Led by the Spirit

• Daily Prayer…
  • Peter and John went up to the Temple to PRAY – it was their DAILY routine…
  • But they did NOT go alone – the Holy Spirit was filling them…
  • Meaning that EVERYTHING that happens next – was a result of the work of the SPIRIT!
• The Opportunity…
  • There was a LAME man who had been begging at the Gate Beautiful for FORTY years…
  • He asked for MONEY – but Peter turned to him and said he did NOT have any…
  • But instead he would give him something BETTER – in the name of Jesus STAND and WALK…
  • He then took the man by the hand – and lifted him to his feet [not just words but action]
  • Then the man was HEALED – and he went WALKING and SINGING into the TEMPLE [first time]
  • EVERYONE knew [ἐπιγινώσκω] the lame man – who was now WAKING around…
  • And they wanted to know WHAT happened – HOW was this possible!

• 1^st – Glory to God… vs. 11-13
  • 1^st – Greatly Amazed… vs. 11
    • Curious crowd…
      • Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John.
      • All the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomons!
      • The healing of the LAME man caused a huge COMMOTION…
      • As a CROWD began to gather – people RAN [τρέχω] to see what was happening…
      • They ALL [πᾶς] gathered outside the TEMPLE on Solomons PORCH…
      • The PORCH – made of rows of COLUMNS surrounded the TEMPLE mount…
      • The CROWD made LAME man NERVOUS – he has suddenly become the CENTER of attention…
      • So he CLUNG [opening word in the Greek] with all his might [Κρατοῦντος] to Peter and John!
    • Astonished…
      • [The crowd were all] greatly amazed!
      • Everyone KNEW [ἐπιγινώσκω] the LAME man – as the BEGGAR at the gate…
      • Seeing him STANDING – astonished them [ἔκθαμβος] – only here in NT…
      • From the root word [θάμβος] – meaning to be unable to move!
      • Think of a bad car accident – everyone RUSHES to see what happened…
      • The traffic becomes FROZEN – people cannot take their eyes off the scene…
      • Except here is it NOT a BAD scene – but a GOOD one – a MIRACLE had taken place!
  • 2^nd – Power of God… vs. 12-13
    • Do not marvel… vs. 12
      • When Peter saw it he responded to the people: Men of Israel why do you marvel at this? 
      • Peter SAW their reaction – and challenged them with TWO questions…
      • FIRST – why were [present] they AMAZED [θαυμάζω] by the LAME man…
      • The suggestion is that they should NOT have been surprised by a MIRACLE!
      • We read about the MIRACLES of God in the Bible – parting of the Red Sea – Exodus 14:21
      • Or how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead – John 11:44
      • We have even seen God do AMAZING things in our lives – in the PAST!
      • Yet when we are faced with our PRESENT trials and challenges – we DOUBT…
      • As if God has changed – yes He provided in the PAST – but maybe NOT today…
      • Then when He still does MIRACLES – we are SURPRISED…
      • But we should NOT be – we should KNOW our God is always FAITHFUL – Hebrews 13:8
    • Not about us… vs. 12
      • Why look so intently at us as though by our own power or godliness we made this man walk!
      • SECOND – Peter questioned why the CROWD was looking at them…
      • They were giving all their ATTENTION [ἀτενίζω] to Peter and John…
      • As if by their POWER [δύναμις] and GOODNESS [εὐσέβεια] they had made the man WALK…
      • The point was simple – Peter was telling the CROWD to NOT to give them the CREDIT!
    • Pointing to Jesus… vs. 13
      • The God of Abraham – Isaac – and Jacob – the God of our fathers glorified His Servant Jesus!
      • To explain HOW the LAME man was able to walk…
      • Peter needed to go back to WHO was responsible – and WHY He healed him…
      • WHO – was GOD [ὁ θεὸς] – the God Abraham – Isaac – and Jacob [the fathers] believed in…
      • WHY – was because God wanted to give GLORY [δοξάζω] to His Son Jesus…
      • In other words the reason for HEALING the LAME man – was to point people to Jesus!
      • People would rather put their TRUST in someone they can TOUCH and TALK to…
      • It is NOT in our nature to place our FAITH in an UNSEEN God…
      • But we are a very POOR substitute for the Lord – we are NOT the answer…
      • Our ONLY purpose is to be a SIGN that say: this way to Jesus!
      • I Corinthians 10:31 – “Whatever you do – do all to the glory of God.”

• 2^nd – Second Chance… vs. 13-21
  • 1^st – Rejecting Jesus… vs. 13-15
    • You Rejected… vs. 13
      • Whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate.
