be that the men who he is holding onto were responsible for their healing. Seeing them rapidly coming to this conclusion Peter believes that a denial is demanded. And so in v. 12 he makes a declaration.

The man who is now healed is holding onto Peter and John in v. 11. This word held on is the idea of “seize or arrest”. Everyone runs to gather at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s porch. Everyone is greatly amazed at what has taken place and the natural conclusion could be that the men who he is holding onto were responsible for their healing. Seeing them rapidly coming to this conclusion Peter believes that a denial is demanded. And so in v. 12 he makes a declaration. Peter also sees everyone running together as an opportunity to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The man who is now healed is holding onto Peter and John in v. 11. This word held on is the idea of “seize or arrest”. Everyone runs to gather at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s porch. Everyone is greatly amazed at what has taken place and the natural conclusion could be that the men who he is holding onto were responsible for their healing. Seeing them rapidly coming to this conclusion Peter believes that a denial is demanded. And so in v. 12 he makes a declaration.

Seeing their amazement Peter corrects a potential misunderstanding. Him and John do not have any power or godliness in themselves to accomplish this healing! Don’t marvel, don’t stare so intently at us, we are nothing! We are merely instruments in the hands of the master! This is vital for us to remember. It is not our power of godliness that accomplishes anything. It is the power of God working in and through us. When people begin to look at us with amazement, we must always point them to Christ. Deny any personal ability to heal. Healing is only found in Christ.

Having pointed them away from him and John, Peter now gives a detailed presentation of what took place. He does this by presenting to them the work of God the Father and God the Son. In vv. 13-15 Peter gives us some very incredible names for God and Jesus.

Having pointed them away from him and John, Peter now gives a detailed presentation of what took place. He does this by presenting to them the work of God the Father and God the Son. In vv. 13-15 Peter gives us some very fascinating names for God and Jesus.

a. Presenting the Father v. 13

Having pointed them away from him and John, Peter now gives a detailed presentation of what took place. He does this by presenting to them the work of God the Father and God the Son. In vv. 13-15 Peter gives us some very fascinating names for God and Jesus.

The Father is the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the fathers. He is God from eternity past! He has not changed in His person and He has not changed His plan! As Peter declared in ch. 2 Christ was delivered up by the determined council and foreknowledge of God! As part of this eternal plan He glorified His Servant Jesus. “Glorified” is in the past tense. Jesus is already glorified, already seated at the Father’s right hand! And yet He is referred to here as the Father’s Servant. The consistent testimony of Christ is that He came to do His Father’s will. speaks to Christ’s servanthood as well as His glorification (S).

Philippians 2:7–9 NKJV

but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,

The glorification Christ received from the Father stands in contrast to what He received from His people. They delivered Him up. “Delivered up” is the Greek word παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi) meaning deliver; hand over; betray. To surrender someone or something to another; especially to an authority. Giving Christ up and denying Him is portrayed here as a betrayal. Even a cursory reading of the gospels proves Peter’s point here. Pilate was determined to release Jesus, but the religious leaders and the people virtually coerce him into delivering Jesus to be crucified. The Father is presented here as the sovereign authority over all things. Though the chosen people denied and betrayed their Messiah, God the Father has glorified Him!

“Delivered up” is the Greek word παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi) meaning deliver; hand over; betray. To surrender someone or something to another; especially to an authority. Giving Christ up and denying Him is portrayed here as a betrayal. Even a cursory reading of the gospels proves Peter’s point here. Pilate was determined to release Jesus. But the religious leaders and the people virtually coerce him into delivering Jesus to be crucified.

The Father is presented here as the sovereign authority over all things. Though the chosen people denied and betrayed their Messiah, God the Father has glorified Him!

Vv. 14-15 stress the magnitude of what was done in rejecting Christ. Jesus was the Holy One and the Just yet they denied Him and sought the release of a murderer! They killed the Prince of life! Though their hands were not on the whip or hammer they crucified Christ and put Him to death just as surely as if they had done it themselves! And yet God has raised Him from the dead! Peter, John, and the others are witnesses of His resurrection. Furthermore, according to v. 16, it is through faith in the risen Lord that this man has been healed.

