A Net in Time

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Acts

Acts 4:13-22

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Okay, let’s talk abit.  I’ve come to realize in the past month or so that I’ve been rather angry with God over a few different things and so had walked away for a bit.  NOT GOOD on my part.  God can handle my anger.  He created me right?  So it’s not like he doesn’t know what he created when he made me.  BUT still not good on my part right?   That’s taken a bit of processing. And still will for a bit.  It’s okay.   NONE-THE-LESS, time for me to get past that and get on with remembering whose I am.   Going back into my study on Acts.   Today we’re covering

Acts 4:13-22

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

In case you’ve forgotten, you can 

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Acts 4:13-22

Acts 4:13-22

iAs you may recall, Peter and John were standing before the council.  Peter had just finished proclaiming who they were following.  Jesus Christ of Nazareth, raised from the dead, and by whom salvation can be found, in him and no other.

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 

The council was made up of educated men as we can see in verse 5-6.  “On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.”  They saw and heard how clearly and boldly Peter spoke and were shocked. 

I can imagine them thinking “these are uneducated men who will stumble and fumble for words”.  But that is not the case.  Peter and John knew Christ and him crucified so could speak well on this subject.   Their knowledge of him was readily apparent eh?

Oh that I would be so bold eh?  I’m too often cowed.

14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council,

Who was this man healed, the one who led to this whole situation?  A lame man.  You’ll read about his story in Acts 3. Just a man, well known for his begging at the Beautiful Gate.  A man who no longer needed to beg for help. What else could the council do but to let them go?

After they let them go, a council meeting.

15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 

Imagine having something happen in your community that you don’t want talked about. Something that was fundamentally true… after all the lame man is there walking and talking.  How can you possibly deny that reality? 

Now let’s say you don’t really want the news spreading anymore than necessary.  What do you?   Tell the perpetrators to not talk about it! So that’s what they did.  One gag order coming up! 

18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 

I can’t really see that working you know? People are still going to talk, and if you know you are in the right, why would you?  Peter and John said exactly that: 

19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

They weren’t going to shut up about what happened because they were more concerned about God’s reaction to them than what people’s reaction.  We so need to be more like this don’t we?  Speaking God’s truth, being more concerned about what God wants from us than to be concerned about the world’s reactions and thoughts. 

No Deniability

 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

I can sort of understand the council you know?  They don’t want news spreading about what they consider a false religion.  So they can say don’t talk about it, but how can you suppress the fact that a lame man is now walking around and that Jesus Christ is the reason for it?   Men following the Son of God, healing in his name, and the fellow is right there.  Living proof! People saw this 40 year man healed and were praising God for it.  You can’t really stop that you know? 

What’s stopping me from praising God for the wonders he does in my life?  Something to think about eh?  Do you find yourself not talking about the wonders of God?  Why?  Share with me, perhaps we can learn together eh? 

Acts 4:5-12

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It’s been a bit but today I am working a short shift and feeling sorta awake!   We’ve had a busy weekend away and I’m feeling like just perhaps I can get back on track.   Anyways, today we are looking at Acts 4:5-12.  It continues the story of Peter and John being brough before the council. 

5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:5-12

The Players

5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.

So we have the rulers, elders and scribes gathered.  Specifically Annas the high priest along with Caiaphas, John, Alexander and those of the high-priestly family. 

Annas – appointed by the Roman legate Quirinus to be the high priest of Judea. He served for 10 years.  This son of Seth’s death is unrecorded. 

Caiaphas – son-in-law to Annas, also served as high priest three years after Annas stopped serving.   He served for about 18 years. He’s also known as Joseph, son of Caiaphas. His family was known for opposing the Pharisees.   

John and Alexander – We don’t know much about these two.  John might have been Johanan ben Zaccai, who is reported to have been at the height of his fame forty years before the destruction of the Temple, and to have been President of the Great Synagogue after its removal to Jamnia.  And Alexander may have been Alexander, the brother of Philo magistrate of Alexandria.   But there is no real proof as to who they really are. 

And as to who the members of the high-priestly families were?  No one really knows.  There was a lot of politics involved in those days with people struggling for power and/or influence. 

