Luke is writing up something of the history of the early church. He is providing details for Theophilus to encourage him in his faith. Living in the Roman world of the day, he needs to know that Jesus is the authentic Saviour and that all the opposition of the Roman empire does not invalidate him. Our needs today are very similar.
The events of these chapters contribute towards both those ends as Luke described another mighty work and the mighty word that follows it and the reaction to it.
1. The Event: A Healed Man (3:1-10)
The incident begins with Peter and John making their way to the temple. In common with the other believers, they still worshipped at the temple at this time. This may seem strange to us but what could be more natural for them than to worship the living God, at his temple, as those who had trusted in Jesus as the Messiah, the true temple? In time, because of growing opposition and to prevent confusion, they no longer worshipped at the temple. But for now it was what they did.
Their trip proved to be extremely important for the progress of the gospel in those early days. They met a beggar and their encounter led to his being healed and leaping for joy. All the people were amazed since they knew the man and his hopeless condition.
As with the day of Pentecost, the apostles are again at the centre of a scene that produces amazement and perplexity. How is it to be explained and what impact should it have on us? Peter's speech that follows explains all for us
2. The Explanation: God's Plan; God's Man (3:11-26)
Peter's explanation emphasises certain key themes:
i) The miracle has not been accomplished by their power or godliness! Although there were many similarities in the miracle with what Jesus did (a word & instant healing), the attention should not be on them but on God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Were they not godly men? Yes. Were they powerful? As God enabled them, yes. But they did not attribute what happened to their own power or godliness. It was all down to Jesus and the power that comes through faith in him. The miracle has parallels with the works of Jesus but the focus is clearly put on Jesus and his power, not on the apostles.
Should we seek to be prayerful and godly people? Of course. Is that vital to the success of the gospel? Yes; God has said that he will honour those who honour him. Will our prayers and godliness be the reason why others are saved? No!
It always comes back to the grace and mercy of God and his power in salvation. If he is pleased to bless the work and we see people being saved and built up in their faith, the credit and the glory belongs entirely to him.
ii) This miracle points to the fulfilling of the ancient promises of God. And those promises have been fulfilled through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. He is described by Peter is the most glowing terms: he is God's servant (Isaiah's Servant Songs); he is the Holy and Righteous One, the Author of Life, the Christ, the ultimate Prophet.
Although we've made this point before, I think we need to stress the fact that the early church, in its life and witness, was profoundly centred upon Jesus. Their was a Christianity that was not in name only. The Lord Jesus and his cross of shame were at the heart of all they did and all they proclaimed. They would allow no other to take his place.
In our thinking of what it means to be a Christian, where does Jesus figure? Is he the one who gets us in and then we move on? Or do we major on him and give him the supremacy in all things? The early church lived and grew by its emphasis upon Jesus. We need to make sure we have the same emphasis.
iii) Peter stresses their guilt in crucifying Jesus, even though they had done so in ignorance. As in our law, ignorance is not a defence before God.
Having exposed their guilt, he calls them to repent and receive God's blessing through faith in Jesus. Unless they do so, they will be cut off. There is no hope except in him.
Have you grasped that? Then have you responded by turning from sin and trusting Jesus? He is the only hope. The answer to the problems of this world does not lie in money but in the grace of God freely available in the Lord Jesus.
3. Effect: Growing Numbers; Growing Opposition (4:1-22)
Peter's speech was another powerful presentation of the gospel. Its effect was twofold:
i) More conversions - "Many who heard the message believed, and the number of the men grew to about five thousand" (4:4). What amazing results! God is at work in power, honouring Jesus as Lord, using his people to proclaim the gospel in the power of his Spirit. We need to make this part of our own prayers and desires, that many people would believe, not just because so many need him but because he is so worthy of being glorified!
ii) The start of opposition - But the effect of Peter's speech was not just more people saved but more people hostile; in particular, the rules and elders. They had Peter and John brought before them to find out what was going on. The ensuing confrontation is extremely important.
Peter again speaks, in the power of the Spirit, and defends what they have been doing in proclaiming Jesus as Messiah. And his defence contains the amazing statement of verse 12 that "Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
What is at stake in this scene is the issue of salvation and the means it by which it can be obtained. Outside Jesus, there is no hope of knowing forgiveness from God and a future with him when all sin has been judged and removed and the earth renewed.
The battle lines have been drawn around these claims about Jesus and draw down the anger of the leaders against the apostles (vv.18-22). Although the early church knew the favour of the people (2:47), that wasn't the whole picture. They also encountered fierce opposition.
In fact, this is only the start of persecution. All down the centuries these have been the same battle-lines and that is so today as well. As we proclaim a unique Saviour, we can expect opposition.
When opposition comes, will we be able to handle it? Notice that it Peter was able to handle it because he was filled by the Spirit. On an earlier occasion he had wilted; here he stands firm because of the power of the Spirit.
And what he knew we can know too. There's nothing great about us; we are only jars of clay. But the gospel we proclaim is treasure beyond words and the Holy Spirit who dwells in us can make God's strength perfect in and through our weakness.
So with Paul let's willingly boast of our weaknesses so that Christ's power might rest upon us. And to him be the glory and praise as his church grows.
