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Acts Chapter Three

                             

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The Church Bears Witness of the Prince of Life

I. The healing of life (v.1-11):

  A. The state and hope of the lame man (v.1-3).

  B. The response and work of the apostles (v.4-8).

  C. The wonder and amazement of the people (v.9-11).

II. Preaching the prince of life (v.12-26):

  A. Explain the reason why the lame one was healed------through faith in the name of the price of life (v.12-16).

  B. Call men to repent and be converted (v.17-26).

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

Acts. 3:1 “Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

   YLT: “And Peter and John were going up at the same time to the temple, at the hour of the prayer, the ninth [hour],”

   Meaning of Words: “the ninth hour”: three o’clock in the afternoon.

   Literal Meaning: at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour” The pious Jews pray three times every day at definite times: the third hour, the sixth hour and the ninth hour, i.e. in the morning (nine o’clock), at noon (twelve o’clock) and in the evening sacrifice (three o’clock in the after noon).

  “Peter and John,” They were fishing companions (Luke. 5:10). They arranged the last supper (Luke. 22:8), followed the Lord to the palace of the high priest and witnessed that the Lord was judged all night (John. 18:15-32) and ran to the empty tomb together in the day of the Lord’s resurrection (John. 20:2-10). In the Acts of the Apostles, they always served God together (Acts. 4:13, 19; 8:14).

  “Went up to the temple” Most of the early believers were from Judaism and they still kept some Judaic regulations and ceremonies. And therefore they went up to the temple to pray, gather together (Acts. 2:46) and preach the glad tidings. Later God raised the circumstances in order to force them to depart from the temple, Jerusalem and the council and after about ten years, the adulterations of religion were roughly cleared up. However, some people held that Peter and John went up to the temple at the hour of prayer because at that time there were many people gathering in the temple and therefore it was the good time to preach the glad tidings and bear witness.

   Spiritual Meaning: the prayer of the ninth hour typifies the prayer at the definite time. Going up to the temple for prayers typifies the public prayer or joining the meeting of prayers of the church.

  Peter and John walked together, showing that they were agreed (Amos. 3:3).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “The ninth hour” is the time when the Lord Jesus breathed His last. Behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom (Matt. 27:45, 51). Since the Lord had opened a living and new way for us, we should draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith to God (Heb. 10:20, 22) and pray to Him.

2) “Peter and John” were two top apostles and it shows us that: not only common believers need to be with one accord (Acts. 2:46), but also fellow-workmen need to be with on accord. And it is forbidden in the church that there is only one decision-maker and there must be at least two decision-makers in order to maintain the check and balance. 

 

3) We need to pray at any time and we also need to pray at the definite time (“the ninth hour”).

4) One’s individual prayer is important, however, prayer with the saints, especially the prayer of the church (“went up to the temple” for prayer) is indispensable.

 

Acts. 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 from those who entered the temple;

   YLT: “and a certain man, being lame from the womb of his mother, was being carried, whom they were laying every day at the gate of the temple, called Beautiful, to ask a kindness from those entering into the temple,”

   Literal Meaning: lame from his mother's womb” means that this man’s lameness is the inborn disability.

  “They laid daily at the gate of the temple” The tense of the word “lay” refers to the habitual action, showing that they performed the routine and “laid” him there again and again.

  “At the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful” Many Bible exegetes surmised that it was the Nicanon Gate which was covered by the splendid Corinthian ancient bronze, however, it was not affirmative. Since it was close to “the porch which is called Solomon's” (See v.11), we could know that it was in the eastern wall of the temple through which men could enter into the court of women where the treasury (i.e. the box of donation) was from the court of the Gentiles.

  “To ask alms from those who entered the temple” The entrance of the temple, especially the place close to the box of donations, is regarded as the best place for begging because when men go to worship God and devote something to Him, it is always easier for them to be generous to men.

  Spiritual Meaning: lame from his mother's womb” “Lame” shows that men know how to walk, however, they cannot walk actually. And therefore it symbolizes that “to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find” (Rom. 7:18)------men are unable to please God. And therefore this “man lame from his mother’s womb” symbolizes the disability of the natural life------one is able to “know” but he cannot “perform”.