The Setting

 7 And when they had set them in the midst,

So here are Peter and John, surrounded by all these people of influence. They will be questioned these simple disciples of Jesus. I’m not sure where they were questioned other than somewhere in Jerusalem.

The questions

they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 

Kinda makes sense you know?  These people of influence seeing these common men talking and raising up controversial issues.  They’d want to know who told them to do this.  Who gave them authority to talk and to heal people?

The answer given

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

See the power of the Holy Spirit?   Peter was not quelled by the august people surrounding him (or maybe he was but the power of the Holy Spirit filled him so he didn’t act like it).  He spoke out clearly and boldly to them proclaiming the power of Christ.   He gave a brief synopsis of Christ’s death and resurrection, and how Jesus is now the cornerstone of their faith. Salvation comes through him alone!

Do we clearly understand this?  And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

Jesus Christ, son of the living God, is the only path to salvation.  By him we shall be saved.  No one else can do this job.  No other can be the propitiation for the wrong we do in our lives.

This one that it is so easy for us to reject is the very cornerstone upon which faith is built. 

Trust in him today! 

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Acts 4:1-4

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After seeing God’s love in action, planning out the help we would need, and letting us, in our ignorance, hurt his son. We have to see what will happen next don’t we?  Acts tells us the stories of the apostles right after Jesus ascended, it’s good to know our church history yes? 

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

Acts 4:1-4

Acts 4:1-4

Verses 1-2

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 

It happens you know.  You start talking about Jesus and the cross and someone is bound to get annoyed.   Sometimes that annoyance is just … well… annoying, but other times it’s problematic.

verse 3

3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 

As we can see in this situation is was problematic.  They got arrested and tossed in the clink.

It’s so easy to dismiss this isn’t it.  Oh, that was then, they were fighting the established religion, so it was bound to happen.   But it still happens.  People get arrested, beaten, killed, fined, and more just for presenting God’s word to people around them.   In some places of the world you need to be so careful if you are a believer.  And yet people still believe.  They persist.  Why?  This next sentence may give us part of the answer…. 

verse 4

4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

But look at this.  Even though the annoyed ones tossed them in jail, people BELIEVED.  5000 strong!  They heard what was being taught and they took it all to heart and became part of the faithful.   Maybe that courage in speaking truth is what leads to the church growing today in parts of the world where you would think it wouldn’t.  Afterall, wouldn’t the threat of persecution scare people away?  Instead, it seems that persecution helps the church to grow. 

When I was in college I postulated in a paper that perhaps the church should pray for more persecution.  That it would make us stronger as a whole, weeding out those not truly committed, and encouraging those who believe to rely on God all the more.  Now, at age 58 …. I ponder what I would do in the face of persecution.  Would I see God more clearly or would I get frightened and hide?  It’s too easy you know?  Too easy to postulate ideas without truly seeing the cost of what that means… and now I see it and wonder.   I wonder how young families in persecuting areas do when they see their children and wonder what will happen to them if mom and dad are caught?  If the children are caught talking about God (as children will talk about what they are raised with).  

And then see God’s church grow.  And that part is such a marvellous part filling me with awe and wonder at God’s actions, does it outweigh the fear? It’s such a juxtaposition for me. 

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Acts 3:17-26

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These next few verses are actually part of the previous passage, Peter continuing his conversation with the people amazed at the lame man’s healing.  Let us continuing learning from from the apostles in  Acts 3:17-26.

17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 

22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”

Acts 3:17-26

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Looking more closely at Acts 3:17-26

When we left Peter, he was telling the onlookers what they did.  It’s a damning statement, that they rejected the Holy One.  As Peter said “But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead.“

Acts 3:17

But then he goes on to say this “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.”  If I heard that, I would feel both ashamed and yet relieved.  He knew we were just being stupid!  Having a monumental brain fart. Can you imagine someone realizing our vast ignorance?  Granted, he first called us to account, but then said he realized we were just being ignoramuses.   But not just us, part of the generic masses, but also those in leadership over us.  All of us just being ignorant. 

