We are Witnesses
Passage for Today
Acts 3:1-16
3 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
3 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
Questions
- What's the significance of the Apostles saying to the man, "Look at me"? How does that challenge the way we interact with the needs around us?
- See how many times "raised" is mentioned in just this section of scripture? What does this reveal about God's character?
- When Peter turns and addresses the people, he calls for the men of Israel to repent. What sin is he exposing in verses 13 and 14?
Devotion
By Danny Sathyadass
You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. Acts 3:15
As people rushed to observe the miracle, and were probably staring at Peter and John in bewilderment, Peter deflects the attention away from themselves. He clearly states that it has nothing to do with their power or godliness, but points to Christ.
A few weeks prior to this event, Peter and John were together in another courtyard, and Peter was guilty of calling down curses to disassociate himself from Jesus Christ (Mat 22:74). However, at this juncture, Peter had no qualms to boldly state that he witnessed everything that took place when Jesus Christ was led to death, and later, be raised to life. While Peter was speaking, (Acts 3) he would have recognized some of the people who may have jeered and condemned Jesus to die. Unlike the previous encounter, Peter does not try to hide his identity but goes even further by pointing out to the people and saying, “You disowned the Holy and Righteous One …You Killed the author of life”.
If we were to visualize a court scene, Peter, an eyewitness, testifies that the people were, indeed, guilty of crucifying an innocent person. He then goes on to state that he was a witness of Christ’s resurrection, too, and it was in His name that the lame man was healed, which was evident to the crowd.
An eyewitness account does not need techniques and credentials. All that is required is honesty to relay the information of what was seen or heard. Here, Peter and John were the best ones to give a personal eyewitness account of Christ’s death, resurrection and his miraculous power which was visible to all.
John echoes the same thought in His epistle. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.” 1 John 1:1.
Our encounter and experience of Christ will naturally prompt us to speak and do things in His power. May we not draw attention to ourselves, or withdraw in shame, but having experienced Christ can we, like Peter, simply state, “We are witnesses”?
* This devotion was found at Bible.com titled “Acts Chapter Three” by Danny Sathyadass of City Light Global.
You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. Acts 3:15
As people rushed to observe the miracle, and were probably staring at Peter and John in bewilderment, Peter deflects the attention away from themselves. He clearly states that it has nothing to do with their power or godliness, but points to Christ.
A few weeks prior to this event, Peter and John were together in another courtyard, and Peter was guilty of calling down curses to disassociate himself from Jesus Christ (Mat 22:74). However, at this juncture, Peter had no qualms to boldly state that he witnessed everything that took place when Jesus Christ was led to death, and later, be raised to life. While Peter was speaking, (Acts 3) he would have recognized some of the people who may have jeered and condemned Jesus to die. Unlike the previous encounter, Peter does not try to hide his identity but goes even further by pointing out to the people and saying, “You disowned the Holy and Righteous One …You Killed the author of life”.
If we were to visualize a court scene, Peter, an eyewitness, testifies that the people were, indeed, guilty of crucifying an innocent person. He then goes on to state that he was a witness of Christ’s resurrection, too, and it was in His name that the lame man was healed, which was evident to the crowd.
An eyewitness account does not need techniques and credentials. All that is required is honesty to relay the information of what was seen or heard. Here, Peter and John were the best ones to give a personal eyewitness account of Christ’s death, resurrection and his miraculous power which was visible to all.
John echoes the same thought in His epistle. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.” 1 John 1:1.
Our encounter and experience of Christ will naturally prompt us to speak and do things in His power. May we not draw attention to ourselves, or withdraw in shame, but having experienced Christ can we, like Peter, simply state, “We are witnesses”?
* This devotion was found at Bible.com titled “Acts Chapter Three” by Danny Sathyadass of City Light Global.
Recent
Archive
2024
January
2023
August
September
God Doesn't Play FavoritesJudgment and MercyFaith and WorksBlessings and CursesThat Awkward Moment When...Bold Biblical CorrectionFalse Wisdom and True WisdomWorldliness and GodlinessArrogance and HumilityContext is KeyCase Closed. Grace Wins.Are You Stuck?Template CopyOppressors and LaborerGood Grace. New Heart.CheckmateWho Do You Belong To?Template CopySuffering and ComfortThe Perfect GameTaking the Fall
October
November
Extraordinary Power in Ordinary People Two PathsShatterpointNo Longer SlavesCall on His NameSharing ChristA Pointless PracticeGoing off CourseFreedom From Sin or Freedom to ServeFunctions to Help Build the Church Value of TeamsSeeds and FruitWhen This Happens, We KnowCrucifying the FleshSharing ChristTwo by Two PrayerSee Him as SomethingEvery OpportunityWe are WitnessesSharing ChristLiving a Grace-Full Life
No Comments