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R.C.H. Lenski · Citado em PreceptAustin
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Lenski observes regarding the association of Peter and John - they supplement each other. Diamond polishes diamond, writes Rieger, and it may well happen that each enhances the luster of the other. God often uses the friendship of believers for the good of the church, especially the friendship of highly gifted men; witness the working together of Luther and Melanchthon. (The Interpretation of The Acts of the Apostles) The names Peter and John - 10x in 10v - Lk. 8:51; Lk. 9:28; Lk. 22:8; Acts 1:13 (SEE THIS LIST OF FOR ALL NAMES EXCEPT MATTHIAS); Acts 3:1; Acts 3:3; Acts 3:11; Acts 4:13; Acts 4:19; Acts 8:14. Compare also John 13:24, 25; 18:16, 17; 20:2, etc. Recall that Peter and John had both been commissioned as apostles of Jesus, His special ambassadors to whom "by the Holy Spirit (He had) given orders" (Acts 1:2+) and in Acts 2:43+ we see that "many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles." And here we see the first specific post-pentecostal miracle which opened the door for Peter's proclamation and the church's persecution (Acts 4). John Phillips on Peter and John - Peter and John! That was different. It used to be Peter and Andrew, James and John. Now it is Peter and John. Calvary had brought these men into closer fellowship with each other. By nature and temperament they were different. Peter was a doer, John was a dreamer; Peter was a motivator, John was a mystic; Peter had his feet on the rock, John had his head in the clouds. Peter would point to John and demand of the Lord, "And what shall this man do?" (John 21:21). John would quietly whisper to Peter in a moment of doubt, "It is the Lord" (Jn 21:7); John would outrun Peter to the tomb; Peter would push past John and rush right in; Peter would dash on out again, his mind in a whirl; John would walk away thinking deeply over the significance of those strangely ordered grave clothes. Peter and John were opposites. By nature they would get on each other's nerves, but now they walked together. We read, "Now Peter and John went up together into the temple." Before, they had been mutual disciples of Jesus, now they were members of a common body; before, they knew friendship, now they enjoyed fellowship. (Exploring Acts) Wiersbe on Peter and John - Peter and John are often found together in Scripture. They were partners in the fishing business (Luke 5:10); they prepared the last Passover for Jesus (Luke 22:8); they ran to the tomb on the first Easter Sunday morning (John 20:3-4); and they ministered to the Samaritans who believed on Jesus Christ (Acts 8:14). Now that they were filled with the Holy Spirit, the Apostles were no longer competing for greatness, but were at last working faithfully together to build the church (Ps. 133:1-3). (Borrow Be Dynamic).
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Lenski says "Even after the restored cripple had come to the men’s court he continued walking around instead of standing still like the other men and kept calling out words of praise to God. Thus everybody saw him." (The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles) This healed man has an attitude of gratitude. As Isaak Walton said "God has two dwellings: one in heaven and the other in a thankful heart." SOME THOUGHTS ON DIVINE HEALING DISCLAIMER - These thoughts are not meant to be exhaustive nor definitive! This commentary will not take a dogmatic stance on miraculous signs and wonders as that would require a separate lengthy study. I am a medical doctor and I am convinced I have seen miracles performed by God in the lives of individual patients often in answer to prayers of believing friends and family. What I have never seen is an individual who had a gift to perform healing. So there is absolutely no doubt that God heals and that He can do so even in a manner we might refer to as miraculous. The fact is that every physical healing that occurs is a reflection of God's provision and power to bring about healing. He has sovereignly allowed man to discover various medicines, techniques and procedures which facilitate healing. My approach is that of James in chapter 1 and of Paul in Romans 11 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures (REGENERATION OF SOULS DEAD IN SIN IS OF COURSE THE GREATEST MIRACLE OF ALL!). (James 1:17-18) Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? 35Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are ALL THINGS (EVERY CURE FROM CANCER, EVERY CURE FROM A SERIOUS ILLNESS, ETC). To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11: 33-36) God Alone is worthy of the title "THE GREAT PHYSICIAN" and according to His good and acceptable and perfect will (Ro 12:2), He heals some and allows others to remain in their afflicted condition, but He is good in both situations and He causes both to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Ro 8:28). A godly woman of yesteryear named Hannah put the topic of divine healing in perfect perspective testifying under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol and raises up (THE MIRACLE OF RESURRECTION!). 