When we move into Chapter 3 we see a continuation of what has been taking place from the beginning, people praying. While the scripture does not outright saying that Peter and John were going to the temple to pray, it does tell us that they were going there at the “Hour of Prayer.” There is little doubt in my mind that these men are going about their daily lives in a constant state of prayer. The world as they have known it has changed and they now seek God constantly because they do not know any other way to turn. Formerly, they had Jesus there each moment teaching and guiding them. However, they now face a life alone. I am reminded of how many times I have spoken with church members who have lost a loved one, whether father, mother, or spouse, and they acknowledge the difficulty of day-to-day operations. They state their condition of uncertainty because that loved one who has now passed was their counselor, their sounding board, and/or their confidant. Imagine the lives of these men, whom for the last 3 years have had the greatest counselor, teacher, sounding board, and/or confidant of all time yet now He is no longer at their beckon call, so they think. So what do they do? PRAY!
As they approach their destination, they are met with a divine moment. Divine moments are those times when God places someone or something in our paths to either teach or encourage us but also to use as a method of showing His glory, might, and power. In this case, the divine moment was a man who had been lame since birth. Through the Power of the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus, Peter and John brought healing to this man, this act of healing providing a platform for these weak men to showcase the power of God. In addition, this allowed Peter to deliver his second great sermon, here in Solomon’s Colonnade. Peter, the brash and ashamed disciple now the bold and apologetic (defensive), disciple states with great boldness and authority, “This Jesus, WHOM YOU CRUCIFIED, is the One who has made this man whole. So you should repent of your actions and seek His forgiveness determining to live for Him.” Go Peter, preach it with unashamed and unapologetic boldness!
Lessons from Chapter 3
1. Prayer must be constant to drive away self-doubt, self-help, and self-centeredness.
2. Only through the Power of God can we change from inadequate and inconsistent followers of God to Empowered Ones Proclaiming the His greatness.
3. We are commanded to speak with boldness and clarity the message of saving grace through Jesus Christ to an unregenerate world.
In Acts 3 is an example of growth of a Christian when Peter healed the beggar.
ReplyDelete“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” (Acts 3: 6)
He said that as if he had been healing people his entire life.
This is an awe inspiring moment where a man grew to an incredible, unbelievable point in his walk with God.
I admire Peter to the point of envy and he is my favorite disciple. From the time that Peter was selected or “promoted” to a disciple I see the growth of a Christian from a baby to a mature Christian.
Peter is like many of us, he is impetuous he has moments of intense faith, doubt, and really trying to find his way. He wanted so badly to believe and be brave but “man” kept creeping in, but Christ kept faith in his disciple.
Peter, loved Christ, but he tested him, like a child test his parents. Christ mentored him along like a good parent. Peter walked on water, and then doubted, Christ lifted him up, both physically and spiritually and Peter grew. (Matthew 14:28-29)
Peter bragged to Jesus, “Peter answered and said unto him, Though all [men] shall be offended because of thee, [yet] will I never be offended.” (Matthew 26:33) He denied Christ 3 times in fear and acted like a child when he couldn’t see his parent, and Peter grew.
Peter impetuously defended his family when he cut off the ear of the Roman. Christ calmly handled his child, Peter, and took care of the Roman so no harm or retribution would come to his child, like a parent and Peter grew.
He denied Jesus 3 times and Peter knew as a child that he had let his “parent” down and he ran ashamed of himself. That is why when he heard Jesus was alive he ran to the grave to see his Jesus; he could hold him and beg forgiveness, like a child and Peter grew.
Finally, Peter in Acts 3 healed the beggar “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” No doubt, no fear. If I would have the privilege and honor of adding to a verse it would be, “and Jesus smiled at Peter.”
Peter gives me hope that God can use people who are impetous, speak without thinking and act without realizing the possible consequences. Peter makes me realize that I can make God smile