Acts 3:18

I don’t know if this is meant to be a relief from the guilt of being ignorant or not, but Peter tells it straight up.  But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 

God knew this would happen.  He foretold it.  And then fulfilled it.  So the ignorance we showed in allowing Christ to be sacrificed was all part of God’s plan. 

Why was this all part of God’s plan?  

Acts 3:18

19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 

So that when we come in repentance our sins can be blotted out.  So they won’t be seen anymore.  Blotters are used to absorb ink, or to document investment trades.   But we aren’t talking about that sort of blotting, but of sin being blotted out.. wiped away, stains being removed, not just covered up or documented in some way, but completely wiped away. 

Acts 3:22-24

22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days.

Do you see it?  Moses said what God was going to do.  God would raise up a prophet who should be listened to.  Not listening to him has grave consequences.  And every single prophet that followed Moses has spoken to that same truth.    

Acts 3:25

 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 

So just who are we (the audience) that sacrificed Christ?   We are the offspring of Abraham, people with whom God made a covenant so that the all families of the earth are blessed.  Do you understand that?   If you are loved of by God, you are blessed.  

Acts 3:26

26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”

Hmmm… this verse eh? We who sacrificed Christ, who allowed a really bad guy to go free, are the first to have this chance.  What chance?  To be blessed as we are turned away from our wickedness.  It’s not us doing that turning but God turning us.  We just can’t do it on our own you know? That internal wickedness is so built into us, but then God comes along with this fantastic plan whose end result it to turn us from our wickedness. 

I can’t wait to see what we’re going to learn about next.  What about you? 

To see that despite our ignorance in killing God’s most beloved son, which he knew we would do, God’s plan for us hasn’t changed.  He wants to turn us away from our wickedness.    It’s an amazing story of love isn’t it?    Isn’t it good to learn more of God’s love for us and his plan for our lives? 

Acts 3:11-16

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Technically the next section in Acts is Acts 3:11-26.  This is a rather large passage and rather than trying to tackle it all at once I’m going to divide it in half.   So this week we’ll do Acts 3:11-16, and then later we’ll do the rest. 

11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “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? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 

14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

 If you are interested in the rest of the series you will find them here eh?   

Acts 3: 11-16

What Happened before Acts 3:11-16

Do you remember that just before this passage Peter, through the power of Christ within, had made a lame man whole again?  When we left them, the man was leaping around praising the Lord God for his healing.  The people surrounding them were so surprised and amazed.  Filled with wonder they were. 

Now moving forward. 

Acts 1:11

11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s.

If like me you don’t know what a portico is, it is a structure consisting of a roof supported by columns at regular intervals, typically attached as a porch to a building.  

So  they must have been standing in the sheltered area at the temple.  A place where it would be easy for people to gather, a safe area for beggars to hang out in protected from the weather. Anyways, this portico is known as Solomon’s Porch.  If you want to know more about it, I found this helpful resource. 

So they are there, and he’s healed and the people are “utterly astounded”.  I don’t much blame them, they would have been coming to worship God, and expecting the same old same old, and then this man is healed.  And he wasn’t being quiet about it.  It was a miraculous gift from God! 

So everyone did what I would see as totally normal… they rushed over! 

roofed walkway with benches
Photo by Allen Boguslavsky on Pexels.com

Acts 3:12-16

12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “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? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 

14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

Peter took the opportunity to present Christ to the people. He gave them a bit of a history lesson and put them on notice for what they did. What we all did. We took this man, the son of God, and put him on trial.  Released a really bad guy. And let Jesus die.  

There were witnesses

BUT witnesses saw it! Christ rose from the dead!  There were witnesses!   So it’s true!  Christ is risen.  AND therefore through his name by faith miracles can happen!   

Do you see that caveat… it’s not just by saying the name of Jesus.  It’s the whole “by faith” clause.  One need to have faith in the Lord.   

It reminds me of that verse in Matthew where it says “He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”” (17:20)

Faith is Pivotal

Without faith it’s just words you know?

Faith is what enables us as believers to do all the things that God calls us to do.  Even with a small, weak faith, it’s the faith that matters.  Not how big that faith is, just that we have faith.  