      • When he was determined to let Him go!
      • The same Jesus God wanted to GLORIFY – the CROWD had BETRAYED [παραδίδωμι]
      • They BETRAYED Him by refusing to SPEAK up [ἀρνέομαι] for Him…
      • They would NOT say YES – when Pilate JUDGED [κρίνω] He should be set FREE!
      • If we are NOT standing up for Jesus – when the world questions Him…
      • Then we are NOT on His side – we have BETRAYED the Lord!
      • Matthew 10:33 – “Whoever denies Me before men – him I will also deny before My Father.”
    • You Denied… vs. 14
      • You denied the Holy One and the Just – and asked for a murderer to be granted to you!
      • They would NOT say YES to the HOLY one [ἅγιος] – the RIGHTEOUS one [δίκαιος]
      • And instead asked for a man who was a MURDERER – Barabbas – Luke 23:19
      • Therefore – their GIFT [χαρίζομαι] was a BAD man – rather than the GOOD one!
      • Too often we make BAD choices in life – and then wonder why we get BAD results…
      • If we CHOSE to NOT stand up for Jesus – our GIFT will be that things do NOT turn out well!
    • You Killed… vs. 15
      • [You] killed the Prince of life – whom God raised from the dead – of which we are witnesses!
      • The PRINCE of LIFE – they chose [active] to KILL [indicative] upon a CROSS…
      • A progression that makes it seem like Peter wanted to CONDEMN the CROWD…
      • Pointing out they had REJECTED – DENIED – and KILLED the Christ…
      • But do NOT miss the POINT – God RAISED Him up – Peter and John were witnesses [μάρτυς]!
      • There is no QUESTION there have been times when we did NOT stand up for Jesus…
      • There are times when we made BAD choices – they led to BAD results…
      • But even though we messed up – God is able to RAISE us up!
      • Isaiah 61:3 – “[He gives] beauty for ashes. The oil of joy for mourning. The garment of praise [instead of] the spirit of heaviness.”
  • 2^nd – Faith in Jesus… vs. 16
    • In His Name…
      • [In] His name – through faith in His name has made this man strong whom you see and know!
      • Through [ἐπί] the means of [instrumental] FAITH in the NAME of Jesus…
      • The LAME man that they all [πᾶς] KNEW [οἴδατε] as BEGGAR at the gate…
      • They now [present] SAW [θεωρέω] – had been made STRONG in His name!
      • We all make MISTAKES – we all have times when we make BAD choices…
      • But God is more than ABLE – and WANTS to do a work in our lives [raise us up]
      • The KEY is that we have to CHOSE to come to Him and BELIEVE [faith]!
      • Romans 12:3 – “God has dealt to each one a measure of FAITH.”
      • We all have FAITH – but we might think we do NOT have enough…
      • Sure the LAME man believed God could HEAL him – but we are NOT so sure…
      • Jesus would clarify that it is NOT about how MUCH faith we have!
      • Luke 17:6 – “If you have faith as a mustard seed!”
      • FAITH is not about QUANTITY or QUALITY – it is about WHO we put our TRUST in…
      • If we put our FAITH in something that does NOT have the POWER – it does NOT work…
      • But if we put our FAITH in Jesus – that is when God does the IMPOSSIBLE!
    • Total healing…
      • Yes – the faith which comes through Him.
      • Has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all!
      • And through [ἐπί] the means of [instrumental] his FAITH…
      • God has given to him COMPLETE healing [όκληρος] – for EVERYONE [πᾶς] to see…
      • This would seem to suggest – it was NOT just his BODY that was HEALED…
      • The LAME man had also put his FAITH in Jesus – for SALVATION!
      • God does NOT just want to provide for our FINANCIAL needs…
      • He does NOT just want to completely HEAL us physically…
      • He does NOT just want to restore the relationship that we have shattered…
      • He CAN and WILL do all of those things – NOTHING is impossible for Him – Luke 1:37
      • But He wants to do MORE – He wants to FORGIVE us and bring us to HEAVEN!
      • Luke 12:33 – “Do not fear… for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
  • 3^rd – Ignorant of Jesus… vs. 17-18
    • Not knowing God… vs. 17
      • [And] now brethren I know that you did it in ignorance – as did also your rulers!
      • Peter SAW [perfect] that the CROWD [and rulers] had REJECTED Jesus in IGNORANCE…
      • IGNORANCE [ἄγνοια] – to NOT [ἄ] know [νοέω] – the root of the word AGNOSTIC…
      • Peter was telling this CROWD – and their RELIGIOUS leaders – they did NOT know God!
