Conversions In The Book of Acts - IIa

Conversions In The Book Of Acts
The 2000 At Solomon’s Porch (3:1-4:4) - Part One

In our previous lesson, we considered the conversion of "The 3000 On Pentecost" precipitated by the outpouring of the Spirit - Ac 2:1-21. Peter had proclaimed the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus - Ac 2:22-36 - In which 3000 souls responded to the gospel commands to repent and be baptized - Ac 2:37-38. The next example of conversion in Acts is one often overlooked. Many charts listing examples of conversions in the Book of Acts do not include it. Perhaps because little is said about those converted, other than "many of those who heard the word believed" -Ac 4:4. But since our purpose includes looking at the sermons which led people to Christ, we should certainly consider Peter’s second gospel sermon, proclaimed on Solomon’s Porch in the temple court. A sermon that led 2000 more people to believe in Jesus Christ! - cf. Ac 4:4

As we did in the previous study, let’s begin with the background of the conversion. Peter and John were going into the temple - Ac 3:1 "The time of prayer was about three o'clock in the afternoon, and Peter and John were going into the temple." Christians had been gathering daily in the temple - Ac 2:46 "Day after day they met together in the temple. They broke bread together in different homes and shared their food happily and freely," Peter and John arrived at the "hour of prayer, the ninth hour" (3 p.m.).

A man lame from birth had been healed - Ac 3:2-8. He was left daily at the gate of the temple called "Beautiful" - Ac 3:2-3 "A man who had been born lame was being carried to the temple door. Each day he was placed beside this door, known as the Beautiful Gate. He sat there and begged from the people who were going in. The man saw Peter and John entering the temple, and he asked them for money." He ask alms from the people entering the temple and had asked Peter and John for alms. Peter healed him in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth - Ac 3:4-8 "But they looked straight at him and said, "Look up at us!" The man stared at them and thought he was going to get something. But Peter said, "I don't have any silver or gold! But I will give you what I do have. In the name of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, get up and start walking." Peter then took him by the right hand and helped him up. At once the man's feet and ankles became strong, and he jumped up and started walking. He went with Peter and John into the temple, walking and jumping and praising God." The lame man expected alms, but Peter offered him something much better than silver or gold! The miracle was immediate and total!

A crowd had gathered - Ac 3:9-11 "Everyone saw him walking around and praising God. They knew that he was the beggar who had been lying beside the Beautiful Gate, and they were completely surprised. They could not imagine what had happened to the man. While the man kept holding on to Peter and John, the whole crowd ran to them in amazement at the place known as Solomon's Porch." Drawn by the scene of the man walking, praising God; one they knew had been lame from birth - Ac 3:9-10. Amazed and wondering, they gathered in the porch called Solomon’s - Ac 3:11

The similarity to the events in Acts 2 should be apparent. A miraculous event occurs, it attracts the attention of the people. As before, Peter uses the opportunity to proclaim Jesus. Peter explains the true source of the miracle - Ac 3:12-16 "Peter saw that a crowd had gathered, and he said: Friends, why are you surprised at what has happened? Why are you staring at us? Do you think we have some power of our own? Do you think we were able to make this man walk because we are so religious? The God that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and our other ancestors worshiped has brought honor to his Servant Jesus. He is the one you betrayed. You turned against him when he was being tried by Pilate, even though Pilate wanted to set him free. You rejected Jesus, who was holy and good. You asked for a murderer to be set free, and you killed the one who leads people to life. But God raised him from death, and all of us can tell you what he has done. You see this man, and you know him. He put his faith in the name of Jesus and was made strong. Faith in Jesus made this man completely well while everyone was watching."

It was not by the power or godliness of Peter and John themselves, but it was through faith in the One whom they killed! God’s Servant, Jesus, whom the God of their fathers had glorified! Whom they had delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate! Calling Jesus God’s "Servant" may be an allusion to Isa 52:13 "The LORD says: My servant will succeed! He will be given great praise and the highest honors." and 53:12 "The LORD will reward him with honor and power for sacrificing his life. Others thought he was a sinner, but he suffered for our sins and asked God to forgive us."

The Holy One, The Just, The Prince of Life, whom they denied, asking for a murderer to be released in his stead! Whom God raised from the dead, as seen by witnesses! Calling Jesus by these terms emphasized His true person and power. It was through faith in His name that the lame man was healed; note it was Peter and John’s faith in Jesus, not the lame man’s faith. The lame man had not expected a miracle, but silver or gold. Peter acknowledges their ignorance, but still calls upon them to repent - Ac 3:17-26. He recognizes that they and their rulers acted in ignorance. That what happened was foretold through God’s prophets, fulfilling God’s predetermined plan - Ac 2:23 "God had already planned and decided that Jesus would be handed over to you. So you took him and had evil men put him to death on a cross."

Yet ignorance is no excuse, so they must "repent and be converted" - Ac 3:19 "So turn to God! Give up your sins, and you will be forgiven." Several reasons to respond in this manner are given - Ac 3:19-26. That "your sins may be blotted out", alluding to the ancient practice of erasing mistakes made on papyrus, another way to describe the remission of sins through Jesus’ blood. That "times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord". Here is a positive counterpart to the remission of sins. God provides more than just remission of sins, but refreshment for our spirits. That God "may send Jesus Christ" (a reference to His second coming), who was preached to them before (via the prophets), whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things (of which the prophets of God had also spoken). As an example of the prophets who had spoken, Moses is quoted. Others since Samuel have likewise told of these days. They were "sons of the prophets, and of the covenant" God made with their fathers. A covenant made with Abraham, to bless the world in his seed. A promise fulfilled by God through His Servant Jesus, Whom He raised. Who was sent by God to bless them. To bless them by turning them away from their sins.

In looking at the response to Peter’s sermon we find a negative response by the religious leaders - Ac 4:1-3 "The apostles were still talking to the people, when some priests, the captain of the temple guard, and some Sadducees arrived. These men were angry because the apostles were teaching the people that the dead would be raised from death, just as Jesus had been raised from death. It was already late in the afternoon, and they arrested Peter and John and put them in jail for the night." They were greatly disturbed, because in preaching Jesus, Peter preached the resurrection of the dead. The Sadducees in particular denied the idea of a bodily resurrection - Ac 23:6-9. So they had Peter and John placed in custody for trial the next day.

There was also a positive response by many who heard - Ac 4:4 "But a lot of people who had heard the message believed it. So by now there were about five thousand followers of the Lord." Many who heard the word "believed". As many as two thousand men accepted the preaching of Peter! The power of the gospel to convict the hearts of men continues to be seen, though with some the effect appears to be a hardening of their hearts. But as we focus on those who responded, what can we glean from this example of these conversions?

In Part 2 of this lesson we will do an analysis of the conversions this event and Peter’s preaching of the gospel message produced.

God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year

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