  “Whom they laid daily” “Daily” shows that the disability of men’s natural life cannot be improved fundamentally.

  “At the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful” “Temple” is the place where men worship God and it symbolizes religion. “Beautiful” symbolizes the beauty and admiration of the appearance of religion and it describes a beautiful prospect for men’s future------if you achieve some level, you will be able to go to heaven after death. “At the gate of the temple” symbolizes that men are unable to enter in and establish the direct relation with God through religion.

  “To ask alms from those who entered the temple” “Who entered the temple” symbolizes those who are famous in the religious circle.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The lame is able to look with is eyes, hear with his ear, speak with his mouth, smell with his nose and do with is hands. He is able to do everything except for walking with his legs. Today probably there are many believers in the church who are spiritually lame------they could do almost everything, especially that they could hear the word and even preach the word, however, they are unable to walk according to the word.

2) The beautiful appearance (“the gate which is called Beautiful”) can not cover up the inner disability (“lame”). If the individual or the church only pays attention to the spiritual appearance and lacks the spiritual reality, there won’t be the testimony of Christ.

3) The temple is the orthodox place. The gate which is called beautify is the most attractive place. Those who went in the temple are the most pious religious members. However, all these are of no help to the one with natural difficulties. Even if there is some help, it is external and temporary and therefore he “was carried daily”.

4) Maybe you and I are the lame who need others’ care and are unable to walk, leap and praise God. He could come the outside of the gate which is called beautify at most and could not enter into and enjoy the abundant and perfect life.

5) Christ is the gate. Only through Him can men be saved. Only through Him can men have life more abundantly (John. 10:7-10). What’s difficult is that: a) men always find the wrong way; b) even if they find the right way, they only wait and see and do not go in.

6) We should never be a layman in Christianity who has a sigh at the gate and never enter into the temple to enjoy its fatness (Ps. 36:8).

7) Asking for alms only deals with the daily needs before one’s eyes and it cannot solve the problem of life fundamentally. If the church only focuses on the social welfare and the material help, the church will become lost in the social works and have not given the true help to men.

 

Acts. 3:3 “who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.

   YLT: “who, having seen Peter and John about to go into the temple, was begging to receive a kindness.”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) He “asked” for something because he had “seen”. In other words, if he had not “seen”, he won’t “ask for”. From this we could know the importance of “seeing”. We always ignore the things and persons that are around us and therefore we always miss the chances to receive blessings.

2) God loves us to “ask” Him. Yet you do not have because you do not ask (James. 4:2). The Lord has promised that: everyone who asks receives (Matt. 7:8).

 

Acts. 3:4 “And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, Look at us.’”

   YLT: “And Peter, having looked steadfastly toward him with John, said, `Look toward us;'”

   Meaning of Words: “fixing his eyes on”: gaze intently, behold earnestly.

   Literal Meaning: “And fixing his eyes on him, with John” One’s eyes express his feelings. Their “fixing eyes on him” shows several meanings: 1) make sure his poor state; 2) show sympathy for him; 3) see through his lack and need in the spiritual aspect from his state in the material aspect.

  “Peter said, ‘Look at us.’” Peter asked the other to look at himself with several meanings: 1) draw the attention of the other; 2) express his feeling to the other; 3) have communication with each other.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The key for believers to serve the Lord lies in “fixing one’s eyes on” in two aspects. On one hand, one should “look steadfastly toward heaven” (Acts. 1:10), see the vision of Christ’s ascension and gaze at His glory. On the other, one should “fix his eyes on him” and know the one who is served, understand his state and find his need. In this way, the service will have the heavenly value and be effective.

2) Christians should always fix their eyes on others and observe their need. God arranges some circumstances for us with His goodwill and therefore we should not ignore it.

3) “Peter said, ‘Look at us.’” Do we dare to ask others to look at us? Do we conduct ourselves worthily of the glad tidings of Christ (Pill. 1:27)?

 

Acts. 3:5 “So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.

   YLT: “and he was giving heed to them, looking to receive something from them;”

   Meaning of Words: “gave them his attention”: pay close attention to, hold upon, retain.

   Literal Meaning: “expecting to receive something” “something” refers to belongings. His ideas are still within the material aspect. 

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) What do we expect to receive? Silver, gold, or the spiritual?