      • I am amused when I ask someone if they believe in God – and they say they are AGNOSTIC…
      • They say that because it makes them sound intellectual – as if they are wiser than others…
      • But the truth is they are saying they are IGNORANT – and do NOT know God!
    • Not knowing the Word… vs. 18
      • Those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets.
      • That the Christ would suffer – He has thus fulfilled!
      • WHY did the crowd REJECT Jesus as the promised MESSIAH…
      • WHAT made them IGNORANT so that they missed that He was God…
      • They did NOT know the MESSAGE [καταγγέλλω] God gave BEFOREHAND [πρό]
      • Through the WORDS [mouth] of His PROPHETS – who said the CHRIST would SUFFER…
      • Which is EXACTLY what happened to Jesus Christ on the cross!
      • The Jews expected the MESSIAH to be a conquering King – Psalm 2:6
      • But they IGNORED the passaged about His SUFFERING – Isaiah 53:7
      • Because they did NOT understand that the MESSIAH would come TWICE…
      • He came the FIRST time to CONQUER our SIN – save us from DEATH…
      • He will come the SECOND time to CONQUER – as the King of Kings – Revelation 19:16
      • Sadly – there are a LOT of people today who still do NOT know the WORD…
      • They grab ahold of certain passages that they like from the Bible…
      • Holding onto passage about HEALING – and God GIVING anything we ask – John 15:7
      • And then IGNORE others that do NOT align with what they WANT from God…
      • Passages about SUFFERING – and having to SURRENDER our lives – John 16:33
      • But the Bible is NOT a buffet – we CANNOT take what we want and leave the rest…
      • Those who DO – will NOT understand [ἄγνοια] what God is doing in their lives…
      • Because they do NOT know what God said [καταγγέλλω] – the WHOLE truth!
  • 4^th – Turning to Jesus… vs. 19-21
    • The command… vs. 19
      • Repent therefore and be converted!
      • In light of them NOT [ἄγνοια] knowing God – and NOT knowing [καταγγέλλω] His Word…
      • Peter gives a familiar COMMAND [imperative] – REPENT…
      • But he does give a great insight into what that means…
      • He add you must be [imperative] CONVERTED [ἐπιστρέφω] – it simply means to TURN…
      • TURN from being RELIGIOUS – TURN from choosing what you want from the Bible…
      • TURN from being IGNORANT about God – by LISTENING to ALL of His word!
    • For forgiveness… vs. 19
      • [So] that your sins may be blotted out!
      • If they TURNED – then Peter told them TWO things would happen…
      • FIRST – they would TURN into [εἰς] their sins being [passive] BLOTTING out…
      • BLOTTING out [ἐξαλείφω] – 5x in NT – to erase or wipe away!
      • Colossians 2:14 – “[Jesus] canceled [ἐξαλείφω] the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.” [NLT]
      • Do not miss the point – those who PLAY at RELIGION…
      • Those who PICK and CHOSE what parts of the Bible they like – are NOT forgiven…
      • It is only when we TURN – and come to the God of the Bible…
      • That we find our SINS are [passive] wiped away…
      • All of our FAILURES are CANCELED – because they were NAILED [aorist] to the cross!
    • For Refreshment… vs. 19 [20]
      • So that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord!
      • SECOND – anyone [ἄν] who TURNS might [subjuntive] be REFRESHED [only here in NT]
      • REFRESHED [ἀναψύχω] – receive a COOL gentle breeze…
      • When they come [aorist] and stand before the FACE [πρόσωπον] of our Lord [κυρίου]!
      • Hebrews 10:26-27 – “If we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. There is only the terrible expectation of Gods judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies.” [NLT]
      • Why is it so IMPORTANT that we TURN – and KNOW God through ALL of His Word…
      • Because if we only PLAY at RELIGION – just attend Church on Sundays…
      • When we stand before our Lord one day [and we all will] – Revelation 20:11
      • We do NOT want to face His WRATH – the FIERY rage that will consume His enemies…
      • NO – we want to make sure we get the gentle COOLING breeze of His GRACE!
    • Before the second coming… vs. 20-21
      • [And] He may send Jesus Christ – who was preached to you before.
      • Whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things!
      • How long did they have to make the CHOICE to TURN…
      • They had until God sends out [ἀποστέλλω] Jesus Christ – the SECOND coming…
      • This message had been PREACHED [προκηρύσσω] to them BEFORE – on PENTECOST…
      • But Jesus was STILL in heaven – where He must stay until the of RESTORATION of ALL [πᾶς]
      • RESTORATION [ἀποκατάστασις] – when God comes to establish His Kingdom…
      • When He RESTORES the world back to the way it was in the BEGINNING – Genesis 1:31
      • Therefore – they STILL had TIME to TURN – but no one knows for how long!
