Written ~ 06-05-2024
Read Acts Chapter Three
Acts 3
In chapter one Jesus has ascended into Heaven, a new disciple was chosen to complete the twelve and those gathered for prayer waited to see what was going to happen next. In chapter two after ten days of waiting – a rushing, roaring wind came into the house – the Holy Spirit – a flame touched each person in that room and they were filled with power that only comes from Heaven. Peter preached the very first Holy Spirit filled message and the church grew by 3000 in one day. Even though their beloved friend and teacher was gone, they were seeing miraculous things happening and a deep sense of awe had come over all of them. Their lives had changed exponentially since Jesus went back to Heaven to be with the Father. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship – through the disciples’ newfound boldness and confidence, people were being saved.
Let’s look now at chapter three, Peter and John had already been quite familiar with the healing of the sick, blind, deaf and lame, they watched Jesus do these various signs and wonders many times. But now it was their time to step into the Light and Power of the Holy Spirit and continue the ministry of Jesus by stepping out in faith. They healed the sick and preached the Good news of Jesus Christ.
As we move forward, what I want each of us to understand is that you and I, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, have the same power from the Holy Spirit as Peter and John did. Nothing has changed, except for maybe us. In many cases it seems the idea of the Holy Spirit’s power has become a thing of the past and the thought has become that we don’t have access to it now. That notion is definitely the farthest from the truth! It’s a lie from the enemy and needs to be cast away. As we watch the disciples/apostles, even in their persecution, we will see the power they walked in. You and I can walk in that same power, boldness, confidence, etc. Being filled with the Holy Spirit’s power isn’t something to be afraid of or believe it’s unattainable. It’s only a breath away. When you know who the Lord is and you know without doubt the glory He can pour out on you, it’s time for you to seek help from the Holy Spirit by asking Him to fill you completely with His power. Be honest with yourself. Do you live your life filled with abundant joy? Do you walk out your front door with confidence? Do you greet people with your eyes to theirs and shine your Light? Each and every day the Holy Spirit can help you with these things. And so, so much more!
Acts 3:1…
1 “Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service.”
Just one aspect of our Christian walk (something that is more important than you might think) is going to church, being a part of a community of believers is extremely important for our growth and accountability. You never know what you may learn, you may never know how you can minister to someone else if you don’t get yourself into a Bible believing, Bible teaching church. So here we have Peter and John making their way to the Temple. As they approached, they noticed a lame man begging for money. How many people would you say walked right passed this man hardly acknowledging his existence? But Peter and John stopped…
Acts 3:4-6…
4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”
This lame man encountered the power of Jesus through Peter and John. The same thing happens to people we come in contact with, they encounter the power Jesus through me and through you. When this man jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk, the power of the Holy Spirit changed his life from the inside out! We see in verse 3:8, “Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.” Did this man forget about his destitute life? Did he forget about the begging he endured day after day? I don’t think so… But… This man was so overcome with joy that by his praising the Lord it brought people out from the Temple to see what was going on! He was healed and he was overcome with gratitude! His life had changed.
You and I can have the same effect on someone who is in a bad place. It doesn’t matter, really, if we don’t think we can meet their need, what matters is that we reach out with words from the Lord. It says in verse 3:6, “Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus, get up and walk!” We may not have what we think that person needs, but what everyone needs is an encounter with Jesus. When we speak the name of Jesus, things happen. We have the power of Heaven, the power of the Holy Spirit backing us up!
When Peter saw that this man’s praise was beginning to draw a crowd, he used it as an opportunity to share the Gospel message.
Acts 3:12-16…
12 Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? 13 For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this. This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release Him. 14 You rejected this Holy, Righteous One and instead demanded the release of a murderer. 15 You killed the Author of Life, but God raised Him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact!
16 “Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes.”
Peter was reminding those gathered around what Jesus went through because of their decision not to believe in who He was. Peter touched on points that would hit them where it counts. He wasn’t going to let them get away their ignorance any longer. He made sure to point out emphatically that speaking the Name of Jesus was what healed the lame man.
Acts 3:17-19…
17 “Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance. 18 But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had foretold about the Messiah—that He must suffer these things. 19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.”
Realizing our sin, repenting and turning to God is at the very core to receive the free gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ. It’s the foundation we build our lives on from the moment we give our lives to the Lord. As Peter spoke to the crowd, he made sure he didn’t leave them wondering if they could be forgiven. No matter what bad thing you may have done, it’s never more than what God can forgive. Peter was giving those gathered around him the opportunity to seek forgiveness. They had denied who Jesus claimed to be, they eventually sent Jesus to the cross and they ignored the Scriptures where everything was predicted long ago through God’s holy prophets.
Acts 3:22-26…
22 Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people. Listen carefully to everything He tells you.’ 23 Then Moses said, ‘Anyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from God’s people.’
24 “Starting with Samuel, every prophet spoke about what is happening today. 25 You are the children of those prophets, and you are included in the covenant God promised to your ancestors. For God said to Abraham, ‘Through your descendants all the families on earth will be blessed.’ 26 When God raised up His servant, Jesus, He sent Him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways.”
The religious leaders and the others in this crowd studied the Scriptures, they knew what Moses had said. They studied the books of the prophets. God was not going to give up on His people. And even to this day He sends out His servants to get the word out – Jesus Christ is the Son of God – Repent of your sins – turn your hearts toward the Almighty God.
Then, like the lame man who was healed that day, you will be healed, it might not be in the way you expected, but your life will be changed. And like the lame man, you will get up, walk and leap for joy, praising God for saving you. Your life will be renewed through the Name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit.
~AMEN~
- There will always be an opportunity to make your heart right with the Lord, why not do it today? Don’t wait. You may think you have all the time in the world. But we don’t know what might happen tomorrow, make the decision now to give your life to the Lord, right now, today.
Dear Jesus, You know my heart, all the things I have done and said. Please forgive me for my unbelief. Please forgive me for all of my sins. I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You came to earth to die on the cross for my sins. I believe You rose from the dead to give me freedom from sin and death. By faith through believing in Who You Are, I accept You as my Lord and Savior. Come into my life, cleanse this heart of mine, white as snow. Help me not to doubt any longer and breathe life into me, fill me with Your light. Thank You Jesus! Amen.
- If you solemnly prayed this prayer, tell at least one person, so they can share in your joy!! I rejoice with you! All the angels in Heaven rejoice with you!
- It is very important to me that those who might be reading these journal pages of mine and don’t yet know the Lord Jesus Christ, that you make that decision. Today. Your heart and mind may not understand everything you have been reading, but if you open your heart to the truth of who Jesus is, you will be saved from sin and death. By the Power of the Holy Spirit you will be amazed at how quickly after giving your heart to the Lord your eyes and ears will be opened to the truth.