The Church of the Resurrection of Peace

12/03/08

The Acts of the Apostles-Week 3

Chapter 3

1.      The Christians are still more Jewish than Christian,

verse 1…Peter and John went to the Temple @ 3 PM (prayer time). They were still themselves following the beliefs and practices of Judaism and were sharing the faith with Jews alone.

2.      verses 2-11…Peter heals a lame man at the gate called Beautiful (Jesus healed a lame man at the Sheep gate, John 5:1-9).

·         verse 6…”silver or gold I do not have but what I have I give to you…in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth…” The implication here by Peter is that what he has is worth more than gold or silver. He was also specific to name not merely “Jesus” but which Jesus…the Christ and being from Nazareth. FOOD FOR THOUGHT: When we offer Jesus to someone, how specific are we in telling who and what He is and how valuable is what we are offering?

3.      verses 11-26…Peter’s second sermon

·         verses 11-12…with the healed man hanging on to Peter and John, a crowd began to gather. Peter took advantage of the situation to testify and speak of the faith. FOOD FOR THOUGHT: How quick are we to see an opportunity to witness/testify for Jesus? Peter calls out to the people…”Men of Israel…” NOTE: The early church was basically a men’s organization as women were not allowed to participate in Temple worship. Women were observers only having no voice and no rights. Jesus led by example to change this. (Paul, as we will see later, understood this but few others did.)

·         verses 13-15…Peter is quick to tell that he and John were not the ones responsible for the healing of the lame man. Peter establishes the tradition from the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers (v 13) that this same God had glorified Jesus and they (the crowd) had turned Him over to be killed even to the point of denying Him when Pilate had decided to release Him. Peter even tells the crowd they had elected a known murderer to be released instead of the “Holy and Righteous One” (v 14). Peter gets very direct (v 15) and says that they, the crowd, “killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead”. Peter again states that he and John were witnesses to the resurrection.

·         verse 16…Peter brings out that it was by the name of Jesus and the faith that His name brings that the man was healed. FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Can you, in your remembrance, think of a time where a preacher, priest, pastor, etc seemed to be taking the credit for the wonders taking place in a church instead of the rightful source, Jesus Christ? (“I AM” story). Peter restates that the faith comes through Jesus and it is that faith that has restored the man and that the entire crowd is a witness. NOTE: Remember the value put on the testimony of someone (as long as they are men) especially when there numerous with the same account.

·         verse 17…”acted in ignorance as did your leaders…” Here Peter offers the crowd a “way out” for the killing of Jesus and for the leaders as well.

·         verse 18… Peter confirms that the Prophets had foretold that Jesus (the Christ) would have to suffer so everything was a fulfillment of scripture/prophecy.

·         verses 19-20…Peter issues an invitation to repent and turn to God (a two step process). This will lead to the wiping away of sins and bring “times of refreshing from the Lord”. In this repenting and turning, God will send Jesus (the Christ).

·         verses 21-25…Peter establishes the prophecy and lineage of Jesus from Moses on through the Prophets including Samuel that anointed David as King of Israel. Through the covenant from Abraham, Israel (the crowd) are all heirs to the blessing of the offspring (singular-meaning only one offspring)…Jesus.

·         verse 26…Jesus was first sent to Israel that they may be blessed by turning “from your wicked ways”. FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Peter does not specify what these “wicked ways” were but I imagine that the crowd knew what Peter was talking about without him having to explain it. This is the same way that we know our sins and confess them when we accept salvation. No one has to tell us what our sins are.