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This lesson explores Acts chapter 3, where conflicts with unbelievers start to arise after the events of Pentecost. It focuses on the healing of the lame man by Peter and John, and Peter's sermon that follows, emphasizing the need for repentance.
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Lesson 10 Acts, Chapter 3
Time Frame (Acts 3) • Exact Date Not Known • The New Testament does not reveal the time between the events of Pentecost, and the events of Acts 3 • Conflicts with Unbelievers Begin • How long did the preaching of the gospel go unopposed? (No doubt a short period of time). • Chapter 3 begins a record of conflicts and opposition to the spread of the gospel of our Lord
The Lame Man Healed (vs. 1-11) 1 • Peter & John Together at the Temple • Often spoken of in scripture as together (Jn. 1:41; Mt. 17:1; Mk. 5:37; Mt. 26:37; Lk. 22:8; Jn. 18:16; 20:3; Jn. 21:7; Acts 8:14; Gal. 2:9) • Were partners in fishing when called by Christ (cf. Luke 5:10) • Jews traditionally prayed at the 3rd, 6th and 9th hours. (9th hour = 3:00 pm)
The Lame Man Healed (vs. 1-11) 2 • Man was lame since birth • A beggar, carried every day to the gate to beg alms • “Beautiful” gate (called that only here).
The Beautiful Gate “The gate which led from the Court of the Gentiles into the Court of the Women. This would be the gate of Corinthian bronze described by Josephus” (called Nicanor gate). “Nicanor was made of Corinthian brass, and adorned with silver and gold plates. It was 75 feet high and 60 feet wide. It was located on the east where the sunlight presented a bright reflection to the constant crowds entering for worship.” (New Testament History, Acts [Reese], pg. 152-153)
The Lame Man Healed (vs. 1-11) 2 • Man was lame since birth • A beggar, carried every day to the gate to beg alms • “Beautiful” gate (called that only here). • Peter and John got his attention, and Peter offered him something other than alms. “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
The Lame Man Healed (vs. 1-11) 3 • The nature of the miraculous healing • The miracle was instantaneous (vs. 7) • The miracle was dramatic (vs. 8) • The miracle was verifiable (vss. 9-10) • The miracle fostered wonder in the people who witnessed it (vs. 11, cf. vs. 12, “as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk…”).
John 20:30-31 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. Note: A miracle is evidence of the divine. But, faith comes by “hearing God’s word…”
Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Note: The miracle is not the source of faith, but readies the mind to believe. The gospel of Christ is the source of faith.
Peter’s Second Sermon (vs. 12-26) 1 • The miracle gave Peter an audience • They were “amazed” and “ran” (vs. 11) • Peter deflected the focus from him and John (vs. 12) • Miracles come from God, not men • Paul and Barnabas had a similar reaction at a similar circumstance (Acts 14:8-18) in Lystra. There it was said, “they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.”
Peter’s Second Sermon (vs. 12-26) 2 • Peter Immediately pointed out the sin of the Jews(13-15) • Remember his statement on Pentecost (2:36). Stephen did the same, with a different result (7:51-53) • Note: The emphasis today on “Friendship evangelism” is misplaced. All examples of conversion in Acts had immediate convicting of sin!
Peter’s Second Sermon (vs. 12-26) 3 • Peter identified Jesus as the source of the miracle (cf. John 20:30-31) • It was the apostles’ faith in Jesus Christ that accomplished this miracle (Mt. 17:20; Lk. 17:5-6)
Luke 17:5-6 And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." 6 So the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.”
Peter’s Second Sermon (vs. 12-26) 3 • Peter identified Jesus as the source of the miracle (cf. John 20:30-31) • It was the apostles’ faith in Jesus Christ that accomplished this miracle (Mt. 17:20; Lk. 17:5-6) • The key point here is this: It is “through His name” that the miracle was performed. The “prince of life” they had rejected had accomplished this miracle.
Peter’s Second Sermon (vs. 12-26) 4 • God accomplished man’s redemption through the Jews’ actions (vs. 17-18) • The had done this in ignorance (though that did not excuse their actions). • God’s purposes could not be thwarted through their efforts. In fact, he used them to accomplish the redemption of man in Christ’s sacrifice (cf. Jn. 10:17-18)
John 10:17-18 "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
Peter’s Second Sermon (vs. 12-26) 5 • Peter called the Jews to Repentance (vs. 19-21)(Parallel to Acts 2) • Repent and be converted (return). Baptism would certainly be included in the “return” (cf. Acts 2:38) • Sins “blotted out” / “remission” • Blessing: “Times of refreshing” / “Gift of the Holy Spirit” • Until Jesus second coming (cf. 1 Thess. 4:13-18)
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Peter’s Second Sermon (vs. 12-26) 6 • An Appeal to the Prophets • Jesus attributes the quote from Deuteronomy 18:15-19 to Moses • In these “last days” Jesus’ voice is the one that must be heeded (cf. Heb. 1:1-2; Jn. 14:6)
Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds”
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Peter’s Second Sermon (vs. 12-26) 6 • An Appeal to the Prophets • Jesus attributes the quote from Deuteronomy 18:15-19 to Moses • In these “last days” Jesus’ voice is the one that must be heeded (cf. Heb. 1:1-2; Jn. 14:6) • Jesus is the fulfillment of the Prophets • The Seed of Abraham is Christ (Gal. 3:16)
Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ.
Peter’s Second Sermon (vs. 12-26) 6 • An Appeal to the Prophets • Jesus attributes the quote from Deuteronomy 18:15-19 to Moses • In these “last days” Jesus’ voice is the one that must be heeded (cf. Heb. 1:1-2; Jn. 14:6) • Jesus is the fulfillment of the Prophets • The Seed of Abraham is Christ (Gal. 3:16) • His purpose in coming was to “turn” the Jews from their “wicked ways”