Peter told those who were listening that they had been sinning in ignorance. Acts 3:17 Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance.[1] The Jews had had certain expectations of what Messiah would look like. They did not expect the Messiah to come twice. They expected a political …
Peter preached that Jesus is the author of life. As Peter and John entered the Temple, a man lame from birth was begging for money. The man looked to Peter expecting money, but instead, something extraordinary happened. Acts 3:6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what …
In the story of the lame man healed from Acts 3, Peter preached, and the names of Jesus tell a story. Peter was preaching in the Temple, so the gathered crowd would have been all Jewish. Peter wanted to tell them about Jesus but began in a way that would have connected with what they …
The lame man in Acts 3 is hopeless without Jesus. He has friends who help him come to a gate of the Temple so he can beg. He has never walked and has no way to make a living in his culture. He must depend on the handouts of generous Jews. It would have been …
God wants to give us more, but often our expectations are low. As Peter and John went to the Temple for afternoon prayer, they met a man begging at the Temple Gate. Acts 3:2Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people …
The significance of prayer is that it is an opportunity for us to talk to the creator of the universe. The Lord is never too busy to listen to our prayers as we pour out concerns. Hebrews 4:16So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, …
We can gain insight into the reason for Pentecost as Jesus explains the Holy Spirit. John 16:7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate (comforter, encourager, or counselor) won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he …
Proclaiming what God has done is a beautiful way to praise the Lord and spread the good news of Jesus. When the Holy Spirit came at the feast of Pentecost, God did something He had not done before. Acts 2:4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as …
When God’s work puzzles us, it can be a challenge. This often occurs when reason enters the equation instead of faith and trust in God. There are many things the Lord does that we don’t understand, but we must trust God. Hebrews 11:1Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of …
The Pentecost of Acts 2 was the reversal of Babel. God had confused the languages of humankind in Genesis 11:1-9. After the flood, God wanted people to spread across the earth as the population grew. But instead, they rebelled and began to build a tower to heaven. Everyone spoke the same language, and this enabled …