Commentary by Ron Beckham

Verse 1.  “Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer.”

It was 3 PM, the regular hour for prayer, called in Luke 1:10, the “hour of incense.”  This was the time of the evening sacrifice, when the people stood outside in prayer, while the priest within offered the sacrifice and burnt incense.  This is the spirit of David’s prayer in Psalm 141:2, “Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

In my notes on this verse from years ago, three items struck me:  1) Peter and John were together in their intentions (unlike the recent past, as in Luke 22:24).  2) They continued to go to the house of worship, even though they knew the true Lamb of God (the sacrifice given by God) is Christ (John 1:29), and knew the true temple is the body of believers (2 Cor. 6:16).  3) They were faithful in prayer (as we are taught in 1 Thess. 5:17 – “Pray without ceasing”).

Verse 2.  “And a certain man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple.”

The description of this lame man, laid at the gate of the temple to ask alms, is very similar to Lazarus at the rich man’s gate (Luke 16:20).  Josephus wrote two historical accounts about the various temple gates & the accounts are in conflict with one another, so we often aren’t too sure about the gates.  But this verse (and also verse 10) is clear that it was the one called “Beautiful.”  I wonder if he saw the irony in that name, for his circumstances were not so beautiful.  This was no “kid” who might have hope for a better situation; this was a man in his 40’s, hardened to the life he had to lead. 

I wonder if he regretted that he had not been healed during the recent 3-year public ministry of Jesus of Nazareth?  Did he think, "if only I had more faith."  I have wondered if the people who carried him were kind to him?  Did they let him keep any of the money he made?  Just like many people, he probably was tired of an uncomfortable situation that seemed like it would never end.

Verse 3.  “And when he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms.”

I’ve heard it taught many times that no one can be healed (or restored financially) except they “have the faith to be healed.”  There is merit in that position, for much in Scripture relates faith to restoration (Mark 5:25-34, “your faith has made you whole”).  But this man had no faith at all; he was operating on a mere hope for money (verse 5).  It is important in examining Scripture to consider all passages on a subject, and not just look on those that favor our position.

There was faith operating here, but it was in Peter, who was already being drawn by the Holy Spirit to understand that this lame man was to be healed.

Verse 4.  “And Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze upon him and said, ‘Look at us!’”

This man was focused on the concept of receiving a few coins.  There probably was a quota which he had to obtain, and he may well have been beaten if he did not attain it.  Peter broke the man’s intense concentration with the unexpected but powerful command “Look at us!”  The lame man was still thinking about money, but less so, as the realization broke into his thinking that something different was occurring.

We who love the Lord are called in Scripture:  saints, ambassadors, disciples (learners), brothers and sisters, Christians (originally a derogatory term), and so on.  Another aspect is suggested here – we are focal points, containers of God’s Holy Spirit, for the world to see and hear, and be drawn to the Lord Who is in us.  Again, there was something different about these men, and this lame person was about to be filled with joyful astonishment in relation to them.

Verse 5.  “And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.”

But when he looked, his mind was still largely stuck on money.  These men were different, but he could not long think of such things – He no doubt lived a life of quiet desperation; his whole day filled with a panicky need for acquisition.  “My quota,” he may have thought, “I must…” – You fill in the blank at the end of this, for we are all drawn by recurring needs for one thing or another.

Verse 6.  “But Peter said, ‘I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you:  In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene - walk!’”

What the world thinks it wants is money.  “If only I won the lottery, I could do” this or that.  “If my grandfather hadn’t been cheated out of his inheritance…” and so on.  We are shown here that God wants to give us so much, and that money has no value at all, in comparison to our need of Him.

Actually, the world wants power.  Wealth is indeed a dreadful power that can be used for good or evil.  The intellect can be a power, which can be seen when one person simply knows more than another.  We have the Spirit of the Lord, Who is a Person of power beyond the reach of money, intellect, or any other “power” in this world.  God’s Holy Spirit is mighty, as we see in these verses, able to give that which money cannot buy.  And the strongest power of all is the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.  

God had given Peter understanding that this man was to be healed – now!  Peter shouted at him (he might have whispered, but I think he shouted), commanding him to walk, grabbed the shocked man by the hand (verse 7), and jerked him to his feet.  

Verse 7.  “And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened.”

This was impossible from a natural perspective.  At the same time he was pulled up on his feet, his crippled ankles and feet were made whole!  Not only were they straightened, but muscles and tendons which he had never before used in his life were given strength, as though they had always functioned.

