Power to heal and save (Acts 3:1-11), by Rev Dr John Kwasi Fosu

Introduction

Acts 3 presents Peter and John’s healing of a man born cripple at the beautiful gate. The fact remains that God works through us. Thus, we are partners with God in touching lives especially in saving souls. This lesson looks at the scriptural significance of the passage and to illustrate what it means to live without Christ and to live after encountering Christ.

Historical and Scriptural significance of the miracle

The fact that Peter and John still attended the temple and kept the Jewish customs is evidence that the first seven chapters of Acts are Jewish in emphasis. No believer today who understands Galatians and Hebrews would participate in Old Testament practices.

Peter performed this miracle, not only to relieve the man’s handicap and save his soul, but also to prove to the Jews that the Holy Spirit had come with promised blessings. Isaiah 35:6 promises the Jews that Israel would enjoy such miracles when their Messiah was received.

Life without Christ illustrated

The crippled man of Acts 3 is a vivid illustration of a life without Christ.

He was born lame, and all are born sinners.
He could not walk, and no sinner can walk so as to please God.
He was outside the temple, and sinners are outside God’s temple, the church.
He was begging, for sinners are beggars, searching for satisfaction.

Life after encountering Christ illustrated

The man’s conduct after the miracle shows how every believer ought to act. The man entered the temple in fellowship with God’s servants and praised God. His walk was new and different, and he did not run from persecution. His was such a testimony that the officers had no explanation for what had happened.

Conclusion and application

In an unexpected and extra ordinary way, the crippled man met the two apostles and was healed. As believers of God we are to learn to be ever ready to do something for God. The best opportunities to do God’s work often comes in an unexpected way. Peter and John did not plan to heal the beggar. In the same way, the beggar did not plan to be healed. Yet, God was pleased to use both. How ready are you to work with God as a soldier of Christ? Worth noting here is that those who have needs will cross our paths. The man was in pain not only of physical ailment, but spiritual as well. In all Peter and John met his needs.