A MAN HEALED BY PETER AND JOHN

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A MAN HEALED BY PETER AND JOHN
Acts 3:1-11.

1. Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
2. 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 from those who entered the temple;
3. who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.
4. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.”
5. So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.
6. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
7. And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them walking, leaping, and praising God.
9. And all the people saw him walking and praising God.
10. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
11. Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly amazed.

The apostles and the first believers attended the temple (the house of God) to worship at the hours of prayer. Peter and John seem to have been led by a Divine appointment, to work a miracle on a man about forty years of age, who had been a cripple from his birth.
Peter and John, in the power and name of Jesus Christ, told the man to rise up and walk. Thus, if we would attempt to bring good to the healing of men's souls, we must go forth in the Name and power of Jesus Christ, calling on helpless sinners to arise out of sin and walk in the way of holiness, by faith in Him.
For the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth can make us truly whole! Body, soul and spirit!

Verses 1-3. The Church must reach to the whole person.
“Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
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 from those who entered the temple;
who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.”

This is why the Church must minister to the whole person, body, soul, and spirit. It must be certain that the spiritual needs of people are presented as the most important part. If the Church gives only that which meets the physical needs of men, then it provides only a temporary hope. In the long run, this still leaves men without hope, and on a Christ less way.

Verses 4-8. The Church must give what it has.
“And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.”
So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.
Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them walking, leaping, and praising God.”

The Church is called upon, in the name of Jesus, to give whatever is needful.

A. The cry for help.
This beggar in Acts 3 was so typical of his day and of humanity, which is crippled in sin, just like our day and generation. With his twisted body and troubled soul, he cries out for money believing this is the need and solution of his problems and life.

B. The ready response.
Peter and John are on their way to the prayer meeting at the Temple. In spite of their experiences of Pentecost, they still felt the need for a regular prayer time in the House of the Lord.
Peter and John would probably never have seen the beggar’s need if they had not been at worship in the Lord’s House.

C. The need is meet.
Peter’s response is immediate; “Such as I have I give to you.” He gives what he had, and what the man truly needed. He did not include any money because he had none. He says, “Silver and gold have I none.” So he gives the man his healing and support. The man was now no longer a beggar, but able to work and support himself!

Verse 6, 11. The Church must meet spiritual needs.
“Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly amazed.”

A. The Healing.
Peter looks upon the crippled man and challenges him to rise up and walk “In the Name of Jesus.” He later makes it clear to those standing about that the man was healed through faith in the name of Jesus in verse 16. Peter wanted everyone to know that the physical healing was the evidence of a deeper, inner spiritual healing, of forgiveness.
After this healing, Peter does not call for all the cripples to be healed, or form a healing line. Instead he preaches to them the Gospel of Salvation, emphasising Christ’s redemption for our sins.

B. The Message.
The Church must never be content to give only what people want, but to give them what people need. Healing yes, but Salvation is the true need in the lives of men and women.

Conclusion.

If the Church is to be the Body of Christ on the earth, then those who make up its membership must be willing to pay the price of compassion and love.
To reach out to the sick and needy. But, more so, to make mindful that the basic need of life is the redemption of the whole man found through faith in Christ Jesus the Lord.