Four decades of inactivity would produce permanent disability - all this was reversed in a Touch by the Holy Spirit of God.

If we truly (or even remotely knew the power and love of God, our attitudes and responses to life would be utterly different!  The same God who healed and restored this man in an instant, is with us right now.  Why do we suffer and why are we not all healed?  Paul explores that concept in II Corinthians, in great detail.  We have such difficulty (2 Cor. 1:4) so we may learn to comfort others with a similar problem; for the salvation of others; so we may (v. 7) experience and learn the direct consolation of God; and so (v. 9), we may learn to trust in Him.

Look at the faith of Peter.  His was a confidence based in an inner assurance, given by God’s Holy Spirit.  None of us want embarrassment and most are inwardly, secretly timid; copying others instead of boldly trusting God.  July like a human child learns to walk, we are going to “fall” a lot, as we learn to walk in His Spirit.  But it’s worth every bit of it – Let’s TRUST in Him.

Verse 8. "And with a leap, he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God."

Can you imagine this man?  Hesitant, surprised his legs were holding him up, he took the first couple of  steps ever in his life, and then he got the hang of it. Walking for the first time, he then began to jump up-and-down, like he saw others do as a child.  While still in motion, he began to recognize the source of this change, as he shouted "thank You, God, praise You Lord," over-and-over again; all bitterness about his 40-year condition now gone in a moment.

Notice this man did not decide to become "cool" or "sophisticated" – he did not look around suddenly and wonder, "What will these people think of me?"  The healing we receive in Christ Jesus, by the way, though often inward and spiritual, rather than outward and physical, is just as great and profound as what happened to this man.  Our joy should be like his, and we should be full of joy in relation to the One who has made us whole.

Verse 9. "And all the people saw him walking and praising God;"

Here is the extra purpose in this great healing, given us in Christ Jesus:  All the people saw him.  Yes, the purpose of God is to help the afflicted person, and if you have been healed by Christ, it was done for you.  However, the Holy Spirit also has additional purposes; and there are others to be blessed because of what has happened to you and to me.  This person (who had been at the temple gate all during the years of Jesus’ ministry on earth) was known to all as a helplessly crippled man, unable to walk since birth.  Yes they had tried to ignore this beggar, but in a part of their minds, they had seen him and his need.

The larger purpose of this miracle was to confront the people with the awesome reality of Almighty God, and we are still hit by this event, 2000 years later!  We tend to gradually denigrate God to a powerless back burner in our lives, just as these people had done.  God wants to shake you out of complacency and into life - He was revealed as a mighty healer in their midst, just as He is in ours.

Verse 10. "and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him."

They were "filled with wonder and amazement" just as each of us should be.   Do you realize that this is an eyewitness account, suggesting that God can heal your life as well?  Aren’t you surprised? (I am – continually).   Don’t you wonder if God cares about the secret heartache that darkens life and takes away your joy?  He does care, you know.  He does care.  His true intention is for you to be whole and wholesome, in mind and in body.

None of us thinks our body is perfect by any means, and even if it is restored in some manner, the aging process will again take such restoration away.  (Aging brings weakness and weakness causes a need of God).  If you are not so "perfect" in some way, there is a purpose in whatever shortcomings you may think you have.  You are "fearfully and wonderfully made" as David said, in Psalm 139.  This man’s legs were allowed to be like they were, so he might be suddenly healed and become like a beacon, telling others of Christ.  Joni Erickson became paralyzed, not so that she might be healed in this life, but that she might be given a specific ministry to others who have the same problem she does.  And she does have that ministry.

God has a purpose in the way you are.  Our job is to quit focusing so much on ourselves and look to Him; giving our lives to His purposes instead of our own.   A healing on the outside is wonderful but temporary in nature.  Our problems are temporary and the true healing we need is on the inside and is permanent.  Just as these people were "taking note" of him who used to be placed at the gate, others are taking note of you.

Verse 11. "And while he was clinging to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the so-called portico of Solomon, full of amazement."

This is so beautiful.  The Lord delights in turning our lives into directions we don’t expect.  We get scared when things happen that are out of our control, but just like this man, the Lord has an excellent outcome for each one.  The man was clinging to Peter and John, just like Mary Magdalene (John 20:17) clung to our Lord Jesus.  If we want our lives to be what they should be, we will cling to Him, too.

