Acts 3:1-10

Intro:

Chapter 2 of Acts is naturally linked to Chap 3

- What the HS did at Pentecost and in the believers following was for this new church to be a gift to the world.

- What had happened was what the Lord wanted to happen now through them

- It is interesting that they are now confronted by human need after this infilling of the HS

The Father intends it this way; the HS carrying us to people in need.

- Changing of our heart to be filled with a love not only for God, but for others.

- The HS burns out the chaff of judgementalism, exclusivity, and reservism.

Pentecost changes us into the people of God that care deeply about people.

The danger and tragedy is that we want to stay and live in Acts 2, but never experience the fruit of the Spirit in Acts 3.

- We want to enjoy this presence of God, the HS, and the joy of fellowship of others enjoying this Pentecost experience

- We miss out on the mission and intention of God if we remain.

- We become stagnant and in-grown; unhealthy

We want to relive ‘the good old days’ old camp highs, times of revival or renewal.

We have to be careful of trying to stay there because we will miss out on what God is doing and producing in and through our lives in those moments.

The central verse in Acts that establishes the theme, mission and purpose throughout Luke’s account is found in 1:8

Jesus instruction in Acts 1:8 is what drives/compels us forward

Acts 1:8 NIVUK84

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

- We are called to be witnesses: He has come! He is coming again!

- We talked about how the purpose of the infilling of the HS at Pentecost was tied back to this verse.

- The fruit of the HS is described in Acts 2 with one another.

- We must remeber the mission of God!

As we keep one foot in chapter 2 and begin our journey now into chapter 3, our experience with the HS and its fruit in our lives is an equipping for God’s purpose and mission.

- Has the infilling of the Holy Spirit moved you to people in need?

- Have the gifts of the Holy Spirit equipped you for ministry?

- Is the fruit of the Spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self control, (Galatians 5:22-23), bearing fruit of communicating Christ to others?

The authentic test of Pentecost is what happens in Acts 3.

Acts 3:1–10 NIVUK84

3 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognised him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Verses 1 & 2 Set the scene:

This healing story is one example of the “many wonders and signs” indicated in 2:43

This was customary still for the Jewish believers. (2:42,46). There is still a connection of Peter and John and the other Jewish believers to Judaism. They continued to be faithful to the religious practices as they had known and been taught.

It can be easy to begin to form some opinions and judgements about this crippled man we are introduced to.

Jewish tradition of giving alms for the poor were done as acts of faithfulness to God and for the provision for the poor as outlined in the Old Testament. (Deuteronomy 24:10-22, Isaiah 58:6-7, Amos 8:4-8, Malachi 3:5)

Jewish thought toward giving to the poor was viewed as a key element of faithful person’s responsibility to share their possessions as a means of doing justice.

People likely viewed the man as a way to check off a religious duty rather than really seeing him.

What do we know about this man that is crippled?

He has been so since birth (Acts 4 gives reference he was about 40 years old at this time)

He relies on others for everything!

We can assume that this man is not just physically crippled, but likely emotionally and spiritually crippled.

We look at his daily practices…they contrast significantly from the daily practices of everyone else.

The worshipers go into the temple, give alms, go to pray, worship, etc.

Where is the crippled man?

Jewish tradition banned him from the temple and all it represented.

In the Greco-Roman world, it was common to associate a person's physical traits with inner conditions and character. For instance, the depiction of Zac-chaeus as "short" in the Lukan Gospel does more than merely add descriptive color to the story. Rather, his lack of physical stature was perceived as an indication that he was also "short" on character.

The crippled man at the Beautiful Gate was no doubt a social and religious outsider due to his physical condition. Most would have considered him weak in both body and character (see Parsons 2006, 109-22). Such ancient perceptions would have limited his participation in worship (see, e.g., Lev 21:16-23). However, it is unclear whether he would have been completely ostracized. Luke's description of the man's healing as the strengthening of his ankles and feet correlates with the ancient view that noble men had strong ankles (see Parsons 2008, 55-57).

Let’s not forget the Pentecost experience of the infilling of the Holy Spirit and the changes it now brings into the hearts and minds of these believers.

Verses 3 - 4

Acts 3:3–4 (NIVUK84)

Acts 3:3–4 (NIVUK84)

3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!”

