A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                            PART IV - III

"When I, Peter, woke up this morning, I realised something.... I realised I was not at home... I was in prison....I then rememered I had been put in jail the night before..... The reason I had been put in prison was the fact that I had been preaching the truth about the Lord Jesus.... And some religous leaders had become very upset with the message I had preached.... So they had decided to silence my by putting me in prison....I realised as well that I was not alone.... John was here with me.... We wondered what would happen to us next..... We did not have to wait long to find out....For we were taken before the religious leaders..... There were some well known people among them.... Jesus had come before some of them as well... They were Annas and Caiaphas.... They had some questions they wanted to ask us."..... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn what happens with Peter and John after their night in jail....

 

                   ATTACHMENT A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                       PART IV - IIII

The religious leaders kept Peter and John in jail overnight but saw them the next morning when they began to question them as you can read in Acts 4:5-7

The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John , Alexander and the other men of the high priest's family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this"?

The religious leaders fully expected these two men to have learned their lesson after a night in jail and to be willing to tone down their message. After all, these men had been so afraid of them in the past and had shown that by hiding behind locked doors. But these religious leaders did not realise how great a change had taken place in the lives of these two men when they had been empowered by the Holy Spirit at the Day of Pentecost Consequently, they were no longer the fearful people they had been at that time but they had become a fearless people. The religious leaders may well have expected Peter and John to apologise for their behaviour of the day before and to promise to never act in that way again.

 

 

                                    

                                       A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                           PART IV - II

"I, Peter, stood together with John and the previously crippled beggar... We had a large crowd in front of us.... They had all witnessed the miraculous healing of the crippled beggar....We had begun to talk to them about the One who was responsible for the healing... Other people joined the crowd as we were speaking..... They were important people... Among them were Sadducees.... They listened to us... But it was clear from the expression on their faces that they were not impressed with our message....On the contrary.... They seemed to be very upset with our message....So they did not allow us to speak much longer.... In fact, they took us away..... And they did what I had feared so much in the past.... They put us in jail."..... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Peter and John experienced something they used to fear greatly....

 

 

                ATTACHMENT A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                         PART IV - II

Some important people, including religious leaders, had joined the crowd that was listening to Peter and John. However, they did not seem to care that this crippled beggar had been healed that day. Instead, their only concern seemed to have been with the preaching of Peter and John.They were in fact so discturbed about the things the apostles were saying that these men decided Peter and John had to be silenced and the only way they knew to do this was by having them put in jail as you can read in Acts 4:3

They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.

 The very thing Peter and John had feared in the past and had been the reason they had hidden themselves behind locked doors, had happened; they had been put in prison. But this time they were no longer afraid for they had been empowered by the Holy Spirit at the Day of Pentecost not so long ago and the Holy Spirit had caused them to become a changed people, who were no longer fearful. 

                                   

 

                     

                                   A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS 

                                                        PART IV - I

"I, the previously crippled beggar, stopped my walking and jumping the moment this man Peter began to speak..... He preached such a powerful message about Jesus..... My heart was stirred... And, no doubt, so were the hearts of many others.... For all of them listened to him with great attention.... I then noticed that some important people joined us.... I wondered what they would think of Peter's message... I had great hope that they would accept what he said about Jesus... After all, they knew me... For they had seen me many times in the past when I sat at the Gate called Beautiful.... So they knew I was no longer crippled... And that was because of this Man Jesus about whom Peter was talking....  But their faces did not look happy.... Quite the contrary.... I wonder what they are up to now.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that some important people joined the crowd who has witnessed the healing of the crippled beggar....

                  ATTACHMENT A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                 PART IV - I

We would expect everyone, who had witnessed the healing of the crippled beggar to be very happy because of the miraculous healing of this man. However, that was not the case as you can read in         Acts 4:1-2

The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were still speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.

These religious leaders did not seem to care that this crippled beggar had been healed, Instead, their only concern seemed to have been with the preaching of Peter and John.

      

                                   A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                      PART III - III

"I, Peter, had a very captive audience in front of me.... They had seen the crippled beggar rise to his feet and not just walk but jump... They were very excited about this event... For they knew this man... They knew that he had never before been able to get up.... But this afternoon he was able to get up!!... They had quietly listened when I explained to them what they had done to Jesus.... I knew it was time to give them hope.... So I explained to them that they had not understood what they had done....  And I told them that they could be forgiven..... But they had to turn to God in repentance.... I had personally experienced God's forgiveness so I knew that forgiveness was available to them as well.... I could see that the people were so happy to hear that message of hope... But would there be people who would be opposed to that message?".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn of Peter's explanation to the people how they can be forgiven....

