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Acts Chapter
Three
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Church Bears Witness of the Prince of
Life
I. The healing of
life (v.1-11):
A. The state and hope of the lame man
(v.1-3).
B. The response and work of the apostles
(v.4-8).
C. The wonder and amazement of the
people (v.9-11).
II. Preaching the
prince of life (v.12-26):
A. Explain the reason why the lame one
was healed------through faith in the name of the price of life (v.12-16).
B. Call men to repent and be converted
(v.17-26).
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
Acts. 3:1 “Now Peter and John went
up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.”
YLT: “And Peter and John
were going up at the same time to the temple, at the hour of the prayer, the
ninth [hour],”
Meaning of Words: “the ninth hour”:
three o’clock in the afternoon.
Literal Meaning: “at the hour of prayer, the
ninth hour” The pious Jews
pray three times every day at definite times: the third hour, the sixth hour
and the ninth hour, i.e. in the morning (nine o’clock), at noon (twelve
o’clock) and in the evening sacrifice (three o’clock in the after noon).
“Peter and John,” They were fishing
companions (Luke. 5:10). They arranged the last supper (Luke. 22:8), followed
the Lord to the palace of the high priest and witnessed that the Lord was
judged all night (John. 18:15-32) and ran to the empty tomb together in the day
of the Lord’s resurrection (John. 20:2-10). In the Acts of the Apostles, they
always served God together (Acts. 4:13, 19; 8:14).
“Went up to the temple” Most of the
early believers were from Judaism and they still kept some Judaic regulations
and ceremonies. And therefore they went up to the temple to pray, gather
together (Acts. 2:46) and preach the glad tidings. Later God raised the
circumstances in order to force them to depart from the temple,
Spiritual Meaning: the prayer of the
ninth hour typifies the prayer at the definite time. Going up to the temple for
prayers typifies the public prayer or joining the meeting of prayers of the
church.
Peter and John walked together, showing
that they were agreed (Amos. 3:3).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “The ninth hour” is the time when the Lord Jesus
breathed His last. Behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top
to the bottom (Matt. 27:45, 51). Since the Lord had opened a living and new way
for us, we should draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith to God
(Heb. 10:20, 22) and pray to Him.
2) “Peter and John” were two top apostles and it
shows us that: not only common believers need to be with one accord (Acts.
2:46), but also fellow-workmen need to be with on accord. And it is forbidden
in the church that there is only one decision-maker and there must be at least
two decision-makers in order to maintain the check and balance.
3) We need to pray at any time and we also need to
pray at the definite time (“the ninth hour”).
4) One’s individual prayer is important, however,
prayer with the saints, especially the prayer of the church (“went up to the
temple” for prayer) is indispensable.
Acts. 3:2 “And a certain man lame
from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the
temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the
temple;”
YLT: “and a certain man,
being lame from the womb of his mother, was being carried, whom they were
laying every day at the gate of the temple, called Beautiful, to ask a kindness
from those entering into the temple,”
Literal Meaning: “lame from his mother's womb” means that this man’s lameness is the
inborn disability.
“They laid daily at the gate of the
temple” The tense of the word “lay” refers to the habitual action, showing that
they performed the routine and “laid” him there again and again.
“At the gate of the temple which is
called Beautiful” Many Bible exegetes surmised that it was the Nicanon Gate
which was covered by the splendid Corinthian ancient bronze, however, it was
not affirmative. Since it was close to “the porch which is called Solomon's”
(See v.11), we could know that it was in the eastern wall of the temple through
which men could enter into the court of women where the treasury (i.e. the box
of donation) was from the court of the Gentiles.
“To ask alms from those who entered the
temple” The entrance of
the temple, especially the place close to the box of donations, is regarded as
the best place for begging because when men go to worship God and devote
something to Him, it is always easier for them to be generous to men.
Spiritual
Meaning: “lame from his mother's womb” “Lame” shows that men know how to walk,
however, they cannot walk actually. And therefore it symbolizes that “to will
is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find” (Rom.
7:18)------men are unable to please God. And therefore this “man lame from his
mother’s womb” symbolizes the disability of the natural life------one is able
to “know” but he cannot “perform”.
“Whom they laid daily” “Daily” shows that the disability of men’s
natural life cannot be improved fundamentally.
