Acts 3 3/22/15

1 Ted Kirnbauer Acts 3 3/22/15 A MIRACLE AND ITS AFTERMATH ACTS 3:1-4:31 The main theme in Acts 3-5 is that the preaching and deeds of the apostles lead to conflict with the Jewish leaders who fruitlessly try to stop them (Marshall, 92). The story that follows provides an example of the signs and wonders done at the hands of the apostles that resulted in amazement and awe in the early church (2:46). Chapters 2 and 3 are also similar in that both start with a miracle; then there is an impact and a large crowd; there is the preaching of Jesus Christ; and there are many converts (Acts 4:4). Some aspects of the story that need to be kept in the forefront are: (1) the miracle is solely attributed to Jesus, not the apostles. In Acts 1:1 the author Luke had said that the first account he composed (the Gospel of Luke) was about all that Jesus began to do and teach. The implication is that the Book of Acts is a continuation of Jesus’ work and teaching. The miracles performed by the apostles were authenticating signs that they were the accredited servants of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 12:12 Paul says, “The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.” The miracles in the NT belong to a significant age in God’s outworking of redemptive history and were the accredited signs that reveal these men to be the appointed servants of God. (2) it is the message, not the miracle, that persuades people. In Acts 2:37 it says, “when they heard this (that is, when they heard ‘that God has made Him both Lord and Christ’ - Acts 2:36), they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’" Peter responded by saying that they needed to repent and be baptized. Then in Acts 2:41 it says, “So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.” The same is said in Acts 4:4: “many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.” The miracle drew their attention but the message changed their hearts. (3) it is a scene of prophetic fulfilment. Isaiah 35:4-6, in referring to the effects of Messiah’s coming says, “Say to those with anxious heart, ‘Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; the recompense of God will come, But He will save you.’ Then the eyes of the blind will be opened And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will shout for joy.” The once-lame man leaping for joy was a token of Jesus’ messianic credentials and authority. When John the Baptist was in prison he began to wonder if Jesus was the coming one. He had told the Pharisees in Matthew 3:12 that Jesus “will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." But what he saw in Christ didn’t match what he expected to see; John had seen a lot of love and compassion from Jesus but not any judgment. Therefore, he sent word to Jesus by his disciples. When they found Jesus they asked Him, “Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?" (Lk. 7:20). And He answered and said to them, "Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. Blessed is he who does not take offense at Me." (Lk. 7:22-23). Jesus 2 Ted Kirnbauer Acts 3 3/22/15 would judge the world but was doing what Isaiah had said Messiah would do. He was telling John’s disciples to tell John that He was displaying messianic credentials. This lame beggar was leaping and praising, proof that God kept His promises through Christ. I. THE HEALING OF THE LAME MAN (3:1-10) 3:1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. Verse 1 reaffirms that the new Christian community met in the temple (Also Acts 2:46). going up to the temple: The temple was elevated, on the top of the hill, so it's natural to speak of going up to the temple. The OT temple is under the old dispensation of God. When the Spirit was poured out on Pentecost a new temple was made; the people of the church became the dwelling of God. Paul said to the church in Corinth in 1 Corinthians 3:16, “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” The “you” is plural. He is addressing the church and says, “Collectively, you all form the temple of God.” But Peter and John lived at the intersection of the ages. They were in the midst of an age that was passing away and a new age that was dawning. It would take a little time for the transition to take place. the hour of prayer: There were two main times of prayer in the temple area, 9 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. This was the latter which was also the time of the afternoon burnt offering. In Acts 10 it is also the hour when Cornelius saw his vision (Acts 10:3, 30). 3:2 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. a man who had been lame from his mother's womb: Peter meets a man who was lame from birth. The fact that he had been lame from birth demonstrates the longevity and severity of the man's condition. "The man has never known anything else, nor can he do anything. So each day he is set in the temple precincts in the hopes of obtaining financial aid for his condition. The imperfect verb “used to set down” is an example of a habitual imperfect (Bock, 160). the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful: A gate by this name is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible or in other literature. Therefore, its location is debated. The man was there to ask for alms from the people who were entering the temple to worship. The giving of alms was the responsibility of Jews and an expression of compassion for others; it was perceived by them to be a particularly meritorious act. Being at the gate when people were in a state of sensitivity toward God would be advantageous to those seeking help. 3:3 When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms. 3 Ted Kirnbauer Acts 3 3/22/15 3:4 But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, "Look at us!" 3:5 And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. As Peter and John entered the temple the lame man began asking the apostles for money. The imperfect tense verb stresses that he was making repeated appeals. Verse 4 says that Peter fixed his gaze upon him; that is, he demanded that the man give him his full attention; which the man did, hoping to receive something financial. 3:6 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 Nazarene-- walk!" Peter’s response is not what is expected; he flatly states that he doesn't have any money but what he does have he is more than willing to give. Through the power of Jesus of Nazareth the man could be healed. The miracle is clearly tied to Jesus. Though Peter is doing a similar work to what Jesus had done, he makes no claims for himself; rather, he makes it clear that Jesus is the one who has the authority to do this; Peter is only the mediator for Christ. 3:7 And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. 3:8 With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. Peter takes the man by the hand, and he stands to his feet. The passive verb "were strengthened” makes it clear that it was divine power that healed him. The healed man then walks into the temple by his own power for the first time in his life, and he does so with Peter and John. "He walks, leaps, and praises God, enjoying the gift of his newfound ability. The overload and repetitiveness of movement verbs stresses the healing's complete success. Jesus’ work has changed this man's life forever. The miracle portrays what Jesus can do and the joy such work brings" (Bock, 162, 163).

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