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Tag: Luke

Arrested AND Released
So they arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.
But an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail during the night, brought them out..
Acts of the Apostles 5:18-19a – CSB

ACTS of Arrests witnessed by the Apostles

Politically motivated religious leaders of Jerusalem now begin to develop a dossier of accusations against Peter, John and the Apostles, because as disciples of the Messiah Jesus they boldly proclaim the Lord’s resurrection from His horrific death on a cross.

As they once again imprison the Apostles, let’s look back briefly at what Annas, Caiaphas and the ruling council of Jerusalem have on them. Herod’s palace records also add evidence.

Simon, a Galilean fisherman, aka Peter, had been a disciple of John the Baptist.

John baptized disciples, even JEWS, to REPENT about three years ago.

Herod had John the Baptizer beheaded.

Pharisees report that Simon and John were part of Jesus’ inner circle of Apostles.

The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling to His disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?”
Gospel of Luke 5:30 NASB20

Simon Peter identified near Jesus’ trial

Witnessed just three months ago just prior to the Passover feast by a servant of the High Priest:

Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.”
Gospel of Luke 22:55-56 NKJV

A Noteworthy Sermon from Solomon’s Portico

Just days ago the Sanhedrin, Jerusalem’s High Court, orders Peter NOT to say anything about Christ Jesus. Although Peter and John were arrested for preaching repentance, Jerusalem’s leaders released them from prison as a politically palatable concession to the crowds who had witnessed Peter healing a man lame from birth.

By what power? Political prowess by the powers that be

And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. – ACTS 4:18

Arrested, yet the Apostles boldly remain in Jerusalem

ACTS of the Apostles 5:

12 At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all together in Solomon’s portico…

And increasingly believers in the Lord, large numbers of men and women, were being added to their number, to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any of them. The people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together as well, bringing people who were sick or tormented with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed. But the high priest stood up, along with all his associates.. laid hands on the apostles and put them in a public prison.

Previously, the authorities brought Peter and John before the council, however on this occasion the Lord sends an angel to open their prison door!

and leading them out, he said,
“Go, stand and continue to speak to the people in the temple area all the words of the whole message of this Life.”
ACTS of an Angel of the Lord 5:19b-20

Daybreak after another night in prison

At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
ACTS of the Apostles 5:21 NIV

(Of course, these same officials of Jerusalem’s political elite who had seized them believed that the Apostles were still imprisoned as before.)

Not just another day at the office

BIG political victory last evening. Those Apostles opposed to OUR LEADERSHIP of JEWISH JERUSALEM await OUR VERDICT of what to do with them.

(Or so they thought, as these religious officials arrived at work in a Jerusalem guarded by Roman centurions.)
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ACTS 5:21b
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Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported,

“We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.”

(REMEMBER their dilemma of JESUS’ EMPTY TOMB just a couple of months ago?) NOW what?

Who does this Galilean we arrested think he is?
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Narrative of this private conversation is a speculative fiction behind the scenes in ACTS 5.
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On that day when we arrested this Simon of Capernaum the first time what was it I said?

When we released him after he drew crowds to himself in the Portico of Solomon proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead, he challenged our very authority to hold or release him.

So when the others asked, “What are we to do with these men?”

I insisted, DO NOT release them to cause more trouble.

But when they couldn’t find cause to keep these men in prison I said, “You had better start a dossier on them, because we will just have to arrest them again.”

For this Simon Peter had confirmed my distrust when he answered:

“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, make your own judgment; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Acts of the Apostles 4:19b-20 NASB20

Let’s punish them this time!

So I was all prepared to tell you, “I WARNED YOU about these men.”

But what’s this we hear now after having arrested these crowd-stirring Galileans again so soon? Listen to this new report as we assembled this morning:

The Captain of the Temple Guard’s Report

But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported,
“We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”
ACTS of the Captain of the Temple Guard 5:22-23 NIV

Even though it seems impossible, these rabble-rousers must have escaped and run home to Galilee.

(Maybe not such a bad thing for us.)

NOW what do we do?

Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what would come of this.

25 But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple area and teaching the people!”

The Apostles Now have Thousands of Disciples

And Peter, John and the others are preaching boldly as the Angel has commanded them to continue with the words of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as they return to preach in the Temple.

IT IS YET ANOTHER SIGN, not to be taken lightly by those who had seized them the previous day, throwing the Apostles into Prison.

