Acts Chapter 3 -- Able Bodied Man

©Lightwritingmatters 2015

Theme scripture

“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 do 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 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.” Acts 3:4-10 (NIV)

 Couple of phenomenal things happens in Chapter Three

·        A man who is unable to walk from birth spent each day at the temple gate begging from those entering the temple.

·        Peter and John encountered the begging man who asked for money.

·        Peter gives the man something more valuable than money -- which may suffice for a day – instead, he directed the man to look at him [basically ‘pay attention’] and then Peter’s declaration to the man ‘In the name of Jesus Christ, walk.

·        Peter took the lame man’s right hand, helped him to his feet which were fully operational for the first time since birth. So much so he walked and jumped.

Notice what the healed man does next and the affect in the account? Two things:

1.      “the people saw him walking and praising God” [emphasis added]

2.     “they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.” [emphasis added]

What a tremendous testimony to GOD! This man had no idea when he begged from Peter and John his day would be so radically changed. GOD healed the man through Peter; the healed man jumped and walked and gave praise to GOD. The people who saw him, knowing who he was and what he’d been doing for a long time, begging, were filled with wonder and amazement.

Thanks to GOD this man became an able-bodied man capable of earning his own money and helping others. His healing took his begging -- ‘fish for a day’ -- and turned him into an able-bodied man -- ‘fisherman’ as the Chinese proverb points up – and made him self sustaining.

Peter turned their astonishment into an opportunity to point out the obvious. They should not have been surprised! He chastises them as quoted from verses 12-16:

“12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus.

√You handed him over to be killed, and

√ you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 

√ You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 

√ You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.

 16 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.” (NIV)] [emphasis added]

Peter continues to speak truth which convicted some in their heart and spirit while giving them the benefit of doubt.

“17 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. [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 --- KJV] 21 Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. 22 For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. 23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’” Acts 3:17-23 (NIV) [emphasis added]

Here we have a classic case of ‘second chances’. Clearly, their first opportunity was the ministry in the person of Jesus. Peter tells them they failed. Now, despite their ignorance, he is sharing the benefit of Jesus’ ministry, Jesus’ death and resurrection and the many blessings received resulting from Jesus. Peter clearly tells them it is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Jesus the miracle these people witnessed happened. As it turns out in chapter 4 verse 4 the accounting of those who believed was then about 5000! In Acts 2:41 the result of the preaching accounted for about 3000 people baptized on Pentecost. Thus, about 2000 people responded and believed in Jesus in the Temple that day.

As an interrogatory: If you were in that crowd, heard Peter’s words, and you had been part of the crowd who shouted to kill Jesus and release Barabbas then you witnessed this miracle of healing would you not be brought to your knees, or lay prostrate hiding your face in shame in prayer for forgiveness from GOD? Can we even imagine how any one of those folks felt, whether or not they believed, after seeing the miracle healing and hearing those words of admonition?

The true test of their belief begins to be challenged immediately as we will see in chapter 4.

Please read and ponder upon the events in Chapters 1-3. †

©Lightwritingmatters 2015

©Lightwritingmatters 2015