October 30, 2024
DAILY BIBLE READING – Acts Chapter 3
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 ankle 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.
11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.
12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?
13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.
14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
17 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.
18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
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.
King James Version. Public Domain
Commentary
Introduction
The Book of Acts, written by Luke, continues the narrative from the New Testament Gospel of Luke, documenting the spread of Christianity following the ascension of Jesus Christ. Chapter 3 of Acts marks a significant turning point in the early church by describing the first public miracle performed by the apostles Peter and John. This passage, known as the Healing of the Lame Man, illustrates not only the power of Jesus working through his disciples but also the growing tension between the emerging Christian community and the religious leaders in Jerusalem. The healing at the temple serves as a catalytic event, leading to intensified persecution and an expansion of the apostles’ missionary efforts.
Commentary
Verses 1–10: The Healing at the Temple
The scene opens at the ninth hour (3 PM), a time of prayer in the temple, as Peter and John gather to pray. The lame man, crippled from birth, sits daily at the “Beautiful Gate” (the temple’s entrance) and asks visitors for alms. His daily presence at the temple gate underscores his dependency and lowly social status as a beggar.
When he recognizes Peter and John, he asks for alms, but Peter responds in an unexpected way. Instead of money, Peter says, “Look at us!” — a call for a personal encounter and trust. Peter then explains that he does not have material wealth but offers healing in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth: “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” This declaration emphasizes the authority and spiritual power granted to the apostles.
The lame man is immediately healed, stands, walks, and accompanies them into the temple, praising God. This instantaneous healing, demonstrated through the man’s walking and leaping, attests to the reality of miraculous works through the apostles. This miracle not only represents physical healing but also signifies spiritual liberation and the arrival of God’s Kingdom.
Verses 11–26: Peter’s Sermon to the Crowd
People who recognize the formerly lame man are astonished and shocked by what has happened. Observing their wonder, Peter seizes the moment to deliver a powerful sermon.
Peter begins by acknowledging the crowd’s amazement and redirects their attention from the apostles’ own power to God, saying, “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this?” He clarifies that the healing was not by human strength but through the power of God. Peter references the glorification of Jesus, whom the leaders had handed over to Pilate and denied.
Peter condemns the rejection of the Holy and Righteous One, identifying Jesus as the “Prince of Life” whom God raised from the dead. This declaration underscores Jesus’s divine nature and role as Redeemer. Peter emphasizes that faith in Jesus’s name is the source of healing, highlighting the miracle’s spiritual significance.
Peter then calls the crowd to repentance, saying, “Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” He references Moses’s prophetic words, stressing the need to listen to the prophets. The call to repentance and the announcement of Jesus’s return connect the lame man’s healing to the Christian eschatological hope.
Theological Implications
The healing of the lame man symbolizes the holistic healing that the Gospel brings—physically, spiritually, and socially. It demonstrates the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and affirms the apostles as legitimate leaders of the church. Emphasizing Jesus’s name and faith as the means of healing highlights Jesus’s central role in God’s redemptive plan.
Peter’s sermon links the miracle to the necessity of repentance and the acknowledgment of Jesus as the Messiah, establishing a clear distinction between the old religious system and the new Christian faith. Acts 3 thus reveals the power of the Gospel and the transformative impact of faith on individuals and communities.
Summary
Acts Chapter 3 describes the remarkable healing of a man lame from birth by Peter and John at the “Beautiful Gate” of the temple. This miraculous act draws the attention of the Jerusalem crowd and leads to a public sermon by Peter. In his message, Peter emphasizes that the healing occurred not by human strength but through the power of Jesus Christ, whom they had denied. He calls the audience to repentance to receive forgiveness for their sins and points to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies through Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection. The healing of the lame man and the subsequent sermon mark a pivotal moment in the spread of early Christianity, affirming the apostles’ divine authority and presenting the Gospel’s message to a wider audience.
WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | The Desire of Ages
Chapter 73—“Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled”
This chapter is based on John 13:31-38; John 14; John 15; John 16; John 17.
Read online here
Commentary
Introduction:
Chapter 73 depicts the deep, moving words that Jesus gave to His disciples before His arrest and death. These sections of Scripture are particularly significant because Jesus prepares His disciples for the impending separation and encourages them not to despair despite the forthcoming difficulties. He emphasizes the necessity of faith in Him and in God and speaks about the importance of the Holy Spirit as a Comforter. The connection between the disciples and Jesus is highlighted as a vital component of the Christian faith, which remains relevant even today.
Commentary:
This chapter especially reveals the intimate relationship between Jesus and His disciples. Despite the sadness over His impending absence, Jesus strives to comfort them and provide them with a perspective of hope. He reveals the central significance of His sacrifice and emphasizes that His departure is not the end but the beginning of a new phase of their mission. The promise of the Holy Spirit shows that they will never be alone, even though He will no longer be physically with them. It is also interesting that Jesus highlights the importance of love and obedience. Love for God and for one another is emphasized as a sign of discipleship. This inner connection between love, faith, and obedience is a key to understanding and living out Christian discipleship.
Summary:
Chapter 73 describes the final moments that Jesus spent with His disciples before His arrest. He promises them that they will not remain alone but will receive the Holy Spirit as a Comforter. Jesus’ words emphasize the necessity of remaining in Him and obtaining eternal life through Him. Through the Holy Spirit, the disciples are empowered to continue Jesus’ work, accomplish greater things, and live in unity with one another. The chapter highlights the importance of faith, love, and obedience, which are necessary to remain connected to Christ. The message is timeless: even in difficult times, believers should trust in the Holy Spirit and be guided by the love and word of Christ.
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