Every day the believers continued to meet together in the temple courts (Acts 2:46). One day, Peter and John were going to the temple to pray (Acts 3) as was their Jewish custom. | Side Bar: I wonder how long they continued this practice. Certainly their motivation may have been part tradition although they must have realized the freedom they now had to approach God at any time and any place. But if I wanted to share the gospel with friends and neighbors that still followed the Old Covenant; I think the temple is exactly where I would go and I would continue to respect some of those traditions that were still endearing and maybe even entrenched in my habits. Remember, it wasn’t until the Jerusalem council (Acts 15) that it was decided the new Gentile believers were not required to convert to Judaism. |
Things must have been a little tense considering all the events that had taken place in Jerusalem. Going to the temple must have brought new meaning and questions to their mind. On their way to the temple, a man crippled since birth saw Peter and John enter the temple courts. Perhaps he been observing the new believers as they met daily in the court area and had heard of their great generosity (Acts 2:45-46) and he asked them for money. People who become marginalized learn to expect to be ignored. He must have had a look of shock as Peter and John stopped in front of him, both looking straight at him while Peter with a commanding voice tells him to “look at them” (Acts 3:4). The man simply expected that they would give him money but Peter tells him something he did not expect to hear: “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Peter extends his hand and helps the man up and he instantly became strong. What a sight! The man continues to follow them in the temple, walking and jumping (was this the way the ancients describing skipping?). This obviously got the attention of all the people. Can you imagine the stunned faces as they instantly recognized this man and were filled with wonder and amazement?
While all the people came running over to them, Peter seized the opportunity to talk with them about Jesus. But take a listen to what he says: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? The smiling faces of the people must have quickly turned to a numbing stare…..Peter was peeved, instantly reacting to the people’s fickle and self-serving interests of “wonder and amazement”. The Son of God had been in their midst. Jesus had healed the people and done many miracles, signs and wonders authenticating Who He was. “you handed Him over to be killed, and you disowned Him before Pilate, though he had decided to let Him go.” The people had the chance to speak up on His behalf when they could have chosen Jesus over Barabbas (Matthew 27:17). “You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life….” Wow! Is this the same guy who denied even knowing Jesus three times before the cock crowed. Peter is righteously cocky now! But he goes on to tell them no matter their actions, “God raised Him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.” Can I get an Amen from the crowd? “By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see [jumping around the temple courts! This man who may be the only man excited to here announced ‘standing room only’] “It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see”.
This was a heavy message…..not the good news fashioned in the style that we are used to hearing. But good news just the same. Peter, probably softening as he looked upon the people, knowing that he was just as guilty. It was his sins too that Jesus had died. Peter tells the people that regardless of their ignorance, Jesus death was not an accident. It didn’t catch God off guard because “this is how God fulfilled what He had foretold through all the prophets”.
While they were speaking, the religious authorities came and arrested Peter and John as they had no authority to be preaching in the temple….let alone a message the leaders found disturbing (Acts 4:2). But it was too late. “Many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand” (Acts 4:4).
While all the people came running over to them, Peter seized the opportunity to talk with them about Jesus. But take a listen to what he says: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? The smiling faces of the people must have quickly turned to a numbing stare…..Peter was peeved, instantly reacting to the people’s fickle and self-serving interests of “wonder and amazement”. The Son of God had been in their midst. Jesus had healed the people and done many miracles, signs and wonders authenticating Who He was. “you handed Him over to be killed, and you disowned Him before Pilate, though he had decided to let Him go.” The people had the chance to speak up on His behalf when they could have chosen Jesus over Barabbas (Matthew 27:17). “You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life….” Wow! Is this the same guy who denied even knowing Jesus three times before the cock crowed. Peter is righteously cocky now! But he goes on to tell them no matter their actions, “God raised Him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.” Can I get an Amen from the crowd? “By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see [jumping around the temple courts! This man who may be the only man excited to here announced ‘standing room only’] “It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see”.
This was a heavy message…..not the good news fashioned in the style that we are used to hearing. But good news just the same. Peter, probably softening as he looked upon the people, knowing that he was just as guilty. It was his sins too that Jesus had died. Peter tells the people that regardless of their ignorance, Jesus death was not an accident. It didn’t catch God off guard because “this is how God fulfilled what He had foretold through all the prophets”.
While they were speaking, the religious authorities came and arrested Peter and John as they had no authority to be preaching in the temple….let alone a message the leaders found disturbing (Acts 4:2). But it was too late. “Many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand” (Acts 4:4).