This man would have had a certain dignity as a crippled beggar.  Formerly, he would not have behaved in such a manner – It is the surprise of JOY in our lives that throws us into unprecedented behavior.  If you want the JOY of this man, let go of any bitterness about the past, dissatisfaction with the present, your fear of the future, and FLING yourself upon our Lord.

And again, note the larger purpose of personal healing, which is to bring many to Christ.  They flocked to the place of the upper room, because of the Spirit Who drew them (Acts 2:6), and here they come again, greatly amazed and drawn by the Spirit of God.

Verse 12. "But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, ‘Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk?

Just like the other time (Acts 2:14 & forward), Peter did not have to knock on doors – he just started talking, for the Spirit of God certainly Knows how to draw a crowd.  This was a time of prayer (3:1), and many must have been praying that the Lord would come into their lives.  So often we pray the prayers, and then "marvel" (as in this verse), because we did not really expect an answer.   God does answer and it’s time for us to look with our hearts and understand that He does.

As in this verse, it’s so easy to confuse the man with the work of God.  God uses people. But just like we are so carefully reminded that even Elijah was just a man (James 5:17), so is our Pastor, and that person on the radio is too; blessed by God as they may be.  We cannot heal anyone, we cannot teach anything or prophesy, or do any Godly thing, except God does it in and through us.  Respect and love one another, but give the glory to God.

Verse 13. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered up, and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him."

Years ago, a friend who had become a Black Muslim, was having second thoughts and decided to pray for understanding.  I remember that John prayed to "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."  It was a good idea, and God dramatically led him back to Jesus Christ.  As he said at the time, "You see, Ronald, I want to get the right God."  And he did.

Peter here was talking to the very people who, when Pilate tried to prompt the Jews that Jesus should be let go (John 18:39), shouted (18:40) "Not this Man, but Barabbas" should be released.  The verse goes on that "Barabbas was a robber."  In Acts 3:14, we learn that he was a murderer, as well.

Peter is speaking to us, also, for our hands are not innocent in the death of Jesus, Who died for our sins.  In Isaiah 53:6, we learn "The Lord laid upon Him, the iniquity of us all" (your iniquity, my iniquity – all).  And in Romans 3:23, this is reiterated by the news, "All (you and I) have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

Verse 14. "But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,"

If we ever, in our pride, thought for just a fleeting moment that we are without sin – If we think for a second that our "good" works or religious acts can save us, then we are guilty of denying or "disowning" what the Holy One has done for us.  We are precisely just as guilty as these men.  "I’m a good person," you might think, but Jesus told us that "No one is good but…God" (Matthew 19:17).

Our sin, when we think we are good, is pride; and pride will bring us down. It was pride that caused these men to refuse the Holy One of God and release a murderer instead.  We should continually be "walking and leaping and praising God" like the formerly crippled man in this chapter – For if our legs were straight, our hearts certainly were not.  We trust now in Him, Who gave us life at our birth and then died for us, that we might live anew.

Verse 15. "but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses."

There are two revelations here about Christ and one about the selection of His disciples.  First, this word "Prince" additionally has the meaning of originator – Jesus Christ is the Originator of this world and everything in it.  The first chapters of the Book of Hebrews present this truth clearly.  He is the Prince (the Author) of life.

Second, we are reminded He was raised from the dead.  As Peter previously said, "It was not possible that death could hold Him" (my paraphrase) - we are reminded He was raised from the dead.  Whether we know it or not, we have been limited by death, and obsessed with death, all of our lives.  People attend "slice-and-dice" movies in droves, drawn like moths and lemurs to this ancient foe of mankind.  Here is our gift from Him:  Death cannot hold our Lord - and those who trust in Him, RECEIVE His victory over death.

Third, Jesus chose those men and women as witnesses.  They were not educated as you would expect, or for the most part, eloquent men.  They were not well born, and they were not the influential folk that we might choose.  One (Judas) was chosen to betray Him, and all the others simply had one overwhelming quality – With the leading of the Holy Spirit, they became faithful witnesses of the resurrection of our Lord.

Verse 16. "And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all."

God has given us the gift of faith (Hebrews 12:2 – "Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith;" my paraphrase).  We understand this gift of faith that is given to us has substance; it is something which can be perceived by us (Hebrews 11:1 – "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen").  Much like your arm and hand can pick things up and toss something, faith does things, as we see in this verse.

