Tonight we continue our study of the book of Acts. Remember we are using the Scriptural outline for the book found in 1:8.
(Acts 1:8b) "…Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
Tonight we continue studying the development of Christianity in Jerusalem.
I. Christianity in Jerusalem 1:1-8:3
A. The risen Lord 1:1-26
B. Pentecost 2:1-47
C. The Healing of a Lame Man 3:1-26
1. The miracle v 1-11
a. The place (1)
1) The temple
2) This is because they were still on Jewish ground
3) The first seven chapters of Acts show us that the ministry of the disciples still primarily focused upon Israel
b. The picture of man without Christ (2-3)
1) He was born lame - as all are born sinners
2) He could not walk - no sinner without Christ can walk so as to please God
3) He was outside of the temple - no sinner has access to God - that comes only through Jesus Christ our mediator
4) He was a beggar - man without Christ is destitute spiritually
c. The power of Christ (4-7)
1) Peter and John fixed their eyes upon the man
2) They commanded that he look upon them
3) He was healed by the power and the authority of Jesus Christ
d. The product of the miracle (8-11)
1) He went with them entering the temple leaping walking and praising God
a) Prior to being touched by the power of Christ,
b) this man couldn't walk
c) Before, this man had no access to the temple
d) Before, he was a beggar - now he was rich in Christ and rejoiced
2) All the people (Jews on their way to the temple) saw this miracle
a) They knew this man
b) They were filled with amazement and wonder
c) They were drawn to Peter and John
3) God used this miracle to prepare the people to listen to the message of Peter - much the same as on the day of Pentecost.
2. The Message v 12-26
a. Introduction (12)
1) Peter addresses the nation of Israel
2) He asks them if they think that it is through their power or holiness that the miracle was performed
3) He directs their attention away from themselves and points them once again to Jesus Christ
b. Explanation (13-18)
1) The God of the Jews glorified His Son Jesus through this miracle
2) Note the names that Peter uses in this message.
a) "His Son Jesus" - Peter identifies Messiah with the One that the nation of Israel denied and delivered to Pilate for crucifixion
b) "The Holy One" - a title familiar to all Jews for God the Father - Here Peter identifies Jesus with God the Father
c) "The Just" - not just but "the Just" a title referring to the absolute righteousness and holiness of Jesus Christ!
d) "The Prince of Life" - Peter identifies Jesus with the Creator of life and declares that the nation killed the Author of Life!
3) Note His statements about Jesus Christ
a) God hath glorified Him v 13
b) Ye delivered Him up v 13
c) Ye denied Him in the presence of Pilate v 13
d) Ye desired a murder to be granted unto you
e) Ye killed the Prince of Life v 15
f) God hath raised Him from the dead v 15
4) This lame man has been healed in the name - and through faith in that name - of Jesus Christ! v 16
5) Peter points out that it was through ignorance that Israel had crucified the Messiah v 17
a) Ignorance is no excuse - but it does make a difference in the penalty
b) Jesus prayed from the cross - "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Lk. 23:34
c) This opened the door for God to give Israel one more opportunity to receive their Messiah
6) Peter points out that Christ has fulfilled the prophecy concerning His sufferings v 18
c. Exhortation (19-26)
1) He calls on them to repent and be converted
2) The promise of the kingdom is shown as the result of this national repentance
3) The 'times of refreshing' and 'times of restitution' are references to the millennial kingdom
4) If they would repent - change their minds about the Messiah Jesus Christ - God would send Jesus back to establish that kingdom.
5) Peter goes on to explain that because they are children of the prophets and of the covenant, God was giving them another opportunity to receive the Messiah of whom the prophets had prophesied
d. Effect of the preaching 4:1-4
1) The captain of the temple who was responsible for keeping order in the temple, the priests, and the Sadducees came upon them - because they were upset.
2) They were upset because they were preaching through Jesus the resurrection of the dead.
3) They put Peter and John in custody - due to the lateness of the hour 4) Note: About five thousand men believed the message about Jesus!
Next time we will see the beginning of persecution.