“Bringing Beauty to Our World”
August 30, 2020, Carrollwood Baptist Church, Dr. Joe Alain
Acts 3:1-10
1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
In Acts 3 we are introduced to a man who had a great need for health and salvation but what he wanted was not going to meet his need. Fortunately, Peter and John did not give him what he wanted but something far better, what he needed – the love of Jesus (3:6). As a result, a beautiful transformation occurred at the gate called “Beautiful.” In this passage we see how God meets our greatest need, the need of transformation in Jesus Christ. And when God’s people love others in the name of Jesus, beautiful things do happen.
Going to Pray (3:1)
The believers were still attached to the temple and to the traditional hours of prayer (see Ps. 55:17; Dan. 6:10; Acts 10:30). We often see Peter and John together. They were partners in the fishing business (Lk. 5:10); they prepared the last Passover for Jesus (Lk. 22:8) and they ran to the tomb on that first Easter morning (Jn. 20:3-4).
Needs at the Door of the Church (3:2)
Peter and John met a man in great need. He is unnamed but we are told that (1) he “was lame from birth,” (2) he was “carried to the temple gate called Beautiful” on a daily basis, and (3) he was there to “beg from those going into the temple courts.” There were nine (9) gates that led from the court of the Gentiles into the temple itself and this entrance was probably the “Eastern Gate” that led into the court of women.
Seeking a Temporary Solution (3:3)
The giving of alms was an important part of the Jewish faith so what better place to receive money and compassion than from worshipers going into the temple. The man saw Peter and John and asked them for money because that is what he thought he needed (temporary solution), but what he really needed was healing and salvation.
Sharing the Hope and Love of Jesus (3:4-7)
There was the spoken word (“In the name of Jesus”) and the compassionate deed, he took him by the hand, “he helped him.”
What they gave was far more than what money could buy for they gave their attention, their time, their encouraging words of hope in Jesus, and their help in a practical way.
A Beautiful Change of Heart and Health (3:8-10)
“Now that he could stand, there was no question where this man stood!” Wiersbe
Life Application
1. Only God can supply what we really need.
2. When God’s people love others in the name of Jesus (word and deed), beautiful things do happen.
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