READING: Acts 3-4 – Cripple Healed at Temple & Peter and John Arrested

Verse of the Day: I have no silver or gold, but I give you what I have. In Jesus’s name, stand and walk. (Acts 3:6) 

Peter and John went to the Temple at prayer time. A lame beggar was laid at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple daily to beg from people entering the Temple. He saw the apostles and asked for alms; they stopped. Peter said, “Look at us.”  He looked expectantly. 

Peter said he had no money but would give what he had. He took the man’s hand, and said, “In the name of Jesus, stand and walk!” He stood, walked, and began to leap praising God. People recognized him and were amazed. A crowd quickly gathered, and Peter preached. 

Peter asked, “Why stare at us, as though we made him walk? God glorified Jesus, whom you rejected before Pilate, who wanted Him released. But you rejected the Righteous One and asked for a murderer. You killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. We are His witnesses. It is Faith in His Name that makes this man walk.” 

He continued, “I know you acted ignorantly. God fulfilled what He said through the prophets; His Messiah would suffer. Turn to God so your sins may be wiped out, and refreshing times may come from the Lord. Moses said, ‘The Lord will raise up a prophet like me. Listen to Him; if you do not listen will be rooted out. When God raised up His servant, He sent Him to you, to bless you by turning you from your wicked ways.” 

While they were talking, the opposition came and took them into custody until… the next day, they brought them before the chief rulers. They made them stand in their midst and asked, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter answered, “If we are questioned today because of a good deed done to a sick man and are being asked how he was healed, let all of you know he stands before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ, whom you crucified, when God raised from the dead. There is salvation in on one else, for there is no other name given among mortals by which we can be saved.” 

They recognized these men had been with Jesus. They saw the man standing with them and knew a real miracle had occurred. They asked themselves, “What shall we do with these men? It is obvious to all who are in Jerusalem that a notable sign was performed through them, and we cannot deny it. But to keep it from spreading further, let us warn them to speak no more in this name.” So that is what they ordered. 

But Peter was having none of it. He said, “You judge if we ought to listen to you or to God. We must speak of what we have seen and heard.” They threatened them again and released them. 

They went to the church, told what happened, and prayed for boldness. 

What would we (I) do in similar circumstances? 

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PRAY FOR YOURSELF 

 Father, I marvel at the boldness of Peter and John. To call out the very people who had so recently forced Pilate to crucify Jesus took great courage. To be so bold and courageous, is my prayer in the name of Jesus, AMEN! 

MY PRAYER FOR YOU (and for me)  

Father, I pray for all who may read these words, and for myself, that we may think about the courage and boldness of Peter and John, who must have taken note of Moses’ instructions to Joshua to be strong and courageous in his work. This is my prayer, in the blessed name of Jesus, AMEN!