September 27, 2022
Central Truth
The healed man in Acts 3 was living evidence of a miracle—Christ's power to transform. We as Christ followers are also living evidence of a miracle. We, too, are transformed by faith in the name of Jesus.
But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!"
1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 1 3:1 That is, 3 p.m. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant 2 3:13 Or child; also verse 26 Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus 3 3:16 Greek him has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
17 And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”
Luke, the author of Acts, shows us that the work of Christ that began in His earthly life continued in the work of the young Christian community. The miracles described in the book of Acts confirmed God's presence in the spread of the gospel and were a sign that enabled faith.
Acts 3:6 is the heart of the passage: "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" The beggar requested money, but Peter had something more precious—the gift of healing.
"In the name of Jesus," Peter commanded the lame man to walk. When he invoked the name of Jesus, Peter called upon Jesus' authority and power. In a real sense Jesus through Peter continued His healing ministry. With a healing touch, Peter grasped the man's right hand and lifted him up.
Before, as a lame beggar, this man sat in the court of the Gentiles at the gate to the sanctuary. Day after day, he sat at the threshold, but he could not enter. He was lame and blemished and was denied access to the inner courts.
After the encounter with Peter, the formerly lame man not only received physical healing but also spiritual acceptance. For the first time, he was deemed worthy to enter the house of worship. The transformed man began walking, jumping, and praising God. For the first time he could really praise God in the place of praise, in God's house.
This theme repeats itself in the lives of all Christ followers. Before encountering Christ, we were all lame and stuck in our sinfulness. After we trust in Christ, we are transformed. Acts 3:16 (NIV) says, "By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see."
1. What do you currently need to be healed from? Do you believe God could heal you from this?
2. Were you ever stuck in a pattern of habitual sin that no longer has a hold on you?
3. Why do we need to continuously repent and turn to God?
4. Why does God want us to have faith in Christ?