ACTS LESSON 6

    We will begin this lesson in Acts 3:1 "Now Peter and John went up
together into the temple at the hour of prayer, [being] the ninth
[hour]."

    It seems there were two times during the day when they went to
pray. One time was at 9 a.m. in the morning, and the other was at 3
p.m. in the afternoon. Notice here, also , the closeness of Peter and
John. When Jesus was with them, many times He would send Peter, James,
and John to do something for Him. It appears that after Jesus returned
to heaven, Peter and John were still very close.

    Acts 3:2 "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 of them that entered into the temple;"

    This Beautiful gate many believe is the same as the Eastern
Gate. Some believe this gate to be the entrance to the woman's court.
This man was born lame. Whether this was a deformity, or not, the Word
does not say. The people it would be easier to get an offering from
would be the people who loved God. This place would be even more
lucrative, since women many times have a softer heart for giving. This
was this man's livelihood, since he could not walk. The court of the
Gentiles and the women's court was the same.

    Acts 3:3 "Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple
asked an alms."

    If we look carefully in the spiritual realm at this lame man lying
outside the church door, we can see a society that is crippled by all
the sin. Our society seems to have gone mad. Our children are the most
confused and crippled of all. They are taught in school that the
world revolves around them, and yet they know that they cannot make
these giant decisions themselves. They realize these decisions are too
much and they hide in drugs, alcohol, and rock music. They want
somebody, somewhere to make these decisions for them. They search for
someone who has answers to life's problems.  They are spiritually
crippled. Looking for solutions, they many times are led off into
cults. As I have said so many times, drugs, alcohol and all these
other methods of escape are not the root problem.  Mankind is
crippled, because we are out of fellowship with God. When I see this
lame man above, I see all those struggling people who are crippled by
our society. Jesus Christ is what they are all looking for. We
ministers must do as Paul and Peter did here. We must focus in on them
and get them to look at what we have to offer them. We must show them
Jesus in us, so that they can reach out and receive the wonderful
healing of not only their body, but spirit as well.

    Acts 3:4 "And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said,
Look on us." Acts 3:5 "And he gave heed unto them, expecting to
receive something of them."

    Again, here in this lame man we see the crippled world. This man
is looking for help wherever he can get it. This searching describes
our society so well. Ever searching for answers, but many times
looking in the wrong places. The only true solution to any problem
is in Jesus. I hear so many people on Television and Radio today
trying to figure out what can be done to heal our problems. There is
only one answer. All of these illnesses will go away when they receive
Jesus as Lord and Saviour. The Bible is our handbook for living. All
of the instructions for a healthy happy life are explained in its
pages. It is the only thing that will work. Jesus is our Life. All of
the other things we do to stop drugs and all other sin is like trying
to stop a giant river from flowing with a bandaid.

    Acts 3:6 "Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such
as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up
and walk."

    Here, we see Peter giving the lame what he really needs, not what
he is asking for. This Scripture has really been misunderstood by so
many. Peter is not saying that there is anything wrong in silver and
gold He is apologizing to the man that he has none to give him. Then
he says, I have a much better gift for you. He says, In Jesus Christ
of Nazereth's name you are healed. This says to me that our crippled
children in our society are crying for someone to help them. Many want
to put them in centers to dry them out, but what they really need
is the Lord Jesus Christ to heal them. Give them a brand new life, not
centered on self, but centered on Jesus. Then they can walk uprightly.

    Acts 3:7 "And he took him by the right hand, and lifted [him] up:
and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength."

    We see, here, the power of the name of Jesus Christ. When the
apostle took this lame man by the hand, he was touching the man as an
agent of the Lord Jesus Christ. We see that the apostle reaches out to
this lame man. We are an extension of the Lord when we reach out to
help those around us who cannot help themselves. This was just the
touch this man needed, and strength came, into his feet and ankles, as
Peter helped him up by his right hand.

    Acts 3:8 "And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with
them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God."

    We must remember that this is the very first time he had ever
walked, because he was born lame. Can you imagine his joy as he
discovered he could walk? He directed his praise to the correct one,
as well. He praised God, not Peter. Now he could go into the temple
himself. This reminds me of the overwhelming joy a person has when
they are freed from sin and are made alive to follow Jesus.

    Acts 3:9 "And all the people saw him walking and praising God:"

    Think of all the friends and family who would be overjoyed with
him at his miracle. This should stir up their faith in God, as
well. He has been made new in the name of Jesus Christ.
    Acts 3:10 "And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the
Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and
amazement at that which had happened unto him."

    Here was a manifestation of Christianity. This miracle was done in
the name of the very one, which had been crucified here just a short
time before.  Perhaps, they had heard of some of the miracles Jesus
had done when He was here before, but to have this kind of power
in just the mention of His name overwhelmed them. This miracle would
start these people to thinking about the power invested in even the
followers of Jesus.

    Acts 3:11 "And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and
John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is
called Solomon's, greatly wondering."

    This lame man felt that, if somehow, he could hold on to Peter and
John his strength would remain. This great number of people ran to
marvel at these men. They were confusing this power as if it was in
Peter and John, not through the power in the name of Jesus Christ.
This is even a thing to consider today. We must not be too overwhelmed
by miracles. We must look beyond the miracle to Jesus.

    Acts 3:12  "And when Peter saw [it], he answered unto the people,
Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly
on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to
walk?"

    We see, here, that Peter quickly denies that any power within
himself is responsible for this miracle. Peter wants the praise
directed to the true source of power, the name of Jesus Christ of
Nazareth. Peter tells these Israelites that he and John are just men
like them. The only real difference is that they have made a decision
to follow Jesus. They have made Jesus their Lord, and in so doing they
have allowed His power to operate through them.

                                 Notes

















                           Acts 6 Questions

1.  When did Peter and John go to the temple in verse 1?
2.  Why were they going to the temple?
3.  How often did they go to the temple?
4.  Which two disciples were really friendly after Jesus went back to
    heaven?
5.  How long had the man in verse 2 been lame?
6.  How did he get to town?
7.  Where did he stay every day?
8.  Why did he stay there?
9.  What is another name for the Beautiful gate?
10. What was this the entrance to?
11. The court of the Gentiles was the same as what?
12. What did Peter and John tell him to do when they looked at him?
13. What is the spiritual meaning of all of this?
14. He gave heed unto them, expecting what?
15. What two things did Peter tell him he did not have to give him?
16. What name did Peter use when he told him to rise and walk?
17. How did Peter help him up?
18. What happened to the man to let him know he was healed?
19. Where did he go when he walked?
20. What did he do besides leap and walk?
21. What did the people see?
23. When the man held Peter and John, what did the people do?
24. What did Peter ask the people?


                                 Notes