*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.
2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
3:2 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; 3:3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
3:4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
3:5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
3:6 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.
3:7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
3:8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
3:9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God: 3:10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
3:11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.