2) The Lord said that, “Labor not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life” (John. 6:27). We should not come to the church with wrong motive, lest we suffer a big loss for a little gain.

 

Acts. 3:6 “Then Peter said, Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’”

   YLT: “and Peter said, `Silver and gold I have none, but what I have, that I give to thee; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and be walking.'”

   The Background: the Jews held that doing something “in the name” of someone means doing in his being and power (Exod. 5:23; Jer. 11:21).

   Literal Meaning: “Silver and gold I do not have” “Have” means “possess”. Here Peter put what he did not have in the front of this sentence with the purpose that: 1) let the other put down the wrong hope; 2) let him turn to pay attention to what Peter could provide, i.e. paving a road for the next sentence.

  “But what I do have I give you” The word “but” leads to a thing that is totally different from silver and gold.

  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” Christians do in the name of Jesus Christ with the following meanings: 1) walk in His name; 2) walk for Him; 3) walk by His power; 4) let Him walk; 5) walk under His name; 6) all that they walk are to His name.

  There was a famous story concerning this verse: the Roman Catholic Church esteemed Peter as their first pope and the power of pope reached the peak in the thirteenth century. It is said that the famous theologian Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) once went to Vatican to see the pope. At that time the pope was counting a huge sum of money, he made a comment out of his feeling and said to him, “the church does not need to say like Peter that, ‘silver and gold I do not have’”. However, Aquinas answered that, “of course, it is pitiful that the church cannot say like Peter that, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “Peter said, Silver and gold I do not have’” At that time, Peter was the top man in the church. Many believers sold their possessions and laid them at the apostles’ feet (Acts. 2:45; 4:34) and therefore actually there were much money that he could dominate. However, he did not hold that the silver and gold belonged to him. Today the leaders in the church should learn from the intention and example of Peter.

2) “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you” What do we have today, the silver and gold or Christ? Even if silver and gold have some use, silver and gold cannot provide God’s life or satisfy men’s spiritual need. Only Christ is the source of life and only Him could provide God’s life and satisfy men’s deepest hunger and thirst.

3) “Silver and gold I do not have” The value of this sentence does not lie in whether men have silver and gold but one’s attitude that he does not keep silver and gold for his own.

4) “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you” It shows that: a) the aim that believers pursue is not silver or gold, but the spiritual riches; b) those who have the spiritual riches always lack silver and gold; c) the lack of silver and gold always helps men have the spiritual riches because the obstacles of pursuit have been decreased; d) the silver and gold decrease and the spiritual riches increase when they are given out.

5) “But what I do have I give you” It shows that: we have to have something first and then we could give it to others. If preachers have nothing, what will they give to others? If one wants to shepherd others, he has to be edified first.

6) Only those who are not occupied by silver and gold could have the name of “Jesus Christ of Nazareth”------the true spiritual power to deal with all the need of men because mammon is the enemy of God (Matt. 6:24).

7) One thing that deserves our attention is that: when many preachers are poor, they preach with power and move men. However, after they get handsome reputation and financial rewards, though they still preach clearly and logically, they lack the spiritual power and sway. What a pity!

8) The true believers of the Lord seem to have nothing, and yet possess all things (2Cor. 6:10) because one has everything if he has Christ.

9) The spiritual help is the real and precious help------give the name of the Lord to men, give the grace and power of the Lord to men and make men have the benefits of life.

10) Peter did not kneel down and pray to the Lord to ask for the feeling of God first because he already had the reality of the name------the Lord Himself abode in him and He trusted Himself to Peter. We should learn from Peter and have close communication with the Lord usually and then the reality of the name of Christ will become what we “do have” and we could give His name to men if necessary.

 

Acts. 3:7 “And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

   YLT: “And having seized him by the right hand, he raised [him] up, and presently his feet and ankles were strengthened,”

   Meaning of Words: “ankle bones”: the prominent joints connecting the lowest part of the leg and the feet; “strength”: make strong, unharmed, solidify.

   Literal Meaning: “and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength” It means that the abnormal, obsolescent and weak joints and brawn returned to the normal functions. “Immediately…received strength” shows that he was fully recovered immediately instead of after a period of recovery.

