What Happened Next
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The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people.
2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem .
6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.
29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
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The disabled person was walking and jumping and praising God
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One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Peter Speaks to the Onlookers
11 While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.
I have been studying the Acts of the Apostles with a group of friends since the beginning of the year and I have become really interested and excited about the way the Good News of Jesus spread Jesus’ commission Acts 1:8, ‘you will be my witnesses in Jeru, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.’ Acts records the witnessing and the preaching, the miracles and the prayers as this fledgling church expanded within Jeru & Judea and then spread out (ends of earth) as believers were scattered thro persecution. Around the time of Acts the good news managed to make it to our Isle of Wight shores when a Christian, Vespasian (a Roman Officer) shared the Good News. History records that there were a few ‘secret Christians’ in 1 Century AD on Vectis. We have so much to learn about the importance of witnessing and sharing the GoodNews.
Today we are looking at Jesus’ first miracle after Pentecost as recorded in Acts 3 at Solomons Colonnade, Jerusalem.
It is a sequel to next week's service when we will look at Pentecost.
Solomon’s Colonnade was a roofed area supported by columns. It was a popular gathering area - a remnant of Solomon’s original temple hence the name. This portico is mentioned in the New Testament three times. Jesus gave his famous, ‘I am the good shepherd’ talk from there (John 10:23). Also here in Acts 3:1 and 5:12.
Luke (the writer of Acts) records the events from the witness's viewpoint. Like a ‘what happened next’ format. In Acts 3 a disabled man is carried to his place at the temple gate to beg. What happened next – Peter & John walk towards him, he begs, they say we have no money but in the name of Jesus ‘walk.’ What happened next crowds come running to see this great miracle. What happened after that is Peter speaks saying the risen Jesus who you crucified has healed this man and challenges them to repent.
In Luke’s recording of this miracle, there is a pattern that is a message for the church today…
1 Good News Proclaimed
2 Opposition Occurred
3 Church Flourished
Good News Proclaimed
The crowd hear about the disabled man walking, leaping and praising God, and they want to see, I was there. They ran to Solomons Colonnade wondering what’s happened, who did this, etc. And Peter asks, “Why are you so surprised at this?” Why wouldn’t they be surprised? A disabled man jumping like Stormzy. But over the last 3 years they would have they seen Jesus do stuff like this? (They disowned the Holy & Righteous one). There are 31 healing miracles of Jesus recorded in the gospels. Matthew 21:14 ‘The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them.’ Jesus healed people in this place. Peter says, “What are you so surprised about? ....Why do you stare at us, as though we had made him walk by our own power or godliness?” This wasn’t us, we didn’t do this. Then he preaches, just like he did at Pentecost. “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has glorified his servant Jesus”… Peter goes on, to point out their part in Jesus’ crucifixion. We haven’t time to analyse the whole sermon but many the ways he describes the name Jesus is Vip
With a crowd gathered, Peter seizes the opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus to them.
NB how Peter mentions Jesus name. Name is more than identification. It is authority reputation power
eg The Kings Award given to businesses. There would be no headline for The Kelvin Award. Jesus name has all the authority of the King of Kings behind him. Name above all names Philippians 2:9. Matthew 28:18 ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’
Notice how often Peter refers to the Name of Jesus in these opening verses.
Acts 3:13, God has glorified his servant Jesus, ( a reference to Isaiah 53 - the suffering servant).
Acts 3:14 ‘You disowned the Holy and Righteous One’, v15 ‘You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead’ v16 ‘By Faith in Jesus name, v16b It is through Jesus name.’ When Peter says Jesus – it is all of the above, when we speak of Jesus, this is who he is – miracle worker, way maker, light in the darkness. Acts 3:12 There should be no surprise about the miracle, he is the author of life, Holy, Righteous, risen Lord Jesus, ascended. He does this and every miracle. Notice Acts 3:16 ‘Jesus has given him perfect health.’ His greatest miracle was not physical. He was made right with God, a child of God. His sins are forgiven, and he will spend eternity in the presence of the Saviour. That’s the perfect health that Peter is talking about. He was made whole, body mind and spirit.
Not everyone gets healed physically. Look at Joni, but the Lord has been glorified through her adversity. Peter had passed this man dozens of times but this time he looks and something happened - this is the time. I have a picture of God the Father in heaven with Jesus saying to each other what about that man at the portico? Let us use Peter. Peter was prompted, the faith was given and Peter said ‘in the name of Jesus walk.’ God gets the praise and glory, not Peter and John. My Mother Rita Burke had the gift of healing but she was not a Faith Healer - the healing was diving, Jesus alone did the miracles? Watch out for Ego when you have these gifis, enemy is so subtle and will tempt us to enjoy a wee bit of glory. Any ministry focussed on the person is vulnerable to the enemy’s subtle attack on ego – pray for them Colossians 1:18 ‘Jesus must be pre-eminent.’