“At the gate of the temple which is
called Beautiful” “
“To ask alms from those who entered the
temple” “Who entered the
temple” symbolizes those who are famous in the religious circle.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The lame is able to look with is eyes, hear with
his ear, speak with his mouth, smell with his nose and do with is hands. He is
able to do everything except for walking with his legs. Today probably there
are many believers in the church who are spiritually lame------they could do
almost everything, especially that they could hear the word and even preach the
word, however, they are unable to walk according to the word.
2) The beautiful appearance (“the gate which is
called Beautiful”) can not cover up the inner disability (“lame”). If the
individual or the church only pays attention to the spiritual appearance and
lacks the spiritual reality, there won’t be the testimony of Christ.
3) The temple is the orthodox place. The gate which
is called beautify is the most attractive place. Those who went in the temple
are the most pious religious members. However, all these are of no help to the
one with natural difficulties. Even if there is some help, it is external and
temporary and therefore he “was carried daily”.
4) Maybe you and I are the lame who need others’
care and are unable to walk, leap and praise God. He could come the outside of
the gate which is called beautify at most and could not enter into and enjoy
the abundant and perfect life.
5) Christ is the gate. Only through Him can men be
saved. Only through Him can men have life more abundantly (John. 10:7-10).
What’s difficult is that: a) men always find the wrong way; b) even if they
find the right way, they only wait and see and do not go in.
6) We should never be a layman in Christianity who
has a sigh at the gate and never enter into the temple to enjoy its fatness
(Ps. 36:8).
7) Asking for alms only deals with the daily needs
before one’s eyes and it cannot solve the problem of life fundamentally. If the
church only focuses on the social welfare and the material help, the church
will become lost in the social works and have not given the true help to men.
Acts. 3:3 “who, seeing Peter and
John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.”
YLT: “who, having seen
Peter and John about to go into the temple, was begging to receive a kindness.”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) He “asked” for something because he had “seen”.
In other words, if he had not “seen”, he won’t “ask for”. From this we could
know the importance of “seeing”. We always ignore the things and persons that
are around us and therefore we always miss the chances to receive blessings.
2) God loves us to “ask” Him. Yet you do not have because you do not ask (James.
4:2). The Lord has promised that: everyone who asks receives (Matt. 7:8).
Acts. 3:4 “And fixing his eyes on
him, with John, Peter said, ‘Look at us.’”
YLT: “And Peter, having
looked steadfastly toward him with John, said, `Look toward us;'”
Meaning of Words: “fixing his eyes
on”: gaze intently, behold earnestly.
Literal Meaning: “And fixing his eyes
on him, with John” One’s eyes express his feelings. Their “fixing eyes on him”
shows several meanings: 1) make sure his poor state; 2) show sympathy for him;
3) see through his lack and need in the spiritual aspect from his state in the
material aspect.
“Peter said, ‘Look at us.’” Peter asked
the other to look at himself with several meanings: 1) draw the attention of
the other; 2) express his feeling to the other; 3) have communication with each
other.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The key for believers to serve the Lord lies in
“fixing one’s eyes on” in two aspects. On one hand, one should “look
steadfastly toward heaven” (Acts. 1:10), see the vision of Christ’s ascension
and gaze at His glory. On the other, one should “fix his eyes on him” and know
the one who is served, understand his state and find his need. In this way, the
service will have the heavenly value and be effective.
2) Christians should always fix their eyes on
others and observe their need. God arranges some circumstances for us with His
goodwill and therefore we should not ignore it.
3) “Peter said, ‘Look at us.’” Do we dare to ask
others to look at us? Do we conduct ourselves worthily of the glad tidings of
Christ (Pill. 1:27)?
Acts. 3:5 “So he gave them his
attention, expecting to receive something from them.”
YLT: “and he was giving
heed to them, looking to receive something from them;”
Meaning of Words: “gave them his
attention”: pay close attention to, hold upon, retain.
Literal Meaning: “expecting to
receive something” “something” refers to belongings. His ideas are still within
the material aspect.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) What do we expect to receive? Silver, gold, or
the spiritual?
2) The Lord said that, “Labor not for the meat
which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life” (John.
6:27). We should not come to the church with wrong motive, lest we suffer a big
loss for a little gain.