The Holy Spirit changes our demeanor and our perspective

A couple things can be at play here…

1. Have you ever noticed something different about somebody when they have an encounter with God?

Different way they look; smile, glow, spring in their step, making eye contact?

2. Peter & John are now looking at their world with through the eyes and sensitivity of the Holy Spirit.

Has the in-filling of the Holy Spirit changed you? It sure changed Peter & John!

- Has the infilling of the Holy Spirit moved you to people in need?

- Have the gifts of the Holy Spirit equipped you for ministry?

- Is the fruit of the Spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self control, (Galatians 5:22-23), bearing fruit of communicating Christ to others?

Maybe, for the first time, this beggar was really seen. He had been in this place, likely daily, in front of people coming and going into and out of the temple.

We see people all the time, but do we really “see” them?

It can be easy to feel lost in the crowd.

Peter’s sermon in chapter 2 had a focus on the crowd that had gathered. Peter’s focus here is on the one. The Holy Spirit directed them to the one. The Father’s heart is on the one.

Verse 5

Acts 3:5 NIVUK84

5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Lets talk about expectations a little bit.

What expectations did the beggar have for that day? What about his life?

- The crippled man was expecting to “get by” another day.

- His expectations were low as this was his normal life; go and beg and live off what is given.

Life expectations of someone crippled in this time period?

- “Sentenced” to a life of poverty

- Would never get married or have a family

- Was not permitted into the temple b/c of his condition

Jewish views of his condition:

Their physical traits were a representation of their character traits.

There is a tension building in this moment…

Maybe this is the time to wrestle with this question…

Who is the lame man for us?

I love how Lloyd John Ogilve addresses this in Drumbeat of Love,

“We must ask, “Who is the lame man for us?” He is one of three persons; possibly all three at once. (1.) Some of us are like the paralytic in some areas of our lives. As we read this, we may become aware of an immense immobility physically, emotionally, or interpersonally. We are conscious of inabilities, inadequacies, and ineptnesses. We want to love, but it's difficult. We want to express care, but we can't get free of ourselves. We long to live a significant life, but we are cornered by circumstances and people who seem immovable.

Ever feel paralyzed in body or spirit? Is your greatest need right now most like the paralytic's? You need more than gold or silver, analysis or surgery, therapy or theology! You need healing! If that's where you are, let the full impact of this passage be that what happened to that man by The Beautiful Gate is the beautiful gift God wants to give you also.”

(2.) Others who read this may have their focus on some person or persons in their lives who are lame and need healing. For these the passage thunders a question: Why is it that I have silver and gold to offer, but have never dared to utilize the power of the name of Jesus of Nazareth to bring healing? In the lives of all of us there are people who need Christ more than they need anything that our silver or gold can offer. To read and study this passage honestly, we must do what Peter did: we must direct our fixed attention on them. The power of Pentecost is for these very people, through us.

(3.) The third dimension of what happened there at the temple is represented in the public paralysis all around us. By public I mean social and cultural paralysis that results from structural and corporate evil in our society. If we are to care deeply about people, we must reach the taproot of the pollution in our communities and nation. How should we pray; what shall we do about that? The amazing thing is that we have both the power of the name of Jesus and the silver and gold he placed at our disposal to heal human suffering. And what have we done with either?

Three things should come into focus:

The paralyzed areas of your life which need healing

The people who need Christ’s healing through you

The evils in our world which cause people to be frustrated and paralyzed with injustice or inequality

Verses 6 - 8

Acts 3:6–8 NIVUK84

6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

What did Peter have?

- Faith?

- Assurance in what God was asking them to do?

- Offer of the promise of salvation?

The sentence structure in the Greek indicates that while they had no money, the did have the name of Jesus. The expression gives emphasis to the power of the name of Jesus that they held - the knowledge and experience of salvation and healing. They freely shared the this salvation and healing through the name of Jesus with him.

Peter tells the man that he did not have what the man wanted but what he needed.

I use to sing a song to my kids when they would beg for things they wanted at whatever store they saw something they liked.

It is a song by the English rock band “The Rolling Stones”. It goes a little something like this:

“You can't always get what you want You can't always get what you want You can't always get what you want But if you try sometimes, well, you might find You get what you need”

I don’t think I need to tell you that they hate this song.

