A Miracle in the Temple

By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 3:1-26

 

Acts 3:11-12

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. 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?

(NKJV)

 

In this passage, we see Peter and John going to the temple at the hour of prayer, something they normally do, but this day would not be an ordinary day and would present an opportunity for them to point people to Jesus. This passage teaches us that the purpose of any miracle occurring in ministry is not to bring praise to the ministry, but rather to point people to Jesus. For genuine revival to happen in the Church, the purpose of any miracles occurring in ministry must be to point people to Jesus, not to garner lavish praise for the ministry.

 

Peter and John go together to the temple at the hour of prayer, along with a man lame from birth to beg for alms from those entering the temple (Acts 3:1-2). When the lame man sees Peter and John about to enter the temple, he asks them for alms (Acts 3:3). Peter and John tell the lame man to fix his eyes on them and he does, expecting to receive alms from them (Acts 3:4-5). However, it is not alms he will receive from Peter and John because they do not have silver or gold, and instead they tell the man to get up and walk in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth (Acts 3:6). Peter then takes the man by the hand and strength was restored to his feet and ankle bones with him standing up, walking into the temple where he was leaping and praising God (Acts 3:7-8). The people at the temple were filled with wonder and amazement, knowing this man was the one they had seen begging for alms at the temple gate (Acts 3:9-10).

 

The once lame man held on to Peter and John at Solomon’s porch with the people running to them, greatly amazed (Acts 3:11). Peter and John were alarmed at the reaction of the people and asked them why they were amazed, thinking they had done the miracle by their own power (Acts 3:12). Peter then takes the opportunity to explain that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had glorified His servant Jesus Christ, the one they delivered and denied in the presence of Pilate when Pilate was going to let Jesus go (Acts 3:13). These people at the temple had denied the Holy One of God, the one God rose from the dead, something Peter and John had witnessed when they saw the risen Lord (Acts 3:14-15). Peter lets the crowd know it was not he or John that performed the miracle, but it occurred through faith in the name of Jesus Christ, giving the once lame man perfect soundness in the presence of them all (Acts 3:16).

 

Peter tells the crowd that he now knows they acted out of ignorance when they delivered Jesus up for crucifixion because the prophets foretold what happened to Jesus (Acts 3:17-18). Peter then tells the crowd to repent and be converted so their sins may be blotted out, so they can receive refreshing from the presence of the Lord through God sending Jesus to them (Acts 3:19-20). Jesus will remain in heaven until the time of restoration of all things spoken of by the prophets (Acts 3:21). Jesus is the one spoken of by Moses who would come from the brethren of Israel, whom they are to hear and obey, with those not hearing or obeying destroyed from among the people (Acts 3:22-23). Jesus is the seed of Abraham through whom all the nations of the world will be blessed (Acts 3:24-26).

 

Jesus had told his disciples that after he left them, they would perform miracles in His name (Mark 16:17-18). This is the first recorded occurrence of a miracle of healing after the ascension of Jesus. Like the miracles performed by Jesus during His ministry, this miracle caused quite a stir, with some witnessing the miracle wanting to worship Peter and John as if they performed the miracle. Peter and John would not allow the worship and credit for the miracle to fall on them; instead, they quickly pointed the crowd to the source of the miracle, Jesus Christ. Once again, Peter and John are taking a risk by accusing the crowd at the temple of sending Jesus to His crucifixion, but they tell them they did it out of ignorance (Acts 3:17-18). This incident did not lead to the crucifixion of Peter and John but will lead to their arrest, allowing them to address the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:1-12).

 

The promise of performing miracles in the name of Jesus was not just for the eleven disciples but for all who believe (Mark 16:17). However, the one through whom the miracle occurs must remember that the miracle comes from Christ and is performed in His name and not allow themselves to be worshiped in any manner. Sadly, there are many charlatans in the church who have profited from miracles in their supposed ministries. Whether these miracles are genuine or not comes into question because in many of these ministries, a miracle occurs, and people witnessing it are encouraged to contribute money to the ministry to receive their miracle. Miracles done in the name of Jesus are not for the benefit of the minister but a sign for the minister to use to point people to the source of the Miracle, Jesus Christ.

 

The greatest miracle of the ministry of Jesus Christ was when he resurrected from the dead because this miracle makes it possible for us to be saved from our sins and have eternal life (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10). To receive this miracle, one only needs to confess their genuine belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I encourage anyone who has not prayed to receive this miracle to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

If you just prayed, let someone know of your profession of faith or comment on this post. I also urge you to find a church of truth, teaching from the Bible empowered by the Holy Spirit, so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.