Peter Presents the Gospel

Healing the Crippled Man

Acts 3:1–10 KJV 1900

1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 2 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 of them that entered into the temple; 3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. 4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength. 8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God: 10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

The ninth hour (3pm) is a significant time in the New Testament.

It is the time when Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world. .

It was at the ninth hour when the angel came to Cornelius in answer to his sincere prayers. .

Here Peter and John feel the need to give themselves to prayer regularly with the grand work in front of them and the need to have Christ with them at every step.

Psalm 55:16–17 KJV 1900

16 As for me, I will call upon God; And the Lord shall save me. 17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: And he shall hear my voice.

There are some important lessons we can learn from the healing of the crippled man.

Firstly, there are lessons that we can learn how God works in our lives.

Luke wrote already that signs and wonders were done by the apostles and was a sort of guarantee of the truth they were proclaiming. . This was now a personal witness of one of those signs and wonders.

It demonstrates the power of God. This man was lame from birth! His condition was irreversible in that time and he was completely helpless.

This was now a personal witness of one of those signs and wonders.

Divine power will be manifested when we act in faith. The lame man needed to will to get up and it was only as he chose to get up, despite his lameness, that divine power invigorated his nerves and muscles and he was given strength and received healing to his feet and ankles, so much so, that he “leaping up stood, and walked."

So with us, we will only receive the grace that is needed in our lives as we move forward in faith notwithstanding our perplexing situations, and it is only as we do this that we can receive the grace that is sufficient for all our needs.

When we put our trust in God, God will give and do more than we can imagine. The lame man only asked for some money, but in return he received restoration of his body and his soul. Salvation came to that lame man that day. It reminds us of the promise that God “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” .

Malachi 3:10 KJV 1900

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be meat in mine house, And prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, If I will not open you the windows of heaven, And pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Secondly, we can learn how we can work for the restoration of man.

Peter and John were approachable. reveals that when the man saw Peter and John going into the temple that he asked an alms (donation) from them. We need to be approachable, people need to see and feel that our presence is a place where they feel secure and can be helped.

Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John… Look on us. We need to be able to look people in the eye with when presenting the gospel and let the look be one of love, compassion, telling them that we are intentional and are focused one them. We need to engage people when we talk to them so that they feel as though we have something to offer them.

Gospel Workers, Revised and Enlarged Visiting Homes

Much depends upon the manner in which you meet those whom you visit. You can take hold of a person’s hand in greeting in such a way as to gain his confidence at once, or in so cold a manner that he will think you have no interest in him.

We should not act as if it were a condescension to come in contact with the poor. They are as precious in God’s sight as we are, and we must act as if we thought them so.

We need the tender sympathy of Jesus; then we can win our way to hearts.

Gospel Workers, Revised and Enlarged Visiting Homes

We need the tender sympathy of Jesus; then we can win our way to hearts.

Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee. Peter didn’t have any material gain to donate to this poor lame man, but one thing he possessed, which all true believers possess, and that was the treasure of heaven; and this he could offer to this man. Peter was able to bridge from temporal need to spiritual need (money - Christ’s healing power and peace). Jesus did this often, especially with the Samaritan woman at the well (water - spiritual life).

In the book of Job finding precious metals and stones are compared to finding wisdom and understanding and their worth is far more than gold, silver, precious onyx and the sapphire. In we gain the answer of wisdom and understanding are, “the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” This reveals that the experience of conversion and salvation is of far more worth than anything in this world; the experience of knowing Jesus Christ is worth more than silver and gold.

Gospel Workers, Revised and Enlarged Visiting Homes

Much depends upon the manner in which you meet those whom you visit. You can take hold of a person’s hand in greeting in such a way as to gain his confidence at once, or in so cold a manner that he will think you have no interest in him.

We should not act as if it were a condescension to come in contact with the poor. They are as precious in God’s sight as we are, and we must act as if we thought them so.

He took him by the right hand, and lifted him up. In sharing Christ with this lame man, Peter came close to this man taking him by the hand and lifting him. As we share Jesus with others and as they begin making their first steps toward Jesus Christ, they will need the grasp of a loving hand gently lifting them into the presence of Jesus.

They were filled with wonder and amazement. What was the cause of this? Not only the fact that he was healed, but that he was announcing his new found experience by “praising God.” God uses changed lives to draw others to the message of the gospel.