7 “The LORD makes poor and rich; He brings low, He also exalts. 8 “He raises the poor from the dust, He lifts the needy from the ash heap To make them sit with nobles, And inherit a seat of honor; For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, And He set the world on them. 9 “He keeps the feet of His godly ones, But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; For not by might shall a man prevail. (1 Sa 2:6-9) William Larkin asks "Should we expect such miracles today? True, the apostles are no longer with us, and miracles seemed to cluster around them; even in the first century, miraculous signs were not everyday occurrences. But Jesus still is present by his Spirit in the church. So we should not be surprised if we hear reports of miracles, especially where an atmosphere of pervasive unbelief or false religion calls for a "power encounter." But a healing miracle in the New Testament sense must have the following marks: (1) It must be an instantaneous and complete deliverance from a grave organic condition. (2) It must occur in response to a direct command in the name of Jesus, and (3) it must be publicly acknowledged as indisputable (Stott 1990:103)." (ED: I WOULD SUGGEST THAT IT MUST DRAW ATTENTION TO JESUS CHRIST, GLORIFYING HIM AND NOT A MAN) (IVP Commentary) Kistemaker - Throughout the history of the church, the gift of healing the sick has never been absent. The names of Francis of Assisi, Martin Luther, and John Wesley, not to mention the names of modern-day Christians, stand out in relation to a healing ministry. Among the gifts of the Holy Spirit is the gift of healing (1 Cor. 12:9, 28). Paul, however, pointedly and rhetorically asks, “Do all have gifts of healing?” (1 Cor. 12:30, NIV). Paul himself performed healing miracles during his missionary tours, but he gives no indication that he healed Epaphroditus, who was so ill that he almost died (Phil. 2:27). Paul openly admits that he “left Trophimus sick in Miletus” (2 Tim. 4:20). And Paul himself had to contend with a thorn in the flesh which God did not remove (2 Cor. 12:7–9). In short, Paul was not able to use his gift of healing whenever he pleased and wherever he was. James instructs us to call on the elders of the church when we are ill. These elders should pray and anoint with oil in the name of the Lord (5:14). He emphasizes that “prayer offered in faith will heal the sick person” (Acts 3:15), for faith and prayer are requisites to which the Lord responds. Sometimes healing miracles do not occur, especially when God wants to strengthen our faith to his glory. As Scripture teaches, God answers prayer at his time and in his own way. He said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). (Baker NT Commentary - Acts) Gotquestions defines cessationism as follows - Cessationism is the view that the “miracle gifts” of tongues and healing have ceased—that the end of the apostolic age brought about a cessation of the miracles associated with that age. Most cessationists believe that, while God can and still does perform miracles today, the Holy Spirit no longer uses individuals to perform miraculous signs. The biblical record shows that miracles occurred during particular periods for the specific purpose of authenticating a new message from God. Moses was enabled to perform miracles to authenticate his ministry before Pharaoh (Exodus 4:1-8). Elijah was given miracles to authenticate his ministry before Ahab (1 Kings 17:1; 18:24). The apostles were given miracles to authenticate their ministry before Israel (Acts 4:10, 16). Below are a few resources that relate directly or indirectly to divine healing, but I strongly advise and encourage you to take a strictly Berean approach (Acts 17:11+) as you study this topic for yourself. There is no question that Satan is a counterfeiter and that the demonic world can perform miracles (but only when God allows them to do so) and so one should never base his or her opinion on the "end product," (healing from some malady, cure from some disease, etc), but on what the Bible clearly teaches as you read it (confessed up and repented up so to speak) enabled by your Guide the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth (Jn 14:17, 15:26, 16:13). Is cessationism biblical? What is a cessationist? Blessings by Laura Story - listen to the words Are the miraculous gifts of the Spirit for today? What is continuationism? What is a continuationist? - This article is very interesting What does it mean that tongues will cease? Why do so many people seek after signs and wonders? James F. Stitzinger - False teachings