Acts. 3:6 “Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give
you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’”
YLT: “and Peter said,
`Silver and gold I have none, but what I have, that I give to thee; in the name
of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and be walking.'”
The Background:
the Jews held that doing something “in the
name” of someone means doing in his being and power (Exod. 5:23; Jer. 11:21).
Literal Meaning: “Silver and gold I
do not have” “Have” means “possess”. Here Peter put what he did not have in the
front of this sentence with the purpose that: 1) let the other put down the
wrong hope; 2) let him turn to pay attention to what Peter could provide, i.e.
paving a road for the next sentence.
“But what I do have I give you” The word “but” leads to a thing that is
totally different from silver and gold.
“In the name of Jesus Christ of
Nazareth” Christians do in
the name of Jesus Christ with the following meanings: 1) walk in His name; 2)
walk for Him; 3) walk by His power; 4) let Him walk; 5) walk under His name; 6)
all that they walk are to His name.
There was a famous story concerning this
verse: the Roman Catholic Church esteemed Peter as their first pope and the
power of pope reached the peak in the thirteenth century. It is said that the
famous theologian Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) once went to
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not
have’” At that time, Peter was the top man in
the church. Many believers sold their possessions and laid them at the
apostles’ feet (Acts. 2:45; 4:34) and therefore actually there were much money
that he could dominate. However, he did not hold that the silver and gold belonged
to him. Today the leaders in the church should learn from the intention and
example of Peter.
2) “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do
have I give you” What do we have today, the silver and gold or Christ? Even if
silver and gold have some use, silver and gold cannot provide God’s life or
satisfy men’s spiritual need. Only Christ is the source of life and only Him
could provide God’s life and satisfy men’s deepest hunger and thirst.
3) “Silver and gold I do not have” The value of
this sentence does not lie in whether men have silver and gold but one’s
attitude that he does not keep silver and gold for his own.
4) “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do
have I give you” It shows that: a) the aim that believers pursue is not silver
or gold, but the spiritual riches; b) those who have the spiritual riches
always lack silver and gold; c) the lack of silver and gold always helps men
have the spiritual riches because the obstacles of pursuit have been decreased;
d) the silver and gold decrease and the spiritual riches increase when they are
given out.
5) “But what I do have I give you” It shows that:
we have to have something first and then we could give it to others. If
preachers have nothing, what will they give to others? If one wants to shepherd
others, he has to be edified first.
6) Only those who are not occupied by silver and
gold could have the name of “Jesus Christ of Nazareth”------the true spiritual
power to deal with all the need of men because mammon is the enemy of God
(Matt. 6:24).
7) One thing that deserves our attention is that:
when many preachers are poor, they preach with power and move men. However,
after they get handsome reputation and financial rewards, though they still
preach clearly and logically, they lack the spiritual power and sway. What a
pity!
8) The true believers of the Lord seem to have
nothing, and yet possess all things (2Cor. 6:10) because one has everything if
he has Christ.
9) The spiritual help is the real and precious
help------give the name of the Lord to men, give the grace and power of the
Lord to men and make men have the benefits of life.
10) Peter did not kneel down and pray to the Lord
to ask for the feeling of God first because he already had the reality of the
name------the Lord Himself abode in him and He trusted Himself to Peter. We
should learn from Peter and have close communication with the Lord usually and
then the reality of the name of Christ will become what we “do have” and we
could give His name to men if necessary.
Acts. 3:7 “And he took him by the
right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received
strength.”
YLT: “And having seized
him by the right hand, he raised [him] up, and presently his feet and ankles
were strengthened,”
Meaning of Words: “ankle bones”: the
prominent joints connecting the lowest part of the leg and the feet;
“strength”: make strong, unharmed, solidify.
Literal Meaning: “and immediately his
feet and ankle bones received strength” It means that the abnormal, obsolescent
and weak joints and brawn returned to the normal functions.
“Immediately…received strength” shows that he was fully recovered immediately
instead of after a period of recovery.
Spiritual Meaning: “and he took him by
the right hand and lifted him up” The action that he took him and lifted him up
symbolizes that one uses the concrete action to support the spiritual
declaration. Many Christians could only use the spiritual words to comfort men
orally and lack the concrete deeds of care (1John. 3:18).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) If relying on men’s hands, though they “laid”
him daily (See v.2), and even forty years (Acts. 4:22), the lame was still
lame. However, if one “lifted him up” in faith, he was immediately healed.