The terms “The Holy One” and “The Just” are both adjectives. They are words that describe for us who and what Jesus is. “Holy One” is the Greek word ἅγιος (hagios) which describes a person who is consecrated to the service of the God of Israel. Notice the exclusivity of this title. Christ is the Holy One. He is uniquely set apart to serve the God of Israel! There is no one like Christ! “The Just” is the Greek word δίκαιος (dikaios) meaning just; righteous. A person characterized by righteous actions and morals. This also uniquely describes Christ. He is the only righteous one! It is because of His righteousness that we are able to stand before a righteous and Holy God. The righteousness of The Just has been credited to us!

“Holy One” is the Greek word ἅγιος (hagios) which describes a person who is consecrated to the service of the God of Israel. Notice the exclusivity of this title. Christ is the Holy One. He is uniquely set apart to serve the God of Israel! There is no one like Christ.

“The Just” is the Greek word δίκαιος (dikaios) meaning just; righteous. A person characterized by righteous actions and morals. This also uniquely describes Christ. He is the only righteous one! It is because of His righteousness that we are able to stand before a righteous and Holy God. The righteousness of The Just has been credited to us!

This Holy One, this Just One, they denied! They repudiated Him. Disowned Him. Refused to acknowledge Him. When we do not live in obedience, we do the same. Instead of their savior they chose a murderer. When we disobey, we are choosing our deceitful and desperately wicked selves over the Holy and Just One! Peter goes on to call Him the Prince of Life. “Prince” is the Greek word ἀρχηγός (archēgos) meaning originator or founder. It is also translated author and captain. Jesus Christ is the originator, the author of life. And He is the one that was killed. Yet, being the author of life, He could not remain dead. The Father raised Him from the dead and there are eyewitnesses of this miracle.

“Prince” is the Greek word ἀρχηγός (archēgos) meaning originator or founder. It is also translated author and captain. Jesus Christ is the originator, the author of life. And He is the one that was killed. Yet, being the author of life, He could not remain dead. The Father raised Him from the dead and there are eyewitnesses of this miracle.

It is faith in this risen one that has healed this crippled man (v. 16). We must remember that “name” is a Hebrew euphemism that refers to the totality of a person. Peter is referring here to the person and work of Jesus Christ. When Peter called this man to rise and walk in the name of Jesus, he was calling Him to place His faith in who Jesus is and what He has done.

It is the object of our faith that brings healing.

You can have faith in a lot of things and never be healed. True healing is only found in Jesus Christ and it comes through faith in Him. The faith that comes through Jesus Christ has given this man “perfect soundness”. This is an awesome word. “Perfect Soundness” is the Greek word ὁλοκληρία (holoklēria) meaning completeness; wholeness. Complete health, an unimpaired condition of body in which all its parts are healthy and fit for use. This is what faith in Jesus Christ does! For us today it may not result in physical wellness but it will make us complete Spiritually! And so Peter has explained how this man was healed. Not by the disciples, but by faith in Jesus Christ. Having explained how the healing took place, Peter is going to use this opportunity to shift the conversation to the gospel. And so the chapter closes with an…

“Perfect Soundness” is the Greek word ὁλοκληρία (holoklēria) meaning completeness; wholeness. Complete health, an unimpaired condition of body in which all its parts are healthy and fit for use. This is what faith in Jesus Christ does! For us today it may not result in physical wellness but it will make us complete Spiritually!

Having explained how the healing took place, Peter is going to use this opportunity to shift the conversation to the gospel. And so the chapter closes with an…

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i. The Holy One and the Just v. 14

ii. The Prince of Life v. 15

2. Detailed pronouncement v. 16

They have seen that the power of Jesus Christ is sufficient to heal physically. This reality carries over into spiritual healing as well. It is this spiritual healing that Peter presents here. V. 17 declares that the rejection of Christ was done in ignorance of who He really is. Since they were ignorant, Peter is going to educate them in v. 18. God has provided the way for Spiritual healing through Christ! Christ has fulfilled what the prophets foretold. God is the one who gives the prophets what to say. Through them He foretold the suffering of Christ and now Jesus has fulfilled that prophecy. This is very interesting. Peter is claiming that the prophets foretold that the Messiah would suffer! Yet that is not what the disciples or Jewish leaders were expecting when Jesus declared Himself to be the Christ. Jesus has fulfilled prophecy meeting the requirements laid out for the Messiah. Jesus is the Messiah! Jesus suffered and died on the Cross to pay the penalty for sin! Because of who Jesus is Peter tells his audience what they need to do in v. 19.

