The physician Luke wrote how Peter spoke to the people who gathered together after the lame man at the temple was healed, and many “which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have you done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, …”, and in chapter four and verse nine of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter said, “if we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man” where we read:
If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man,
by what means he is made whole;
The verse begins, “If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, ...” Luke began with the words, “if we this day be examined” which means “whether and in case we, Peter and John, on that particular day, are asked, investigated, inquired into and scrutinized” “of the good deed done” which means “pertaining to the beneficence performed, made and produced” “to the impotent man” or “toward the weak, infirm and feeble male human being”. Luke shared how Peter began by addressing the idea of him and John being “investigated” for the miracle performed upon the “lame man”.
The verse goes on to say, “... by what means he is made whole;” Luke continued with the words, “by what means” or “through which ability and power” “he is made whole” which means “he, the lame man, is kept safe, sound, rescued and delivered from suffering”. Luke shared how Peter continued his answer to the assembly of religious leaders by including the “way or ability” by which the man was rescued from his suffering.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how Peter answered the religious leaders. He first addressed the idea of being “investigated” for the healing of the lame man, and this provided an opportunity for him to declare the “gospel” to these leaders. God wants a personal loving relationship with every person, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die for the sins of all mankind so they could live with Him forever. Because of Jesus' power, Peter and John made the lame man whole, and “five thousand” people were saved. Peter and John were used to begin the outreach of the church, and their opportunity to speak to the leaders concerning Jesus was at hand. They were able to “heal” the “lame man” by the power of the Holy Spirit and through Jesus' name, and those who will receive Him as their “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Let all who consider Peter's words yield to Jesus and be saved.
Next time Luke shares how Peter says, “by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him does this man stand here before you whole”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
No comments:
Post a Comment