It was faith in God that enabled Peter to work a miracle.  It was faith in God that allowed Peter to talk to the crowd about why this miracle happened.  Faith in God is what allows missionaries to go out onto a foreign field.  Faith in God allows ministers to bring God’s word to us.  This faith that causes children to save up money to help other children. It is faith that helps Christian parents raise up their children to know the stories of God, the stories of faith.  Faith helps people do things that seem beyond them (like walking on water, forgiving enemies, apologizing to people wronged, loving the unlovable etc.). 

So the question is: what seemingly difficult thing can my faith let happen?  What can I ask for in the name of Jesus?  or will I let fear beat me?   

Right now, I don’t know.

Do you? 

Acts 3:1-10

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I know, I know, it’s been a while.  Sickness and holidays and just stuff…you know… stuff.  I’ve hardly looked at my blog lately.  Over Christmas and a couple of sick days I worked in all my reviews.  Writing many of them past the time they were due and just back-dating them.  🙂   Today we are in Acts 3:1-10.  

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.

6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Acts 3:1-10

Acts 3:1

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

So I went to understanding the bible to figure out what is meant by the ninth hour.   There I learned that the Jewish day starts at 6 a.m.  That would be their hour zero.  So the ninth hour would be around 3 p.m. 

That makes me wonder how the work day functions.   Do people start work at 6 a.m. and stop at 2 and therefore have the rest of the day to pray and do whatever?   Or do they start work later and just stop for a while at 3 p.m. to allow time for prayers?   I know, I know, that’s a total off the topic thought, but just a curiousity I have. 

I also have to question myself.  Is it a good thing to have an established “time of prayer”.  Would that give an order to the day and a routine that would keep people from forgetting the importance of connecting with God daily? Sometimes the busyness of the day truncates any concerns about spending time with the Lord, particularly in a time of prayer that sometimes feels like talking to the air.  I know God hears me.  I know this.  But sometimes it feels one-sided you know?   Anyways, this time of prayer that the Jewish folks had I’m going to ponder on a bit more.  About setting aside a regular time to just talk with God. 

Acts 3:2

2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.

Can you imagine if poor people would gather in front of a church asking for donations? What would we say or do in that situation?  Would we reach out to them, or simply see them as the many homeless that sit or stand on the street corner?   Another question is… Why don’t the poor gather in front of churches on Sunday mornings, or Wednesday evenings asking for help?   Has the church collectively shown their unwillingness to meet those immediate needs? Should we encourage them to do so? I wonder what kind of difference that might make for us as believers? 

Acts 3:3

3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.

I wonder what it was about Peter and John that stirred the lame man to direct his attention to them. Was it merely their presence, or was their something about them that set them apart?  Perhaps it was they were going in together and it’s harder to say no when you are with someone else.  ‘Cuz you know that NO ONE wants to look bad in front of friends, and helping others does make you look better. 🙂 

Acts 3:4-7

4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.

Needless to say, Peter helped him! (otherwise we wouldn’t be reading this story) Not in the way the man expected, but far beyond that. Can you imagine that man’s surprise.  To have a man say “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” and then helps you to your feet.   Feet that you haven’t walked upon for ages and ages (speculatively).  Strength given to feet and ankles now strong enough to support your weight. Feet working so you are no longer beholden on family and/or friends to help you get to a spot so you can beg for help.  It’s just amazing isn’t it?  

Acts 3:8

8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

Well, wouldn’t you? After not being able to walk and now suddenly you can?  I can totally see myself doing a short jive across the floor!  🙂  Then knowing the reason for it!?!?!?!?!   I would be joining him in praising God.   But note: he was praising God which means he KNOWS that Jesus Christ is of God. Otherwise, would he be praising God or would he be confused? 

Peter didn’t say by the power of God, or in the name of God, but rather “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth”.   So he had to somehow know that God was involved.  Ergo, he praised God for his healing. (not praising Peter and John, but God himself!). 

