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- Preaching the Living WORD through
the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 - |
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THE
HEALING OF THE CRIPPLE BEGGAR Acts 3:1-12, 16
(7/21/13) Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. MIRACLES REAFFIRMED THE APOSTOLIC
AUTHORITY This is the first of 14 miracles in Acts (by Peter: 3:1-105:1-11;
5:17-26; 9:32-35, 36-42; by an angel: 12:1-19, 2023; and by Paul: 13:4-12;
14:8-11; 16:16-19, 20-42; 20:7-12; 28:3-6, 7-8). These include four healings
(three paralytics and one involving fever), two raisings from the dead, four
liberations (two from physical bondage and two involving exorcisms), three
acts of judgment, and one preservation miracle. There are also 10 summary
notices of miracles in Acts (2:43; 5:12, 15, 16; 6:8; 8:6-7, 13; 14:3;
19:11-12; 28:9). Constable’s Notes A. [3:1] - The Jewish people had three preset
times of prayer throughout the day at the Temple. 1. Their day began at 6:00am and ended at
6:00pm. The first prayer time was the “third hour” (9:00am), the “sixth hour”
(12:00pm), and the “ninth hour” (3:00pm). 2. As was the custom of the apostles, they
were at the Temple at the ninth hour. B. [3:2] - Scripture
gives credibility to apostolic authority by removing any hint of “false” or
fraudulent miracles. 1. The crippled beggar was “lame” (chōlos
- deformed or without a foot) from birth (“mother’s womb) and it was a
publically known fact. He had to be carried daily to
the Temple in order to beg for alms (eleēmosunē - mercy or pity
giving). 2. He was placed at
the entrance of Herod’s Temple called the “Beautiful Gate.” This gate was
accessible from the Court of the Gentiles to the Court of Women. It was a popular
entrance to the Temple and would have been an advantageous position to
receive alms from charitable worshippers. C. [3:3-5] - The crippled beggar saw Peter
and John, as well as others about to enter the temple and began asking for
alms. 1. He attracted the attention of Peter and
John because they “fixed their gaze” (atenizō - lit. stretch, look
intently) on him. Evidently, the Holy Spirit drew their attention to this
man and directed them to perform a miracle upon him. 2. Apparently, this man was looking around
soliciting all passersby because Peter got his attention by saying, “Look at
us.” They definitely got his attention because he was “expecting” (prosdokaō
- tense anticipation) to receive alms from them. D. [3:6] - Peter knew that the beggar’s
desire and need was for income, and rightfully so. But
Peter offered him something far greater to meet his deepest needs. Peter
offered him healing, but that healing came from Christ and pointed to
salvation in the Savior. 1. The beggar’s healing was a great thing,
but not the greatest thing or the main objective. What Peter did, he did “in the name”
or authority of Christ. In other words, the authority given to Peter to be
able to perform miracles at the direction of the Holy Spirit reaffirmed that
Peter was Christ’s chosen spokesman. As Christ’s chosen spokesman, Peter was about to give the
divinely confirmed message of the gospel. The beggar was
not saved because he was healed, but knew that God healed him through
Peter. It was incumbent upon the beggar to hear and respond to the gospel. 2. There is a small controversy as to
whether Peter simply said, “walk” or “stand up and walk.” Not all manuscripts
include the phrase, “stand up” (egeire - pres. imperat. - egeirō -
rise or stand up). On the one hand, Peter actually helps the cripple
stand up and such a command would not be necessary (vs. 7), whereas on the
other hand, it was the usual command of Christ (Mt 9:5; Mk 2:9; Lk 5:23; Jn
5:8). Either way, the cripple was healed. E. [3:7-8] - Peter grasped the cripple beggar
by the hand and helped him to his feet. It seems pointless to try to deduce
whether the man was healed at Peter’s command or
Peter’s touch. 1. What Luke the physician recorded was that
the man was healed “immediately” (parachrēma - at once, without delay). In other words, the man was healed instantaneously. His feet and ankles were strengthened completely so that he could walk and
leap (vs.8). Though he had never walked before in
his life, his healing consisted of the ability to stand, walk, and leap.
