Day 312, 8th November Bible Commentary

Day 312,  8^th November Bible Commentary With Dr. Toyin  Ojo Taken From The Book Of Acts.

THE GATE CALLED BEAUTIFUL

As they continued teaching, they increased in number so did the miracles and supernatural encounters they had. •  A man 40 years old and crippled walks

(Acts 4²²).   

• When Peter preached (Acts 3^12-26), about 2000 more believed and the number of the believers increased to 5000 (Acts 4⁴).
• Peter's shadows heals many (Acts 5¹⁵).

ACT 3^1-10   

IT WAS AT THE HOUR OF PRAYER — 3PM   

"silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give to you. In the name of Jesus  

Christ of Nazareth, walk." v.6   

A crippled beggar who was about forty years old (Acts 4²²), asked Peter and John for money (v.4) but they offered him something greater – Prayer in the name of Jesus of Nazareth and as Peter helped him up he received strength and began to walk  

(v.8).   

He was a well-known crippled beggar at a popular temple gate called beautiful.   

PETER CONFRONTS THE ISRAELITES AFTER THE MIRACLE BECAME NEWS;    

Peter seized the opportunity to confront the Israelites of their sins — "You murdered the Holy and Righteous One and asked that 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 completely healed him, as you all see.” v.14-16.   

• From verse 16 we understand that christianity is not mere positive thinking!

PROGRESSING AND PROFESSING THEIR WITNESS OF THE   

RESSURECTION  —   

Paul called the Israelites to repentance, so that their “sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” v.19.   

• We must be relaxed as Christians goodness and mercy will come of their own accord to us, the heavens are monitoring all things.

He remains them that the birth and ministry of Jesus had been spoken by Moses and many Prophets (v.21,24) starting from Samuel. And the consequences of rejecting Christ stated (Acts 3²³, Referencing Deut 18^15,18,19). He persuaded the people with the spoken covenants and ancient promises to his people; even the 21^st Century residents of the earth who believe —  (Acts 3^.26) quoting from Gen 22¹⁸, 26⁴.   

ACTS 4^1-37   

PETER AND JOHN WERE PUT IN PRISON    

For the miracle and his message, they were put in prison. The Sanhedrin found no fault when they were tried except that they had a miracle in the name of Jesus!  They had to let them go for the city was rejoicing.   

Peter filled with the Holy Spirit, remained resolute and challenged their reasoning (Act 4^11-12). Quoting from Psalm 118²² Stated "Jesus is the stone you rejected, which has become the cornerstone." v.11.   

So did John (v.20).   

They were released after caution and threats (v.21).   

THE GROUP OF BELIEVERS PRAYED    

The power of unity in prayer was evident as the group of believers prayed Psalm 2^1,2 together to the Sovereign Lord (in Acts 4^24-26 ).   

Furthermore, they asked for increased boldness and more power evident through signs and wonders (v. 27-30). Heavens acknowledged their prayers – _{“After they}  prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” v.31.   

THE CHRIST CULTURE — EQUALITY, HONESTY, AND SHARING   

“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all. That there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from sales and put it at the apostle’s feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.”  v.32-35.   

• Joseph Barnabas (mean son of encouragement) was mentioned – v.36.

ACTS 5^1-42   

BUT ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA — A COUPLE CONSPIRED;   

They sold their asset (a land), kept a fraction of the money “but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet” (v2).   

• Peter confronted Ananias that he had lied to God – “…What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” (v.4). As Ananias heard that, he fell down immediately and died (v.5).   

His wife came in just after her husband (Ananias) had been taken out, she told the same lie unaware of what had happened to her husband. As Peter confronted her she had the same fate as her husband!   

“At that moment she fell down at his feet and died… Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.” (v.10-11 extracts).   

PETER’S SHADOW HEALS THE SICK —  Read this and many miracles, and wonders that the early apostles performed (v.12-16).   

“People brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at _{least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.”} v.15 Their ministry attracted crowds from beyond Jerusalem.   

AN ANGEL OPENED THE PRISON DOORS  as jealous religious leaders and Sadducees had the apostles arrested and jailed.   

THIS ORDER WAS GIVEN - DON'T TEACH IN JESUS' NAME!     

The Sanhedrin summoned the disciples who were found in the temple teaching. But Peter and others reminded resolute (Read their full speech in v.29-31).   

The decision to execute them was been reached when GAMALIEL (a highly  respected member of the ruling council) INFLUENCED THEIR REASONING; that they might find themselves offending God.    

“Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is of God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” v.38-39.   

• We must trust God for this kind of intervention as Christians; because the world is increasingly opposed to Truth.

PERSUADED — They had the apostles flogged, with the order not to speak in the name of Jesus (v.40).   

The apostles counted it joy! They never stopped  (Read v.41-42).   

NIGHT:   

Does the Jesus culture in Acts 4^32-37, apply to your Church? Is it true of your Church?   

For the many Churches, this is untrue. The povertyphobic pandemic crippling the world of love, equality, justice, and sustainability has crept into the Church depriving it of the savour needed to heal the world.     

⁕Examine yourself, who in the body can you help?   

⁕Pray for your Church. If the gaps are big consider writing to your Church council even if it's an anonymous letter.    

⁕Pray for the body of Christ at large.   

© Oluwatoyin Emiola Ojo 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

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