2) “And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up” Many Christians could only use the
spiritual words to comfort others orally and lack the concrete deeds of care.
However, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth (1John.
3:18).
Acts. 3:8 “So he, leaping up, stood
and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising
God.”
YLT: “and springing up,
he stood, and was walking, and did enter with them into the temple, walking and
springing, and praising God;”
The
Background: “entered the temple
with them” According to the law of the Old Testament, he whoever has any
blemish could not approach to the
Literal Meaning: “entered the temple”
indicates that they entered the court of the children of
“Walking, leaping, and praising God” The
three verbs “walking”, “leaping” and “praising” in the present tense vividly
describe the state that one had just recovered from a long illness and was very
delighted.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “Walking” After we have been saved, we have to
run on the heavenly way and go on unto perfection (Heb. 12:1; 6:1) and we
should not stay in the original place.
2) “Leaping” means hopping off the ground. Though
believers live on the earth, they are not limited by the earth and they are
able to live the heavenly life as if they are in heaven.
3) “Praising God” Therefore by Him let us
continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our
lips, giving thanks to His name (Heb. 13:15).
4) God dwells amid the praises of
Acts. 3:9 “And all the people saw
him walking and praising God.”
YLT: “and all the people
saw him walking and praising God,”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) People who are around open their eyes wide and
watch our states after we have been saved. Whether the Lord is honored or
dishonored lies in our testimony of life.
2) Our good testimony in the daily life is better
than the preaching of hundreds of words of gospel.
Acts. 3:10 “Then they knew that it
was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were
filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”
YLT: “they were knowing
him also that this it was who for a kindness was sitting at the Beautiful gate
of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what hath
happened to him.”
Literal Meaning: “they knew that it
was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple” “Knew” is a
kind of confirmation after investigation; “sat begging” shows that it had
lasted a period of time that he asked for alms at the Beautiful Gate.
“And they were filled with wonder and
amazement” “Wonder” refers to stupefaction. “Amazement” refers to ecstasy.
Please note that the words here are different from “amaze” and “marvel” in the
second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts. 2:7, 12).
Enlightenment in the Word: in the sight of the world, the changes of believers
after they have been saved are indeed unbelievable.
Acts. 3:11 “Now as the lame man who
was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in
the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly amazed.”
YLT: “And at the lame man
who was healed holding Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in
the porch called Solomon's -- greatly amazed,”
Meaning of Words: “held on”: lay hand
on, hold fast; “greatly amazed”: utterly astounded.
Literal Meaning: “the lame man…in the porch which is called
Solomon’s” “the lame man” is the one who had been healed. “The porch which is
called Solomon’s” is one of two open porches in the outskirts of the temple.
They are stone porches which are about eight meters high and are arranged in
order. There is a covering of cedar which has a capacity of many people so that
they could shelter from the sun and the rain. These two porches meet each other
at right angle at the edge of the court of the Gentiles (John. 10:23).
They met at the Beautiful gate (v.2) and the lame
was healed there (v.7). They entered the temple together (v.8) and now they
went out to the porch which is called Solomon’s and is in the east of the outer
court.
Acts. 3:12 “So when Peter saw it, he
responded to the people: ‘Men of Israel, why do you
marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or
godliness we had made this man walk?”
YLT: “and Peter having
seen, answered unto the people, `Men, Israelites! why wonder ye at this? or on
us why look ye so earnestly, as if by our own power or piety we have made him
to walk?”
Meaning of Words: “godliness”: godly
performance.
Literal Meaning: “by our own power
and godliness” “power” refers to the ability and strength to work. “Godliness”
refers to the factor that handles the power in the spiritual realm.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) When helping others, we need to let others “look
at us” (See v.4). After we have helped others, we should not let others “look
intently at us”. The virtue of Christians is that they do not hide themselves
when they should be known openly and do not show off themselves when they
should hide themselves.
2) The true workers of the Lord do not regard
themselves as the fountainhead of power but the channels of the Lord’s power.
3) We should never attribute the effect that we
work for the Lord to ourselves because it steals the glory of the Lord.
4) Only those who do not seek their own glory can
glorify God (Ps. 115:1).
