*Acts 2:41-3:11
Responding to Peter’s sermon, thousands are baptized and join the early church, and Peter heals a lame man, demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Growth of the Early Church:
- After Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost, about 3,000 people are baptized and added to the believers.
- These new converts devote themselves to the apostles’ teachings, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayers.
- A strong sense of community develops among the believers; they share possessions and provide for those in need.
- Miracles and signs performed by the apostles continue to reinforce the faith of the community.
- The believers meet daily in the temple courts and break bread in their homes, praising God and enjoying favor with the people.
- The Lord adds daily to their number those who are being saved, indicating continuous growth.
- The Healing of a Lame Beggar:
- Peter and John encounter a man lame from birth at the temple gate called Beautiful, where he regularly begs.
- The lame man asks Peter and John for alms. Peter, instead of money, offers him healing in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
- Peter takes him by the hand and helps him up. Instantly, the man’s feet and ankles become strong, and he begins to walk, then jump, and finally praises God.
- The healed man clings to Peter and John, and all the people rush to them in the temple’s portico called Solomon’s Colonnade, amazed.
- This miraculous healing serves as a powerful sign to the people and sets the stage for Peter’s subsequent sermon addressing the crowd that gathers.
Acts 2:41–3:11 teaches us the power of faith, community, and helping others. The early believers came together to worship, share what they had, and support one another. Then, Peter and John healed a man who couldn’t walk, showing that God’s power changes lives. We can apply this by staying connected with other believers, being generous, and trusting that God can work through us to bless others. Whether through kind words, prayers, or acts of kindness, we can share Jesus’ love and bring hope to those in need, just as the early church did.
Acts 2:41-3:11 (WEB)
2:41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer. 43 Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 All who believed were together, and had all things in common. 45 They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. 46 Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.
3:1 Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 A certain man who was lame from his mother’s womb was being carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask gifts for the needy of those who entered into the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive gifts for the needy. 4 Peter, fastening his eyes on him, with John, said, “Look at us.” 5 He listened to them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” 7 He took him by the right hand and raised him up. Immediately his feet and his ankle bones received strength. 8 Leaping up, he stood and began to walk. He entered with them into the temple, walking, leaping, and praising God. 9 All the people saw him walking and praising God. 10 They recognized him, that it was he who used to sit begging for gifts for the needy at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. They were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. 11 As the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.