26 Then the captain went along with the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).

(A riot against the capitol police? Roman soldiers in Jerusalem would certainly never condone such RAGE by any Jewish crowd throwing stones at Jerusalem’s politicized religious police.)

Would you, the arrested, convict US?

27 After they brought them in, they had them stand before the Sanhedrin, and [Caiaphas, or possibly Annas] the high priest asked,

“Didn’t we strictly order you not to teach in this name?

Look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”

[Peter had convicted them of their complicity in Jesus’ Sacrifice on the Cross; however the Apostle had also stated that God the Father had allowed it AND that JESUS had been raised from the grave!]

But Peter and the apostles answered,

“We must obey God rather than men.

30 The God [theos] of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince [archēgos] and a Savior [sōtēr], to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

32 And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

GUILTY!

When they heard this, they were furious [diapriō – cut to the quick] and wanted to put them to death.

It is what we should have done the first time we jailed them.

WE know that these men have escaped, but HOW? Never-the-less, WE cannot allow them to continue to sway all of Jerusalem to become disciples of this JESUS we hung on a Roman cross just two months ago.

AWAY WITH THEM!

οἱ δὲ ἀκούσαντες διεπρίοντο καὶ ἐβούλοντο ἀνελεῖν αὐτούς
But when they heard this, they became infuriated and nearly decided to execute them.
ACTS of the Sanhedrin 5:33

An Appeal Against Rash Reaction

But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time.
ACTS of Gamaliel 5:34 NASB
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To be continued...
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December 1, 2021
Peter Replied: Signs Preached from Solomon’s Porch
..all the people ran together to them at the portico named Solomon’s, completely astonished. But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people..
Acts of the Apostles 3:11b-12a NASB20

It’s MASSIVE and Magnificent!

Herod the Great left a temple to Jerusalem’s elite where MULTITUDES could enter stadium-sized courts rivaling Rome’s great temples. Jewish religious officials would continue their façade of political power in a city held captive to a tolerant Roman ‘peace.’

Signs of the Holy Spirit of God

Previously..

Miracles, Wonders & Signs: Peter’s Amazing Answer

NOW the crowds see a lame beggar walk!

Jerusalem was all abuzz. Tongues of fire, Galileans preaching about the Messiah Jesus to men in their own languages, and now a well-known beggar lame from birth STANDING beside Peter and John as they walked to worship in the Temple. The public courts seem more packed than usual and everyone looks for explanations of all this from the Apostles. So multitudes follow Peter to Solomon’s portico.

Simon Peter replies: “Men of Israel,

why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?

The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him.

But you denied the Holy and Righteous One,

and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life,

whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.

And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

Do you have a question about the signs of God before your very eyes?

PETER preaches his response to the questions of the crowds who witness what has just happened. And the Apostle takes no credit for this miracle either by his personal power {dynamis} or piety, reverence or respect (eusebeia – often translated as godliness).

Amazed multitudes run to the Apostles, crowd in on them, look to them for an explanation in their response.

Peter replied to their amazement, yet with the same personal conviction AND compassion of his Lord Jesus who offered to those with ears to hear grace when He preached to the crowds.

Luke has already shown our Lord’s gracious encouragement though Jesus’ replies in his Gospel.

ἀποκρίνομαι Replies in Luke’s Gospel
- And Jesus answered^G611 and said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.
- And Jesus, answering^G611 them, said, “Have you not even read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him,
- And He answered^G611 and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: people who were blind receive sight, people who limped walk, people with leprosy are cleansed and people who were deaf hear, dead people are raised up, and people who are poor have the gospel preached to them.
HOW MANY SIGNS OF THE MESSIAH DO YOU NEED?

Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe [literally, fear was occurring to every soul]; and many wonders and [confirming miracles ] signs were taking place through the apostles.
Acts of the Apostles 2:43 NASB20

Luke now shows the Apostles preaching to men wondering about many SIGNS of the day in ACTS of the APOSTLES. Peter replies in effect that ‘JESUS has done this through faith as a sign to you.’
- Strong’s Number G611 matches the Greek ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrinomai),
- which occurs 21 times in 21 verses in ‘Act’ in the TR Greek.
“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.
Acts of the Apostles 3:16 NASB20

“And now, brothers,

He first addressed them as ‘men of Israel.’ Peter replied to their fear (or awe) more personally now as the Apostle of Jesus calls them brothers.

adelphos – brethren

I know that you acted in ignorance..

(Are any already convicted by the Holy Spirit by the signs they have just witnessed?)