5) The effect of service does not lie in our
“power” or “godliness”------all our struggle, striving, hardness, piety,
mortification and etc. The effect of work cannot be made by men’s “striving”
and it is of the power of the Holy Spirit (Zech. 4:6).
6) When we are praised by men, if we could deny
“our power and godliness” from our hearts, it is the witness of witness and
those men are the true witnesses of the Lord.
Acts. 3:13 “The God of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you
delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to
let Him go.”
YLT: “`The God of
Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, did glorify His
child Jesus, whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, he
having given judgment to release [him],”
Literal Meaning: “the God of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob” This appellation shows that the God is “I AM THAT I AM”
(Exod. 3:14-15). The Lord Jesus once used this appellation to prove that God is
not the God of the dead, but of the living (Matt. 22:31-32). And therefore this
appellation indicates that He is the risen God.
“Glorified His servant Jesus” It shows
that the Lord Jesus is the “suffering servant” (Is. 42:1-9; 49:1-13; 52, 53)
who is predicted by Isaiah the prophet. “Glorified Him” shows that Jesus was
declared to be the Son of God through His death, resurrection and ascension
(John. 7:39; 12:16, 23; 13:31-32; 17:1).
“Pilate, when he was determined to let
Him go” Please see John. 19:12.
Acts. 3:14 “But you denied the Holy
One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,”
YLT: “and ye the Holy and
Righteous One did deny, and desired a man -- a murderer -- to be granted to
you,”
Literal Meaning: “But you denied the
Holy One and the Just” “The Holy One” means “being separated to God”. The Lord
Jesus is the separated one. He sanctifies Himself for our sakes (John. 17:19).
“The Just” means “being right towards God, men and everything, being correct,
proper”.
“Holy” refers to His disposition; “Just”
refers to His deeds. The Lord Jesus is blameless before both God and men.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Since the Lord has bought us at a price, we are
not our own (1Cor. 6:19-20). We should sanctify ourselves and live unto the
Lord wholeheartedly (
2) When we live within ourselves, we states are
unjust to God, men and things. We should pray that the Lord would live out
through us because only He is the Just.
Acts. 3:15 “and killed the Prince of
life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.”
YLT: “and the Prince of
the life ye did kill, whom God did raise out of the dead, of which we are
witnesses;”
Meaning of Words: “witnesses”: martyr.
Literal Meaning: “and killed the
Prince of life” “The Prince of life” means “the originator, beginner, the
leader and pioneer of life”. Life is of Him and He is the Lord that gives life.
“Of which we are witnesses” is in the
original “we are witnesses of this matter that the Lord had been raised from
the dead”.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) When Christians think of their power and
identity, there is only failure, frustration and fear. However, when they think
of whom they have believed, there will be the fullness of peace and power.
2) The reason why men get sick is that they are
weak in “life”. If our spiritual life is not strong, we will become “lame”
(v.2) and then we won’t run on the heavenly way well.
3) Only when believers come to “the Prince of life”
will their spiritual weakness will be healed. We should not neglect Him or even
kill Him.
4) We, the witnesses of the Lord, should be delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the
life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh (2Cor. 4:11).
Acts. 3:16 “And His name, through
faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the
faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the
presence of you all.”
YLT: “and on the faith of
his name, this one whom ye see and have known, his name made strong, even the
faith that [is] through him did give to him this perfect soundness before you
all.”
Meaning of Words: “strong”: sound,
mighty, establish; “this perfect soundness”: complete soundness, physical
wholeness.
Literal Meaning: “His name has made this man strong, whom you see and know” In the view of the Jews, one’s “name”
cannot be separated from the man and the name is with the man’s authority and
power (See Exod. 3:14-15).
“Through faith in His name” In this matter, the only factor of men is
“faith” because only faith could make the great power of the Lord come to men.
However, Peter did not clearly indicate that the faith was of the apostle or
the lame in his word and maybe both of them had the faith.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “His name has made this man strong” Here he drew
men’s attention from the healing to the healer. Today, many people stress on
the individual or the corporate that could heal. However, they always draw
men’s attention from the healer to the healing, even to the false healing.
2) The name of Christ is of great power, however,
not everyone is able to experience the great power of the name. Faith is the
key to use the great power of the name.
3) All things that are possible to him that
believes (Mark. 9:23).