 

          ATTACHMENT A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                     PART III - III

After Peter had spoken to the crowd who had witnessed the healing of the crippled beggar about the Lord Jesus, he explained to them that they had acted in ignorance and he then invited them to respond to his message as you can read in Acts 3:17-19

"Now brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what He had foretold through all the prophets, saying that His Christ would suffer. Repent then and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refresing may come from the Lord."

 Peter used this opportunity to share the good news with the people that their sins could be forgiven if they turned to God. But not everyone was happy with the message Peter was bringing to the people as we will soon find out.

 

 

 

                                       A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                                  PART III - II 

 

                ATTACHMENT A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS     

                                                              PART  III - II

All the people who had witnessed the healing of the crippled beggar came running towards Peter and John. Peter used that opportunity to preach to them about Jesus for he wanted them to know that this man was not healed because of him and John but that this man was healed because of Jesus as you can read in Acts 3:12-16

When Peter saw this he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you?Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus You handed Him over to be killed and you disowned Him before Pilate, though he had decided to let Him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the Author of life, but God raised Him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the Name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' Name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing as you can all see."

Peter, led by the Holy Spirit, did not hold back from sharing the truth about the Lord Jesus to the people who were surrounding him after the healing of the crippled beggar.

 

 

 

                                      

                                      A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                                     PART III- I 

"I, a crippled beggar, am no longer crippled!!....I can not only walk now.... I can jump!!... It all happened this afternoon at 3 o'clock... I was sitting at my usual spot at the gate called Beautifull....  I am brought there every day to beg.... I had been brought there that morning.... It had not been a particularly good day... I had been given a few coins.... But nothing to write home about.... Then at 3 o'clock, the time for prayer, two men passed by....I decided to ask them for money....To my surprise they actually stopped... Not only did they stop.... They looked at me....People don't usually look at me... Why should they? After all, I am only a crippled beggar.... Not worthy of any attention....But these two men stopped and looked at me... And one of them began to speak to me!!... No one ever speaks to me.... But he did!!... I have to say his first words to me were not very encouraging.... For he told me he could not give me any money... I wondered why he had bothered to stop to talk to me.... But he then went on speaking.... He told me to get up and begin walking..... When he said that faith rose up in me.... And I did get up.... Not only did I get up... I began to walk!!... Not only did I begin to walk.... I  began to jump!!... I who had never in my life been able to get up and walk was suddenly able to do these things.... This surely is the best day of my life!!"... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn of Peter and John's encounter with a crippled beggar....

 

                   ATTACHMENT A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                                    PART III - I

Every day the disciples would go to the temple at three o'clock in the afternoon for a prayer time. One afternoon John and Peter met with a crippled man as you can read in Acts 3:1-6

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer - at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us." So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."

This day had begun as any other day for the crippled beggar; after he had woken up he had been dressed and had been given his breakfast, Then it was time for him to be taken to his spot to beg, which was at the temple gate called Beautiful. No other beggar would sit there for everyone knew this spot was the place where the crippled beggar sat. When he saw Peter and John he did what he had been doing all day long: he asked them for money. Perhaps these two men would be kind enough to give him a small amount. He did not think they would be able to give him very much for they looked like they were very ordinary people, possibly fishermen. But then these two men stopped and looked at him... Perhaps they would be able to give him more than he had originally anticipated. Then one of the men began to talk to him.That was amazing for most people did not really see him. They might throw him a small coin out of pity but they would not ever stop to talk to him. After all, he was only a crippled beggar. But these two men did not just look at him, they began to talk to him and they told him to look at them.Why would they ask him to look at them? Hope rose up in him for surely something good was about to happen, perhaps they would give him such a large amount of money that he would no longer have to beg. But then his heart sank when he heard one of them say,"Silver and gold I do not have..." for he knew this meant they were not able to give him what he had hoped for and it would mean he would have to continue his life of begging. But then the man continued speaking and what he heard was beyond anything he had ever heard anyone say to him for he heard him say, "In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth walk." When he heard these words faith rose up in him to do exactly as this man said. Thankfully, the man who spoke these words to him, whose name was Peter, next reached out his hand and helped him to get up for he had never in his life walked. But that moment strength came into his legs and he was able to not just walk, he was able to jump. So that day he was able to physically enter the temple courts and all the people were amazed at his healing. We see then that the Holy Spirit did not only empower Peter and John to preach; He empowered them to heal as the healing of this crippled man demonstrates.