John 3:30 ‘He must increase, I must decrease.’
We point to Jesus, Jesus does the miracles. It is the risen Jesus who did this. This is as relevant today as back then.
Opposition Occurred
What Happened next? Peter did not get to finish his sermon! Read Acts 4:1-4CSB
While they were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple police, and the Sadducees confronted them, 2 because they were annoyed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 So they seized them and took them into custody until the next day since it was already evening. 4 But many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
They are arrested. Note the strategy of the enemy (the devil) to quell the spread of the message of Jesus is to silence your tongue. We face similar opposition today, worldly and religious opposition. And that opposition is increasing.
They told Peter and John to stop preaching in Jesus’ name. They put them in jail for the night to cool off. There would be no coiling off, these men were on fire with Holy Spirit power. The opposition was nothing in comparison to their loyalty to Jesus. This is not a cause they believe in; this is a person they love – they will not be silenced. Hear what Peter said… Acts 4:7-12
They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this? Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit said If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this…. It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed 11 Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Peter’s response to the opposition was to share the Good News again - Salvation is found in none other than Jesus.
True, opposition occurs but there is nothing they can do to you beyond intimidation.
On Monday 15 April 2024 Bishop Mari Mari Emmanuel was stabbed along with several worshippers in the middle of a service in Sydney Australia. He survived. He has recorded a message of forgiveness. The Good News was spread wider.
They can attack you, even send you to eternity but cannot take eternal life from you.
Dr M L Jones said when faced with ‘unbelief, preach Jesus Christ - His person, His resurrection’
Christian Concern reports that Felix Ngole lost his job for quoting the bible even John 3:16. They are also defending, street preachers Dunn & O’Sullivan who were arrested for quoting 1 Corinthians 6:9 ‘The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God.’
We live in a pluralistic society which says each to his own – (I was a memvber of a multi-faith Chaplaincy team in Leeds Teaching Hospitals. One of the Muslim chaplains would say ‘We all pray to the same God.’ It is a pluralistic idea that there are many ways to God - Buddha, Islam, Moses, Krishna, Jesus, all equally valid. Not according to Acts 4:12. ‘There is salvation through no other name, there is no other name under heaven whereby we must be saved.’ Our challenge is to be bold about Jesus and our testimony - people will react – they may oppose or engage but they will react.
What happens next? The Church Flourished
Throughout the book of Acts, the church continued to flourish, and spread out. Despite great opposition. How did that happen? If you read through Acts you will see a people rooted in prayer, worship and witness. (eg Acts 13:2 ‘worshipping & prayer & fasting).
What happened next? In Acts 4 notice what Peter and John did after they were released, prayed together.
Acts 4: 23 Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. …..29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
That's some prayer request! v31 says the church was shaking - with the power of the spirit after that!
What caused the church to flourish? What were those prayers? Notice there is no request for protection!
They make two requests.
[1] they ask for boldness to share the good news(v29).
[2] For God to continue healings, signs and wonders to show that their message is God’s word (v.30) that they would continue the ministry.
We too must Pray, do not think your prayers are insignificant, be deliberate about praying.
Twenty five years ago, Pete Greig never could have imagined that a simple idea to have a prayer room and invite people to pray 24/7 could multiply to reach over 50 nations and millions of people in a matter of months. Today 24/7 is a massive Christian community of people committed to prayer, mission and justice.
Do not underestimate the importance or the power of prayer and the speaking of the word.
Right now there are things happening, Pete Greg’s Instagram posting a few days ago said there were 2000 baptisms in France at Easter. His Instagram recorded Gen Z young people in East London staying up all night to pray and seek God. Last Sunday St Aldate’s Oxford, many were saved.
Pete shared this: ‘After 25 years…. I am hesitant even to type these words: I dare to believe this is just the latest iteration of something bigger that seems to be happening.’ Crusade preached Samuel Chadwick used to pray for a significant miracle at the start of each of his crusades that will draw a crowd. David Wilkinson’s big miracle was Nicky Cruz, perhaps the recent news about Bear Grylls and Russel Brand is something we should be praying about and watching with interest.
In conclusion, have you noticed that the Book of Acts doesn’t really end properly? Paul writes in Acts 28:28 “I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” What Paul, No Doxology, no greeting to churches, no farewell. Why?
I believe the ministry of Acts is a continuing one. Acts 29 is today, the Acts of Jesus Christ today – as we share the Good news of Jesus, there will be opposition but if we are faithful in prayer, worship and the Word, the church will flourish. Pray for boldness, pray for healings and signs and wonders and for the word of truth to be proclaimed.
