Peter and John took the business of taking the gospel to everyone they could very seriously.
Acts 3:1- Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
They got to the temple at 9 o'clock in the morning to start their teaching.
Acts 3:2-5- 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; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
There was a lame man at the front of the temple, near the gate. He couldn't walk, and so he couldn't get a normal job. Every day people would bring him to the temple gate so he could beg for money from passersby.
This day as he was waiting, Peter and John came up and when he asked for some money from them, Peter told him to look at him. But, it wasn't money that Peter was going to give him; it was something far better!
Acts 3:6-8- 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. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
Peter took the man by the hand, and using the gifts that Jesus had promised the apostles, he healed the man in the name of Jesus Christ.
The man had given his right hand to Peter. When Peter said those words, he felt something in his feet and ankles that he hadn't felt before. Suddenly, he had enough strength to stand up.
Not only could he stand, but he could jump and walk. He went into the temple with Peter and John jumping around and praising God!
Acts 3:9-11- And all the people saw him walking and praising God: 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. 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.
As the man was hugging Peter and John and thanking them, many who saw him walking about gathered around. They knew that this man had been lame; but now they saw him jumping about and praising God. They wanted to know what had happened.
Acts 3:12- 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?
Peter told them that they were nothing special. He told the people that had gathered that it wasn't by their power that he had healed the man, but through the power of Jesus Christ.
Then, he brought them the gospel, and pointed out that they had murdered their Messiah.
Acts 3:13-15, 17-19- 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. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. 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;
Peter said that if they would seek forgiveness for killing the Promised One of Israel that God would forgive them!
There were many there that believed and accepted Jesus. But, there were others, the religious rulers, who weren't happy.
They hated that this Jesus was being preached. They had hoped that after they killed him they would never have to hear of it again. But, God always brings us back to our sin and points it out so that we can get it right.
These wicked rulers didn't want to get it right!
Acts 4:1-4- And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
The religious leaders arrested Peter and John, and took them to a holding cell until the next day.
Even though they had taken the men away, people had heard the gospel. That day, around 5,000 people repented and believed on Jesus!
Acts 4:5-7- And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
These wicked rulers asked Peter and John by what power and name they were able to preform the miracle. They already knew because they had heard them speak of Jesus Christ the previous day! Perhaps they thought that a night in prison would have made them change their tune?
Acts 4:8-10- Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
Peter was full of the Holy Ghost. He had a supernatural courage and power, and he wasn't going to stop proclaiming what Jesus had done. Nor, was he about to let them forget what they had done to Jesus.
Acts 4:11-12- This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Peter wanted them to understand that the sacrifices of the temple were no longer accepted by God. It was only through the name of Jesus and His sacrifice on Calvary that people could be saved.
Acts 4:13-14- Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
As the religious leaders stood there looking at Peter and John, they were amazed that they stood firm in their preaching. These men were lowly fishermen who didn't have the training and education that they had, and yet, they had boldness and courage and an understanding of the Scriptures that even their most learned men didn't possess.
Peter and John stood with the man they had healed in the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, and there was nothing that these religious leaders could say about it!
They wanted to shut the apostles up! How could they do it?
Acts 4:15-17- But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
The religious leaders thought if they acted tough and threatened the apostles that they would fear and keep quiet. But, they didn't know the power of God that now dwelt in them!
Acts 4:18-20- And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
They threatened them, but it didn't work.
Peter and John said they would rather listen and obey God!
I bet that made those wicked men angry!
Acts 4:21-23- So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed. And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
Because the apostles had done nothing wrong, the religious leaders had no other option than to let them go. They threatened them again as they let them leave.
The apostles went back to the others and told them all about what had happened.
Acts 4:24, 26, 28-30- And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
So, when the apostles had finished their tale. They prayed and asked the Lord to continue to give them boldness and courage to tell others what Jesus had done.
Acts 4:31-33- And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
After they finished praying, the power of God fell on that place and those people so that they had exactly what they had asked for! They were given the power to witness to others about Jesus!
Did you know that we, too, have the ability to pray and ask God for things?
Hebrews 4:16- Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Any time we need help, or grace, or mercy, or strength and boldness, we can come before God's throne through prayer and ask for what we need. And, we know that God will hear us!
Isn't it wonderful to know that he is always there?