 

   

                                    

                                      A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                                PART II - V

"I, Peter, still cannot believe what has happened recently.... Not too long ago I hid behind closed doors because of fear of the authorities.... But then the day came that the Holy Spirit was poured out upon us.... That day a boldness came over me... And on that day I preached to thousands of people in front of me.... That dat 3000 people became believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.... However, that number continues to grow....Every day more people come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.... God is truly at work among us in a way we never expected.... Will it continue to be that way?... Only God knows but we trust Him... He knows what He is doing.... We will just continue to follow His lead.... Jesus did tells us to preach in Jerusalem.... And we are doing that... With great result.... Perhaps one day we will go beyond Jerusalem.... For Jesus told us as well that we are to go to Judea..... And Samaria... And to the ends of the earth.... But for now we will remain in Jerusalem.... It looks like it is harvest time in Jerusalem.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the Lord continued to work among the people in Jerusalem...

 

                 ATTACHMENT A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                              PART II - V

These new believers continued to meet together and every day new believers were added to their number. Luke mentions that in Acts 2:47b

.... And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

It truly was an amazing time in the life of the Church. So far, it seems the authorities had not dared to interfere. But did the situation remain peaceful? 

                         

                        

 

                                  

                                  A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS 

                                                            PART II-IV 

"After I, Peter had preached my message, I waited.... Very soon the people in front of me spoke up.... They had obviously been touched by what I had said.... I could see it in their faces.... But it was even clearer to me by what they asked me.... They asked me what they should do.. I rejoiced in their question... It was clear to me that the Holy Spirit had done a work in their hearts through the preaching.... I quietly prayed what I should tell them... The Holy Spirit then showed me what I should tell them they should do... They should repent and be baptised.... So I shared that with the people in front of me.... And 3000 responded to my words and were baptised that day....What  a glorious day,,,, For on that day the Church of Jesus Christ was born!!"... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that many people responded to Peter's message....

                   ATTACHMENT A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                     PART II-IV

The Holy Spirit who inspired Peter to preach his powerful message used his words to touch the hearts of many of the people who heard it and consequently many cut to the heart or, as we would call it, were convicted of their sins. We can read this in Acts 2:37 

When the people heard this they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

As we know from their response, they asked what they should do. Peter, once again led by the Holy Spirit, said to them in Acts 2:38-39

"Repent and be baptised everyone of you, in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord Our God will call." (That includes us).

The Holy Spirit who inspired Peter to preach this bold message used that same message to touch the hearts of the many people listening to him. As a consequence these people responded to his message so they could receive forgiveness of their sins for his first word to them was "Repent" which means "Turn away from your sins and turn to God."

And that day 3000 people became believers and were baptised in water as a symbol of what had taken place in their hears as we can read in Acts 2:41

Those who accepted his message were baptised and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

                                                 

                  

                                   A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                              PART II-III

"I, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, had stood up... And I had begun to adress the large crowd in front of me... I had begun to explain to them that what had happened that day was in fulfillment of prophecy... It had been prophesied by the prophet Joel long ago.... I then began to preach to them about Jesus.... I helped them to see that they were responsible for His crucifixion....But I explained at the same time that God had allowed this to happen....And that God had raised Him from the dead.....And that, moreover, Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God in heaven."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn more about Peter's powerful message to the large crowd in front of him....

                   ATTACHMENT A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS

                                                            PART II-III

After, Peter had explained to the large crowd in fron of him that what happened that day was in fulfillment of prophesy, he continued by beginning to preach about Jesus. Moreover, in his words he did not use politically correct language but told them clearly that they were responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus as you can read in Acts 2:23b

"... And you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross."

However, Peter did not stop there for he he then shared with them that this had taken place with the foreknowledge of God as you can read in Acts 2:23a

"This Man (Jesus) was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge."

Peter further explained that God had raised Jesus from the dead as you can read in Acts 2:24a

"But God raised Him from the dead."

And Peter then went on to say that afterwards Jesus had been taken up into heaven as you can read in Acts 2:36

"Exalted to the right hand of God, He has received from Him the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear."

Peter ended his sermon by telling the crowd that Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God from where He has poured out the Holy Spirit, the One who empowered Peter to preach that powerful message they had just heard.