Please read Acts Chapter 3
“Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this?”
Acts 3:12
It is tempting to let the story of the lame man overshadow the “meat” of Acts 3. In fact, Peter seems to down-play this miracle of healing when he says,
“Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?”
Acts 3:12
Peter immediately directs the eyes of the people towards Jesus and away from himself and even the lame man!
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The book of Acts is a continuation of the book of Luke (Both written by Luke). As a physician, Luke must have been impressed by this healing. No doubt he had seen many people with similar problems, but could do little about it. Perhaps he only prescribed something for the pain. But, in a moment, this man’s ankles, legs, and feet became strong and he began to leap in his joy!
What a feeling it must have been to both walk and jump after spending his entire life on a dirty mat, assisted by family and strangers! Despite this miracle, Peter points the people to something even more fantastic. They are about to hear things they have never heard before! It will change their lives and they will be able to walk too!
There is a powerful theme in this chapter that is eternal. Its teaching is a critical part of the command of Jesus to:
“Go into all the world and preach the GOSPEL to every creature…” Mark 16: 15.
What is the good news? All its elements are found in Peter’s short sermon. Sadly, some of these elements are left out by many gospel workers today and, therefore, the power of the gospel is left incomplete.
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Peter begins to tell the crowd who wondered at the healing of the lame man the bad news. He reminds them that their sin crucified the “Prince of Life.” But, there is good news:
They did it out of ignorance and the Lord knew it would happen and revealed it ahead of time through His prophets!
“But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.”
Acts 3: 18
At the end of the first letter to Theophilus (Book of Luke), Luke told the story of how Jesus explained to the disciples about Himself as found in the Tanakh (what we call the Old Testament) See Luke 24. This was the day after the Resurrection and, perhaps, took Jesus hours to explain because there was so much material.
Jesus’s Bible study along with His resurrection from the dead, made the disciples bold and full of faith. They were no longer afraid and almost all of them would die proclaiming the message of Jesus. It is in this type of Bible study given by Jesus where people are first educated on the scripture and then converted. It is the most effective method of turning non-believers unto believers.
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True conversion comes from a knowledge of Jesus through God’s word! Conversion should come in this order: Facts about Jesus, Faith in Jesus, then Feelings of joy and peace in Jesus.
Facts (God’s word) give the basis for Faith (Trust) and Faith gives the basis for Feeling (conviction, joy, desire to obey) that comes last. Now it is not to say that some tragic event or feeling will lead someone to begin to look for facts about Jesus, but a knowledge of Jesus is the first step in true conversion. Wouldn’t you agree? How often has this order been shuffled resulting in a confused and weak convert?
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Conviction and spiritual eyesight will arise when people hear the story of Jesus and how it was foretold through the
“Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms”
(Luke 24:44)
In this chapter, Peter “connects the dots” for these people who are in wonder of the lame man being healed. Peter reminds the people about the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and God’s promise to bless the entire earth through Abraham’s seed. Then he reminds them how Pilate wanted to let Jesus go, but they chose a murderer over the “Holy and Righteous One.” Peter gives them hope by acknowledging the prayer of Jesus as He hung on the cross,
“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
Luke 23:34
Peter concurs with that prayer, which he heard from a distance….The people, as well as the rulers, did their dirty deeds out of “ignorance!”
Then Peter begins to tell them the good news. He tells them the same thing Jesus told them,
“But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.”
Acts 3: 18
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Now it is decision time. Peter has an alter call. A sermon like this needs a response.
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus…”
Acts 3:29
Peter is offering them an opportunity to respond to what they just heard and to rid themselves of the ugly acts of sin. Their scarlet sins can be blotted out and Jesus will refresh them by coming into their lives (the new birth). Then he reminds them that although Jesus has gone away, He will come again and “restore all things.”
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The good news is simple, but it should always contain the 10 elements that Peter used here in the 3rd chapter and in his sermon in the 2nd chapter where 3,000 were added to the church:
1.) All of us are sinners and we will die eternally. (Bad news)
2.) Our sins (out of ignorance of the word) sent Jesus to the cross to die. (Bad news). The good news is that His word is available to all.
3.) Jesus is found in the Old Testament as well as the new. (Prophecy).
4.) God foretold that that Jesus must suffer. He did it willingly for us. (Justification)
5.) Jesus was raised. Without this, we have no hope. (Resurrection)
6.) Repent for your sins and be converted. Refreshing (new birth) will come. Your life will be changed! (Sanctification)
7.) Be baptized as a public acknowledgment of your desire to follow Jesus (Obedience).
8.) Rise to walk in newness of your new life in Christ. (Change your lifestyle)
9.) Depend on Jesus daily. Heaven has received Jesus (Ongoing ministry of Jesus in Heaven. See Hebrews)
10.) Jesus is coming again to restore all things. The redeemed will all live in a new heaven and a new earth! See Isaiah 66:22-23
When the gospel is presented (it may take some time) and people hear the entire story of Jesus, they will feel the pull of the Holy Spirit to make a decision for Christ.
“If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto myself.”
John 12:32
Today if you hear His voice and feel the knocking at the door to your heart, yield to the pull and do not resist. Ask Him to take over your life….a life that has been marked by bad decisions and mistakes. He will give you rest and peace.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”
Revelation 3:20
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30