Acts 3:11-15

Acts 3:11-15

And while taking hold of him Peter and John ran together – all the people with them – upon the portico that is being called Solomon’s Amazement.  And after saw he answered to the people, “Men of Israel, why are you all amazed upon this one or why do you all gaze intently to us as if by our own power or piety having made him to walk around?  The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers – he glorified his child Jesus, whom in one case you all handed over and you all denied according to the face after Pilate judged to release that one.  And you all denied the Holy and Righteous One and you all asked for a murderous man to be given to you all.  And the chief author of life you all killed, who God raised out of the dead – of which we are testimonies.

Thoughts for Today:

First Thought:

The beggar clings to Peter and John.  Literally the word there means “to hold onto” or “to grasp.”  The crowds press in on the beggar, trying to examine him and figure out what is going on.  The beggar does the only thing that he can think of – cling to the people that made him well.  It is so important to recognize that this is the natural reaction of the beggar.

When your life begins to change in Jesus Christ, expect people to investigate, challenge, or question you.  Why is it important to cling to your spiritual mentors at these points?

Second Thought:

Peter is quick to remind the people that the things they do are not from their own power.  He is upfront in telling them that there is a greater source of power working through them: God the Father and Jesus Christ.  They want none of the credit; rather they want to turn it into an opportunity to talk about Jesus Christ.

When we take the credit for things that happen in life, how does that lead to us missing an opportunity to talk to other people about God?  Do you think we should always give the credit to God or are there times when we can claim the credit ourselves?

Third Thought:

Peter calls Jesus the Author of Life.  Literally, the word “author” means “creator of cause of something.”  The word “life” means “existence in a (physical) world.”  Peter is calling Jesus the reason that all of us exist.

If Jesus is the reason that we exist, how good are we at living as though He is the reason?  What gets in the way of us remembering that He is the reason for our existence?  Do you think Peter is referring here to our literal physical life, the spiritual life we have with God, or both?  Why?

Passage for Tomorrow: Acts 3:16