V. 17 declares that the rejection of Christ was done in ignorance of who He really is. Since they were ignorant, Peter is going to educate them.

a. Completed rejection v. 17

V. 17 declares that the rejection of Christ was done in ignorance of who He really is. Since they were ignorant, Peter is going to educate them.

b. Completed requirements v. 18

V. 18 declares that God has provided the way for Spiritual healing through Christ! Christ has fulfilled what the prophets foretold. God is the one who gives the prophets what to say. Through them He foretold the suffering of Christ and now Jesus has fulfilled that prophecy. This is very interesting. Peter is claiming that the prophets foretold that the Messiah would suffer! Yet that is not what the disciples or Jewish leaders were expecting when Jesus declared Himself to be the Christ. Jesus has fulfilled prophecy meeting the requirements laid out for the Messiah. Jesus is the Messiah! Jesus suffered and died on the Cross to pay the penalty for sin! Because of who Jesus is Peter tells his audience what they need to do in v. 19.

2. Provided through consummation vv. 19-21

a. Consummate salvation v. 19

“Repent” means to change your mind and"converted” means to turn back. What are they changing their minds about and turning back to? The belief that Jesus is the Messiah! They are to turn back to Him! As this crippled man was physically healed through faith in Christ, they need to be spiritually healed through faith in Christ! Peter even describes what form this healing will take. Sin will be “blotted out”. It will be wiped away and erased! And with this erasing of sin, refreshment will come. There is such relief when sin is forgiven! Such peace and rest is ours when we have trusted Christ to deal with our sin. When Christ is sent (v. 20), all who have believed in Him will find refreshment in Him. As v. 21 describes, Jesus was received up into heaven and will remain there until the time of restoration comes. This time has been prophesied since the beginning by all the prophets. This is the second thing that has been foretold by the prophets. The first was the suffering of Christ, now it is the restoration of all things. The first is necessary for the second. Christ had to suffer for the restoration of all things to be possible. The healing that sinners need, that this whole sin-corrupted universe needs, is found in Jesus Christ!

Peter even describes what form this healing will take. Sin will be “blotted out”. It will be wiped away and erased! And with this erasing of sin, refreshment will come. There is such relief when sin is forgiven! Such peace and rest is ours when we have trusted Christ to deal with out sin.

This particular usage could be connected with God sending Jesus Christ in v. 20. When Christ is sent, all who have believed in Him will find refreshment in Him. As v. 21 describes, Jesus was received up into heaven and will remain there until the time of restoration comes. This time has been prophesied since the beginning by all the prophets. This is the second thing that has been foretold by the prophets. The first was the suffering of Christ, now it is the restoration of all things. The first is necessary for the second. Christ had to suffer for the restoration of all things to be possible.

The healing that sinners need, that this whole sin-corrupted universe needs, is found in Jesus Christ! Healing has been provided in Jesus. The healing offered in Him must be received by faith. The same exhortation delivered by Peter is given to us. Repent and be converted! Change your mind about who Jesus is, change your mind about sin and turn to Christ! He will heal you, transform you, and make you new!

b. Consummate presentation v. 20

Healing has been provided in Jesus.

c. Consummate restoration v. 21

The healing offered in Him must be received by faith. The same exhortation delivered by Peter is given to us. Repent and be converted! Change your mind about who Jesus is, change your mind about sin and turn to Christ! He will heal you, transform you, and make you new!

Having just said that all the prophets spoke of Jesus, Peter is going to quote some prophesies. In vv. 22-23 Peter quotes from . He is connecting what the OT prophets wrote with Christ. Moses prophesied that a Prophet like him would come from Israel. This prophet they would hear in all things, whatever He says they were to heed. This particular word “hear” carries with it the idea of obedience. They were to hear and obey. This is exactly what we are called to. Hear and obey! Jesus is the Prophet Moses was speaking about. That Moses is referring to obedience to whatever the Prophet says is made clear in v. 23.

ii. Healing prophesied vv. 22-26

Having just said that all the prophets spoke of Jesus, Peter is going to quote some prophesies.

