Acts 3:1-26. A WORK OF POWER True Christianity is not a failure, although much of what is called “Christianity” is. True salvation brings birth, life, hope, and power to those who are new creations in Christ Jesus. Unfortunately, there is a new modern “Christianity” that many adhere to, that is, not biblical Christianity at all. They have what one preacher called “a modern smooth cross” that bears no resemblance to the cross the Lord Jesus called us to take up daily. What the early believers experienced as a reality when they obeyed, served, and witnessed what they knew personally of Christ was usually a cause of opposition and persecution.
In Acts chapter three, there is… A picture of need, v.1-3. “A certain lame man…” A poor and helpless man who was daily laid at the gate of the temple. He had a need he could do nothing about. He was willing to admit that he needed help and asked for it. His confession of need caused Peter and John to stop and respond to his need. This is still true for seeking sinners today. Admission of guilt, need, and helplessness make a sincere seeker call for help. Those who respond will take them to the word of God, and the lost soul will call upon the name of the Lord – “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!” A work of faith, v.4-6. “Look on us!” A door of hope is opened when attention is focused on a response to a desperate person's call. When people come in faith to God expecting to receive something from God, the Holy Spirit guides them to Christ and reveals the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior. Faith in the One who died for our sins and rose again is saving faith and the remedy for the helpless and hopeless. A miracle of grace, v.7-9. “Immediately, his feet and ankle bones received strength.” There is unmistakable testimony to God’s grace when a lost soul comes into contact with our Lord Jesus Christ, the Resurrection and the Life. One who has been spiritually poor, lame, and hopeless is healed in soul and brought to life by the power and authority of the name of Jesus. A beggar becomes a worshipper. One who is helpless becomes active in the things of God. An awakening of wonder, v.10-12. “All the people ran… greatly wondering.” People who are on-lookers can only see visible evidence of an invisible work by an unseen, wonder-working Savior. Peter and John were the tools that God used, and in the same way, those whom the Lord entrusts to serve Him today are “channels only” for the “Blessed Savior.” We are to bring the message of saving grace to the lost souls around us. “All power” belongs to our Lord, who imparts to those who serve Him all that is needed to fulfill what He gives us to do for His glory. A charge of guilt, v.13-16. “Killed the Prince of Life.” When the opportunity arises, don’t hesitate to take advantage of it to tell the Gospel message to those who may not even know they are lost in their sins. Peter quickly defined the problem for those who looked on and used that as a teaching moment to tell them the solution to the problem. God raised up the “Prince of Life” from among the dead. Every person redeemed by His blood and healed from sin-sickness is a witness to the Savior. An offer of mercy, v.17-21. “Repent ye therefore and be converted.” Peter was a sensitive preacher who felt what he preached to his “brethren.” He knew what they had done to the Lord Jesus because he had seen it all there. But he also knew they had been ignorant of the seriousness of all they had done and to whom they had done their terrible deeds. They had not recognized the awfulness of their sin at the time, but hope was not gone forever. Repentance, a change of mind about themselves and the Lord Jesus Christ, opened the door to real conversion. Cleansing from the terrible guilt of sin was possible because of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. It was then they could know what real life is supposed to be in the eyes of God. A word of warning, v.22-26. “Every soul which will not hear…” Not paying attention to the Gospel message means choosing to go down the downward road to eternal destruction. To despise the messengers of the Lord is to despise the Lord who sends them with the message of salvation. Hearing, paying attention, and acting upon what is said will mean life. Refusing and rejecting the Lord and His Gospel will mean a person will be eternally lost to God.
OPPOSITION TO EVANGELISM.