Jesus Continues to Work
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.
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.
Peter Speaks to the Onlookers
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.
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.’
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.”
Beginnings set the direction for what is to come. Here, we have the first story told after the Holy Spirit is poured out on the Disciples.
We have had the summary from the end of chapter 2. Here we have an example of how God works through them to attract the attention of people. This miracle is a sign. And then having people’s attention, Peter speaks to them about Jesus, and what we see is that even though Jesus is gone, or maybe even especially because Jesus has gone and the Holy Spirit has come, Jesus’ ministry is continuing.
- Jesus’ Ministry Continues
- A lame beggar from birth
It could be assumed that Jesus has passed by this man before.
This has been this man’s entire life. He is poor. He is dependent on others.
He has been well known.
From birth we all have issues that Jesus alone can solve.
How does Jesus minister to this man on a personal level?
- This man’s tragic circumstances are his identity
He is desperately poor. He is that man that we walk by regularly. He is the one that we give money to occassionally. He is not going to be in a respected position. He cannot take care of himself, he is seen as less than!
Jesus is going to change his identity. This is why we have the phrase, “Born Again.”
On a broader level, beside the personal blessing in this man’s life in healing him, we see that Jesus still has the authority and ability to heal. He just does it through other people!
- Jesus still has the authority to heal
Jesus’ physical presence is not necessary for Him to act!
John 14: 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
This is what it means for Peter and John to invoke the name of Jesus. If an action is done in Jesus’ name, that means it is done on behalf of Him and that Jesus’ ability is what is active, not the ability of those invoking His name.
If you were an ambassador of the United States, you would invoke the name of the United States and speak on behalf of what the United States government could do,even though that government is not present.
- The Disciples Act in Jesus’ Name
- What they have is not the issue
*Silver and gold are a band aid. They allow the man to live with the disability.
*Jesus would like to change the disability!
*This is profoundly true on the spiritual level as well.
*To become a disciple of Jesus is to solve the greater issue.
- What Jesus will do they can facilitate
They have acted in Jesus’ name for their entire public ministry. Look back at Matthew 10:1
Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
Matthew 28:18-20
He gives them authority to make disciples of Jesus.
Acts 1:8 He gives them authority to be His witnesses around the world
- They are pointing toward Jesus
They do this by acting publicly in Jesus’ name. (The healing: verses 1-10)
They do this also by explaining how it is that this man is healed by Jesus. (Verses 11-26)
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.
- The Disciples Work Because Jesus is at Work
- God is working through Jesus
John 20:21 As the Father has sent me, so send I you.
Matthew 10:8 Freely you have received, freely give.
John 13:
13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
- Faith in Jesus activates His work
Verse 16
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.
Jesus name is not a magic phrase. Jesus has the authority to do what He wills to do! The Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost!
The work of Christ is going to be focused on connecting people to God. This is accomplished by dying for sin, sending the Holy Spirit, teaching people how to live the best life possible, and calling folks to repentance and faith.
Faith in the name of Jesus means faith in Jesus’ person and purposes!
- Repent and believe and Jesus will work in you
Verses 19-20
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.”
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.
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