Explore The New TestamentSample

SAY WHAT? (What is the passage saying?)

• Peter and John miraculously heal a crippled beggar, in the name of Jesus. He is so grateful that he enters the temple with them praising God.
• People from all over town knew this beggar, so his healing creates quite a stir. A crowd formed around Peter, who reminded them that this man was healed through the power of Jesus, not his own strength. He then preaches to them a bold message explaining that they were responsible for disowning and killing the author of life. However, Peter assures them that God raised him from the dead.
• He implores the people to turn away from their sin and turn toward God so that their sins may be wiped out.

SO WHAT? (What are the underlying principles?)

• It's easy to think of Peter and John as superhuman Christians. No, they were just Christians who understood they could do nothing significant in their own strength, so they looked to Jesus and relied on the power of the Holy Spirit to minister to others.
• Everyone found out about Peter and John's act of compassion toward the beggar. Love is contagious. That's why, at Verve, we talk about being "guerrilla lovers." We want to ambush people with God's love, knowing it can spark a revolution.
• Peter had bombastic, abrasive and sometimes fearful personality that seemed to always get him in trouble. But after the resurrection of Jesus and the day of Pentecost Peter becomes a different man. We see a bold man, unafraid of what people think of him. This is unlike the man who cut off a soldier's ear and denied Jesus 3 times before his crucifixion. This is the power of the cross, the resurrection, and the Holy Spirit in a believer's life.

NOW WHAT? (How will you personally apply this passage?)

• Are you in awe at the boldness of Peter and John? Do you wish you had the strength they did? If you know Jesus, you do. You just might not have tapped into it yet. Spend some time in prayer and in God's Word so he can strengthen you to stand boldly for him.
• What hurting person has God put in your path? We may come up with grand plans for changing the world, but often it's as simple as loving the person God puts in front of you today, as Peter and John did. Who can you ambush with love today?
• Do you have any character/personality traits that got you into trouble in the past? Is there any way that those “flaws” could be used to serve God? How can you allow God to transform those traits in your life for his glory?