Chapter three in the Pentecostal handbook teaches how to be ready in season and out of season to preach God’s Word and let the Holy Spirit perform signs through us! (Mark 16:15-20 & 2 Timothy 4:2)
Acts 3:1-26, “1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
- Peter and John, along with the disciples continued to pray like their people the Jews because they believed that Jesus was probably coming back soon to establish the Kingdom with the Jewish people in Jerusalem.
- The three stated times of prayer for later Judaism were mid-morning (the third hour, 9:00 a.m.), the time of the evening sacrifice (the ninth hour, 3:00 p.m.) and sunset (NIV Study Bible).
- The crippled man ask Peter and John for money as was the custom for beggars to ask people in the temple area for money.
6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
- When Saint Dominic was in Rome [around 1200 AD], seeking authorization for his order from the Pope, the Pope gave him a tour of the treasures of the Vatican, and remarked complacently (referring to Acts 3:6), “Peter can no longer say, ‘Silver and gold have I none.'” Dominic turned and looked straight at the Pope, and said, “No, and neither can he say, ‘Rise and walk.'”
- Peter was living out the command of Jesus in Matthew 10:8, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”
11 While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.
- Once the crowd is drawn by the miracle Peter preaches boldly against their rejection of Jesus.
- Notice in v. 15 Peter calls Jesus, “the author of life.” This is reference to Jesus eternal divinity as the Logos (Genesis 2:7, John 1:1-5, 5:26 & 1 John 1:1).
- Peter is clear the miracle came from Jesus and having faith in Him (v. 16).
17 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. 22 For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. 23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’
- In v. 17 Peter is most likely referring to Isaiah 53 and the “Suffering Servant.”
- In vs. 19-20 He tells them to (1) Repent and (2) Turn to God for (1) Their sins to be wiped out, (2) Times of refreshing to come and (3) For the Messiah (Jesus) to come back.
- In v. 21 Peter told them the Father was keeping Jesus in heaven until everything the prophets promised came to pass (like in Joel 2). Basically, the salvation of the nations.
- Peter quotes Deuteronomy 18:15, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.”
24 “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets who have spoken have foretold these days. 25 And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’ 26 When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”
- Luke 24:25-32, “25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
- Peter referring to Samuel probably means the time he anointed David as King and as the second book of Samuel contained Nathan’s prophecy for David’s house to always rule over God’s people, 2 Samuel 7:11-12, “‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: 12 When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom.”
- Peter ended by quoting from the later part Genesis 12:1-3, “1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
God is always willing to save, heal and deliver- are you?
