Lesson 5 –Healing A Lame Man November 25, 2012

A Lame Man Acts 3:1 – 1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer The Acts of the Apostles2

Review Christianity was not suddenly a new religion The faithful Jews who accepted Jesus as Messiah continued their religious practices – probably with a deeper understanding of their meaning Peter and John are headed to the Temple at one of the customary times of prayer The Acts of the Apostles3

A Lame Man Acts 3:2 – 2 And a man who had been lame from his mother's womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple. The Acts of the Apostles4

For Discussion A man is being carried to the Beautiful Gate Gate not specifically identified Probably the gate on the east side of the Temple Led to Court of Women Perhaps worshippers more likely to give The Acts of the Apostles5

The Temple The Acts of the Apostles6 Beautiful Gate

No Gold or Silver Acts 3:3-6 – 3 When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms. 4 But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, "Look at us!" 5 And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarenewalk!" The Acts of the Apostles7

For Discussion Note the marked difference between what happened here and what the man usually experienced –Most people probably looked away –Peter looks at the man –Peter directs the man to look at him Peter has something important to share with him He invokes the Name of Jesus to heal The Acts of the Apostles8

Healed! Acts 3:7-8 – 7 And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. 8 With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. The Acts of the Apostles9

For Discussion Note Dr. Lukes description of what happened –His feet and his ankles were strengthened –Not a psychosomatic illness; He was crippled from birth His excitement was uncontrollable –At first he stood, with help from Peter –Then he walked –Then he began leaping with joy The Acts of the Apostles10

Amazed! Acts 3:9-10 – 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God; 10 and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. The Acts of the Apostles11

For Discussion The reaction of the people confirms Lukes diagnosis –They knew that this man was at the gate everyday –They knew that he was crippled –They knew that something significant had happened Their quiet reverence was interrupted They were amazed The Acts of the Apostles12

Solomons Portico Acts 3:11 – 11 While he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the so-called portico of Solomon, full of amazement. Tradition held that is was built from stones remaining from Solomons day The portico was on the east side of the Temple Mount The Acts of the Apostles13

Herods Temple The Acts of the Apostles14

Listen! Acts 3:12-13 – 12 But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, "Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. The Acts of the Apostles15

For Discussion Peter speaks without being asked He shifts the credit for the healing to Jesus He invokes the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to connect his hearers to Jesus The Acts of the Apostles16

Rejected Acts 3:14-15 – 14 But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. The Acts of the Apostles17

For Discussion Peter seizes the opportunity to preach to those who have gathered around The Holy One would be understood as Messiah Peter raises a paradox –They killed the Prince (or Author) of Life –We are just as guilty However, God raised Jesus Peter claims witness The Acts of the Apostles18

Jesus Name Acts 3:16 – 16 And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all. The Acts of the Apostles19

For Discussion Faith is key –Whose faith? Peter again shifts credit for the healing –It was Jesus Name that healed It happened in your presence The Acts of the Apostles20

In Ignorance Acts 3:17-20 – 17 And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. 18 But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 19 Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; 20 and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, The Acts of the Apostles21

For Discussion Peter cuts the crowd some slack They acted in ignorance, not recognizing Jesus as Messiah It was they who killed Jesus, but God allowed it to happen to fulfill all things Salvation is possible; Repentance is required The Acts of the Apostles22

A Prophet to Come Acts 3:21-23 – 21 whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. 22 Moses said, 'THE LORD GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM YOUR BRETHREN; TO HIM YOU SHALL GIVE HEED to everything He says to you. 23 ~And it will be that every soul that does not heed that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people. The Acts of the Apostles23

For Discussion Jesus had to return to Heaven to fulfill the Scriptures Peter reminds the crowd of Moses prophecy about a Prophet to come Jesus is that Prophet Refusing to heed the prophet brings destruction The Acts of the Apostles24

All Nations Blessed Acts 3:24-26 – 24 And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors onward, also announced these days. 25 It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'AND IN YOUR SEED ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED.' 26 For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways." The Acts of the Apostles25

For Discussion The Prophets have been consistent in their message The children of Israel are the sons of Promise Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham The Jews were the first recipients The Acts of the Apostles26

Conclusion God enabled Peter and John to perform a miraculous healing The healing caught the attention of the people Peter used the opportunity to speak to them from the Old Testament to prompt them to repentance The Acts of the Apostles27

Next Week Lesson 6 – Peter and John Arrested The Acts of the Apostles28