![]() ![]() I never thought that they might have chosen to eat pork immediately (or ever) but I did not really stop to consider that they would have still observed other traditions – such as this hour of prayer. I find it truly interesting how, in my mind, the Jewish Apostles became “Christians” and changed their lifestyles overnight. What else do you see here that might support this idea? If this is true, then likely there are other indications the kingdom is coming/present in the ministry of Peter and John in Acts 2-5. ![]() Peter and John are representatives of the Messiah and use this healing to call a large Jewish crowd to repentance. The coming of the Spirit on God’s people is like water poured out on a dry and thirsty land. This miracle, therefore, draws attention to the fact the messianic age has to some extent begun with the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. The “leaping” for the formerly lame man evokes the Isaiah 35 passage indicating that this is a sign the messianic age is dawning. The fact that he is healed fully and completely is indicated that he walks and jumps, praising God (verse 8). Probably the man had stretched out his hands to take some coins from Peter, but Peter grabs his hands and helps him to stand instead. The man is instantly healed, his ankles and bones are strengthen and his able to stand. Why does Peter call for the man’s attention? Perhaps there are a lot of people passing through the gate and the beggar is trying to beg from as many as he can. Peter calls for the man’s attention and tells him that he has no money for him, and heals him in the name of Jesus. This healing also establishes a pattern in the book of Acts: as the gospel enters new areas it is accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit as witnessed by miracles. ![]() By Acts 19, some exorcists will try to use the name of Jesus to cast out demons (with unfortunate results). This is also the first time one of the disciples does the same kind of miracle Jesus did, although they heal “in the name of Jesus.” This indicates Jesus is a powerful name that is able to heal and able to save (Acts 4:12). In Acts 2 the Holy Spirit is “poured out” on the people, here in Acts 3 the Holy Spirit is healing physical infirmity. Isaiah looks forward to a coming age when physical infirmities will be reversed, the blind will see, the deaf will hear and the lame will leap! Even the desert will gush with water and become fertile. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Isaiah 35:4-7 … say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear your God will come, he will come with vengeance with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Isaiah calls on his listeners to prepare for this coming age and to “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.” Here in Acts 3 the feet and ankles of the lame man are strengthened. There is continuity between Jesus and his messianic announcement and the apostolic ministry of Peter. This text is similar to Isa 61:1-2, a text Jesus read in the synagogue at Nazareth and applied to himself (Luke 4). Third, and most importantly for the point of Peter’s sermon, that the lame would “leap for joy” was a key expectation of the Messianic age (Isa 35:6). People knew he was unable to walk, and that had never walked in his life. Second, he was a well-known beggar who was crippled from birth. ![]() First, Jesus healed many crippled persons during his ministry, Mark 2:1-12 for example. Peter healing a lame man is significant for several reasons. ![]()
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