   Spiritual Meaning: “and he took him by the right hand and lifted him up” The action that he took him and lifted him up symbolizes that one uses the concrete action to support the spiritual declaration. Many Christians could only use the spiritual words to comfort men orally and lack the concrete deeds of care (1John. 3:18).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If relying on men’s hands, though they “laid” him daily (See v.2), and even forty years (Acts. 4:22), the lame was still lame. However, if one “lifted him up” in faith, he was immediately healed.

2) “And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up” Many Christians could only use the spiritual words to comfort others orally and lack the concrete deeds of care. However, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth (1John. 3:18).

 

Acts. 3:8 “So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God.

   YLT: “and springing up, he stood, and was walking, and did enter with them into the temple, walking and springing, and praising God;”

   The Background: “entered the temple with them” According to the law of the Old Testament, he whoever has any blemish could not approach to the temple of God or offer the sacrifice (Lev. 21:16-21).

   Literal Meaning: “entered the temple” indicates that they entered the court of the children of Israel from the court of women.

  “Walking, leaping, and praising God” The three verbs “walking”, “leaping” and “praising” in the present tense vividly describe the state that one had just recovered from a long illness and was very delighted.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “Walking” After we have been saved, we have to run on the heavenly way and go on unto perfection (Heb. 12:1; 6:1) and we should not stay in the original place.

2) “Leaping” means hopping off the ground. Though believers live on the earth, they are not limited by the earth and they are able to live the heavenly life as if they are in heaven.

3) “Praising God” Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name (Heb. 13:15).

4) God dwells amid the praises of Israel (Ps. 22:3). If believers who have been bestowed grace do not know to “praise” God usually, they do dishonor the name of God because the name of God is exalted by praise.

 

Acts. 3:9 “And all the people saw him walking and praising God.

   YLT: “and all the people saw him walking and praising God,”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) People who are around open their eyes wide and watch our states after we have been saved. Whether the Lord is honored or dishonored lies in our testimony of life.

2) Our good testimony in the daily life is better than the preaching of hundreds of words of gospel.

 

Acts. 3:10 “Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

   YLT: “they were knowing him also that this it was who for a kindness was sitting at the Beautiful gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what hath happened to him.”

   Literal Meaning: “they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple” “Knew” is a kind of confirmation after investigation; “sat begging” shows that it had lasted a period of time that he asked for alms at the Beautiful Gate.

  “And they were filled with wonder and amazement” “Wonder” refers to stupefaction. “Amazement” refers to ecstasy. Please note that the words here are different from “amaze” and “marvel” in the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts. 2:7, 12).

   Enlightenment in the Word: in the sight of the world, the changes of believers after they have been saved are indeed unbelievable.

 

Acts. 3:11 “Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly amazed.

   YLT: “And at the lame man who was healed holding Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch called Solomon's -- greatly amazed,”

   Meaning of Words: “held on”: lay hand on, hold fast; “greatly amazed”: utterly astounded.

Literal Meaning: “the lame man…in the porch which is called Solomon’s” “the lame man” is the one who had been healed. “The porch which is called Solomon’s” is one of two open porches in the outskirts of the temple. They are stone porches which are about eight meters high and are arranged in order. There is a covering of cedar which has a capacity of many people so that they could shelter from the sun and the rain. These two porches meet each other at right angle at the edge of the court of the Gentiles (John. 10:23).

They met at the Beautiful gate (v.2) and the lame was healed there (v.7). They entered the temple together (v.8) and now they went out to the porch which is called Solomon’s and is in the east of the outer court.

 

Acts. 3:12 “So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

   YLT: “and Peter having seen, answered unto the people, `Men, Israelites! why wonder ye at this? or on us why look ye so earnestly, as if by our own power or piety we have made him to walk?”

   Meaning of Words: “godliness”: godly performance.

   Literal Meaning: “by our own power and godliness” “power” refers to the ability and strength to work. “Godliness” refers to the factor that handles the power in the spiritual realm.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) When helping others, we need to let others “look at us” (See v.4). After we have helped others, we should not let others “look intently at us”. The virtue of Christians is that they do not hide themselves when they should be known openly and do not show off themselves when they should hide themselves.

2) The true workers of the Lord do not regard themselves as the fountainhead of power but the channels of the Lord’s power.

