Acts chapter 3 Why the ninth hour? Acts 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; Jesus died the ninth hour opening the gate into God’s presence through Jesus who now is our high priest and mediator, Mt.27:46,50; Heb.4:17;1Tim 2:5

Jesus, mediator and high priest Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? [50] Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 1 Tim. 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

WHY COULDN’T THE LAME MAN GO INTO THE TEMPLE? Acts 3:3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. There were at least two reasons. First he couldn’t walk but more importantly the Law of Moses didn’t allow the lame to go into the temple, Lev. 21:18-23.

A LAME COULDN’T ENTER THE TEMPLE! Leviticus 21:18 For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous, [22] He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy. [23] Only he shall not go in unto the vail, nor come nigh unto the altar, because he hath a blemish; that he profane not my sanctuaries: for I the Lord do sanctify them.

Spiritually, why wasn’t the lame allowed into the temple? God uses the physical to give insight to the spiritual, namely that sinful man can’t enter God’s presence unless a covering has been provided. Habakkuk 1:12 … O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction. [13] Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: …

Why did Peter say in the name of Jesus Christ? Acts 3:4 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. The name embodies all that Jesus accomplished in his life, death and resurrection that he might be our high priest and mediator at God’s right hand. Jesus Christ means anointed saviour, describing his position and role. Nazareth would identify and link him with his life on earth as despised and rejected.

What happened to Peter’s money, didn’t he have a fishing business? Acts 3:3-6 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. Peter probably had sold his fishing business and given his money to the common fund for the early ecclesia had all things in common, Acts 2:44.

How did the lame man show his faith that the miracle might happen? Acts 3:7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength. [8] And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. The lame man shows faith by allowing himself to be lifted up. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him … Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. This miracle also included immediate coordination and balance that allowed him to leap and walk.

Whom was the lame man a type of? Acts 3:9-11 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. Hint -- Acts 4:22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed. The lame man was a type of the nation of Israel who like Jacob was lame and under probation. Forty is the number of probation. Genesis 32:28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

How long was Peter’s sermon? Acts 3:12-13 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. Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour (3 pm). Acts 4:3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. The ninth hour till eventide would be three hours since the Jewish day begin at 6:00 AM.

How was Peter able to get them to listen for 3 hours? Acts 3:14 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. Having this vocal excited lame man whom they all knew helped but not for three hours! Peter brought the O.T. prophecies to light showing God's redemptive plan and that the “Holy One” should suffer, die and be raised ratifying the covenants to their fathers. Psalm 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

What is behind having faith in Jesus’ name that makes this man well? Acts 3:16 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. Jesus’ name incorporates his work of redemption which has destroyed the “power” of “king sin”. Peter used the faith of the lame man to physically show the spiritual power behind Jesus’ name. Spiritually King Sin no longer reigns over those who have faith in Jesus. Rom.5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

IS IGNORANCE EVER AN EXCUSE? Acts 3:17 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. John 7:41 …But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? No, under the Mosaic Law ignorance still required a sacrifice. Leviticus 4:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments…[3]… then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock … for a sin offering.

“times of refreshing mean”? What does the phrase “times of refreshing mean”? Acts 3:18 But those things, which God before had showed 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 <403> shall come from the presence of the Lord; 403 “anapsuxis”, AV-refreshing 1X This speaks of the kingdom when this earth will be renewed both spiritually and physically. Using the OLB obtain several O.T. prophecies showing Jesus would suffer. (Hint look up TSK on v.18) Ge 3:15 Ps.22:1-30; 69:1-36 Isa 50:6 53:1-12 Da 9:26 Zec 12:10 Zec 13:7

What Davidic prophecy describes Israel just before Jesus' return? Acts 3:20-21 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: [21] Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution <605> of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. 605 apokatastasis, AV - restitution 1X, NIV = “as promised”. Psalm 102:13 Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. 14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof. 16 When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.

How was Moses like Jesus in his work? Acts 3:22 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. Exodus 24:2 And Moses alone shall come near the LORD: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him. Numbers 14:19 Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people … from Egypt even until now. Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost (completely) that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Deut. 18:15 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

Where did Samuel prophecy of the1st century A.D.? Acts 3:24 Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. In 2Sam.7:12,13 there is the prophecy of David’s greater son but this prophecy was given to David by Nathan, for Samuel was dead. The words of 1Sam. 4:1 “And the word of Samuel came to all Israel” -- but these words we don’t have! There is a parallel of the 1st century in 1Sam. 4 when Shiloh was destroyed and the ark was taken by the Philistines to the spiritual ark being taken and when Jerusalem would be destroyed.

“we have no king but Caesar” “ and the rulers take counsel against ... his anointed ... Acts 3:25 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. The Jews were given the first opportunity to accept Jesus and they rejected him for Caesar. God therefore turned to the Gentiles who also will reject Jesus when he returns. Find a scripture of the Jewish rejection and a scripture of the Gentile rejection of Christ. John19:15 …The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. Psalm2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,…