The Fruit of the Holy Spirit

He convicts the people of their sin. John 16:8. The Good News is not the Good News unless the consequences of the Bad News is known. We can share that God is love; He is, but without knowledge of the sin problem, there’s no reason to be “saved.” Repentance is that first step, a changing of the mind regarding sinfulness, and one’s own personal sin.

The promise is the promise of the Holy Spirit  in Isa 44:3, 54:13, nd Joel 2:32. Far off is not just physical but also in the heart, Eph 2:13.

3) Breaking the bread – we must value the breaking of bread, binding together.

4) Prayer – There is a unique dynamic in corporate prayer. There is power when we agree in prayer. He delights in hearing that. This is not the same as trying to manipulate Him.

Steadfastly they continued. Steadfastly. Not making excuses for corporate gathering. No need for programs. Three reasons why we should be steadfast from Luke’s works:

1)Who is watching –  Acts 6:15, Stephen is about to be stoned. They looked steadfastly to be a good example. Stephen’s face shone like an angel, as did Moses’, when he was seeking God.

2) The place we’re going – Acts 7:55 Stephen looking up into heaven. The fact is, we are headed for Heaven. The body is decaying as we speak.

3) Luke 9:51 The steadfastness of Jesus, what He did for us, this is why we must be steadfast.

43 – This is a unique occurrence of this behavior, a magnification of koinonia. Fellowship is sharing, and this is the ultimate in fellowship; the sharing of our wealth.

44-46 Such tenderness and unity. Not unanimity, but unity in purpose and heart

47 – Don’t miss this. It’s God who builds the church. Mat 16:18. Not programs, music, persuasive pastors, good coffee, good works. God adds to the church.

The Spirit heals the beggar through the faith of Peter.

This vignette is a picture of us, believers as the lame man. We are lame in the sin of Adam. We can not go after the things of God. We were getting by. Aware of our lameness. Poor. Defeated. Out of joint. The man couldn’t enter the Temple to worship, despite any qualifications to ministry, such as being a Levite.

Then Jesus came and touched us, while begging outside the Temple. Romans 3:10 quoting Psalms 14 & 53: There is none righteous…

And now we enter in like the beggar with thanksgiving and praise.

2) Flexibility – identifying the priority in the situation at hand; as opposed to going by and praying. v3

3) Sensitivity – awareness, brought on by the Spirit. Often we miss the moment.

4) Authority – We must have the authority of the Lord. We may have the power, but lack the Authority, or vice versa; like a car waiting for a light at an intersection

5) Humility – Peter was in great peril potentially after the miracle by taking credit for it, instead of giving the glory to God. In v 12, he asks the crowd why they marvel at this, instead of remembering their heritage (history) of the miracles wrought by God.

V2  Acts 3:2

Also known as the Golden or Eastern Gate.

We cannot do everything, I mustn’t do nothing.  How do you we discern this dilemma, with the needy?

1) Have sensitive hearts – Peter & John  undoubtedly passed this man dozens of times. Be sensitive to the HS stirring our hearts. This is different from cultural guilt. Your eyes fasten upon that person, and the Spirit works on you.

John 5:2-9 It is quite possible Jesus went by that man many times. And at the pool of Bethesda, Jesus ignored the many to minister to the one furthest away. Why did Jesus do that? Perhaps to show us to minister in response to obedience, not according to need. Therefore, never minister according to need, but to obedience. The Spirit directs us to the specifics. He will never overburden us; and that is a telltale sign we are ministering to need. Watch for it. Jeremiah 31:33

2) Discerning minds (spirits) – Peter & John saw the man asking for money, but that was not his need. What they cry for is not what they need. Also, note that in ch 3, about 5,000 had just converted and brought much money and laid it at their feet. They perhaps simply refused silver & gold to find the real need.

3) Dynamic Words –  Ever wonder what Peter & John must have thought right before they said those words?

a) Peter and John were men of preparation. They were going to the Temple to pray, every day, at 3 PM. Mat 3:17 at the Transfiguration, a man whose son was demon possessed. They commanded, but nothing happened, and Jesus  declared “this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” It’s too late to start fasting when the need arises, it needs to be done in advance, so that a backlog or history of prayer and fasting exists. For faith comes by hearing and hearing by …

b) They were men of impartation – filled with the HS. Do we hunger and thirst? Do we wait on the HS

c) They had authorization – For something to happen, there must be a convergence of power and authority. Like a sports car at a red light. Or an old VW at a green light. You need both. The green light came on in Peter & John. This requires sensitivity and discernment.

Note that the culture had been born into was one of mercy; compare his survival with the movie 300, a movie of Sparta, where weaklings were thrown over the cliff. This man, in his weakness, was able to glorify God, whereas the strong, acting under her own his own power, could not.

Acts 3:7

The language implies that dislocated bones had the bones pop back into the sockets.

The “men of Israel” knew full well their history, and Peter rightly redirects that awe to the One to whom it is due, God.

Isa 42:8 serves as a reminder of this. Start taking God’s glory, and God will shelve you faster than an overpaid librarian. 1 Cor 4:7

Acts 3:13

The reason for the miracle was the exaltation of the One sent to you, whom you killed, boys.

Acts 3:16

It was not Peter’s faith that saved that man, but a gift of God given to them in that moment; God is fully responsible for the miracle. Note that it was not the lame man’s faith that healed him, either, again, faith of and through God.

Acts 3:17

What great tact Peter shows here, allowing the elders to save face.

Acts 3:18

That Jesus was sacrificed was no mistake.

Acts 3:19

Repent – change your mind about Jesus, the Prince of Life! Peter is not saying get it together, just believe in Him. The time of refreshing has many OT passages

Acts 3:21

Some people say that restitution means that all will be restored, Satan included. However that is a misinterpretation of Scripture. Mat 25:41  everlasting – 166. aionios is the same  word used in John 3:16. If we think that aionios is not really forever, then our salvation is also temporary; our salvation included.

The restitution of all things refers to the restitution of Israel, acknowledging Jesus as Lord Jer 30:7 the time of Jacob’s trouble. Romans 9, 10, 11 address this specifically.

Karl Marx was himself a Jew. And many kibbutzes in Israel are some of the purest forms of Marxism known. But since the collapse of communism, and the influx of the Russian Diaspora, there has been a massive reversal of the kibbutzes. And there is a wholesale return to traditional Judaism, Sabbath, yeshima, learning the Torah, etc. A tremendous return to prepare them. The rebuilding of the Temple, all to allow the Spirit rentry for the return of Jesus.

Acts 3:22

Deu 18:15-19 referencing Jesus coming.

Acts 3:25

Peter exquisitely quotes Scripture. Fantastic. Those who would be used by the Master must have keen knowledge of His Word. 2Sa 18.9-33

Ge the full story, study.