Countenances diminish from amazement in their crowd curiosity to faces of men showing humility as they cling to Peter’s words:

“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.
Acts of the Apostles 3:17-18 ESV

Like his Lord and Master, Christ Jesus, the Apostle replies with great compassion, ‘I know that you didn’t know what you were doing’ (ignorance).

John had heard such forgiveness even from the foot of the Cross. Peter had experienced it from the risen Christ forgiving his ignorance and denials.

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
Gospel of Luke 23:34a KJV

Yet Peter replied also inviting their response.

μετανοήσατε οὖν καὶ ἐπιστρέψατε

REPENT, THEREFORE, AND RETURN.

Repent.

What does repentance mean once we are no longer ignorant?

“Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, each according to his conduct,” declares the Lord GOD. “Repent and turn away from all your offenses, so that wrongdoing does not become a stumbling block to you.
Hurl away from you all your offenses which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why should you die, house of Israel?
For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord GOD. “Therefore, repent and live!”
The Prophet Ezekiel 18:30-32 NASB20

Peter replied to their ignorance in familiar fashion from the preaching of the Prophets.

And Jesus responded and said to them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans just because they have suffered this fate?
No, I tell you, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Or do you think that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse offenders than all the other people who live in Jerusalem?
“No, I tell you, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Gospel of Luke 13:3-5 – Jesus preaching on repentance

Peter replied much as Jesus had taught, as well as John the Baptizer had warned and others.

“Repent G3340, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent G3340, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” – Gospel of Matthew 3:2; 4:17 NASB20 – Repent – Strong’s G3340

AND notice how frequently in the Bible REPENT follows ‘THEREFORE’

‘Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.
Revelation of Jesus Christ to John 3:19 NASB20

AND Return

Peter replied also with an implied action required of those with ears to hear his call of repentance. You must now return to God.

You know the LORD God [brothers] and you are not ignorant of God’s requirements in the LAW, the Commandments Moses gave you from the Lord our God.

¹⁹“Therefore, make teshuva (repentance, turning from chet [sin] to G-d) and turn in order that your chatta’im, your averos (sins) may be removed, [TEHILLIM 51:1; YESHAYAH 43:25; 44:22]
Acts Gevurot 3:19 Orthodox Jewish Bible

ἐπιστρέφω
- Return
  - to the worship of the true God
  - to the love and obedience of God
  - to the love for the children (of God, your fellow brothers)
  - to love wisdom and righteousness (now that you are no longer ignorant of G-d’s Messiah, WHO IS our Savior.)
Peter then proceeds with an amazing invitation to those who not only have rejected their Messiah, but some in the crowd of the Temple gathering at Solomon’s Portico who may have been part of the shouting crowds calling for Jesus’ crucifixion at Jerusalem’s most recent festival.

Revival of the Spirit
- And you were dead in your trespasses and sins.. – Ephesians 2:1
- Turn your face away from my sins and blot out all my guilt. – Psalm 51:9
- Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.. – ACTS 3:19 NASB
  - ἀνάψυξις anápsyxis, an-aps’-ook-sis; from G404; properly, a recovery of breath, i.e. (figuratively) revival:—revival.
“The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has glorified his servant Jesus..

You denied the Holy and Righteous One.. You killed the source of life, whom God raised from the dead..

that your sins may be blotted out,
- in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;
  - NO, brothers (and tell our sisters and children as well), we know that God will not and can not have any sinner in His Presence — NO sacrifice is sufficient to blot out our many sins.
- and that He may send Jesus, the [Messiah, the anointed one] Christ appointed for you,
- whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things,
  - The Christ, the One Who came to us in body and soul, Who Is now the presence of the Lord, will cover your sins by His Perfect Sacrifice – He has blotted out your sins so that you may in your living spirit be with Him until your body dead to sin is restored with all things.
- about which God spoke by the mouths of His holy prophets from ancient times.
Peter replied pointing to Scripture

The Apostle includes Moses with God’s holy prophets, separated to speak the One truth of the Lord God.

For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
Acts of the Apostles 3:22 KJV

Moses also a Prophet

Of course every faithful Jew not only knew the Law of Moses, but also heard the Scripture of Moses WHEN rabbis chose to preach all of the truth of Scripture.

Therefore, many standing at Solomon’s Portico listening to Simon Peter preach knew these things Simon [שִׁמְעוֹן] Peter preaches..

