Through the Bible in One Year

Days 188

Acts 3:1-10

As we have gone the book of Acts we have so far seen: Jesus ascend into heaven while promising his disciples (both present and future) baptism in the Spirit, the baptism in the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, Peter’s remarkable keynote address on the day of Pentecost and the difference that the baptism in the Spirit made on the early church’s mission.  And today we are going to see yet another example of the change that the baptism in the Spirit made.  Because today we are going to see Peter and John heal a man that had been born lame.

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame 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. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!”—3:1-4

Because of the temple’s exalted position (both geographically and theologically), going to it and to Jerusalem always involved going up.  Luke reports Peter and John’s journey as being at 3pm, the ninth hour.  This would be the second of three hours of prayer.  Apparently a man who was lame had some friends who regularly carried him to the temple.  The specific gate, while identified as being called “Beautiful,” is not known today.  The beggar was set up to beg as people were entering the temple, for he was not allowed inside.  It was here that he asked Peter for money.  Peter told the man to look at him, which suggests the man’s reluctance to make eye contact.

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

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.—3:5-7

The was expecting money, so Peter’s statement would have brought disappointment.  Yet Peter offered the man something better than money, which probably provoked the man’s curiosity and then amazement as a healing happened in his body.  Peter, unafraid of any ritual impurity, touched the man.  The miracle was one that could not be faked.  The man’s lower extremities were certainly affected.  For him to receive strength was a miracle that instantly healed the feet and ankles, bringing visible changes.

He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized 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.—3:8-10

While the disabled are often treated as invisible by those passing by, the crowd recognized the man who was now leaping and praising God.  The onlookers knew him because he was regularly begging at the temple.  The healed man entered the temple begging, likely for the first time ever, since he was lame from birth.

The healing of this disabled individual was done by the power of Christ working through his followers.  To do something in someone’s name implied being that person’s representative and acting with his or her full power and authority.  Jesus said to his followers concerning those who would believe in him: “In my name…they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well” (Mark 16:17-18).  The church continued Jesus’ healing ministry in obedience to his will.  This miracle was accomplished through faith “in the name of Jesus Christ” and “gifts of healing” operating through Peter.

Peter stated that he had no sliver or gold, but would give the man something much more valuable.  Churches that are materially prosperous but lacking in spiritual power should strongly consider Peter’s words.  Many churches today can no longer, “Sliver and gold I do not have,” nor are they truly able to say, “In the the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”  And that is we where we will pick tomorrow as we finish chapter 3.

Tomorrow’s Bible Readings:

1 Chronicles 5:18-6:81, Acts 26, Psalm 6:1-10 and Proverbs 18:20-21