Monday: The Healing of a Lame Man
In Acts 3:1, Peter and John went to the temple for the three o’clock prayer service. This indicates the essentially Jewish character of the church’s faith at this early period. That is, the apostles did not go to the temple only to instruct or make new converts but because Peter and John were still Jews and, as such, were still committed to Jewish religious traditions (Acts 20:16, Acts 21:17-26), at least up to this point.
There they performed an astounding miracle (Acts 3:1-10), which gave Peter the opportunity to preach another sermon.
Read Acts 3:12-26. What are some of Peter’s main emphases in his sermon?
Five main points characterized early Christian preaching: Jesus was the suffering Messiah (Acts 3:18); God resurrected Him (Acts 3:15); Jesus was exalted in heaven (Acts 3:13); He will come again (Acts 3:20); and repentance is necessary for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 3:19).
In many ways, this is the same message we are taking to the world, even if the context has changed. The apostles were still in a Jewish setting, when instead of changing religions the people basically just had to “migrate” from the old covenant to the new one. As part of God’s people, they had to accept the Messiah and experience the new birth that follows a true acceptance of Jesus.
Now, though the situation is different, the message is still essentially the same: Christ died for our sins, was resurrected, and He will return again. This means, then, that we can find salvation in Him. Even in the context of the three angels’ messages of Revelation chapter 14, Jesus Christ crucified, Jesus Christ risen, and Jesus Christ returning must be the center of how we proclaim those messages.
“Of all professing Christians, Seventh-day Adventists should be foremost in uplifting Christ before the world. The proclamation of the third angel’s message calls for the presentation of the Sabbath truth. This truth, with others included in the message, is to be proclaimed; but the great center of attraction, Christ Jesus, must not be left out. It is at the cross of Christ that mercy and truth meet together, and righteousness and peace kiss each other. The sinner must be led to look to Calvary; with the simple faith of a little child he must trust in the merits of the Saviour, accepting His righteousness, believing in His mercy.”—Ellen G. White, Gospel Workers, pages 156, 157.
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We are all lame crippled from birth
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
We were all disabled and good for nothing.
“Life isn't fair the man thought until he met Jesus in Peter and John
Peter said, what I do have I give you
When the fullness of the Holy Spirit has been poured upon us, we too shall say, what I do have I give you.
Until then let us pray and humble ourselves before our Lord maker and King.
Irrespective of what happens around me l would purpose in my heart to look forward for the return of my Savior
"the people basically just had to “migrate” from the old covenant to the new one."
I wish this aspect was discussed & taught more clearly. When we take the Bible as a whole we discover that God was progressively revealing his plan as the people developed and matured in their ability to understand and accept it.
It has always been the same plan - the Everlasting Covenant - only how it was applied in stages was different.
The Everlasting Covenant is: I will be your God, you will be My people and I will dwell with you.
Here in Acts we see a transitional stage where how the Everlasting Covenant is applied to people's life is changed, it will be interesting to track the things that - for a time - remained the same and those which were changing.
At this time we see the disciples still going to the temple to worship and in addition gathering together in homes.
When we come in contact with Jesus, our lives should never be the same. We should tell others about the precious gift we have received. As Christians, His life should be seen in us - like the man that received healing from Peter and John. He not only got up walking but he praised God. When we think of God's goodness, praise should be on our lips daily.
All this illustrates witness to persons of the same basic faith group, but how does it (or does it not) work with persons who have a very different world view, who are very suspicious of "religion" and whose faith is founded in materialism (that is, they are atheist)? These are like the people I work with every day. How does the witness of the Spirit work with these people?
Your question is a very good one and one that I have thought about for a long time. That does not mean that I have all the right answers. Here are a couple of things that I have learned.
1) Treat atheists with respect. There is nothing that stops a conversation more quickly than telling someone that their ideas are ignorant. My atheistic friends are for the most part academics and have thought about the big issues of life just as much as I have.
2) Do not present Christianity as having all the answers and that somehow Christian have a mortgage on ethics and morality. This is one of the issues that irritate atheists more than anything else.
3) You need to think outside the square when it comes to answering questions from atheists. All too often we use religious talk that they do not understand. I remember once being asked why I go to church on Saturday. I could have given the usual change of the Sabbath argument that makes sense to us but something told me to tell this person how much I enjoyed the Sabbath. He ended up saying that he wished he had a day like that.
4) I have found that atheists are not swayed by arguments and proselytizing talk, but they appreciate someone who lives consistently with Christian principles. They quickly learn that they can rely on someone who lives their lives in harmony with the principles that we know so well from the Bible.
5) I also remember that many atheists have come to their belief system because they have been hurt by people calling themselves Christians. Trust has been betrayed. In Australia, many people have been hurt by sexual abuse in Church institutions, and church attitude of putting the reputation of the institution before the welfare of the victims. The reaction to this can only be overcome by caring Christians behaving like Jesus did. I am under no illusions that the healing process is going to take a long time. For this reason, I do not take umbrage at every anti-Christian sentiment expressed by my atheist friends. I know where they are coming from, and accept that the only way the Spirit can work through me for those people is for me to live like Christ.
Richard, the commission includes every person on earth, and their beliefs, no matter what they are. We have on your side the Holy Spirit who's Divine wisdom knows every heart, their needs, their questions, and their sincerity. When it comes to those who say "there is no God", the Bible says they are fools, and there is counsel on how to relate to such people regarding what they would deny.
What we can do is be filled with the Holy Spirit, who alone can teach us how to work and give us what to say when it is timely, which may have nothing to do with doctrine/"truth" or the fundamental beliefs, etc. Only with this Source of heavenly wisdom can one go forward and minister to the real needs of any individual that God places within our influence. So our greatest effort is abiding in the vine, and giving the Holy Spirit complete control. There are no formulas or gimmicks, only the power that comes with the Holy Spirit, for then it won't matter who crosses our path, the Spirit will guide us and bring conviction to them. Leave the results to the Lord once you have done your part. A faithful witness does not work to establish conviction, but only provides a faithful witness and an answer to their sincere questions concerning the hope you have.
As Maurice points out, treat all others as you would be treated.
Bro Richard,a wonderful Christian movie addressing the question you asked is called "The case for Christ," based on a true story of an atheist attempt to discredit the biblical account of Christ. I think you'd love and appreciate the angles presented. Don't underestimate the Holy Spirit moving in a consistent ,respectful and loving manner.
[Editor's Note: You can also buy the book by the same title: The Case for Christ, by Lee Strobel]
The biggest step in the progressive revelation of God's plan was that Jesus is the promised Messiah for whom God's people had been waiting. He fulfilled the last part of the Everlasting Covenant - I will dwell with you: (abide=dwell)
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth
Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and we will make Our home with him.
Joh 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may abide with you forever,
Joh 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what ever you may desire, and it shall be done for you.
Joh 15:9 "Just as the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
Joh 15:10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and I abide in His love.
Joh 15:11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may abide in you, and that your joy may be full.
Sometimes the promises related to change and a relationship with Jesus can be made to appear dark and unattractive by some who claim to have accepted those same truths.
A transformed life reflecting the fruit of the Spirit of God our Creator is proof that there is truth to the claims of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit does the changing so there’s no need to try and convict an unbeliever. God will guide us in the work He has for us to do and He will change those He sends our way just as He changes us.
We need the Holy Spirit to transform our ideas, motivations and actions so the Spirit can use us when He needs us. By the power of God Himself we will be a reflection and example of the change Jesus promised.
All we need is to have faith in God and to humble ourselves before Him so that He might use us for the great commission.That which seems to be impossible before our own eyes is possible in Christ as for the case of Peter and John.