ADULT STS LESSON 179 HEALING OF THE CRIPPLE
MEMORY VERSE: “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:17,18).
TEXT: Acts 3:1-26
The previous study dwelt on the outpouring of the The Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. It signalled a new reality in the life and ministry of the disciples of Christ. As a result of that experience, they were empowered to preach the gospel and do many miracles. Their preaching led to the conversion of multitudes of people who came together to form what is commonly called the early Church. The text in this study details the first account of a miracle of healing performed on a cripple by the apostles. Therefore, it gives believers a pattern for ministry and a yardstick to measure the genuineness of signs and wonders. This account also reveals, among other things, the misery and helplessness of humans due to disease, the power of God to turn hopeless situations around, the message of salvation and its power to save from sin, sickness and Satan.
THE MASTER KEY THAT UNLOCKS HEAVEN (Acts 3:1; Psalm 55:17; Daniel 6:10; Acts 2:46; 6:4; 10:9)
Our text opens with Peter and John going to the temple to pray at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. At this time, the disciples still used the temple as their meeting place; therefore, they participated in the regular prayers. Traditionally, Jews pray three times a day (Psalm 55:17). Peter and John were often mentioned together in the book of Acts and at this time, they were seen going to pray. It is good when believers are associated in a noble cause. The idea of having prayer partners or evangelism partners is still relevant today. After the ascension of Christ, the disciples had evidently learnt their lesson on the need to pray without ceasing. They had come to realise that prayer is the master key that unlocks heaven. This could be attested to as they gathered in the upper room, awaiting the outpouring of the Holy Ghost as promised by Christ (Acts 1:8,14; Luke 24:49). Even after their enduement with power from on high, they continued in prayer daily with one accord in the temple (Acts 2:46). as a matter of fact, the apostles considered prayer to be a major duty, believing that by it they would be able to sustain ministry fire, manage crises, solve problems and keep the fellowship of the brethren.
Rather than lose focus, they appointed men to serve tables while they gave themselves “continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4). This teaches believers that they need regular fervent prayers to succeed in preaching and reaching the world with the gospel. Not much can be done without effectual fervent prayers. It was at the time Peter and John were going to pray that the miracle in our text took place. Also, Peter had the vision to reach out to the household of Cornelius while on the housetop praying (Acts 10:9). Without prayer, the Church will lack vision for its programmes and the power to execute them. Consequently, her mission in the world will be imperilled. Therefore, believers must develop effective prayer lives so that they can accomplish all that God has appointed them to do. It is very instructive that the early Church continued “instant in prayer” before and after their experience of the baptism with the Holy Spirit. They did not consider prayer a tool to be used and discarded when the desired result had been obtained; rather, they took it as the live wire of their fellowship and ministry. In like manner, believers should pray regularly and fervently to renew their spiritual power and receive daily freshness from God. Though it is not mandatory to go to a particular place or fix a particular time to pray before God answers, it helps when we have a ‘closet’ that we can resort to for regular prayers. It also helps when we discipline ourselves to observe regular prayer periods. It is often said that “a prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian”; and, certainly, he that has no place and time to pray will soon cease to pray altogether.
MIRACLE OF HEALING BY PETER AND JOHN (Acts 3:2-10; 4:22; John 9:1-3; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11,28-30; John 14:13,14; 15:16; 16:23,24; Matthew 6:33)
As Peter and John were about to enter the temple through the gate that is called Beautiful, they saw certain man lame from his mother’s womb” begging for alms from those who came to worship in the temple. The condition and position of the lame man hold some useful instructions to believers. First, it portrays the misery and helplessness of mankind and the effect of the Fall.
Humanity’s misfortune was not, in any way, the result of anyone’s personal sin but a condition we were born with and a case of congenital abnormality in everyone from Adam’s race (John 9:1-3).
Second, this man sat to beg within the precincts of the temple but the religious leaders were totally powerless to heal him. In a similar way, there are so many people in religious assemblies who are spiritually paralysed but their leaders are unable to help them. If anything at all, the best they do is to toss a few temporal blessings into their hands while they remain in their spiritual predicament. This shows the great need of believers with anointing and power of the Holy Ghost to meet the needs and challenges that confront humanity in this generation. The world’s needs and challenges are so enormous that human efforts and ingenuity cannot suffice except through the power of God.
Third, the strategy of the lame man or of those who positioned him at the Beautiful gate was to enable people coming in and going out of the temple to see him. Jewish worshippers place great value on giving of alms.
