Witnessing with Power

MEMORY SELECTION: “God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.” —Acts 3:26

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Acts 3:1-10; 4:1-4

OUR selected scriptural readings for this week’s lesson concern the healing of the lame man by the apostles Peter and John.

This unfortunate man had suffered physical deformities from birth, as we read (Acts 3:2), “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.”

Today, civilized nations have assumed a larger responsibility in providing for those who, for reasons of misfortune, are unable to care for themselves. There are few places in the world where begging and alms-giving are accepted by society as they once were in Bible times.

The two apostles had entered the temple gate often and were accustomed to seeing the blind and lame seeking assistance from those who passed by them. Yet on this occasion they paid special attention to this man, “who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.” (vs. 3) One might wonder why the apostles singled out this particular individual, inasmuch as there must have been many others about. However, observing him sitting there, “Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.”—vs. 4

Perhaps the lame man expected the two apostles to give him a sum of money with which to buy food and other necessities, as was the custom at that time. But Peter and John knew that they had something much better to give than just temporal provisions. As representatives of Christ’s kingdom they had received the Holy Spirit, which was a special power from God. And they also had the glorious message of truth in connection with that future time of blessing and restitution for the whole groaning creation. They were therefore prepared to render help in a manner that the disabled mar evidently knew not.

The lame man must have given his undivided attention to the apostles who walked up to him, and especially when he heard Peter say to him (vs. 6): “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.” That was a marvelous display of power which came from God working through his special messenger, and it was an outstanding experience for the wretched man who had been crippled from birth. Peter then “took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.”—vs. 7

The cripple was evidently a man of faith, for he was quick to give praise to God. “And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.” (vs. 8) What a witness indeed of the great power of God that was manifested on that occasion! And what a spectacle the event was in the eyes of those who observed the miracle. “And all the people saw him walking and praising God: 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. 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.”—vss. 9-11

This episode is representative of the events which will be demonstrated when Christ’s millennial kingdom is established. At that time all the blind eyes will be opened, all the deaf ears will be unstopped, all the lame shall leap with joy, and even all those who are resting in the condition of death will be brought forth to enjoy the healing benefits of that kingdom. Those who are obedient and have God’s law written in their hearts will attain everlasting life here on earth, and there will be no need to die, so long as obedience is rendered to God.

Although we look forward to that grand time of the future, there are those who, during the years of the Gospel Age which remain, continue to have the eyes and ears of their spiritual understanding “unstopped.” This is necessary because they are followers of Jesus and will, if faithful, share in dispensing kingdom blessings to the world under the provisions of Messiah’s kingdom—to be made manifest to all in due time.

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