The power of the Holy Spirit given to the Apostles at Pentecost continued throughout the lives of these men. Miracles were performed primarily to call attention to the power behind the event. These supernatural events continued to give proof that Jesus is the Son of God (Heb. 2:3-4). The miracles of both Jesus and the Apostles were of such a nature that no one thought, “Well they just faked that.” Modern-day “miracle workers” have been caught adjusting a shoe in pretending to make one leg equal to the length of the other.
Peter and John were headed to the Temple, not to worship as Old Testament believers, but to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. Find the people where they are and preach Jesus. The Temple would remain a popular place until it was demolished by the Romans 40 years later. On their way, Peter and John encountered a man crippled from birth. Truly disabled. A man who depended on begging to live. While he expected money, he received something far greater. As Peter healed the crippled beggar, he gave credit and glory to Jesus. The man jumped to his feet and accompanied them through the temple courts, “walking and jumping, and praising God” (Acts 3:8). If that won’t get your attention, what will? Onlookers knew the man and were amazed at the healing.
Solomon’s Colonnade was a porch along the inner side of a wall enclosing the outer court of the Temple. This beautiful place provided the setting for Peter’s second recorded sermon. Astounded Israelites were ready to listen. Peter declared that the very Jesus they had killed had healed the crippled man. They had killed Jesus in ignorance, but they were still responsible for their actions. Peter challenged them to “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out” (Acts 3:19). Repentance is a change of mind. Turning to God involves the baptism commanded in Acts 2:38. All cases of conversion in the book of Acts agree in essential details, but different words and phrases are used to describe them.
In his sermon from Solomon’s Colonnade, Peter refers to Moses’ prophecy of the Christ (Deut. 18:15-19). A prophet is an inspired spokesman. The office of prophecy would be especially important in the Mosaic Age and early in the Christian Age. Jesus is the ultimate spokesman for God. “Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people” (Acts 3:23; 2 Thess. 1:7-9). Peter continued to connect Jesus to the Old Testament narrative, declaring that “all the prophets” foretold the coming of Jesus Christ. Christians are heirs of all that God promised to Abraham and continued to promise through the prophets (Gal. 3:26-29). Jesus is not to be seen as an upstart challenger to the Old Testament message, but as the ultimate fulfillment of the Old Covenant (Matt. 5:17-18).
My comments are not an inspired commentary, but rather a few words to draw attention to the background, context, and dynamic situation of the book of Acts. May God bless your reading of His Word. T.C.