      • God does NOT promise any of us TOMORROW – TODAY is the day to TURN…
      • Jesus could come back this morning – He could come TONIGHT – Mark 13:32
      • The CHOICE to KNOW God – KNOW all of His word is NOW…
      • Because nothing is more important than knowing we are FORGIVEN!

• 3^rd – Back to the Word… vs. 21-26
  • 1^st – The Prophets… vs. 21-24
    • From Eternity… vs. 21
      • Which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began!
      • This was NOT something that just Peter was saying…
      • This was what God said [aorist] through His holy [ἅγιος] PROPHETS…
      • When He spoke to us out of ETERNITY [ἀπ᾽αἰῶνος]
    • Prophecy of Moses… vs. 22
      • For Moses truly said to the fathers: The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet.
      • Like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things – whatever He says to you!
      • Peter gives a SPECIFIC example of what the PROPHETS said…
      • He goes back to the greatest of them all – MOSES – Deuteronomy 18:15-19
      • Moses said the LORD God would raise up [future] a PROPHET like him…
      • Someone who could LEAD the people out of BONDAGE [sin] into the FREEDOM [forgiveness]
      • But UNLIKE Moses – whom Israel constantly rebelled against [golden calf]
      • They would LISTEN [indicative] to ALL [πᾶς] this PROPHET says!
    • Utterly destroyed… vs. 23
      • It shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet.
      • Shall be utterly destroyed from among the people!
      • But it will be [indicative] – if ANY [πᾶς] soul does NOT listen [subjuntive] to this PROPHET…
      • They will be DESTROYED [ἐξολεθρεύω]
      • The HEBREW word Peter is quoting from is REQUIRE [דָּרַשׁ] – meaning to SEEK…
      • But it is translated into the LXX as AVENGE [ἐκδικέω] – why God is SEEKING!
      • Put the THREE together and we get the whole PICTURE…
      • Anyone who REJECTS the Words of Jesus – God will SEEK – to AVENGE – and DESTROY!
    • All the prophet… vs. 24
      • Yes and all the prophets – from Samuel and those who follow.
      • As many as have spoken have also foretold these days!
      • And it was NOT just MOSES – this is what ALL [πᾶς] of the PROPHETS said [aorist]
      • From the PROPHET Samuel – and everyone after him…
      • They were giving the MESSAGE [καταγγέλλω] BEFOREHAND [πρό]
      • About these DAYS – when Jesus Christ came to save us!
        
      • The MESSAGE [καταγγέλλω] of God has ALWAYS been the same – it has NEVER changed…
      • From Genesis to Revelation – we are told we are SINNERS…
      • And the ONLY way to be SAVED – is to put our FAITH in Jesus!
  • 2^nd – All about Jesus… vs. 25-26
    • The Seed… vs. 25
      • You are sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with our fathers.
      • Saying to Abraham: And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed!
      • The CROWD [Jews] were the SONS of those PROPHETS…
      • They were the SONS of the FATHERS who God made the PROMISE [singular] to…
      • When God spoke to Abraham – Genesis 22:18
      • That in his SEED [singular] – ALL [πᾶς] of nations [גּוֹי] on earth would be BLESSED…
      • Do NOT miss – God did not say in the DECEDENTS [plural] of Abraham…
      • It was ONE [singular] SEED that would bless the WHOLE world – Jesus!
    • Jews First… vs. 26
      • To you first – God having raised up His Servant Jesus – sent Him to bless you.
      • In turning away every one of you from your iniquities!
      • To the JEWS first – God sent the GOOD news [εὐλογέω] to BLESS them – Romans 1:16
      • That He raised up His SON [παῖς] Jesus…
      • And in TURNING [ἀποστρέφω] away from their EVIL [πονηρία]
      • Not KNOWING God [ἄγνοια] – because they did NOT listen to ALL of His Word…
      • They would be SAVED from their SINS!
    • Second message…
      • This is the SECOND Gospel message Peter gave…
      • The FIRST time there were THREE thousand people who were saved…
      • But this time there was FIVE thousand people who came to the Lord – Acts 4:4
      • Not because the message was different – or better [very similar]
      • But because God is a God of SECOND chances – and He does NOT give up…
      • And as we keep reaching out – keep preaching Jesus – we will see MANY people saved!