All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
Acts 3:1-16
In Acts 3:1-16 we read about Peter, John and a man born with a disability. Someone would carry him to a Temple Gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate and he would beg as people would go into the Temple. We read that he was in his forties, and we read about their encounter. We see after Pentecost, how Holy Spirit operated through these men. And, see Faith in the Name of Jesus, change not only the disabled man’s life but, the lives of all Believers. We are shown what Faith looks like, after the Resurrection of Jesus. We also see how Faith in Jesus; in His Name, worked in the lives of people who had not spent time with Jesus.
1} Since we see no indication Peter and John knew beforehand what the Spirit had planned.
Would you agree this demonstrates the freedom when operating in the Spirit?
2} Why do you think Peter told the man, “Look at us!” When he probably was already
looking at them? Was the man distracted? When asking for things, in this case the
apostles were standing in the gap, between this man and Jesus. Are we shown here the
importance of “eagerly, expecting, hoping, etc., to receive?”
3} After Pentecost A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many
miraculous signs and wonders. Acts 2:43 so we know they operated in faith. When Peter
is telling the crowd, “Through faith in the Name of Jesus, this man was healed—and
you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ Name has healed him before your
very eyes. Acts 3:16 We know Peter and John have Faith in the Name of Jesus. When
that man took Peter’s hand to stand up, was that his proclamation our example of a person
expressing their Faith in the Name of Jesus? Or, {pardon the pun} a true example of
standing in agreement, showing the Power we have when we put our Faith in the Name
of Jesus?
4} "I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, My
Father in Heaven will do it for you. Matt 18:19 As in #3 is this a perfect example about
Faith in action? So many things are opened to us, if we but only believe His Word, His
Love for us, and Trust He wants the best for us. All to bring Glory, Praise, and Honor to
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, does anyone really think He would change all the
Benefits we have and are Promised, and or change the fashion in which He brought
His Will about.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by a servant (Chris) on
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I wonder if anyone of the three, had even the slightest idea of what was about to take place? In the story of the man born with a disability, who was carried to a Temple Gate, the one called, the “Beautiful Gate.” He was in his forties when we discover him. No way of knowing how many years he had been there begging. Nor do we know just how many people saw him, day after day, year after year. But, after the events would unfold, we still read about him today. As Peter and John made their way to the Temple, to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. Had Holy Spirit told them beforehand? It does not read that way, but we can ask at a later time. 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, get up and 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. Acts 3:3-7 A few of the words here are striking to me. ...Peter said, “Look at us!” We have to figure he was at least looking their way. {When he saw Peter and John} I imagine there was a crowd as they walked into the Temple. And, he wanted as many as possible to see him. We see that Peter and John “looked at him intently.” At this point the Spirit was probably letting them know, what to do. So when Peter said, “Look at us!” The man looked at them eagerly and with expectation. Yes, he was thinking about money, it was how he survived, disabled at birth. I think there is something important in, “the lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting...” I do not know how much time had past since, “Pentecost.” So when Peter told the man,“I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have.” We get to see in part how Peter and John viewed, the Knowledge about the Name of Jesus. It’s value could not be compared to anything else. And, there just seems to also be something to, “but I’ll give you what I have.” And with that Peter continued and said, “In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” By all odds had never stood on his own before. Yet, now after Peter spoke those words, and forever broke those chains that held him down. 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. Acts 3:7
We have to figure that he had heard about Jesus, and all the miracles He brought forth. Hoping that one day Jesus would heal him. That now a dream since Jesus had been crucified. So he continued in his lot and begged. But, now after what Peter said, and there was his hand reaching out to help him up. He then felt such a Power in his legs, as Never before. He went from on the ground begging, to standing, then walking and leaping as he Worshipped and Praised God. As literary never before, his legs Strengthened, muscles that had never been used before. Not just Healed but made Whole. For him to be able to stand, walk, and leap as he Praised God. 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! 11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John. Acts 3:8-11
His Joy must have been electrifying and even contagious. We can see that a crowd quickly formed. To describe the crowd, “absolutely astounded!” With all that had just taken place, the effect it had first on this man, than the crowd. The stage is set and Peter filled with Holy Ghost, he began to Preach!! 12 Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd. “People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? 13 For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to His Servant Jesus by doing this. This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release Him. 14 You rejected this Holy, Righteous One and instead demanded the release of a murderer. 15 You killed the Author of Life, but God raised Him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact! 16 “Through faith in the Name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ Name has healed him before your very eyes. Acts 3:12-16
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Permalink Reply by Rita Cullimore on
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Chris,
Thanks for your post. I, personally, do not know how I would live if it weren't for the faith I have in the Lord. I am constantly asking Him to increase my faith. I know that at times my faith wavers. Yesterday, I was praying for faith. I was also praying for the faith of others. AT times, when I feel dejected and during these times, I have to call out to the Lord. He hears and responds every time.
What does it take to believe what God says? Reading His Word and standing on what He has said. One person may ridicule another's faith in what God will do....I don't. I have seen too many times when I got a *yes* answer to a prayer to think that God won't answer with a nod. And if He shakes His head, I still believe.
This is a difficult time that my family is going through. I see some wrong decisions that each of us has made, myself included. But we're still believing that God will bring us through as He always has. We are a sharing family. We share what we have with others. I think that is one thing that allows God to give us a *nod* instead of a *shake*. We don't ask for much, but we do ask frequently.
The verses that you posted reminds me that we don't have to ask for a believer....we only have to ask for one who needs.
One of my testimonies is this.....
