February 19, 2015 (Thursday)
The study of the Book of Acts continues at Bethel Baptist Church, Ingleside, on Wednesday evenings. This week we looked at Chapter 3, which tells of Peter and John and their encounter with a disabled man who begged daily at the Temple Gate named Beautiful. As the pair passed him on their way into the Temple for prayer, he asked them for money. Peter and John responded by saying, “Look at us!” The beggar did as requested. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” The man jumped to his feet and began walking and jumping, praising God. The people recognized the man and were amazed.
Peter then spoke to the crowd, telling them that the man had been made to walk by Jesus, the same man they had disowned and turned over to the Romans to be crucified. God had raised him from the dead. He continued, “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 completely healed him, as you can all see.” He then showed from the Scriptures that Jesus is the promised Messiah.
The miracle was real and was motivated by compassion, but it stirred the people and they wanted to know more. Peter and John refused to take the credit but gave God the glory and seized the opportunity to call their hearers to faith in Jesus as Savior. This is our mission in the world: to tell everyone that God loves us and sent His Son to save us.
Peter and John immediately told the people about the most important work of God in our lives–the provision of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Sharing this message of salvation in Christ is our magnificent privilege and awesome responsibility as God’s people. Paul said it: “It is no longer I who lives; it is Christ who lives in me.” It’s all about Jesus.