Again, I need to ask myself questions: Do I really take the time to praise God for the things he does in my life.  This man wasn’t asking for healing, he just wanted some coins so he could get some food, drink, lodging, or whatever.  But instead, God outdid his asking.  God healed him up.  How many times does God exceed my expectations?

an example

Today for instance, I’ve been meaning to bless a lady across the street with some ice cream.  She lives close to the pocket book and it’s a simple way to make her smile.  I couldn’t get ahold of her all week (lives in a locked building) and it’s been COLD and snowy this week.  BUT she has a little dog so I’ve been hopeful to catch her out.  Today I did.  And low and behold it was the perfect day to reach her.  Her brother died this morning, and this was just the thing she needed.  Having someone to care about her, talk for a little bit (not long as … bitterly cold out), and to pray with her.  God exceeded my little gift by more than expected. 

It’s so easy to ignore that you know?  Afterall, it’s not as big as say… not being lame anymore, but it was important in HER life right now. 

But today I feel convicted to say “God, thanks for that eh?  Your timing is perfect.”  He knows full well what’s needed eh? 

Acts 3:9-10

9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

I know when I see God acting in the lives of people how amazing I find it, particularly when it’s a drastic change.   Like someone becomes a believer and alcohol addiction or bitterness just leave them. That just knocks my socks off.  So I emphasize with the people gathered around this happy, God-praising man.  They would have seen him, so they knew his lameness.  Seeing him leap about and his absolute joy in physical freedom would have been so amazing. 

I wonder if they saw God in action or if they were simply surprised at his healing?   Did this man’s words turn hearts?   We aren’t told. All we can do is hope eh? 

What have you learned of God? 

God has reminded me of my need for thankfulness in this passage. I’ve also been reminded of how often God exceeds my expectations of him.  What have you seen of God in these verses? 

Let me know eh? 

What to know more? 

 If you are interested in the rest of the series you will find them here eh?   

Acts 2:42-47

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Acts 2:42-47 is my next section in Acts to ponder over.   If you are interested in the rest of the series you will find them here eh?   

In the previous passage in Acts 2 we know that 3000 people turned their hearts to God as a result of Peter’s words.   What happened next is what we’ll discover today.  

Acts 2:42-47 reads as follows

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42-47

Looking into Acts 2:42-47

Verse 42

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Those 3000 new believers, they didn’t sit around going, oh, we have a relationship with the Lord and let that be it.  No way.  What they did was

  • devote themselves to the apostles teaching
  • to fellowship with each other
  • to the breaking of bread
  • and prayers.

Verse 43

43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 

So this is what I’m envisioning.  Peter finishes talking, and there’s this huge crowd around him of new believers.  People turning to the Lord everywhere he turns.   But these people are on fire for the Lord so they eat together, spend time with each other, praying for each other.  This becomes more than a one day event.  And as it goes on, people are filled with awe… seeing all that God has done and is doing through the apostles. 

Makes me ask this question: why don’t people sit in awe of what God is doing through his people now? What are we doing differently? 

Verse 44

44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 

Is it the lack of commonality we have with each other?  All these divisions within/between churches and there, what should be, spirit-filled, godly people?    Can you imagine being part of a community that shares freely with other and happily spent time with each other? 

Verse 45

45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 

I admittedly struggle with this one.  Mind the older I get the easier I am about giving things away that I no longer need or want to others.  But I struggle with the thought of selling things in order to help those in need.   Like I’ll give my money and time, but selling stuff I need?  Or just selling stuff and using all the proceeds for missions and stuff?   GAH as I write that I feel like a jerk….. like seriously. 

But at the same time it’s true though.  I’ll happily give my tithe, and use those dollars to help others.  But when it comes to going beyond that, I find it difficult.   Like even taking the time to cook a meal for a young family, or individuals who have lost a loved one, and stuff like that.  If it inconveniences me, then I tend to avoid it.  These folks, filled with the Spirit, no less than ANY believer today, chose to freely help each other in whatever why they could. 

What does that say about me? 

Verse 46

46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Day by day…. adding to their numbers, this generous group of faithful, new believers.  Changing the world around them by their love for each other, their devotion to the Lord, and how they received food.  

So does my gratitude show who God is? Will it encourage people to see God favourably?   And perhaps heed a call on their lives they didn’t even know enough to recognize? 

What are your thoughts?