In vv. 22-23 Peter quotes from . He is connecting what the OT prophets wrote with Christ. Moses prophesied that a Prophet like him would come from Israel. This prophet they would hear in all things, whatever He says they were to heed. This particular word hear carries with it the idea of obedience. They were to hear and obey. Jesus is the Prophet Moses was speaking about. That Moses is referring to obedience to whatever the Prophet says is made clear in v. 23.

Through this quotation Peter is laying out the only two options that exist in relation to Jesus Christ. You either repent and be converted through faith in Jesus Christ, or you refuse to hear Him and face utter destruction. Peter strengthens his argument for Jesus being the Messiah through expanding his point in v. 24. It isn’t just Moses who prophesied about Jesus and the Salvation He purchased through His suffering. Every prophet, from Samuel onward, all who have ever spoken, foretold the times they were living in!

It isn’t just Moses who prophesied about Jesus and the Salvation He purchased through His suffering. Every prophet, from Samuel onward, all who have ever spoken foretold the times they were living in!

1. Healing through the prophesied Prophet vv. 22-24

a. Disobedience is impossible v. 22

b. Destruction is inevitable v. 23

c. Descriptions are inescapable v. 24

2. Healing through the prophesied Servant vv. 25-26

a. The Servant is the seed v. 25

This all goes back to vv. 18, 21 where Peter refers to what God has spoken through the prophets. This is what God has spoken! He spoke of a Prophet like Moses who would bring deliverance to His people if they follow Him. Here in v. 25 Peter reminds them of what God Himself had promised and prophesied when he spoke to Abraham in (repeated in 22:18; 26:4; 28:14). The Jews, those who Peter is addressing, are the sons of the prophets and sons of the covenant! God had promised to bless all families of the earth through the seed that would come from Abraham. That Seed is Christ!

Peter declares in v. 26 that it is because of these promises that God sent Christ to the Jews first. “Servant” here refers us back to v. 13 where we find God’s Servant glorified and become the object of our faith! The blessing that Jesus was sent to bring is seen in turning believers away from their iniquities.

Peter has healed a lame man and preached a powerful message, what will the response be? Not what you might expect from his last sermon in ch. 2. Next week we have communion and then we will find out how the people responded.

The disciples see a man who most would simply pass by. Though they do not have money, they do have Jesus, and that is what they give him! We have something that is greater than money. We have the cure for every disease. The solution to every problem. The answer to all of life's questions. We know the author of life who grants eternal life to all who believe! Jesus is greater than money. He is the cure, the solution, the answer to the most difficult questions. Because we have this answer, we dare not be silent.

Imagine with me that you are an EMT, an Emergency Medical Technician. Your shift is over and you are on your way home. Today is your spouses birthday and you have something special planned. You stop at the gas station for some gas just in time to see a car speed away. As you enter the station you see the attendant wounded and dying on the floor. What do you do? You have the skills and training to save this persons life. Will you? Or will you go to another gas station because you have plans for that night? I believe that most if not all of us would save the persons life! After all, we have the skills and the training.

Spiritually speaking, many of the people we encounter every day are wounded and dying! They have no way to save themselves! We have the exact message they need to hear! We have the Words of life entrusted to us by our Savior. Do we tell people how to have life? Or do we walk away because we are busy?

We need to change the way we see. We need a shift in perspective. Don’t see a crippled beggar. See a man in need of Jesus! Don’t see sin, see the sinner who needs to be transformed by the grace, mercy, and forgiveness of God!

Take advantage of every opportunity to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

The disciples used the healing of a crippled beggar to preach the gospel. What will we use?

#310 “So Send I You” verses 2, 5

Opportunities To Preach Christ

Introduction

1. Healing In The Name Of Jesus vv. 1-10

a. Preparation for healing vv. 1-5

b. Presentation of healing vv. 6-10

2. Preaching In The Name Of Jesus vv. 11-26

a. Explanation of physical healing vv. 11-16

b. Exhortation to spiritual healing vv. 17-26

Conclusion

Opportunities To Preach Christ

Introduction

1. Healing In The Name Of Jesus vv. 1-10

a. Preparation for healing vv. 1-5

b. Presentation of healing vv. 6-10

2. Preaching In The Name Of Jesus vv. 11-26

a. Explanation of physical healing vv. 11-16

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b. Exhortation to spiritual healing vv. 17-26

Conclusion