Pam Padgett ... teacher
When a 40 year old man, lame since birth, was healed at the gate of the
temple the people who saw it were filled with wonder and amazement ...
Acts 3:3 1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the
hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 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 of them that entered into
the temple; 3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple
asked an alms. 4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said,
Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive
something of them. 6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but
such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise
up and walk. 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up:
and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 And he
leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple,
walking, and leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him
walking and praising God: 10 And they knew that it was he which sat for
alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with
wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. 11 And as the
lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran
together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly
wondering. 12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the
people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so
earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this
man to walk?
Peter taught the people that it was by faith in Jesus that the lame man now walked and taught them about Jesus, including ...
13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our
fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied
him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. 14
But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be
granted unto you; 15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised
from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. 16 And his name through faith
in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the
faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the
presence of you all.
Although about 5000 people heard these things and believed in Jesus, the
priests, captain of the temple, and Sadducees were grieved that Peter and John
were teaching the people about Jesus and the resurrection from the dead
...
Acts 4:1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the
captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2 Being
grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the
resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them
in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. 4 Howbeit many of
them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about
five thousand.
When they were questioned the following day, Peter spoke by the Holy Spirit of Jesus and that salvation is only through Him ...
Acts 4:5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and
elders, and scribes, 6 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. 7 And when they had set
them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye
done this? 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye
rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9 If we this day be examined
of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made
whole; 10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel,
that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom
God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before
you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders,
which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation
in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men,
whereby we must be saved.
Marveling in what Peter and John spoke since they were not educated men,
and seeing the man who had been healed of lameness standing before
them, the religious leaders could not deny what had been done and taught by Peter and John. Yet they didn't want Jesus to be spoken of any more among
the people.
Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and
perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and
they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14 And
beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say
nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out
of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 Saying, What shall
we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly
threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18 And
they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in
the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right
in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21 So
when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing
how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men
glorified God for that which was done. 22 For the man was above forty
years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
Peter and John spoke wisdom from God by the Holy Spirit, and those
trying to stop them from speaking about Jesus could not deny what they
said. Instead of succeeding in stopping belief in Jesus, the people
were glorifying God because of these things.
I'm reminded of when
Jesus was asked about the end times, He said ...
Luke 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on
you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into
prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. 13
And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14 Settle it therefore in your
hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
Our adversaries are not able to deny wisdom from God spoken as led by the Holy Spirit