3) We should never attribute the effect that we work for the Lord to ourselves because it steals the glory of the Lord.

4) Only those who do not seek their own glory can glorify God (Ps. 115:1).

5) The effect of service does not lie in our “power” or “godliness”------all our struggle, striving, hardness, piety, mortification and etc. The effect of work cannot be made by men’s “striving” and it is of the power of the Holy Spirit (Zech. 4:6).

6) When we are praised by men, if we could deny “our power and godliness” from our hearts, it is the witness of witness and those men are the true witnesses of the Lord.

 

Acts. 3:13 “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.

   YLT: “`The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, did glorify His child Jesus, whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, he having given judgment to release [him],”

   Literal Meaning: “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” This appellation shows that the God is “I AM THAT I AM” (Exod. 3:14-15). The Lord Jesus once used this appellation to prove that God is not the God of the dead, but of the living (Matt. 22:31-32). And therefore this appellation indicates that He is the risen God.

  “Glorified His servant Jesus” It shows that the Lord Jesus is the “suffering servant” (Is. 42:1-9; 49:1-13; 52, 53) who is predicted by Isaiah the prophet. “Glorified Him” shows that Jesus was declared to be the Son of God through His death, resurrection and ascension (John. 7:39; 12:16, 23; 13:31-32; 17:1).

  “Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go” Please see John. 19:12.

 

Acts. 3:14 “But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,

   YLT: “and ye the Holy and Righteous One did deny, and desired a man -- a murderer -- to be granted to you,”

   Literal Meaning: “But you denied the Holy One and the Just” “The Holy One” means “being separated to God”. The Lord Jesus is the separated one. He sanctifies Himself for our sakes (John. 17:19). “The Just” means “being right towards God, men and everything, being correct, proper”.

  “Holy” refers to His disposition; “Just” refers to His deeds. The Lord Jesus is blameless before both God and men.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Since the Lord has bought us at a price, we are not our own (1Cor. 6:19-20). We should sanctify ourselves and live unto the Lord wholeheartedly (Rom. 14:8).

2) When we live within ourselves, we states are unjust to God, men and things. We should pray that the Lord would live out through us because only He is the Just.

 

Acts. 3:15 “and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.

   YLT: “and the Prince of the life ye did kill, whom God did raise out of the dead, of which we are witnesses;”

   Meaning of Words: “witnesses”: martyr.

   Literal Meaning: “and killed the Prince of life” “The Prince of life” means “the originator, beginner, the leader and pioneer of life”. Life is of Him and He is the Lord that gives life.

  “Of which we are witnesses” is in the original “we are witnesses of this matter that the Lord had been raised from the dead”.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) When Christians think of their power and identity, there is only failure, frustration and fear. However, when they think of whom they have believed, there will be the fullness of peace and power.

2) The reason why men get sick is that they are weak in “life”. If our spiritual life is not strong, we will become “lame” (v.2) and then we won’t run on the heavenly way well.

3) Only when believers come to “the Prince of life” will their spiritual weakness will be healed. We should not neglect Him or even kill Him.

4) We, the witnesses of the Lord, should be delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh (2Cor. 4:11).

 

Acts. 3:16 “And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

   YLT: “and on the faith of his name, this one whom ye see and have known, his name made strong, even the faith that [is] through him did give to him this perfect soundness before you all.”

   Meaning of Words: “strong”: sound, mighty, establish; “this perfect soundness”: complete soundness, physical wholeness.

   Literal Meaning: His name has made this man strong, whom you see and know” In the view of the Jews, one’s “name” cannot be separated from the man and the name is with the man’s authority and power (See Exod. 3:14-15).

  “Through faith in His name” In this matter, the only factor of men is “faith” because only faith could make the great power of the Lord come to men. However, Peter did not clearly indicate that the faith was of the apostle or the lame in his word and maybe both of them had the faith.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “His name has made this man strong” Here he drew men’s attention from the healing to the healer. Today, many people stress on the individual or the corporate that could heal. However, they always draw men’s attention from the healer to the healing, even to the false healing.

2) The name of Christ is of great power, however, not everyone is able to experience the great power of the name. Faith is the key to use the great power of the name.

