“Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 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; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God,” Acts 3:1-8.
NOW begins the new era of holy living following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Please note:
I. FRIENDS SHOULD ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER TO PRAY
1. Peter and John were often together. Watching Christ on trial before His accusers, John 18:16; at the empty tomb, 20:3-4 and now going together to pray.
2. They went to the temple because it was still the house of prayer. “My house is the house of prayer,” Luke 19:46. They were not there to sacrifice, that was finished on the cross. The time was that of the Saviour’s crucifixion, Matthew 27:46-50. Most appropriate time to pray and remember His death.
3. There was quite an age difference between Peter and John. John was little more than a teenager while Peter was an older man, yet they are companions in prayer.
II. THE MIRACLE OF HEALING WAS BUT AN EXTENSION OF THEIR GOSPEL WITNESS
Acts 4:29-20, 6:8.
1. While the age of apostolic miracles of this nature is past, yet the miracle of grace in our lives is part of our witness. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new,” 2 Corinthians 5:17. 1 Timothy 1:16. 1 Peter 2:9.
2. You do not have to be rich to serve the Lord. What a contrast was Peter to the religious leaders today! “Silver and gold have I none,” verse 6.
3. We can freely impart the knowledge of the Gospel. That is what Paul did in Acts 16:30-31. Did that not bring forth a miracle? (Drunk man saved at Gospel mission)
III. THE JOY WHICH GOD’S BLESSING BRINGS!
“And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God,” Acts 3:8,
1. God’s blessing brings an immediate change. “And immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength,” verse 7.
2. It is accompanied by joy. Acts 8:5-8.
3. There was a change of direction in this man’s life. “And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple . . . And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple,” verses 2, 8. Previously he seemed to get no further than the gate of the temple.
He went in to the temple in the company of the two apostles. Every convert, from the time of their conversion, walk in company with the apostles, the prophets and above all, the Lord Jesus!
Remember how it was with the converts on the day of pentecost:
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers,” Acts 2:41-42. Is this your company today? Are you, Christian, walking ”steadfast in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship”?