15 נָבִ֨יא מִקִּרְבְּךָ֤ מֵאַחֶ֙יךָ֙ כָּמֹ֔נִי יָקִ֥ים לְךָ֖ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ אֵלָ֖יו תִּשְׁמָעֽוּן׃
16 כְּכֹ֨ל אֲשֶׁר־שָׁאַ֜לְתָּ מֵעִ֨ם יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ בְּחֹרֵ֔ב בְּי֥וֹם הַקָּהָ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר לֹ֣א אֹסֵ֗ף לִשְׁמֹ֙עַ֙ אֶת־קוֹל֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֔י וְאֶת־הָאֵ֨שׁ הַגְּדֹלָ֥ה הַזֹּ֛את לֹֽא־אֶרְאֶ֥ה ע֖וֹד וְלֹ֥א אָמֽוּת׃
17 וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוָ֖ה אֵלָ֑י הֵיטִ֖יבוּ אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֵּֽרוּ׃
18 נָבִ֨יא אָקִ֥ים לָהֶ֛ם מִקֶּ֥רֶב אֲחֵיהֶ֖ם כָּמ֑וֹךָ וְנָתַתִּ֤י דְבָרַי֙ בְּפִ֔יו וְדִבֶּ֣ר אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם אֵ֖ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲצַוֶּֽנּוּ׃
19 וְהָיָ֗ה הָאִישׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־יִשְׁמַע֙ אֶל־דְּבָרַ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר יְדַבֵּ֖ר בִּשְׁמִ֑י אָנֹכִ֖י אֶדְרֹ֥שׁ מֵעִמּֽוֹ׃
Devarim (Deuteronomy) 18 :: Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC)

“Moshe Rabbenu indeed said, “NAVI KAMOCHA [T. N. i.e., a prophet like Moses] for you Hashem Adonoi will raise up from your achim; to him you will give heed according to everything whatever he may speak to you.” [DEVARIM 18:15,18] ..
Gevurot 3:22 Orthodox Jewish Bible
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How are you doing with 'hearing' all this in the native 'tongue' of your birth?
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Peter replied to those God chose in the Temple to hear by the Spirit.
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You will see shortly that Simon Peter's preaching truth from the Scripture of Moshe will not be received by all, in deference to the great sign Peter has just performed at the Beautiful Gate.

From the back of crowds temple officials begin to push their way to the front where Peter, the Apostles and a formerly lame beggar stand before Jerusalem's largest crowd praising God and the Messiah of Israel.
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It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God ordained with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘ And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’
Acts 3:25

.. God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”
Acts of the Apostles 3:26 ESV – Simon Peter Replies to the jews at Solomon’s Porch by Preaching Christ Crucified & Risen

Who will God save?
- And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob” – Romans 11:26
  - “And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord. “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.” – Isaiah 59:20-21
    [The true sons of Israel (Jacob) know the true Word of Scripture. – Roger@TalkofJESUS.com Let’s talk.]
  - You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. – Gospel of John 4:22 – The Messiah Jesus to a woman in Samaria
And why does Peter preach also to those at the Temple who will not be saved along with those who by the Spirit have been blessed with ears to hear?

Yechezkel (Ezekiel) 3 :: Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC)

So I opened my mouth, and he gave me this scroll to eat.. And he said to me, “Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with my words to them. For you are not sent to a people of foreign speech and a hard language, but to the house of Israel—

.. But the house of Israel will not be willing to listen to you, for they are not willing to listen to me: because all the house of Israel have a hard forehead and a stubborn heart.

Behold, I have made your face as hard as their faces, and your forehead as hard as their foreheads..

If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.

But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.
Ezekiel 3:19 ESV

3:19 וְאַתָּה כִּֽי־הִזְהַרְתָּ רָשָׁע וְלֹא־שָׁב מֵֽרִשְׁעוֹ וּמִדַּרְכּוֹ הָרְשָׁעָה הוּא בַּעֲוֺנוֹ יָמוּת וְאַתָּה אֶֽת־נַפְשְׁךָ הִצַּֽלְתָּ׃ ס

Herod’s temple authorities respond.

Simon Peter preaches repentance in Jesus Christ to Spirit-called crowds. Yet while the Apostles proclaim the Good News of the MESSIAH from Solomon’s Porch..

authorities of Herod’s religious/political bedfellows of the Sanhedrin (their ‘Congress,’ so to speak) move to oppose the Gospel.

Acts of the Apostles 4:

As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, being greatly disturbed

because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Christ, who IS risen, had been arrested by some of these same officials a few weeks back while Peter and the Apostles stood helpless.

And what would these men have just heard as Peter preached from Solomon’s Porch?

