Acts 3: Peter Heals a Lame Beggar

Alongside our Sunday teachings, we’re keeping things simple. We’ll be reading through the book of Acts, featuring the many unique voices of the ClearView Church congregation. Each week, we’ll release two chapters, followed by a few reflection questions.

In this  episode, you’ll hear a brief introduction from Pastor Phil, followed by a reading of Acts 3 and some reflection questions from a child in our congregation.

Follow along with these reflection questions:

Wonder, amazement, astonishment, surprise… repentance, blessing. Those are some of the words that caught my attention. What about you? What word, phrase or idea did the Holy Spirit draw your attention to?

Imagine yourself in the crowd, watching the man who had been unable to walk now restored. What might you be thinking or feeling in that moment?

Jesus’ name is powerful. By faith in the name of Jesus restoration, healing, hope was and still is  possible. What feels easy or challenging to you about this today?

Where might you be longing for healing, restoration, or hope? What would you like to bring to Jesus?

Faith Matters is a ministry of Clearview Church, Oakville, On.
https://clearviewchurch.com/

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:11

You are listening to the Faith Matters Podcast from Clearview Church, where we explore everyday faith in a complex world. Our goal is to strengthen and equip followers of Jesus just like you through practical and theological discussions and resources. In this season of the podcast, we're diving deeper into the practices of prayer and study. Each week, we'll release two episodes featuring voices from our congregation reading a chapter from the book of Acts, along with a few reflection questions. Each episode will begin with a short introduction to help set the context of the passage. As you listen, we encourage you to go slow. There will be built-in pauses with gentle background music, giving you space to reflect and wonder about what you're hearing. You might choose to follow along in your Bible or use a Bible app as the passage is read aloud. Above all, invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you and reveal what you need from the text. Our hope is that this practice would nurture and deepen your faith as you continue to grow your life with Christ. Now, onto the book of Acts and the passage of the day.

SPEAKER_01 1:29

After Pentecost, the Holy Spirit's power keeps on moving. A healing happens right in the middle of everyday life. A man who was lame from birth walks at the name of Jesus, and Peter grabs the moment to tell the good news of Jesus. Grace shows up, and the crowds cannot look away.

SPEAKER_02 1:57

One day, Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer at three in the afternoon. Now a man crumpled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg for those going into the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as John. Then Peter said, Look at us. So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Walk. Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to be sitting begging at the temple gates called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement. What had happened to him? While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colony. When Peter saw this, he said to them, Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our father, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you dishonored him before Pilate. Though he had decided to let him go. You dishonored the holy and righteous. One had asked that a uh a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this by faith in the name of Jesus. This man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him. As you can all see. Now, brothers, I know that you act in ignorance as did your leaders, but this is how God fulfilled what he said, foretold through all the prophets, saying his Christ would suffer. Repent then and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out. That times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and he may send the Christ who has been appointed for you. Even Jesus, he must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore as he promised long ago. Through his holy prophets. For Moses said, The Lord your God will raise you up. For you, a prophet like me, from among your own people, you must listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people. Indeed, all the prophets on as many as have spoken have told these days, and you are here of the prophet and of the covenant God made with your fathers, he said to Abram. Through your offsprings all people on earth will be blessed. When God raises up his servant, he sent his first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways. Amazement, astonishment, surprise, repentance, blessing. Those are some of the words that caught my attention. What about you? What word, phrase, or idea did the Holy Spirit draw to your attention? Imagine yourself in the crowd watching the man who had been unable to walk now restored. What might you be thinking or feeling in that moment? Jesus' name is powerful by faith in the name of Jesus. Restoration, healing hope was and still is possible. What feels easy or challenging to you about this today? Where might you be longing for healing? Restoration or hope? What would you like to bring to Jesus?

SPEAKER_00 8:18

Thank you for listening to the Faith Matters podcast. We hope this time has helped you slow down and create space to hear from God. Join us again for our next episode as we continue through the book of Acts together. Go in peace and may you continue to grow your life with Christmas.