If you have faith and say to this mountain,
“Be removed and be cast into the sea,” it will be done. (Matt. 21:21)
Acts. 3:17 “‘Yet
now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers.”
YLT: “`And now, brethren,
I have known that through ignorance ye did [it], as also your rulers;”
Literal Meaning: “brethren” Peter
called them with this appellation, showing that though they rejected the Lord,
he, like the Lord, was unwilling to reject them.
“I know that you did it in ignorance” Peter showed kindness and sympathy in the
severity and he showed sympathy for their ignorance.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Those who do not know how to show sympathy for
others’ weakness are not qualified to condemn others.
2) The Lord Jesus prayed to God the Father when He
was on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do”
(Luke. 23:34 ).
Acts. 3:18 “But those things which
God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He
has thus fulfilled.”
YLT: “and God, what
things before He had declared through the mouth of all His prophets, that the
Christ should suffer, He did thus fulfil;”
The
Background: at that time, the
majority of the Jews held that Jesus died under the curse of the Law and therefore
He was not the Messiah (Deut. 21:23; Gal. 3:13). Here Peter indicated that the
Messiah also suffered concerning their fault.
Literal Meaning: “foretold, that the
Christ would suffer” “Suffer” means suffering hardship and tribulation.
Christ’s suffering is predicted many times in the Old Testament and here give
some examples: Ps. 2:1-2; 20:1, 14-18; 69:1-4; Is. 53:7-8.
Acts. 3:19 “Repent therefore and be
converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may
come from the presence of the Lord,”
YLT: “reform ye,
therefore, and turn back, for your sins being blotted out, that times of
refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,”
Meaning of Words: “refreshing”:
recovery of breath, at ease, revival.
The
Background: “that your sins may
be blotted out” In ancient times, men wrote on sedge paper with ink in which
there isn’t the acid. And therefore it did not corrode the sedge paper like the
present ink and it only stayed on the surface of the paper. If one wants to “blot
out” the written words, the marks would not remain as long as one wipes them
out with the wet sponge.
Literal Meaning: “Repent therefore
and be converted” means to change one’s mind and turn to God (Acts. 20:21).
Please note that the prerequisite for the blotting out of sins is not
repentance but faith (v.16). Repentance paves the way for faith and repentance
is first and faith the second (Mark. 1:15). The one who is able to repent is
able to truly believe.
“That your sins may be blotted out”: one does not leave any mark of sins
before God.
“Times of refreshing” indicates the state that one enters the
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Repentance and confession of sins are the way to
enjoy the true refreshing of hearts that is of the Lord. “There is no peace
unto the wicked” (Is. 48:22).
2) Whenever believers find that their states are
not right, they should repent to the Lord immediately and then they could
experience the times of “refreshing”.
3) Christ Himself is the true fountainhead of our
joy and peace and without Him there isn’t the true joy and peace.
Acts. 3:20 “and that He may send
Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before,”
YLT: “and He may send
Jesus Christ who before hath been preached to you,”
Literal Meaning: since “He” in this
verse is the one who sends Christ, He must be God the Father.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Christ will come again and it is the
predestinated will of God and all that God has predestinated shall be
accomplished. Since we know that Christ will come again, we should watch and be
ready because in such an hour as we think not He comes (Matt. 24:42-44).
2) Christ comes again to establish the
Acts. 3:21 “whom heaven must receive
until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth
of all His holy prophets since the world began.”
YLT: “whom it behoveth
heaven, indeed, to receive till times of a restitution of all things, of which
God spake through the mouth of all His holy prophets from the age.”
Meaning of Words: “receive”: get, take
in; “restoration”: standing up from the falling place, rebuilding,
reconstitution, restitution, return.
Literal Meaning: “whom heaven
receive” means that Christ who has been taken up into heaven and received glory
must be received in heaven until the time that God has planed.
“The times of restoration of all things”
The
“Has spoken by the mouth of all His holy
prophets” It is predicted in
the Old Testament that all creature shall be restored at the last day, e.g. Is.
11:6-9; 65:18-25.
Acts. 3:22 “For Moses truly said to the
fathers, ‘The LORD your God will
raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in
all things, whatever He says to you.”