To the woman who was healed from a flow of blood lasting 12-years, Jesus said "Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well."   Even though I move my arm, it really only moves because Jesus Christ enables me to move it (Colossians 1:17 – "In Him [Christ] all things consist").   So it is with faith: I reach out to Him in prayer, in faith, but He is the One Who Answers the need.

As this verse says, "On the basis of faith in His Name" and "the faith which comes through Him" is what healed this man.  No wonder Paul nudges us to "give thanks in everything" (1 Thessalonians 5:18), for in everything we do, say, or think, we are enabled by God.

Verse 17. "And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also."

So much that we do is done in ignorance.  You may want to impress other people, and I’ll bet that some of these people who had shouted for "Barabbas" (to be the one released instead of Jesus) were glancing out of the corners of their eyes, hoping the priests would notice them.  So many want "sophistication", which is an expression of a need for approval.  Yet our attempts to be "acceptable" or "sophisticated" are pathetic in the sight of a God who Knows us as we really are.

The other part of their ignorance is that they did not see that their murderous acts were fulfilling prophesy from long ago.  The very Scripture they read but did not believe (written hundreds of years before), said they would "laugh" at Him (Psalm 22:7), crucify Him (22:16), and "stare" without pity at Him (22:17), as the soldiers "cast lots for His clothing" (22:18).

Verse 18. "But the things which God announced before-hand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ should suffer, He has thus fulfilled."

Jesus Christ was "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8).  In other words, when God created this world, the universe, and all that is in our space-time continuum, it was always understood that God the Son would die for our sins.  Since this was intended in eternity before our creation, it is no surprise that God, Who already Knew all this would happen, prompted His prophets to tell us of this in advance.

An example is Isaiah 53, written 700 years before Christ. Our Lord, the Christ (53:3) would be "despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief."  He would "bear our griefs and carry our sorrows (53:4). He would be "wounded for our transgressions" and be "bruised for our iniquities (53:5), and "by His stripes we are healed."  Further, "the Lord (53:6) has laid on Him the iniquity of us all."  Verse 7 related "He was led as a lamb to its slaughter" and in verse 8, we see "He was cut off from the land of the living" and that "for the transgressions of My people He was stricken."   53:9 relates "they made His grave with the wicked but with the rich at His death."

Jesus Christ died for your sins, just as the prophets said in advance, so long ago.   All that would happen, all that He would suffer for you, He has thus fulfilled.   He is so obviously the Holy One of God, you have only one honest response to Him, and that is: Yes, Lord, I am Yours!

Verse 19-20. "Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you,"

There is a lot more to repentance than just feeling bad about something you’ve done (though it’s a good start).  It is indeed the most important job for every person to repent before our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To "repent" has at least three parts and one of them is Godly sorrow.  In 2 Corinthians 7:9-10, however, Paul is involved with a discussion of the nature of repentance, where he essentially says that to be sorry is not enough – sorrow must lead to repentance.   He called it "sorrow in a Godly manner" (NKJV).  There must be action in addition to feeling.

An important factor in repentance is a change in behavior; a reformed life.  When John the Baptist saw the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be baptized (Matthew 3:7-8) he called them "vipers" and told them to "bear fruits worthy of repentance."  It is not enough to perform religious acts – we must be changed inside.

Another element is restitution.  The person who has wronged another (and we all have), must be willing to make things right for the person who was harmed, where that is possible.  An example is Zacchaeus the tax collector in Luke 19:8, who said "If I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation (the tax collectors were notorious for that), I restore fourfold."  He must have meant it, for Jesus responded (19:9), "Today salvation has come to this house."

We need to be "converted" (changed), as in these verses.  Our sins indeed must be blotted out and our only possibility of joy is the refreshing that comes from the presence of the Lord.  We must receive the Lord Jesus Christ – there is no other way.

Verse 21.  "whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time."

Jesus Christ will be with us for all eternity.  Right now, we don’t see Him, and "If only we could see Him" is the almost universal cry of mankind.   Those of the Church long to see their Beloved, and the world alleges they would turn to Him, if only they could "see."  Right now, He is performing an excellent act on your behalf – He is at the Right Hand of the Father, praying for you.  His prayers (which are 100% based in belief, in faith) will get the job done.  And those who want to see Him, by the way, will soon be satisfied.

As the prophets told us, the time of "restoration" or "refreshing" will shortly be here.  Isaiah said, "behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind (Isaiah 65:17).  Right now, we can be made new in Him, and if we choose Him now, we will share in that which is to come.