3) All things that are possible to him that believes (Mark. 9:23). If you have faith and say to this mountain, “Be removed and be cast into the sea,” it will be done. (Matt. 21:21)

 

Acts. 3:17Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers.

   YLT: “`And now, brethren, I have known that through ignorance ye did [it], as also your rulers;”

   Literal Meaning: “brethren” Peter called them with this appellation, showing that though they rejected the Lord, he, like the Lord, was unwilling to reject them.

  I know that you did it in ignorance” Peter showed kindness and sympathy in the severity and he showed sympathy for their ignorance.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Those who do not know how to show sympathy for others’ weakness are not qualified to condemn others.

2) The Lord Jesus prayed to God the Father when He was on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke. 23:34 ).

 

Acts. 3:18 “But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.

   YLT: “and God, what things before He had declared through the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ should suffer, He did thus fulfil;”

   The Background: at that time, the majority of the Jews held that Jesus died under the curse of the Law and therefore He was not the Messiah (Deut. 21:23; Gal. 3:13). Here Peter indicated that the Messiah also suffered concerning their fault.

   Literal Meaning: “foretold, that the Christ would suffer” “Suffer” means suffering hardship and tribulation. Christ’s suffering is predicted many times in the Old Testament and here give some examples: Ps. 2:1-2; 20:1, 14-18; 69:1-4; Is. 53:7-8.

 

Acts. 3:19 “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

   YLT: “reform ye, therefore, and turn back, for your sins being blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,”

   Meaning of Words: “refreshing”: recovery of breath, at ease, revival.

   The Background: “that your sins may be blotted out” In ancient times, men wrote on sedge paper with ink in which there isn’t the acid. And therefore it did not corrode the sedge paper like the present ink and it only stayed on the surface of the paper. If one wants to “blot out” the written words, the marks would not remain as long as one wipes them out with the wet sponge.

   Literal Meaning: “Repent therefore and be converted” means to change one’s mind and turn to God (Acts. 20:21). Please note that the prerequisite for the blotting out of sins is not repentance but faith (v.16). Repentance paves the way for faith and repentance is first and faith the second (Mark. 1:15). The one who is able to repent is able to truly believe.

  “That your sins may be blotted out”: one does not leave any mark of sins before God.

  “Times of refreshing” indicates the state that one enters the kingdom of God after judgment. Today, both the world and Christians suffer some tribulations when they live in the world and there must be tribulations, especially before the second coming of the Lord.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Repentance and confession of sins are the way to enjoy the true refreshing of hearts that is of the Lord. “There is no peace unto the wicked” (Is. 48:22).

2) Whenever believers find that their states are not right, they should repent to the Lord immediately and then they could experience the times of “refreshing”.

3) Christ Himself is the true fountainhead of our joy and peace and without Him there isn’t the true joy and peace.

 

Acts. 3:20 “and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before,

   YLT: “and He may send Jesus Christ who before hath been preached to you,”

   Literal Meaning: since “He” in this verse is the one who sends Christ, He must be God the Father.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Christ will come again and it is the predestinated will of God and all that God has predestinated shall be accomplished. Since we know that Christ will come again, we should watch and be ready because in such an hour as we think not He comes (Matt. 24:42-44).

2) Christ comes again to establish the kingdom of God on the earth (Rev. 11:15). When preaching gospel, if we only focus on men’s receiving salvation and neglect the church and the kingdom, we have not caught up with God’s will and purpose that He saves men. Salvation is for the coming of the kingdom.

 

Acts. 3:21 “whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.

   YLT: “whom it behoveth heaven, indeed, to receive till times of a restitution of all things, of which God spake through the mouth of all His holy prophets from the age.”

   Meaning of Words: “receive”: get, take in; “restoration”: standing up from the falling place, rebuilding, reconstitution, restitution, return.

   Literal Meaning: “whom heaven receive” means that Christ who has been taken up into heaven and received glory must be received in heaven until the time that God has planed.

  “The times of restoration of all things” The kingdom of Christ will also come to the earth when the Lord comes for the second time and at that time all things will restore. Before this time, the creature was made subject to vanity and the creature also hope to be delivered from the bondage of corruption (Rom. 8:19-22).

  “Has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets” It is predicted in the Old Testament that all creature shall be restored at the last day, e.g. Is. 11:6-9; 65:18-25.