YLT: “`For Moses, indeed,
unto the fathers said -- A prophet to you shall the Lord your God raise up out
of your brethren, like to me; him shall ye hear in all things, as many as he
may speak unto you;”
Literal Meaning: “Moses truly said to
the fathers” the following words are quoted from Deut. 18:15.
“Will raise up for you’re a Prophet like
me” The Lord Jesus is the Prophet like Moses and the similarities of them are
as follows: 1) they saved the people of God from the hand of the enemy (Luke.
1:69-71); 2) they are the mediator of covenant between God and men (Heb.
8:8-9); 3) they preach the will of God and the word of God to the people of God
(John. 8:26-28); 4) they do many wonders among the people of God (Acts. 10:38);
5) they are faithful in all the house of God (Heb. 3:5-6).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Toady, our responsibility is to “hear” the word
of the Lord. Furthermore, we should not only hear and obey a part of the word
but also hear “all” things that He speaks unto us.
2) “Hearing” means not only listening to but also
doing what one has heard. The ends of the one who hears the word of the Lord
and does it and the other who hears the word of the Lord and does not do it are
totally different (Matt. 7:24-27).
Acts. 3:23 “And it shall be that
every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among
the people.'”
YLT: “and it shall be,
every soul that may not hear that prophet shall be utterly destroyed out of the
people;”
Literal Meaning: this verse is quoted
from Deut. 18:19.
Acts. 3:24 “Yes, and all the
prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also
foretold these days.”
YLT: “and also all the
prophets from Samuel and those following in order, as many as spake, did also
foretell of these days.”
Literal Meaning: “from Samuel and
those who follow” “Samuel” was the prophet following Moses (1Sam. 3:19-21). He
was praised as the greatest prophet by the Jewish rabbis. It is said that the
school of prophets was initiated by Samuel (See 1Sam. 19:20) and therefore in
the Bible Samuel was regarded as the representative of all prophets (Heb. 11:32).
“Have also foretold these days” “These
days” does not refer to the days of the Lord’s second coming but the epoch of
the Messiah, i.e. the dispensation of the New Testament.
Acts. 3:25 “You are sons of the
prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to
Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the
families of the earth shall be blessed.'”
YLT: “`Ye are sons of the
prophets, and of the covenant that God made unto our fathers, saying unto
Abraham: And in thy seed shall be blessed all the families of the earth;”
Literal Meaning: “You are sons of the
prophets” The sentence means that, “The prophets live for you and teach the
commandments. You are the inheritors of their teachings.”
“And in your seed all the families of
the earth shall be blessed.” The single word
“seed” refers to Christ (Gal. 3:16).
Acts. 3:26 “To you first, God, having
raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one
of you from your iniquities.’”
YLT: “to you first, God,
having raised up His child Jesus, did send him, blessing you, in the turning
away of each one from your evil ways.'”
Meaning of Words: “having raised up”:
arise; “turn away”: turn back.
Literal Meaning: “God, having raise
up His Servant Jesus” “raise up” is “raise from” in the original (1Cor. 15:20);
“Servant” refers to the Lord Jesus (v.13).
“To you first, sent Him to bless you” “Him” is the Spirit of Christ who
was raised and taken up into heaven (John. 14:18; 16:7). “To you first”
indicates that the Holy Spirit came upon the Jews on the day of Pentecost
(Acts. 2:33).
“In turning away every one of you” It is the work of the Spirit that makes
men turn to the Lord from iniquities (John. 16:8).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Once a Christian is saved, his rudimentary
experience is to be delivered from sins. We should overcome all sins that we
sense obviously and easily beset us by the Lord.
2) The normal state of believers is that one is
taken in a fault (Gal. 6:1). However, the experience of many people is that they
overcome the fault occasionally. What an abnormal experience!
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
One’s Being Saved in the Name of the Lord
I.
A picture that describes men’s states (v.2):
A. The hero of the story------the lame
represents you and me.
B. The lame “knows and can not
walk”------men cannot do in the journey of life.
C. He was lame from his mother’s
womb------the life that he receives from his parents has something wrong.
II.
The lame asked alms from men (v.2):
A. Some people seek help from the power
of money.
B. Some people seek help from the
administration of politics.
C. Some people seek help from the
influence of education.
III.
The lame was carried and laid at the gate of
the temple which is called Beautiful (v.2):
A. The temple is the place where men
worship God and it symbolizes the religion------religion is the highest help
for men.
