Chapter Three — Part One: The Book of Acts
By: Pastors Rodney & Adonica Howard-BrownePublish date: 02/21/2021
Foundation Scriptures:
Acts 3:1-10
1. Peter and John.
a. Acts 3:1a KJV — Now Peter and John went up together…
b. Peter and John are often found together in Scripture.
c. They were partners in the fishing business (Lk. 5:10).
d. They prepared the last Passover for Jesus (Lk. 22:8).
e. They ran together to the tomb on the first Easter Sunday morning (Jn. 20:3-4).
f. They went to Samaria to minister to those who believed on Jesus Christ (Acts 8:14).
g. Now that they were filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter and John, and the other Apostles, were no longer competing for greatness (Lk. 22:24), but they were now working faithfully together to build the church (Ps. 133).
h. Acts 3:1b KJV — …went up…into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
i. At this time, the believers were still going up to the temple at the traditional hours of prayer—9:00 a.m., noon, and 3:00 p.m. (Ps. 55:17; Dan. 6:10; Acts 10:30).
j. Note that Acts 1-10 describes the gradual transition from Israel to the Gentiles—from “Jewish Christianity” to the “one body” made up of both Jews and Gentiles.
k. Some Jews had a hard time with all these changes and there were many conflicts for a while—even amongst the apostles.
2. Jesus the Healer.
a. Acts 3:2-3 KJV — And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; 3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
b. The “Beautiful Gate” was made of Corinthian bronze that looked like gold.
c. The man was lame from birth and seems to have had no option but to beg for a living.
d. The Jews were instructed by God to take care of the poor by giving alms, etc.
e. He must have thought it a good spot to beg and so he got himself a “lift” there every day.
f. He saw Peter and John going into the temple that day and asked them for money.
g. Acts 3:4-6 KJV — And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
h. This beggar is like many of us—we look for natural solutions to our problems; but the Lord has something far greater and more valuable for us if we look to Him.
i. Peter and John did not have what he wanted, but they had what he needed.
j. Silver and gold were of little use to him in his present state.
k. What he needed, was to be completely healed.
l. Peter commanded him, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, to rise up and walk.
m. This is first definite exercise of the Christian’s “power of attorney” to use the mighty name of Jesus.
n. To have the ability and authority to exercise the power of God, through the mighty Name of Jesus, is more valuable than all the riches in the world!
o. Acts 3:7-8 KJV — And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
p. Immediately, his feet and ankle bones received strength and he was healed!
q. Not only were his bones healed, but his unused muscles must have been restored and strengthened as well.
r. He did what he had never been able to do.
s. He sprang, or jumped, up—and, for the first time, he stood and walked.
t. He went with them into the temple walking, and leaping, and praising God!
3. Evidence of the Grace of God.
a. Acts 3:9-10 KJV — And all the people saw him walking and praising God: 10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
b. In this man, we can see an illustration of salvation.
c. He was born lame.
d. Because of Adam and the fall, sin was passed down through the generations.
e. We are born unable to walk in such a way as to please God (Rom. 5:12-21).
f. He was poor.
g. We owe God a debt we cannot pay (Lk. 7:36-50).
h. He was “outside the temple.”
i. All sinners, no matter how near to the “door” they might be, are separated from God.
j. Salvation cannot be purchased by going to church or by doing good works.
k. This man was healed, purely and completely, by the grace of God.
l. Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV — For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
m. The man showed undeniable evidence of the power of God, by walking, and leaping, and praising God.
n. All the people knew who and what he was, and they were now filled with wonder and amazement to see him walking, leaping, and praising God!
o. He also publicly identified himself with the apostles, by clinging to them—in the temple and in their arrest (Acts 3:11; 4:14).
p. THROUGH the Name of Jesus, he was able to stand; and now he stood up FOR the Name of Jesus!