October’s memory verse:
“This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4-11-12
Summary of chapters 3:
And together they went up to the temple to pray. Peter and John went to pray…as we began to read Acts 3, were any of you singing the old “Kids Sunday School” song? I certainly was. If you don’t know what I am talking about, look it up it is a fun one called Silver and Gold I Have None.
As they approach the Beautiful Gate, they encounter a lame man sitting at the gate. The lame man holds out his hand and asks for alms. With his eyes fixed in expectation on Peter and John, Peter reaches down and heals the man, in the name of Jesus Christ. This lame man begins leaping and praising God for he has received far more than the alms he asked for. He has been given eternal life and the ability to be a witness for Christ because all the people who recognized him were filled with amazement and wonder!
Peter is quick to explain that the power that healed the man was from Jesus of Nazareth, the man the leaders and people of Jerusalem had crucified. He explains to the Jewish audience, that Jesus is, in fact, the prophet that Moses promised would follow him, as well as the blessing to the nations God promised Abraham. In verse 19 Peter urges them to “repent and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out” He tells them that they are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant that God made with their forefathers. It is a clear warning: they, who denied the Holy and Righteous One and killed the Author of Life, must repent and turn from their wickedness to receive the blessing.
Looking ahead at Chapter 4:
The spread of the gospel in Jerusalem is increasing as more people who have heard the word believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. However, not everyone is receiving the message with joy. In chapter 4 verse 2, we note that the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees are greatly annoyed and desire that they speak no more ‘in the name of Jesus’. This is the first incident of persecution that the early church encounters. Pay close attention to the specific reason for the persecution and the reasons behind the ‘annoyance’ at the message that is being spoken. How do Peter and John respond to the question, “By what power and what name did you heal this man?”
Last week, chapter 3 gave us our first glimpse into the signs and wonders of the Holy Spirit. This week, chapter 4 gives us our first glimpses into persecution. By the end of chapter four, we see the believer’s response to this persecution, their unity, boldness, and faith. God doesn't promise to keep the Church from harm, in fact, we can expect persecution, but just like the early believers and the Apostles, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can press on with boldness and continue to bear witness to Jesus.
This Year’s Memory Verse
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. “
Acts 1:8