 

Acts. 3:22 “For Moses truly said to the fathers, The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you.

   YLT: “`For Moses, indeed, unto the fathers said -- A prophet to you shall the Lord your God raise up out of your brethren, like to me; him shall ye hear in all things, as many as he may speak unto you;”

   Literal Meaning: “Moses truly said to the fathers” the following words are quoted from Deut. 18:15.

  “Will raise up for you’re a Prophet like me” The Lord Jesus is the Prophet like Moses and the similarities of them are as follows: 1) they saved the people of God from the hand of the enemy (Luke. 1:69-71); 2) they are the mediator of covenant between God and men (Heb. 8:8-9); 3) they preach the will of God and the word of God to the people of God (John. 8:26-28); 4) they do many wonders among the people of God (Acts. 10:38); 5) they are faithful in all the house of God (Heb. 3:5-6).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Toady, our responsibility is to “hear” the word of the Lord. Furthermore, we should not only hear and obey a part of the word but also hear “all” things that He speaks unto us.

2) “Hearing” means not only listening to but also doing what one has heard. The ends of the one who hears the word of the Lord and does it and the other who hears the word of the Lord and does not do it are totally different (Matt. 7:24-27).

 

Acts. 3:23 “And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.'

   YLT: “and it shall be, every soul that may not hear that prophet shall be utterly destroyed out of the people;”

   Literal Meaning: this verse is quoted from Deut. 18:19.

 

Acts. 3:24 “Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days.

   YLT: “and also all the prophets from Samuel and those following in order, as many as spake, did also foretell of these days.”

   Literal Meaning: “from Samuel and those who follow” “Samuel” was the prophet following Moses (1Sam. 3:19-21). He was praised as the greatest prophet by the Jewish rabbis. It is said that the school of prophets was initiated by Samuel (See 1Sam. 19:20) and therefore in the Bible Samuel was regarded as the representative of all prophets (Heb. 11:32).

  “Have also foretold these days” “These days” does not refer to the days of the Lord’s second coming but the epoch of the Messiah, i.e. the dispensation of the New Testament. 

 

Acts. 3:25 “You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.'

   YLT: “`Ye are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant that God made unto our fathers, saying unto Abraham: And in thy seed shall be blessed all the families of the earth;”

   Literal Meaning: “You are sons of the prophets” The sentence means that, “The prophets live for you and teach the commandments. You are the inheritors of their teachings.”

  And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” The single word “seed” refers to Christ (Gal. 3:16).

 

Acts. 3:26 “To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.’”

   YLT: “to you first, God, having raised up His child Jesus, did send him, blessing you, in the turning away of each one from your evil ways.'”

   Meaning of Words: “having raised up”: arise; “turn away”: turn back.

   Literal Meaning: “God, having raise up His Servant Jesus” “raise up” is “raise from” in the original (1Cor. 15:20); “Servant” refers to the Lord Jesus (v.13).

  “To you first, sent Him to bless you” “Him” is the Spirit of Christ who was raised and taken up into heaven (John. 14:18; 16:7). “To you first” indicates that the Holy Spirit came upon the Jews on the day of Pentecost (Acts. 2:33).

  “In turning away every one of you” It is the work of the Spirit that makes men turn to the Lord from iniquities (John. 16:8).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Once a Christian is saved, his rudimentary experience is to be delivered from sins. We should overcome all sins that we sense obviously and easily beset us by the Lord.

2) The normal state of believers is that one is taken in a fault (Gal. 6:1). However, the experience of many people is that they overcome the fault occasionally. What an abnormal experience!

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

One’s Being Saved in the Name of the Lord

I. A picture that describes men’s states (v.2):

  A. The hero of the story------the lame represents you and me.

  B. The lame “knows and can not walk”------men cannot do in the journey of life.

  C. He was lame from his mother’s womb------the life that he receives from his parents has something wrong.

II. The lame asked alms from men (v.2):

  A. Some people seek help from the power of money.

  B. Some people seek help from the administration of politics.

  C. Some people seek help from the influence of education.

III. The lame was carried and laid at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful (v.2):

  A. The temple is the place where men worship God and it symbolizes the religion------religion is the highest help for men.

