Review
What was method we that Peter used when evangelizing at Pentecost that we talked about?
What’s the difference between inductive and deductive reasoning?
Read Acts 3:1-21
Compare and Contrast
Notice the pattern of the event in Acts 3 with Pentecost:
1. The narrative begins with the disciples seeking prayer (1:13-14; 2:1; 3:1)
2. A supernatural event takes place (2:1-4; 3:1-8)
3. The people respond in amazement (2:5-12; 3:9-11)
4. Peter stands up to preach and explain the purpose of the event (2:13-36; 3:12-26)
5. He uses inductive arguments to demonstrate 1) the identity of Jesus, 2) the reliability of the resurrection, 3) the people's culpability in murdering him, and 4) that this was God's plan.
In either event which comes first, the miracle or the message? The miracle. In Pentecost, the Holy Spirit first baptized the disciples with fire so that they spoke in different native tongues and then Peter stood up to preach. Here Peter and John heal the lame man and then Peter preaches to the people. There are instances where Peter does preach before the Holy Spirit comes upon the people in power (Acts 10), but here are two examples of doing miracles before the message is delivered.
In these instances, the supernatural event that not only drew a crowd, but demonstrated the truthfulness of the message preached. Not even the rulers and elders could deny the fact that the lame man was healed (Acts 4:16). One can disregard an argument, but it is more difficult to dismiss a lame man being healed. This does not mean that sound arguments are unnecessary. On the contrary, the sound arguments are the intended end of the miracles. In other words, miracles happen so that one will believe the message.
If the Apostles needed miracles in order to support their message, what makes us think that we can do without them? Are we more eloquent or convincing than the very men who walked and talked with Jesus?
What did the Disciples have?
So what did Peter and John have that they were able to impart to the lame man: “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you." (Acts 3:6) I believe they had the authority to heal and the faith that this man would be healed. This same authority is given to us, because the same Spirit is given to us: For the promise [of the Holy Spirit] is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself (Acts 2:39). We, like the Apostles have been given the authority to heal “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” (3:6) or “by faith in his name” (3:16a) or with “the faith that is through Jesus” (3:16b).
And notice whose faith it was. Not the lame man’s, but Peter and John. The lame man was asking for a handout, but the apostles gave him healing. The lame man was asking for daily bread, but the apostles gave him the Bread of Life.
Let us not neglect the power that God has imparted to us in this age.
Men of Crane's Roost, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made this man well?
The God of all creation, the God of heaven and earth, the God who formed you and me, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you have denied by choosing to live according to your own way. You have denied the Holy and Righteous One and through your sins you have killed Jesus, 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.
And now friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your ancestors. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets in the Bible, that Jesus would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets in the Bible long ago.
Objections from Unbelievers:
“Jesus may have been a real historical person, but I doubt he was raised from the dead. That doesn't happen.”
I chose this objection because Peter uses the resurrection as an argument to demonstrate Jesus’ authority and to explain the supernatural events of Pentecost (2:24-32) and in tonight’s passage (3:15).
Witnesses: women
Empty Tomb: no body; no refutation
Boldness: Disciples became bold to the point of death
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