(མཛད་པ། 2:42-47)

 

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

The new believers in Jerusalem assembled to share in the four activities of the first-formed church.

 

 

And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

 

The result was such fear and respect for God that their lives were being changed. And God was causing more and more people daily to believe and be finding liberation.

(མཛད་པ། 3:1-10)

 

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. (Acts 3:1-10)

 

The lame man must have heard news about Yeshu of Nazareth.

Peter calls on the man to believe. He says, ‘Believe in the authority of Messiah Jesus  (ye-shu-ma-shi-ga-khi-ri’i-si-tho). He is the one strong to heal and to save.’ (In the Jewish language the name Yeshua means Saviour)

And the man does believe. (Next time, see his faith – verse 16)

(མཛད་པ། 3:11-16)

 

11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. (Acts 3:11-16)

 

People wondered. Note how Peter answered the questions in their minds:

1. Did he and John do this? ‘No! God did it.’
2. How was it done? ‘God’s power raised Yeshu; and his power made this man strong and healthy.’
3. Why this man? ‘God did it because of this man’s faith in the Saviour Yeshu’s name.’