B. “The gate…which is called
Beautiful”------religion only makes men live in the fond dream of the future.
C. He was “laid daily”------religion
cannot help men solve the fundamental difficulties.
IV.
He met the true disciples of Jesus (v.1, 3):
A. Peter and John represented the true
Christians.
B. They went into the temple for prayers
on time------they truly relied on God.
C. They knew “the Prince of life”
(v.15a).
D. They were “the witnesses” of Jesus
whom God raised from the dead (v.15b).
V.
How the lame was healed:
A. Through faith in the name of Jesus
Christ (v.16)------nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other
name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts. 4:12).
B. Believing is to receive------“what I
do have I give you” (v.6).
VI. The result of the one who believes the name
of the Lord:
A. Immediately his feet and ankle bones
received strength (v.7).
B. He entered the temple with
them--walking, leaping, and praising God (v.8).
The Revelation of the Matter at the
Beautiful Gate
I. The gate was
called Beautiful (v.2)------it has the beautiful appearance------the building
is beautiful and the works are considerable.
II. There was a
certain man lame from his mother's womb at the gate of the temple which is
called Beautiful (v.2)------he represents a group of believers who are weak in
the spirit and are only the laymen.
III. Ask for alms
(v.2-3)------the nominal believers who attend to the superficial and neglect
the essentials pay more attention to the outward money and materials than the
inner life.
IV. In the name of
Jesus Christ of
The Example of John and Peter Who Help
Others
II. Peter and John went up
together to the temple (v.1b)------they
cooperate with each other in the church.
III. Peter fixed his eyes on him, with John (v.4a)------they are concerned about others
sincerely.
IV. Peter said, "Look
at us." (v.4b)------they
have good testimony before men.
V. Peter said, "Silver
and gold I do not have” (v.6a)------they
do not stress on the material pursuit.
VI. What I do have I give you (v.6b)------they are willing to share the grace
that they have been bestowed.
VII. In the name of Jesus
Christ of
VIII. He took him by the right hand and lifted him up (v.7)------let us not love in word, neither
in tongue; but in deed and in truth (1John. 3:18).
IX. Peter said, “why…as though by our own power or
godliness we had made this man walk?”
(v.12)------they do not attribute the success to themselves.
X. His name has made this man strong (v.16)------they draw men’s attention to Christ.
XI. The faith which comes through Him has given him
this perfect soundness (v.16)------they teach men the effect of faith.
The features of the
Sign that the Lame was Healed
I. It is completely of the sovereignty of
God------only him was healed among many beggars (v.2).
II. It is done in the name of the Lord
(v.16).
III. It becomes effective immediately (v.7).
IV. There is not any ill effect (v.8).
The Result that the
lame was healed
I. He praised God (v.9).
II. He became the testimony before men
(v.10).
III. He made the chance for Peter and John
to preach (v.11).
Several Comparisons
in the Third Chapter of the Acts
I. He was “lame” from his mother’s womb
(v.2)------“strong” (v.16).
II. He was “laid” by men (v.2)-----“walking”,
“leaping” (v.8).
III. He asked alms from “men”
(v.2)------praising “God” (v.8-9).
IV. He was laid at “the gate” of the temple
(v.2)------“entered the temple” (v.8).
V. He hoped for “the external things”
(v.5)------received the “healing of life” (v.7, 16).
The Appellations
that Peter Called the Lord Jesus
I. Jesus Christ of
II. The Servant of God (v.13, 26)------He
came to the world in order to serve God.
III. The Holy (v.14)------He is separated to
God and is absolutely for God.
IV. The Just (v.14)------He is just before
God and men in everything.
V. The Prince of life (v.15)------He is the
fountainhead of life.
VI. Christ (v.18)------He is the Messiah.
VII. Christ Jesus (v.20)------He is humble.
VIII. That Prophet (v.22-23)------He speaks
for God on the earth.
The Effect of
Repentance
II. Times of refreshing may come (v.19b).
III. The Lord comes for the second time
(v.20).
IV. All creature restores (v.21).
V. Be removed from judgment (v.22-23).
VI. Inherit God’s promised blessings
(v.25-26a).
VII. From one’s iniquities (v.26b).
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Sharon Ren