Verse 22.  "Moses said, ‘The Lord God shall raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren; to Him you shall give heed in everything He says to you.’"

Peter cites Scripture here, as did the other apostles and New Testament writers, and when you think about it, the Lord continually did the same.  St. Augustine said "We can know nothing of the world without light" and he went on to relate that comment to the Word of God, stating that we can’t really "know anything at all without Scripture to light our way."

This position is consistent with 1 Corinthians 4:6 – We are to remain within the written Word of God. The particular citation in this verse (verse 22) is found in Deuteronomy 18:15-19.   Israel may well have thought the Deuteronomy verse referred to Joshua, and it did authenticate him and the other prophets who were to follow.   Joshua, a real person, was also a "type" like a parable, and his life pointed ahead to Christ.  The "Prophet" the Holy Spirit spoke about through Moses, is Jesus Christ, and He is the One we must heed.

Verse 23. "And it shall be that every soul that does not heed that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people."

The danger, in rejecting Christ, is that you will be destroyed.  Now, if "destroyed" meant obliterated, that wouldn’t be so bad, because you would not be around to worry about it.  Unfortunately though, what God creates (like you and me) does not pass out of existence.  He is the eternal God and what He creates lasts forever.  The Book of Isaiah, which is so filled with hope and contains so much promise for those who love Him, tragically ends on this note:  "For their worm does not die and their fire is not quenched" (Isaiah 66:24).  The people who don’t want God will get their way, but it will not be pleasant for them.

As it says in this verse in Acts, they shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.  Not "destroyed" in the sense of going "poof" & you’re gone, or placed into some kind of "soul sleep" but simply removed from the midst, from the presence of those who love God.  Just like a cancer is removed so healthy tissue may thrive, so this separation of the two kinds of humanity will soon occur.

Verse 24.  "And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors onward, also announced these days."

The Old Testament is about Jesus Christ.  He is the purpose for which it was written.  The prophets spoke in order that they might speak of Him.  Your purpose in life is to come to Christ.  When looking at a water glass, you understand that it was consciously designed to hold liquids, that we may drink from them.  In just such a manner, each of us was consciously designed so that we might be filled with the Holy Spirit, and then let the world "drink" of the "living water" given us in Christ .

Some of what we call the Old Testament is obscure, and indeed we would have understood none of it, except He enabled us to do so.  Some day we shall see all we do not understand now.  But for this time, it is enough that "all the prophets" spoke of Him and related in advance what He would do for us.

Verse 25.  "It is you who are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your Seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’"

Peter was speaking to a Jewish audience, the "sons" after the flesh, of the prophets.  The "Seed" here refers to Christ, for only in Him shall "all the families of the earth be blessed."  It has application to the Jews and also to everyone else, as well.  God’s intention for the Jews always was that they would NOT be clannish and ingrown but be like "evangelicals" who would reach out to the world with the love of God.  Paul, from that perspective, was a true son of Abraham, and when he cried "imitate me" (1 Corinthians 4:16), he was encouraging us to be men of faith and to "let our light shine" for all the world to see.

We of the Church have the same choice as did Israel.  We can be clannish and ingrown or be what God intends.  We are to equip one another, so we as a body of believers might reach out to everyone, everywhere, as God leads.  If God judged Israel for their failures, will He not also judge us?  Christ is this "Seed" of God, and we are to place this precious "Seed" in our hearts and go forth with Him, wherever He may tell us to go.

Verse 26.  "For you first, God raised up His Servant, and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways."

We must never forget that Christ came to the people of Israel first.  Paul refers to Jews as "branches" (Romans 11:19 & context) which were "broken off" so that Gentiles might be grafted in.  He continued that "they were broken off for their unbelief but you (Gentiles) stand by faith."   Continuing (Romans 11:21), Paul warns us "Do not be conceited but fear, for if God did not spare the Jews, He will not spare Gentiles, either."

We are in Christ because of the grace of God.  We remain in Christ because of grace, in that He has allowed our faith in Him, created in Christ, to be sufficient in His sight.  We are blessed in Him, who has turned us (praise be to God!) from all of our sins and wicked ways.  "Blessed" means "happy" and a smile should start deep within us right now, as we realize the wonders God has done for us in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ron Beckham, Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
www.fridaystudy.org
Ron@fridaystudy.org