Fourth, believers can also learn from the constancy and diligence with which this man begged alms. He was laid daily at the temple gate, probably for a good part of his over forty years of life (Acts 4:22).
Fifth, the condition of the lame man reminds believers of their duty to the needy and those who are physically challenged. Those who profess faith in Christ must be generous and charitable towards others. On the other hand, those who believe in Christ should not see their physical challenge as a disability because it is wrong to allow physical deformity to crush our spirits to the extent that one becomes a total liability to others. By the operation of God’s grace, a physically challenged person can do great things for God and live a fulfilled life. When the lame man saw Peter and John about to enter the temple, he asked them for alms. Then Peter and John “said, Look on us”.
They said this in order to get his full attention and secure his cooperation for what would follow. As expected, the lame man gave attention to them, expecting to receive something. “Then Peter said, 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” (Acts 3:6). Peter took the man by the hand, and immediately, he was healed. As a result of the miracle, multitudes of people came together, full of wonder. Now healed, the fame man also entered into the temple, leaping, walking and praising God. From this recorded miracle through Peter and John, we learn that God can use us to perform signs and wonders in the church.
Second, those who are sick or infirm can expect much more than physical help from the church and receive healing for their infirmities. The lame man asked for money but got healing instead.
Third, genuine miracles, signs and wonders are still part of God’s programme for the Church age.
Fourth, the of the gospel who are baptized with the Holy Ghost.
Fifth, there is power in the name of Jesus to do exploits.
Before He left, Jesus gave believers the authority to use His name in service and prayer (John 14:13,14; 15:16; 16:23,24). Christians’ power of attorney confers on them the right to carry on gospel work on behalf of Christ. However, it should be noted that the name of Jesus should not be used as mere appendage to prayer. Mere pronouncement of the name without genuine faith and personal commitment to the person of Christ will not bring the desired result (Acts 19:13- 17). Sixth, the lame man went into the temple together with Peter and John, leaping and praising the Lord. We must give God glory and praise for every blessing received from Him. Seventh, the miracle presented Peter and John the opportunity to preach the gospel to the multitude that gathered to witness the demonstration of God’s power, and shows the real purpose of signs and wonders in the gospel ministry. God uses miracles to set people free from the hand of the enemy and as strategy to draw souls to Himself. Miracles also confirm the message of the gospel. As in the case of the lame man, miracles also exalt Christ and demonstrate His power over the enemy. It is God’s plan that miracles should not be an end itself but a means to an end. It should be a forerunner to prepare the way for the gospel message. Believers should, therefore, avoid the error of seeking only miracles but pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness (Matthew 6:33; 1 Timothy 6:11).
PETER’S MESSAGE TO THE MULTITUDE (Acts 3:11- 26; 2:14-36; Deuteronomy 18:18,19; Genesis 22:18; 26:4; John 5:39; Luke 24:27)
As a result of the healing of the lame man, Peter seized the opportunity to declare the gospel of salvation as he did on the day of Pentecost. It is important to note the way the early disciples availed themselves of every opportunity to preach. In the same way, we should use every opportunity we have to declare the truth of the word of God. In his message, Peter emphasised that it was not his own holiness or power that made the lame man whole, but faith in the name of Jesus. True servants of God do not exalt self or draw people’s attention to themselves but to the Saviour. Peter emphasised Jesus as both Saviour, Lord and One in whose name the miracle had been wrought. Though he wanted them to feel the guilt of their sins, he was equally forthright and passionate in inviting his hearers to repent and be converted so that their sins could be blotted out. He wanted them to have faith in God. To convince his hearers, Peter also made reference to Old Testament prophecies concerning Christ from where he showed them that Jesus is indeed the Messiah. His sermon was not to entertain his hearers, but a solemn awakening appeal to draw their souls out of sin to the Saviour. As believers, if we will win the lost to Christ, our messages must feature the basic truths of the gospel. Like Peter, we must emphasise repentance from sin and faith in the atoning work of Christ at Calvary (Acts 3:19-21).
Questions for review:
- Why is prayer an absolute necessity for true followers of Christ?
- Point out some useful lessons for believers from the condition of the lame man.
- Explain how the miracle of healing of the lame man happened.
- What can believers learn from this notable miracle through Peter and John?:
- What is the real purpose of miracles in the gospel ministry?
- Identify major points in Peter’s sermon after the healing of the lame man.
- How can believers be used of God to perform similar miracles today?
