Empowered by the Holy Spirit

Setting the stage...

Acts 1:2–3 NASB95

until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.

Luke 24:49 NASB95

“And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Acts 1:14 NASB95

These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

Acts 2:4 NASB95

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

Acts 2:23 NASB95

this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.

Acts 2:39–47 NASB95

“For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

This was the atmosphere for chapter 3

Chapter 3

GOD’S PEOPLE HAVE SOMETHING BETTER TO OFFER THE WORLD (Acts 3:1-7)

A. THE MIRACLE AT THE TEMPLE GATE (1-8)

1. Peter and John go to the temple

a. At the hour of prayer

b. Which was the ninth hour (3 p.m.)

2. The lame man at the temple gate called Beautiful

(The gate beautiful was located at the entrance into the inner court. On the temple mount you had the temple, inner court, outer court, then Solomon’s porch on the outskirts)

a. Lame from his mother's womb (Why didn’t Jesus heal him prior to Pentecost? (Will and Purpose of God)

John 9:2 And His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

b. Carried daily to the gate to ask for alms

The man had been lame for 40 years - Acts 4:22

c. Seeing Peter and John, asks them for alms

3. Peter heals the lame man

a. They fix their eyes on the man, and Peter tells him to look at them

Why did this happen?

Acts 13:8–9 NASB95

But Elymas the magician (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him,

(to see if there was faith - no. But they paused to let the Holy Spirit move them)

b. The man gives them his attention, expecting to receive something

c. Peter has no gold or silver, but gives what he has

(He gives him the only thing that is important)

1) He commands the lame man in the name of Jesus to rise up and walk

2) He takes him by the right hand and lifts him up Why was this necessary?

(Sometimes we need to extend our hand to those who need Christs’ deliverance)

d. Immediately his feet and ankle bones receive strength

1) Leaping up, the man stands and walks

2) He enters the temple with Peter and John

3) He is walking, leaping, and praising God

Peter and John were led by the Holy Spirit. They flowed with the Holy Spirit and God was glorified.

2. GOD’S PEOPLE GIVE GLORY AND PRAISE TO JESUS (Acts 3:11-16)

A. THE RESPONSE OF THE CROWD (9-11)

1. The people see the lame man walking and praising God

2. The people know him as the one who begged alms at the Beautiful Gate

3. They are filled with wonder and amazement at what happened

4. As the lame man holds on to Peter and John, the people run to them in Solomon's Porch

B. THE MIRACLE EXPLAINED (12-16)

1. Peter questions why the crowd marveled

a. Why look at Peter and John so intently? (4) Compare with Matthew 20:24. They were of one mind and purpose. NOTE: Man never asked for healing! Sometimes God speaks to us to meet the need

b. As though by their own power or godliness they made the man walk?

2. God has glorified His Servant Jesus

a. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of their fathers

b. Has glorified Jesus

1) Whom they delivered up and denied (God used man’s ignorance)

a) In the presence of Pilate

b) When he was determined to let Him God

2) The Holy One and the Just (God used Jesus’ righteousness)

a) Whom they denied

b) And asked for a murderer to be granted to them

3) The Prince of life (To provide Life to all mankind)

a) Whom God raised up

b) Of which Peter and John are witnesses

3. It was through faith in His name that made the man strong

a. A man whom they see and know

b. Faith which comes through Jesus has given him perfect soundness in their presence

3. GOD’S PEOPLE CALL OTHERS TO REPENTANCE SO THEY CAN EXPERIENCE REFRESHING (Acts 3:17-20)

A. THE CALL TO REPENT AND BE CONVERTED (17-20)

1. Peter knows they and their rulers crucified Christ in their ignorance (SHOWS GRACE)

a. Those things God foretold by the mouth of His prophets

b. How Christ would suffer, God has fulfilled

2. Peter commands them to repent and be converted

Repent — metanoeō met-an-o-eh'-o

to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction): - repent.

Converted — epistrephō — ep-ee-stref'-o

to revert (literally, figuratively or morally): - come (go) again, convert, (re-) turn (about, again).

It means to revert back to the mindset and life of the first Adam, pure, trusting, obedient to God

a. That their sins may be blotted out

Blotted out — exaleiphō — ex-al-i'-fo — to smear out, that is, obliterate (erase tears, figuratively pardon sin): - blot out, wipe away.

In the OT sin was covered, but now it is wiped away!

b. That times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord

Refreshing — anapsuxis — an-aps'-ook-sis

properly a recovery of breath, that is, (figuratively) revival: - revival.

Genesis 2:7 NASB95

Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

Refreshing comes from being in the presence of the Lord by grace through faith. Jesus said He would give His followers rest (Matt 11:28-30) He comforts, encourages, and build up His people that they would be refreshed and renewed for the life of faith and the gospel mission .

Matthew 11:28–30 NASB95

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

“...from the presence of the Lord” Acts 3:19b

James 1:17 NASB95

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.