1 Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.

4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene,[ a ] get up and[ b ] walk!”

7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.

9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! 

Acts 3:1-10 (NLT) 中文

Early church kickoff

The Holy Spirit has come with power and miracles (Acts 2:43). The church has been started. Peter’s preaching and the Spirit lead 3,000 to repent, believe and be baptized! Together as a community, they listened to the teaching of the apostles, shared meals together and prayed. Not only did they share meals together, they shared their possessions so that no one was in need. Many miracles were being done by the apostles. And God kept growing the church. 

First church miracle recorded

Surely it’s not the first miracle. Acts 2 records the Spirit came in a powerful way and filled them and gave them the ability to speak in other languages. And many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. The Spirit also was anointing the preaching of Peter (and we presume the other apostles). Rather, this is the first recorded miracle of the apostles after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. 

Better than money

The lame man expected a handout like most homeless people. Jewish law encouraged (Deuteronomy 15:7-8) this and it’s practiced today. How many are truly needy as this lame man, we maybe shouldn’t judge. But this guy had probably given up praying and accepted his situation. But God had other plans and worked through Peter and John to carry it out. Jesus had something better – physical healing. Yet He had something even better – spiritual healing. And not just for him, for the crowd – as we’ll see in the next passage.

RЯeflection

• What is the most important and useful thing we have to help others? Is it our own resources? Those are certainly important and we should give them. Yet these will not save anyone, heal anyone, or drive out a demon. It’s the power of the Holy Spirit in us!
• Have you given up praying? If Jesus is Lord, then you don’t need to give up. Consider of whom you are making the request. It could be a lack of faith. It could be unconfessed sin that has broken the relationship. Or it could be we ask amiss (James 4:3).