We need the tender sympathy of Jesus; then we can win our way to hearts.

Evidences of Jesus Christ as Messiah

After the amazement and gathering of people around the lame man and the apostles, Peter then uses this opportunity to present the gospel.

With the opportunity in hand, he points the crowd to three areas of Christ’s life.

First. The Holy One and the Just [Righteous] (v.14). He points the Christ’s divinity and sinless life.

Second. Christ should suffer (v.18). Peter afterwards points to Christ’s suffering and death.

Third. the Prince of Life, whom God hath raised from the dead. Peter also points to Jesus’ resurrection.

Peter then in v.16 explains that the lame man was healed and made strong through faith in the name of Christ. To have faith in the name of Jesus Christ is to receive Him as a personal Saviour, believe His promises, rely upon His grace, and work His works (Steps to Christ, p. 100). This faith will give any man and woman “perfect soundness.”

Peter makes it clear that the restoration of this man was only possible through faith in Christ, and that that is only possible if Jesus Christ of Nazareth is the divine Son of God, the Messiah who lived, died, and resurrected to give life to the world.

Peter makes his argument of the resurrection of Christ on both objective and subjective points.

Objective: V.15, Peter declares that they are eye witnesses of the resurrection of Christ. Peter didn’t argue, “I know Jesus is alive because He lives in my heart!” Instead he shows objectively that Jesus is the Messiah.

Subjective: V.16, On the other hand, Peter does use a personal experience to convince the people of the Messiahship of Christ, namely that the lame man was made whole through faith in the Name that is above all names. “The faith which is by Him has given him perfect soundness in the presence of you all.”

What can we learn? Both objective and subjective arguments are important, and should be combined when sharing the gospel. Evidence of a changed life is powerful, but alone is not necessarily enough to convince that Jesus Christ is real. However on the other hand, to show that historical evidence for Jesus alone without a personal testimony will not persuade a person either.

That both are important can be seen in the following Scripture:

2 Peter 1:16–19 KJV 1900

16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

16-

Peter uses the Scriptures to convince the crowd of the divine nature of Jesus Christ using three aspects:

He points to the Scriptures, and in fact “all His prophets” to prove Christ’s ministry.

V.22 - He quotes Moses that God would raise “a Prophet… unto you of your brethren, like unto me; Him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever He shall say unto you.” Jesus is the promised Prophet to whom all shall give heed to.

V.24 - Peter points to Samuel and all the prophets after him foretelling the days of Christ. especially relevant were the prophecies of David in the Psalms. In , Peter especially turns to David in the Psalms using and speaking of Christ’s suffering and resurrection. Jesus is the suffering Servant.

V.25 - Peter then goes back to Abraham and that Christ was the promised Seed through whom all the nations of the world would be blessed. Jesus is the promised blessing.

When Jesus trained the disciples before His ascension, He taught them all the scriptures concerning Himself, especially the writings of Moses, David, and the prophets.

Luke 24:44–47 KJV 1900

44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

44-

It is important to learn from this, that when we share the gospel from the Old Testament whether in types or in prophecies that we share Christ in those types and prophecies.

All our teaching must be Christ-centered.

When we share Christ as the Prophet that was raised, we are sharing Him as One who has brought to light truth that hitherto has never shined in its brilliancy as it did through Him. This reveals to us the truth that we always have searched for among the cultures, traditions, misbeliefs, falsehoods we are swamped with on earth.

When we share Him as the suffering Servant of God, we share Him as the innocent One who was prophesied to bare the sins of the guilty that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. This melts our heart and exalts Christ’s majesty and Kingship.

When we share Christ as the promised Seed of Abraham, we share Him as the One through whom we receive every temporal and spiritual blessing. ; ; . When we share Christ as thus, He becomes to the beholder the One in whom all our hope in centred in. He becomes our all in all.

Aggressive Evangelism

Acts 3:19–26 KJV 1900

19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. 22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. 23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. 24 Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. 25 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. 26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

There are a few lessons that we can learn from this chapter in reference to the evangelistic methods used by Peter and John.

Make use of opportunity.

Peter made use of an opportunity to witness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. First he made use of the question of the lame man to give a donation. He made use of the occasion to give a monetary gift instead to offer physical healing which led to this man accepting Christ as the Messiah and receiving salvation. The lame man asked for money, he received restoration of his body and soul. Peter used a temporal need to bridge a spiritual need.

