Miracle at the prayer meeting Acts 3:1-11
In these verses Peter and John are seen doing what is recorded of the saints generally in 2:46. Cp Luke 24:53. For some time after the death of Christ and His pronouncement of its desolation prior to His death, Matt 23:39, the Temple continued to be a centre of devotion and worship for Jewish believers. Already, however, this was changing, 2:46 as house-based acts of worship were already happening. It would be some time before Temple based, Levitical worship would entirely disappear. Cp Heb 8:13.
The time is said to be the evening hour of prayer. This coincided with the timing of the evening sacrifice. Cp Luke 1:9-10.
- We are not given information about the Apostles’ actual involvement in the Temple proceedings or if they were simply going to a gathering of their own people for prayer held in the Temple precincts. These meetings likely often became a platform/venue to reach many others with the gospel of Christ. Such a gathering would no doubt also have suited many of the Jewish converts, accustomed previously to observe the regulations of the Temple. It is also a fact that it took a long time before these Jewish believers shook off observance of the Levitical forms of worship.
- Be that as it may, here is an instance of the many wonders and signs done by the apostles, 2:43. It was done at the hour of prayer. The prayer life of the church and its gospel power in the lives of sinful men are directly correlated.
I A POOR LAME BEGGAR.
A very pitiful spectacle is set before us in this record. We look first at the description given of the one who became the object of Divine mercy and power. What pitiful objects God has mercy upon! Here is a concrete reminder of what men are without God and how desperately they need the touch of His hand.
- From birth. He had been in this state all his life. He had never been anything else. There is an illustration here of the sinner who needs the intervention of God. Cp Ps 51:5, 58:3. No man in the state of nature, has ever taken a single step in the path of truth and right. Though he had limbs, all ability to use them was absent—had never been present. Beyond this, the sinner uses his abilities to pursue the path of rebellion and wickedness against God. The condition he had been born with had reduced him to this state of helpless penury.
- Carried to the Temple. Even such a near approach to the house of God was the result of other men’s labour. Men are far from God in their sin and often it is the work of others besides themselves to bring them near to the things of God. He was outside the temple, at the beautiful gate. What a commentary on his spiritual condition! Cp Ps 15:1-2. Yet even in that state it was his material well-being that was paramount in his mind. How many come to church with only those ideas in mind!! Here he derived a ‘living’ from those who went to pray. The sinner lives only by the ‘charity’ of God!
II PETER’S TREATMENT OF HIM.
- Attention paid. Having been asked for alms, Peter first pays attention to him and then calls for his attention. Peter and John (v4) gaze/stare at the lame man. Their attention is first engaged! Cp Jn 4:35. They call for his attention. These are matters that require such earnest attention on both sides.
- A lack of resources. Peter confesses that he has no silver or gold with which to relieve this man’s material need. Financially, at this moment he was no better off than the lame man! Yet this did not stop him doing the Lord’s work, or being at the house of God. The work of God is not all, or even principally, about money. Cp 1Pet 1:18, 2Cor 2:16, 3:5-6.
- Gospel resources. Peter had treasure to impart to this man. Cp 2Cor 4:6-7. He becomes the means of giving this man the gift of physical and spiritual transformation. As the representative of Christ, and in His name, Peter heals him. It is interesting to see him speak of Jesus of Nazareth—the poor man’s Saviour!
- Help given. Peter extended a kindly helping hand. It was as Peter touched the man that the power of God flowed and the man leaped to his feet, v7. It should ever be our desire and aim to be such gospel helpers. Cp 2Cor 1:24.
III CHRIST’S POWER IN ACTION.
Cp v8-11.
- Standing and walking. The lame men jumped to his feet. He stood and then began to walk. These are progressive developments of the new vigour grace has imparted.
- Enters the Temple. It is telling to see the direction of his first steps. He enters the house of God with the Apostles. He does so in an ecstasy of joy in God. He clearly sees the Lord as the source of the change in his experience. Note how he modifies his exuberance in the house of God, v9! Even such joy as his must be moderated.
- A public testimony of the change in his life is given, v10. His changed behaviour is evidence to all of what has happened. As such he becomes the introduction to Peter’s sermon recorded in the following verses. The life of the Christian, from the beginning, should be a platform for the preaching of Christ.
- Tenaciously holding to the Apostles, v11. Cp 2:42, 4:14.