Divine miracles are not progressive or partial but immediate and complete. 2. This man knew that no human intervention
had been able to heal him. Rather, he knew to whom the credit should go and
accordingly he began “praising” God. 3. God supersedes the natural with a divine
miracle to prove His presence and power. Miracles also confirm God’s chosen spokesman through whom He will infallibly
speak. The miracle of the healing of the crippled beggar was performed
through Peter; therefore, God would infallibly speak through Peter (Ac
3:13-26). II. MIRACLES DREW THE ATTENTION AND WONDERMENT OF THE CROWD A. [3:9] - Note that this miracle was performed in public
so that people could see it. Miracles are given to be
observed so that a conclusion can be drawn and a message received. B. [3:10] - Those present were first account
witnesses (“taking note” - epiginōskō - “were recognizing”)
of the crippled beggar’s complete healing (perf. part. - sumbainō - come together, lit. “what has happened and
continue to happen) through the power of God. 1. Their response to this divine miracle was
of wonder and amazement. In regard to miracles,
“wonder” (thaubos - reverent marvel and astonishment, Lk 4:36*; Lk 5:9; Ac
3:12) is a response of awe and fear mingled with astonishment of the
power of God. “Amazement” (ekstasis - lit. put out of place, trance, bewildered , Mk 5:42; Lk 5:26; Ac 2:12*; 3:10; 11:5; 22:17)
is a response of bewilderment toward a supernatural event. C. [3:11] - The newly healed man was clinging
to Peter and John not stabilize his legs but out of grateful adoration. By
this time, they had come out of the temple and were heading out when they were stopped by the crowds at Solomon’s Portico. 1. Solomon’s Portico was a covered colonnade
made of columns and a roof or portico (stoa). It was
named after Solomon having been built on the remains of the ancient
temple. Solomon’s portico was the location for Jesus’
and the apostles’ teaching (Jn 10:23ff cf. Ac 5:12). 2. The miracle of the healing of the
crippled beggar caused the people to “run together” (suntrechō -
gather in a hurry, run together) toward the apostles and the beggar. 3. If miracles will eventually point to a
divine message, there must be people to hear that message. Miracles serve to
draw the attention of an amazed crowd and provide an audience for the
message. III. MIRACLES WERE PERFORMED THROUGH THE
AUTHORITY OF CHRIST A. [3:12] - When the
crowds gathered, Peter first explained the meaning of miracles. Miracles did not come from the power of
men. The power of miracles did not inherently come from the apostles “piety”
(eusebia - religious obligations based on reverence for God, godliness)
or godliness. They had their source in God. 1. But just as God had attested to “Jesus
the Nazarene” as His spokesman by miracles (Ac
2:22), He was now attesting to the apostles as His spokesmen by miracles. 2. This truth is explained
in the idea of performing miracles “in Jesus name” (Ac 3:6, 16). When Peter
healed the crippled beggar he said, “in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene-- walk!” This was not a formula or magical words
in order to conjure up a miracle. Rather, Peter was identifying that the
miracle was being done on the authority of Christ.
Peter was an apostle or representative of Christ. As a representative, he was sent by Christ or in the name of Christ or even in
behalf of Christ. 3. In the same way, these miracles were performed in the name of the King of kings, by the
authority of the King of kings, and by power of the King of kings. Peter
reiterates this truth again in Ac 3:16. IV. OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS A. Because there were miracles in the early
church, should we expect them today? No, miracles were signs that
authenticated the messenger and the message. The gospel is
prolifically testified to by Christians every day. Furthermore, in no
age did God continuously bring about miracles. There were three major eras in
the Bible, Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha, Christ and the apostles. So it would be misinterpretation to demand today the same
miracles that were in the early church. B. The healing of the crippled beggar leads
us to conclude that the gospel was more important than health and wealth.
Peter emphatically did not give the cripple silver or gold. Also Peter only healed this cripple and not the many
others in Jerusalem. However, Peter continuously proclaimed the gospel to
which this miracle authenticated. |
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