When the crowds wondered at the healing of the lame man by the disciples Peter again used this opportunity for a occasion to preach the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and point them to Christ as the source of the lame man’s healing and the source of the restoration of every man’s experience.

“True success in any line of work is not the result of chance or accident or destiny. It is the outworking of God’s providences, the reward of faith and discretion, of virtue and perseverance. Fine mental qualities and a high moral tone are not the result of accident. God gives opportunities; success depends upon the use made of them.—Prophets and Kings, 486 (1917).”

The Lord will co-operate with all who earnestly strive to be faithful in his service, as he co-operated with Daniel and his three companions. Fine mental qualities and a high tone of moral character are not the result of accident. God gives opportunities; success depends upon the use made of them. The openings of Providence must be quickly discerned and eagerly entered. There are many who might become mighty men, if, like Daniel, they would depend upon God for grace to be overcomers, and for strength and efficiency to do their work.

True success in any line of work is not the result of chance or accident or destiny. It is the outworking of God’s providences, the reward of faith and discretion, of virtue and perseverance. Fine mental qualities and a high moral tone are not the result of accident. God gives opportunities; success depends upon the use made of them.—Prophets and Kings, 486 (1917).

The Lord will co-operate with all who earnestly strive to be faithful in his service, as he co-operated with Daniel and his three companions. Fine mental qualities and a high tone of moral character are not the result of accident. God gives opportunities; success depends upon the use made of them. The openings of Providence must be quickly discerned and eagerly entered. There are many who might become mighty men, if, like Daniel, they would depend upon God for grace to be overcomers, and for strength and efficiency to do their work.

True success in any line of work is not the result of chance or accident or destiny. It is the outworking of God’s providences, the reward of faith and discretion, of virtue and perseverance. Fine mental qualities and a high moral tone are not the result of accident. God gives opportunities; success depends upon the use made of them.—Prophets and Kings, 486 (1917).

White, E. G. (1977). Mind, Character, and Personality (Vol. 1, p. 100). Southern Publishing Association.

(1986). The Youth’s Instructor, 660.

Adaptation.

(1986). The Youth’s Instructor, 660.

He adapts to the audience. He calls them “brethren” in v.17 showing that he is identified with them and he uses the familiar Scriptures known to Jews to convince them of the truth of Jesus Christ. So with us, the message of the gospel should be adapted to meet the needs of our community and appeal to familiar persons or subjects of the Scripture that can help build a case for Christ.

“In a special manner truth is adapted to the necessities of every human heart. As the children of God comprehend the ability of the Lord to supply their needs, they will reach out to meet the needs of the souls who are perishing in sin. God will accept all who will exercise faith in him and become doers of his word.” Review & Herald, August 12, 1909, par. 4

Evangelism Tactful Methods, Not Deception

You must vary your labor, and not have one way which you think must be followed at all times and in all places. Your ways may seem to you a success, but if you used more tact, more of the wisdom of the serpent, you would have seen much more real results of your work.—Letter 12, 1887.

Balanced Approach.

Peter was direct and forceful.

Statements such as:

V.12 “Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this?”

V.13-15 “…Whom you delivered up, and denied Him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted to you; and killed the Prince of Life

V.19 “Repent ye therefore and be converted”

Peter was respectful and sympathetic.

V.17 “Now, brethren I know that through ignorance you did it, as did your rulers.

V.25 “Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers.” He acknowledges their high history and calls them to step up the commitment God has made with Israel in their own hearts.

Peter had a beautiful blend of both a gentle, respectful and yet direct and confronting approach to the people.

He sympathised with their ignorance and acknowledged their place as Jews, but at the same time did not excuse their sin and still pointed it out and called them to repentance.

Matthew 10:16 KJV 1900

16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Notebook Leaflets from the Elmshaven Library, Volume 1 Chapter 10: Our Duty to the Missionary Work

The members of the church are not all called to labor in foreign lands, but all have a part to act in the great work of giving light to the world. The gospel of Christ is aggressive and diffusive. In the day of God not one will be excused for having been shut up to his own selfish interests. There is work for every mind and for every hand. There is a variety of work, adapted to different minds and varied capabilities. Everyone who is connected with God will impart light to others. If there are any who have no light to give, it is because they have no connection with the Source of light.