“The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.
ACTS of the Apostles 3:13 NKJV

“Repent therefore and be converted..
ACTS of the Apostles 3:19a

.. “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.‘ And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.
ACTS of the Apostles 3:22-23 NKJV

Peter replied differently than in Gethsemane

Behold, I have made your face as hard as their faces, and your forehead as hard as their foreheads. Like emery harder than flint have I made your forehead. Fear them not, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house.”
Ezekiel 3:8-9 ESV

The Apostle preached with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Peter is a rock now in the strength of the Word of the Lord. This is no cowering Disciple denying Jesus as he huddled up to a campfire within earshot of false testimonies.

ACTS 4:

As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them..

And they laid hands on them and put them in prison until the next day, for it was already evening.
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To be continued...
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November 10, 2021
We are Beggars in the House of God
Begging for Blessing

You may have had a beggar at your door recently. My new neighbor asked me if he should expect any ‘trick or treaters’ invading our neighborhood. Probably not, I responded. We generally have sweets here for ourselves that I could give away to a beggar, I assured. But he thought it might be best to go out and buy some treats just in case.

My neighbor then left to buy some sweets so as to not disappoint some little child at his door expecting a blessing.

ACTS of Simon Peter

Building a New Synagogue of Simon – שִׁמְעוֹן

Continuing in Jerusalem from where we last left Peter:

You may ask what my neighbor buying a treat to bless some little beggar at his door has to do with Peter and the Apostles as they enter into the gates and public courtyards of the Temple in Jerusalem.

I can think of more than one parallel to our 21st century walk as disciples of Jesus Christ.

So as we resume our journey with Simon Peter in Acts of the Apostles, don’t miss the Apostles’ hearts of graciousness accompanying the powerful signs of the Holy Spirit continuing to attract crowds to yet another sermon by Peter.

Acts of the Apostles

What has happened so far?

Miracles, Wonders & Signs: Peter’s Amazing Answer

Luke’s account begins with a brief look back at his first account, the Gospel.
- To these [the Apostles] He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days.. – Acts 1:3a
- [The risen Christ Jesus had assured them] “..but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.” – Acts 1:8
The Apostle Simon Peter has already preached to the crowds:
- Peter stood up among the brothers and sisters (a group of about 120 people was there together) [in an upper room in Jerusalem]. – Acts 1:15b
- And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. – Acts 2:2
- .. they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different [languages], as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out.. [Those in the crowds of Jerusalem were amazed and asked each other] And how is it that we each hear them in our own [dialect in] which we were born? – Acts 2:4,7,8 excerpt
- But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, [preaching in the power of the Holy Spirit from Old Testament scripture]:
And it shall be in the last days,’ God says,
‘That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind;
Acts 2:14a, 17a – Simon Peter preaching to the crowds of Pentecost in Jerusalem from the prophet Joel
- [Simon tells the crowds: ] ..he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay. It is this Jesus whom God raised up, a fact to which we are all witnesses. – Acts 2:32
.. the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, He has poured out this which you both see and hear.

Into this context and setting in first century Jerusalem we continue with Simon Peter and the Eleven as they obediently have remained in Jerusalem and the church continues to grow.
Be saved from this perverse generation!

Peter said to them,
“Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.

44 And all the believers were together
and had all things in common;
45 and they would sell their property and possessions
and share them with all, to the extent that anyone had need.
46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple,
and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and
having favor with all the people.

HERE ARE SINNERS REPENTANT, BLESSING EACH OTHER AND OTHERS — DAILY — IN WORSHIP AND COMMUNITY.

THIS is the WITNESS OF THE CHURCH to ALL who encounter them, THAT, an evidence and sign in itself.

And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
ACTS of the apostles 2:47b

A Beggar at the Temple Door

ACTS 3:

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

The Day of Pentecost is past and three thousand souls have been worshiping day by day with the Apostles.
And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple
What will be the next ACT of the Apostles Peter and John?

Christian Witness with an Everyday Beggar

Imagine it — this is no child at your door, a costumed beggar charming you out of some candy.

NO, these desperate men of no means were as familiar at the entrances and exits of the public places as defeated men by the highway having no place to go with temporary signs – beggars asking alms of ANY who might help the invisible poor.

Yet Luke reveals that this beggar must had friends. They carried him to the place of worship daily. Or perhaps these men were part of his family who relied on his help by generated mercy of others.

The crowds who passed him by knew who he was; NOT a child, but a man handicapped from birth. No fault of his, but what could they do?

