| Commentary and Philosophy Non-Fiction posted June 23, 2024 | Chapters: |
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Bible Commentary
A chapter in the book Reflection of Acts
Acts 3
by Erika Whittle
The beggar asked Peter and John for money but wasn't expecting anything until Peter said "Look at us!" Only then did he have expectations. Peter defies these expectation by saying he doesn't have money to give. However, he offered him what he did have, the annoiting of Christ, and he told the lame man to get up and walk and he helped to his feet. The irony here is that the man was begging infront of the temple gate, yet had little to no expectation of help. Though he begged, he didn't truly believe anyone would help him. That means the majority of the people entering the temple to pray ignored his need. What is a temple if not for people in need? Peter and John might not have met his monetary need but instead met the greater need, which was healing. Being able to walk would mean he no longer needed to live the life of a beggar. Through the power of Christ, they changed this man's life. They didn't just pass him by to complete their 'mission'. They made him part of that mission.
Understandably, the man who had experienced a miracle, held on to Peter and John and followed them into the temple. He praised God and Peter also gave the credit to God and used it as a teaching moment. They say actions speak louder than words and Peter and John lived this. They didn't just preach repentence and salvation; they showed it.
One thing to note is, in their preaching, they always reference the scriptures as proof that Christ is Lord. Religious leaders may have viewed the early church as conversion. In reality it wasn't really conversion but an acknowledgement of God's promises being fufilled. There was never meant to be a separation between Judaism and Christianity. Christianity is more like the second part to Judaism; the fulfillment of promises given. All the scriptures were leading up to this moment. Jesus should have been the biggest testiment to the merit of Jewish faith. How you start, doesn't matter as much as how you finish. It's unfortunate that this was lost within human arrogance. The prophets they so revered would weep had they wittnessed this. Yet centuries later, we still live within this divide.
3 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."[b] 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.
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. 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."[b] 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.
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