My son's house went into foreclosure. He had 38 days to come up with the money to bring it out. I was racking my brain trying to figure out how we would find this money...and praying the entire time about it. My son, on his own, asked his birth father for the money. (I had a completely different idea.) Within days, he had the money to pay the debt. The reason that I count this a miracle is because my son, after the divorce, has only seen his father twice, and talked on the phone, maybe twice. My son is 46 but the divorce occurred when he was 13 months old. I count this as a miracle. A miracle performed by God Himself. One might say that the son could have gotten the money without God. I don't believe that for a second. God led this man to help my son.
God blesses us every day with His miracles if we can only recognize these blessings.
Blessings to you and yours.....
Rita
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Permalink Reply by JB on
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Rita,
I don’t know if it is proper to ask God to increase our faith, though some did in Lu.17:5, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. However the Word is God speaking to us, so it is still God producing faith in us through the Word. Though at times if I don’t understand what is being said in the Word, I will ask for revelation of it. Because I know if I get the understanding of it, my faith will increase.
I believe one reason we don’t see an answer to our prayers; we need to renew our minds and not allow carnal or sensual facts gain the ascendancy over spiritual truth “which is the Word” As you say, believe the Word and stand on His promises.
JB
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Joe,
I agree with you whole-heartedly. However, sometimes my faith becomes wobbly, like my legs. When that happens, I spend much time asking God to strengthen my faith. Don't know for sure if that is the right way to put it, but, I do spend a lot of time talking with Him about what I am doing wrong...wrong thinking, if you will...
I can't say that I don't have my prayers answered, because many times they are answered positively. However, I am sure I pray for things outside the Will of God, occasionally. I do try to pray for what I believe is His Will. If I do that, I will more often than not be praying in His Will. I try to keep my prayers in the right motive. However, I do know that I have prayed prayers that I am glad God didn't answer.
Blessings to you and Joan.....
Rita
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Have you ever heard the song, “Thank God for unanswered prayers?” We are all guilty.
JB
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According to Ro.12:3, God has given to all men the measure of faith, do we believe that? Besides faith comes with the born again experience, it is one of the fruits of the spirit. He also says in 2Pet.1:2-3, He has given to us everything that pertains unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who has called us unto glory and virtue. So why would we ask for something He has already given? Just thank Him for it.
See, if Jesus has it, then so do we, because we are all of One Spirit. Not another, but the same. 1Cor.6:17. Which is the Spirit of Christ, unto whom all the promises were given. And we are all partakers of that heavenly gift of Christ.
JB
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I say to all of you by the grace that is given to me, that you should not have self-esteem beyond what is necessary to have self-esteem, but you should have self-esteem and modesty as God distributes faith to every person by a measure. Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring ourselves by the faith God has given us. Rom 12:2-3
Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus. 1Tim 1:14
So faith comes from hearing the message, and the message that is heard is what Christ spoke. Rom 10:17
In Rom 12:2 “...God distributes faith to every person by a measure.” And, continues in v 3, “measuring ourselves by the faith God has given us.” To keep us from becoming arrogant, He has grounded us in the Knowledge of what He has given us. We study the Word, we Pray, and all the other things that help to build up our Faith. 1Tim 1:14 Paul tells us the Lord filled him with Faith and Love. Rom 10:17 we know Faith comes from hearing the Word, we also know that Jesus is The Word. So I believe it is right to Pray for Faith. To study and show ourselves approved. All for His Glory. We may hear the same verse again and again, yet when Holy Spirit opens our eyes we are clearly able to see things we did not before. It is better I believe to stay humble and obedient, in how we receive our Faith. Instead of, taking the credit for ourselves. Which at some point we all seem to do.
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Also As far as our relationship to Christ Jesus is concerned, it doesn't matter whether we are circumcised or not. But what matters is a faith that expresses itself through love Gal 5:6 There is none better than Jesus to show us how to live and operate in Faith
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Yet, some still try to get there by works, and not by Faith
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Chris,
Once again, let me say that this is a great topic. I know that I need to use the faith I have. If there is a gift of ADDITIONAL faith, I pray for that as well. What I do know is that I am trying to understand and operate under God's Word. What we are all agreed on is that we need to use all the faith that we have...Amen?
Blessings to you all.....
Rita
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“Through Faith in the Name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ Name has healed him before your very eyes. Acts 3:16
9 Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of Highest Honor and gave Him the Name above all other names, 10 that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father. Phil 2:9-11
12 Because of Christ and our Faith in Him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,
Eph 3:12;14
Why, “that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father?”
As Peter was speaking to the crowd he said, “Through faith in the Name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ Name has healed him before your very eyes.“
While Jesus walked this earth, when people who were possessed with demons, just Jesus showing up freaked them out. In Philippians 2:9 ...gave Him the Name above all other names... God told Joseph and Mary to name Him Jesus. He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Phil 2:8 We read in verse 9 God elevated Him to the place of Highest Honor. My question is at what time was the Name of Jesus empowered? Was it when He was born? Is the word, “therefore” our clue? At what point did His Name, become so very Holy and Powerful? Peter told that crowd, “Through Faith in the Name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ Name has healed him before your very eyes.” Acts 3:16 For healing he is telling the crowd, Faith in the Name of Jesus. For Salvation we know we must Believe in Jesus.
16 I pray that from His Glorious, unlimited resources He will Empower you with Inner Strength through His Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make His Home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s Love and keep you strong. Eph 3:16-17 More on this later. But, when did the Name of Jesus become empowered? That we need to have Faith in His Name, for Healing. When He sent the twelve out two by two? 7 And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits. 12 So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God. 13 And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil. Mark 6:7;12-13
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