And mostly, their alms on occasion made them feel a little better about their own charity to him.
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Note: Peter and John do not simply give the man something (or look away from him and move on, but the Apostles engage this beggar in conversation of lasting consequence.
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Peter and John had witnessed the power of Jesus’ compassion

Luke 10:

The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; but the one who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”

Now the seventy-two returned with joy, saying,

“Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!”

Turning to the disciples, He said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see the things you see..

Eternal Life

25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

26 He said unto him, What is written in the law?

Jesus engages the man in conversation, meaningful conversation which the Lord illustrates with the now familiar to us parable of the Good Samaritan. (Remember, Judeans did not particularly like the Jews from Samaria and those from other distant states or regions.)

“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers..
But a Samaritan on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion.”
Gospel of Luke 10:30b,33 CSB + Jesus addressing the question: ‘Who is my neighbor?’

This man who was robbed on his journey to Jericho was no beggar. But Jesus points out that he certainly needs help.

Jesus asks, ‘Which of the the three helped the man;’ that is, ‘who was his neighbor’?

The Apostles knew both the parable and the accompanying miracles. Seventy-two disciples of Jesus had just worked many miracles when the lawyer had asked what to do to inherit eternal life.
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Returning now to Peter and John headed to the temple for worship:
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Peter’s ACT of compassion

Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms.
Acts of the Apostles 3:3 RSV

And Peter directed his gaze at him, with John, and said, “Look at us.”

The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money.

But Peter said, “I do not have silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you:
Acts of the Apostles 3:6a NASB20

Do you suppose the two-way conversation between the eyes of the lame beggar and Peter continues in intense anticipation here?

You are the beggar at the door and the man says ‘I have no money.’

Peter is a neighbor who has gone out of his way to give a sweet blessing to this poor man…

So many do little or just pass by.. YOU lay there HELPLESS still.. you, a poor lame beggar.

Yet Peter and John continue with their own intense and compassionate stares…

They ACT personally, as if the two are alone in their transaction..

Then the man who has NOT passed by you, helpless at the gate of the place of worship continues:

In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!”
The command of Peter: Acts 3:6b

Peter had witnessed Jesus Christ the Nazarene make a man walk!

And Simon Peter had touched and seen the Lord’s hands and feet which had been nailed to a Cross!

Peter and John had a commission from Christ to build His church once receiving the Holy Spirit.

Yet another sign of the Holy Spirit

With John at his side, as they had both been observers of Jesus healing a man like this lowered by friends into a room full of Jews listening to Jesus preach, Peter now reaches down to the man near the crowds before him:

And grasping him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened.
Act of Peter reaching down to a man lame from birth + Acts 3:7

Recalling Christ’s Authority to Heal

Luke 5:

Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s…

But when Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying,

“Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” ..

And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear; from now on you will be catching people.”

When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.

This had been three years ago. Since then, Peter and John have seen MANY more miraculous things — unexplainable signs from God — ACTS of Jesus’ power and authority over men and creation.
- While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” And He reached out with His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately the leprosy left him.
- One day He was teaching, and there were some Pharisees and teachers of the Law sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea, and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing. And some men were carrying a man on a stretcher who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in and to set him down in front of Him. But when they did not find any way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus.
Simon Peter and John had witnessed the power of God through Jesus many times.

A Beggar Worshiping with the Apostles

And leaping up, he stood and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.
And all the people saw him walking and praising God; and they recognized him as being the very one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg for charitable gifts, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Acts of the Apostles 3:8-10 NASB

The very sight of this crippled man everyone knew LEAPING UP must have taken away the breath of those who witnessed this great sign!
- REMEMBER the lame man lowered by his friends into a crowded room so that Jesus could heal him?
- What was it the Lord had said?
And seeing their faith, He said,
“Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” .. “I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher, and go home.”
Gospel of Luke 5:20, 24b NASB + Jesus commanding a Lame man to walk

Peter and John saw a beggar’s faith

And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.
Acts of the Apostles 3:11 Authorized Version

Friend, your sins are forgiven you, or at least they could be — IF only you would come to the Lord Jesus Christ.

For by our admitted failings, like Peter, we are all sinful men and sinful women.

In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!”
The command of Peter: Acts 3:6b

Won’t you walk on in witness in the name of Jesus Christ beside John and Simon Peter and the Apostles? For they were, after all, just sinners like you and like me.

ALL are beggars before the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will greet us at the gate.
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NEXT: Simon Peter walks to Solomon's Portico to preach to the crowds
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November 3, 2021