about healing have taken various forms but almost always contain a mixture of truth and error. Half-truths about divine healing fuel the injurious errors of our day. Let me alert you to some of these more frequent half truths so that you can be prepared to reject them. Because God wills that Christians enjoy His blessings, sickness shows that you are out of His will. Sin is the root cause of sickness; therefore you must resist sickness as you would sin. Since Christ died for your sickness and your sin, you can be freed from both. If you had enough faith, you would be healed. What you confess is what you possess; so talk sickness and you will get sick; talk health and you will get well. All adversity comes from Satan; so sickness, like Satan, should be rebuked. If you only knew the secret fact of God’s healing power, you could be healed. Since Christ and the apostles healed in their day, Christians can heal today. Since sickness is from Satan, nothing good can come from sickness. Since God wants you well, never pray, “Thy will be done” in regard to healing. Since sin is the cause of sickness, if you are sick, then you have a pattern of sin in your life. God has healed you, but the devil is not letting the symptoms leave (SPIRITUAL GIFTS: DEFINITIONS AND KINDS - 34 page article on spiritual gifts) Here is a very interesting summary from Society of International Missions (SIM) paper entitled Power Encounters (it is worth reading)... In short, we accept the miraculous in ministry where: 1. It is in harmony with the Word of God. 2. It brings glory to the Lord Jesus and not to an individual. 3. It calls attention to the gospel and not to a person. 4. It does not impinge on the sovereignty of God. 5. It is subject to the judgment of others. 6. It does not pursue or overemphasize in a manner which could threaten the unity of our Mission. ILLUSTRATION - A peasant named Hueleo in Elsareo, Mexico, had a serious foot injury and was taken to the hospital. The doctors told him that it looked bad and they would give it a few days but expected to have to amputate it. This would mean he would have no way to farm, and thus no way to support his family except by begging. He became very despondent. His father-in-law gave him a Bible to read for encouragement. They were Catholic but there was no priest in their small town. Hueleo read the Bible and was moved by the miracles and teachings of Jesus. He prayed to Jesus for salvation and in a few days was able to walk out of the hospital. He visited a local Baptist church and made a public profession of his faith and was baptized. His whole family soon came to know the Lord and their neighbors made threats against him. The family persevered and in the next decade more than 70 converts from their witness gathered in gathered into a congregation. (From David Holwick) Acts 3:10 and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. KJV Acts 3:10 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. they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms Acts 3:2; 4:14-16,21,22; John 9:3,18-21 they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him Acts 2:7,12; Luke 4:36; 9:43; John 5:20 Acts 3 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE REACTION OF THE JEWS - WONDER AND AMAZEMENT And they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms - The Jews were doing some "spiritual stenography" if you will! In other words the identity of the man did not escape their attention. He had been sitting lame year after year in the same spot, so that it is likely everyone was familiar with his chronic crippled state. Taking note (ESV, NET = "recognized") (1921)(epiginosko) means to learn something by experience. BDAG adds that epiginosko means "to connect present information or awareness with what was known before." Epiginosko is in the imperfect tense signifying that those in the Jewish crowd were recognizing over and over or again and again that this was the man who previously had been lame. As A T
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Lenski explains that "For a man to act thus (WALKING AND PRAISING GOD) was unusual, yet in itself such conduct would not have attracted so much attention. People would only have wondered as to what made him act in this way. By means of the iterative imperfect Luke tells us that, as he thus moved about, group after group recognized him (imperfect tense = over and over, again and again) as the very man they had so often seen “sitting for the alms,” the article to indicate the alms they had given him from time to time at the Gate Beautiful. They had not seen him sitting thus with his deformed feet and ankles this afternoon—here he was among them, walking around and praising God." (Ibid) Kent is probably correct that (under the inspiration of the Spirit) "Luke picked this miracle because it produced the first conflict between the church and