The Book of Acts
Acts
Acts 3:1-11
“The Healing of the Lame Man”
(Verses 1-10)
Verse 1
Acts 3:1
“Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of
prayer, the ninth hour.”
NKJV
The apostles had been performing numerous miracles and now one
of those is recorded. (Acts 2:43) “Then fear came upon every
soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the
apostles.”
NKJV
The possible reason for this is the effect it had on the Jewish
leaders. The prophesied persecution is about to begin. (John
15:20) “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not
greater that his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also
persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours
also.” NKJV
The early church met daily in the temple area because of the
large amount of room available. Jews observed three times for
prayer: 9:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., and sunset. Peter and John went
to this area because many Jewish men and women would be there.
This gave them an excellent opportunity to teach.
Verses 2-3
Acts 3:2-3
“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 from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and
John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.”
NKJV
They encountered a beggar who was lame from birth. Beggars
would be placed in areas of high human traffic like the temple
area. He was placed by the gate called “Beautiful.” The gate
into the Court of the women was considered beautiful because it
was fifteen feet tall and made of Corinthian bronze. Begging
was his only means of support.
Verses 4-6
Acts 3:4-6
“And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, ‘Look at us.’
So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from
them. Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but
what I do have I give you; In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,
rise up and walk.”
NKJV
(Luke 10:17) “Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord,
even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
(Matthew 10:1, 8) “And when He had called His twelve disciples
to Him, He gave then power over unclean spirits, to cast them
out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of
disease.
8Heal
the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons.
Freely you have received, freely give.”
NKJV
Peter called on Jesus’ power and authority to heal the lame
man. There was no indication that the lame man had any faith.
In the New Testament, the one with the power to heal had to have
faith but not the one being healed. (Mark 16:17-18) “And
these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will
cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will
take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by
no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they
will recover.”
NKJV
Verse 7
Acts 3:7
“And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and
immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.”
NKJV
Instantly the man was healed. God built up the leg muscles and
tendons, restored dead nerves, and rebuilt joints – all in a
moment!
Verse 8
Acts 3:8
“So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with
them – walking, leaping, and praising God.”
NKJV
This man had never learned to walk; but the power of God
performed another miracle. No training or therapy was needed.
He began praising God. (Acts 4:16) “Saying, What shall we
do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been
done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and
we cannot deny it.”
NKJV
“God has two dwellings: one in heaven and the other in a
thankful heart” Isaac Walton (James 1:17) “Every good
gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from
the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow
of turning.”
NKJV
Verses 9-10
Acts 3:9-10
“And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they
knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of
the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what
had happened to him.”
NKJV
This must have been quite a scene. The beggar, who had been
lame for years, was leaping up and down for joy.
Verse 11
Acts 3:11
“Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all
the people ran together to them in the porch which is called
Solomon’s, greatly amazed.”
NKJV
He was clinging to Peter and John as large numbers of people
came running to them, no doubt with lots of questions. The
place was Solomon’s Portico or Colonnade. It was located on the
inside of the east wall of the Court of the Gentiles and was
about 600 feet long and 60 feet deep. It had two rows of
27-foot columns and was covered with a roof of cedar.
Lessons to Be Learned
1.
Stewardship
We may not have silver and gold, but all of us have something that
can be used in the service of God – time, energy, abilities. God
just asks us to use what we have and not waste it. Stewardship
involves responsibility and management. This attitude is seen in
Romans 12:3-8. We will be judged based upon our wise use of our
resources, talents, and opportunities. (Matthew 25:14-30, 41-46)
Each of us has accountability to God. (Luke 16:1-2) “He also said
to His disciples: ‘There was a certain rich man who had a steward;
and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his
goods. So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about
you? Gove an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be
steward,” NKJV
2.
The Purpose of Miracles