  B. “The gate…which is called Beautiful”------religion only makes men live in the fond dream of the future.

  C. He was “laid daily”------religion cannot help men solve the fundamental difficulties.

IV. He met the true disciples of Jesus (v.1, 3):

  A. Peter and John represented the true Christians.

  B. They went into the temple for prayers on time------they truly relied on God.

  C. They knew “the Prince of life” (v.15a).

  D. They were “the witnesses” of Jesus whom God raised from the dead (v.15b).

V. How the lame was healed:

  A. Through faith in the name of Jesus Christ (v.16)------nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts. 4:12).

  B. Believing is to receive------“what I do have I give you” (v.6).

VI. The result of the one who believes the name of the Lord:

  A. Immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength (v.7).

  B. He entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God (v.8).

 

The Revelation of the Matter at the Beautiful Gate

I. The gate was called Beautiful (v.2)------it has the beautiful appearance------the building is beautiful and the works are considerable.

II. There was a certain man lame from his mother's womb at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful (v.2)------he represents a group of believers who are weak in the spirit and are only the laymen.

III. Ask for alms (v.2-3)------the nominal believers who attend to the superficial and neglect the essentials pay more attention to the outward money and materials than the inner life.

IV. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk (v.6-8)------as long as one meets the reality of the Prince of life, one can truly enter and become a believer who walk on the heavenly way.

 

The Example of John and Peter Who Help Others

I. At the hour of prayer, the ninth hour (v.1a)------they pray on time and their prayer is able to move the hand of God.

II. Peter and John went up together to the temple (v.1b)------they cooperate with each other in the church.

III. Peter fixed his eyes on him, with John (v.4a)------they are concerned about others sincerely.

IV. Peter said, "Look at us." (v.4b)------they have good testimony before men.

V. Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have” (v.6a)------they do not stress on the material pursuit.

VI. What I do have I give you (v.6b)------they are willing to share the grace that they have been bestowed.

VII. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk (v.6c)------they draw the riches of Christ by faith.

VIII. He took him by the right hand and lifted him up (v.7)------let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth (1John. 3:18).

IX. Peter said, “why…as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?” (v.12)------they do not attribute the success to themselves.

X. His name has made this man strong (v.16)------they draw men’s attention to Christ.

XI. The faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness (v.16)------they teach men the effect of faith.

 

The features of the Sign that the Lame was Healed 

I. It is completely of the sovereignty of God------only him was healed among many beggars (v.2).

II. It is done in the name of the Lord (v.16).

III. It becomes effective immediately (v.7).

IV. There is not any ill effect (v.8).

 

The Result that the lame was healed

I. He praised God (v.9).

II. He became the testimony before men (v.10).

III. He made the chance for Peter and John to preach (v.11).

 

Several Comparisons in the Third Chapter of the Acts

I. He was “lame” from his mother’s womb (v.2)------“strong” (v.16).

II. He was “laid” by men (v.2)-----“walking”, “leaping” (v.8).

III. He asked alms from “men” (v.2)------praising “God” (v.8-9).

IV. He was laid at “the gate” of the temple (v.2)------“entered the temple” (v.8).

V. He hoped for “the external things” (v.5)------received the “healing of life” (v.7, 16).

 

The Appellations that Peter Called the Lord Jesus

I. Jesus Christ of Nazareth (v.6)------Jesus who became a man is Christ.

II. The Servant of God (v.13, 26)------He came to the world in order to serve God.

III. The Holy (v.14)------He is separated to God and is absolutely for God.

IV. The Just (v.14)------He is just before God and men in everything.

V. The Prince of life (v.15)------He is the fountainhead of life.

VI. Christ (v.18)------He is the Messiah.

VII. Christ Jesus (v.20)------He is humble.

VIII. That Prophet (v.22-23)------He speaks for God on the earth.

 

The Effect of Repentance

I. Sins may be blotted out (v.19a).

II. Times of refreshing may come (v.19b).

III. The Lord comes for the second time (v.20).

IV. All creature restores (v.21).

V. Be removed from judgment (v.22-23).

VI. Inherit God’s promised blessings (v.25-26a).

VII. From one’s iniquities (v.26b).

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Sharon Ren