outsiders. Until this time the church had been enjoying the favor of all the people (Acts 2:24+)." And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him - NET Note comments that "Amazement is a frequent response to miracles of Jesus or the apostles. These took the ancients by as much surprise as they would people today. But in terms of response to what God is doing, amazement does not equal faith (Luke 4:36; 5:9, 26; 7:16)." Filled with (4092)(pimplemi) figuratively describes someone filled with something with the result that what fills them wholly affects them or controls them. Pimplemi is the same verb used in Acts 2:4+ which describes all the disciples as "filled with the Holy Spirit" Who controlled them and gave them the ability to speak in different recognizable languages. Wonder (2285)(thambos) describes an emotion in which awe and fear are mingled (astonishment, amazement from admiration). Louw-Nida says thambos is "a state of astonishment due to both the suddenness and the unusualness of the phenomenon and with either a positive or a negative reaction—‘astonishment, alarm." Amazement (1611)(ekstasis [English - ecstasy] from existemi = be out of one's sense) means literally being put out of place and thus the picture of a man removed out of his senses, in an abnormal state of mind, a state which would include a mixture of distraction, terror, amazement (as in the use in Mk 5.42). Lenski gives us a good description of what the Jewish crowd looked like - Luke uses two nouns to convey the effect; both are strong: thambos, “wonder” that came with a shock, and ekstasis, “amazement” that throws the mind off its balance. They stared uncomprehendingly at the change that had come over the man.(Ibid) They would have been staring "uncomprehendingly" because they recognized this as the lame man and could not fathom how he was now able to walk among them. God was "preparing the pulpit" (so to speak) for Peter to speak, much as He had prepared the people for Peter's message (Acts 2:12, 16ff) with what they both saw and heard (Acts 2:33b). Warren
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Lenski explains that Peter's intent "is to sink into the minds of the hearers that He whom their nation worshiped in all past ages in their covenant relation with Him, He it is Who as this God and in this covenant of His has glorified his Servant Jesus. It is the same glorification which Peter preached on Pentecost in Acts 2:30-36, namely the resurrection and the exaltation at God's right hand. (Ibid) Life Application Bible Commentary – Peter wanted to make it clear to this Jewish crowd that this miracle was the handiwork of the very God they claimed to follow.
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Lenski - Now comes the personal turn of Peter's words which is sudden and startling, direct and crushing. On the one side, God and what he did, namely glorified Jesus; on the other side, these Jews and what they did, namely denied, rejected, disgraced Jesus. Note the emphatic YOU (humeis): "whom YOU on your part delivered up and denied before the face of Pilate, he having judged to release him." (Ibid) The One Whom you delivered and disowned - Peter filled with the Spirit and boldness now ratchets up the sermon a notch! He boldly confronts this amazed crowd with words that must have pierced them. Delivered and disowned! Woe! And Who is it they delivered and disowned? The Messiah, Jesus the Servant of God, the One they had accused of blasphemy, condemned Him in mock religious trials and then delivered over to the Roman authorities who alone had the authority to carry out the death penalty. Many of the Jews in Peter's crowd may have been present as Jesus was presented to Pilate and many of them may have cried "Crucify. Crucify!" Peter throws down the gauntlet with a stinging rebuke and accusation. DIGNIFIED SERVANT DELIVERED AND DISOWNED Delivered (3860)(paradidomi from para = alongside, beside, to the side of, over to + didomi = to give) conveys the basic meaning of to give over from one's hand to someone or something, especially to give over to the power of another, which is what Judas did (Lk 22:4,6, 22:21, 22, 48) and the Jewish religious leaders did (Lk 24:20). Jesus had predicted this would happen (Lk 9:44, Lk 18:32). He also predicted it would happened to His disciples (Lk 21:12) and that persecution would begin in Acts 4:1-37. The fascinating paradox is the One named Jesus, Savior, is the One Who is the Agent of deliverance. Jesus is the Deliverer (Rescuer)! So so Peter boldly accuses the Jews declaring you Jews delivered the Deliverer to Pilate! Remember the Jews were crowded around Peter and John and had they chosen, they could have mobbed them in a moment. But Peter has been filled with the Spirit, transforming Peter the "Denier" into Peter the "Declarer" fearlessly bringing a stinging indictment on the heads of his Jewish audience!