We get a picture that Peter lifts the man by his begging hand into a new life.

And Luke, being a physician, is very specific in his use of medical terms and descriptions of what happens in these moments.

The Greek word for feet refers to the base or heels; the word for ankle bones refers to the socket for the ankle and the heel.

"Leaping up" describes the sudden socketing of the heel and ankle. The bones had been out of place, and an articulation, a joining or linking, occurred.

The language indicates that the process, which would normally be corrected by a physician only over a long period of time, happened in a split second.

The picture we get here is a close personal encounter between three people who have an encounter through the risen Christ.

Don’t miss where the power was coming from. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Invoking the name of Jesus was not some magical incantation.

Peter was making sure everyone knew the source of the healing. Jesus is continuing his work even after his ascension!

Philippians tells us that there is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved, that at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, both on the earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

There’s something unique and special about the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

This is inviting the living Jesus into that moment so that we see that, ultimately, who is it that healed this man? Was it Peter and John?

No, it was Jesus Christ.

This is very encouraging because Jesus healed when he was on the earth, and now he’s ascended into heaven. Can he still heal?

Yes, because he’s still alive, and now he’s ruling and reigning as sovereign Lord, and we can come to him, and he will hear us and answer us, and he can actually heal from his heavenly throne.

And then the result is that God is worshiped.

The man takes a few steps, and before you know it, the text tells us he starts leaping!

So, this man goes into the temple—and this would have been the first time in his life that he was able to go into the temple.

There was a restriction on those with physical disability, they were not allowed into the temple.

He’s now able to go into the temple, and here’s what we see: As soon as he is healed, he does not turn his back on God and walk away.

He sets his face toward God. He goes into the temple that he might worship and praise and celebrate the goodness of God, and the other people are astounded and they do the same.

The ultimate goal is not healing; it’s the secondary goal. The primary goal is the glory of God.

And so God is glorified and then people rejoice with singing and song and celebration.

Verses 9-10

Acts 3:9–10 NIVUK84

9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognised him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

The people recognized him as the man who begged at the gate.

The man’s healing caused them to be filled with “wonder” and “amazement”.

The verb “filled” is the same verbal form used when Luke describes how the Holy Spirit came upon the believers at Pentecost.

“Wonder” and “amazement” do not indicate a response of faith in Jesus Christ.

In the 28 chapters of Acts, 12 contain testimony of miraculous and divine healing. A couple of issues or questions regarding divine healing I want to try and address here as we move forward and encourage you to keep in mind.

1. Does God still heal today?

Yes, there is nothing in the Bible that indicates that he has stopped.

Does this mean we have to believe every story we hear when it comes to healing today?

Look, I know God still heals, but I also know it’s not my job to step in and referee every story, and it’s not your job either.

Sometimes, it’s best to just smile and nod.

2. Why does God heal?

He heals as an act of love and mercy to the person who’s suffering, as a validation of his servants, as a sign of the coming Kingdom of God, As a witness to non-Christians (both as a warning and an invitation), and he heals to motivate Christians to worship.

All are very valid reasons... different healings occur for different purposes, but all are valid.

3. Should hope of supernatural healing ever replace normal medical procedures? No! There isn’t even a hint of that train of thought in the Bible. The author of this book was himself a doctor.

We should be praying for both supernatural healing as well for wisdom for those in the medical profession.

4. Will everyone who prays in faith receive healing?

Well, yes and no. Eventually, yes.

The day is coming when God will restore all things, the dead in Christ shall be raised incorruptible, there will be no more disease or pain or mourning or crying.

But in the short term, no.

Sometimes God has a bigger purpose than physical healing.

Sometimes he allows us to know him better though the pain in this life, and and sometimes he uses our suffering to bring others to him.

Sometimes God glorifies himself by helping sick people get well; sometimes he is glorified when sick people die well.

Application:

We believe in the power of prayer, we believe God is still very much in the business of healing, and the story we read about this morning highlights the need to care for the hurting people all around us.

May God give us compassionate hearts for meeting the physical and spiritual needs of every individual.

May we be given the eye to see those who might feel lost in the crowd.