You may wonder what “Temple Gate Beautiful” is? It’s the place where the Apostles (Disciples of Jesus) did their first miracle. In this post we will learn how the Holy Spirit in them built the Christian foundation that made many of us as Christians to follow Jesus, there is a lot to learn from this event which can aid our spiritual maturity. Before we get to that, Let’s understand the context and quick turn of events to help understand this better.
Jesus was crucified on the cross and he rose again on third day, after that he appeared to the disciples and many more people to fulfil what was promised by prophets. Finally, he ascended to heaven with a promise to the disciples as “Great commission” Matt 28:16-27,
The continuation of this is in Acts 1:1-2,4-5
'Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ' Matthew 28:16-19
'In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” ' Acts 1:1-2,4-5
As promised by Jesus in Acts 1:5, The disciples were baptised with the Holy Spirit, this was called “Day of Pentecost” Acts 2:4. The experience of the Baptizing in Holy Spirit was “amazement and perplexing”( Acts 2:7,12)
'All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” ' Acts 2:4,7,12
After getting this Holy Spirit, Peter / John walked by about 3:00 PM In the afternoon to pray in the “Temple Gate called beautiful”, they see a lame man (he was lame by Birth) in the doors of temple begging and asking for money. We read in Acts 3:6-9, By the power of Holy Spirit they healed the lame man to walk, they did exactly how Jesus performed miracle. This is the first miracle that the disciples did thru the Holy Spirit
'Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, ' Acts 3:6-9
There were four transformation that happened post this miracle by the Holy Spirit, this gives the assurance to us that the same Holy Spirit is active and can make us do the same things and even powerful things like how it worked with the apostles.
Transformation @ Lame person
'He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, ' Acts 3:8-9
He (Lame person) could not contain his happiness when he was healed by the Holy Spirit, we read he went “walking and jumping” he expressed his happiness to show others this is real and not fake.
He praised God “walking and jumping, and praising God”, he did not praise Peter or John. This is the power of transformation. he praised Jesus ,“God” for his miracles
With his praise, all people also saw him and started praising God “When all the people saw him walking and praising God”
“Amazement” - 'When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. ' Acts 3:9-10, All the people recognized him of the wonders of the Holy Spirit’s miracle and were Amazed, it’s the same way the “Day of Pentecost “ people experienced, Same similarities of “amazing and awe” experience.
This miracle become viral and he became the talk of the town as we read people were astonished to come see him in “Solomons colonnade”
Transformation @ Crowd
As this miracle attracted many people to see him there was transformation that happened in the crowd as well.
I am sure Peter / John and Jesus would have walked this place many times, I am sure Jesus would have seen this man as he passed by, but Jesus did not do a miracle earlier as it was not the appointed time, he used his disciples to do the miracle at the right appointed time. When you meditate on this there are few we can learn
Peter / John and rest of disciples tried to do miracle earlier, but they could not do any we read on this in Matt 17:14-16
'“Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.” 'Matthew 17:15-16
Now the same disciples are not with Jesus, but they have been baptised by the Holy Spirit and with the Power of Holy Spirit they performed the miracle.
Peter / John looked at the people who were surprised at the miracle and said it’s by God’s faith they healed him, they did not take any credit for this miracle
It resembles the same way how the lame person praised God for the miracle. Here Peter / John also Praised God for his miracle.
They did not stop there; they used this time (believing time) to preach and bring many people to faith in Christ.
Their preaching did not bring condemnation, instead they asked to repent of their sins and turn to God and accepted Jesus.
From a few of 12 disciples’ (later they became “apostles” after Christ crucifixion) after this miracle they added “Five thousand people” to become Christian and the good part was the people who receive Jesus also were filled with the Holy Spirit.
This “Awe / Amazement” attracted more attention of the elders / teachers of law, it was the same people who crucified Jesus, the attraction turned them to oppose Peter / John for their miracle and they questioned on who’s authority they performed the miracle.
They had so much opposition, to the point they were thrown into prison .
Transformation @ Chief Priest and Elders
They were put to trail
'They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” ' Acts 4:7
Boise a famous American Theologist notes that Acts 4:1-6 lists no less than 11 different groups or individuals opposing these followers of Jesus.
Groups: Priests and the Sadducees (Acts 4:1); Rulers, elders, scribes (Acts 4:5); and others from the family of the high priest (Acts 4:6).
Individuals: The captain of the temple (Acts 4:1); Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander (Acts 4:6).
Whereas “Holy spirit” helped them defend / give a sermon to the teachers of laws for the work
'Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” ' Acts 4:8-12
The awe ness of the Holy Spirit was also felt by people who opposed them
'When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. ' Acts 4:13
The people who opposed were not able to defend as they were fighting against the Holy Spirit
'But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. ' Acts 4:14-15
Transformation of Peter / John - Post Trial
'On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. '
They praised God for his works and prayed for the servants to speak the Word with boldness
We read, the place was shaken when they prayed as the Holy Spirit moved to give them the boldness and made all believers with “one heart and mind”
'After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. ' Acts 4:31
“Great commission was fulfilled” by Peter / John “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ' Matthew 28:19
Remember “The Great Commission” was not only for Peter / John, but it’s also still active till the day Jesus returns, the responsibility lies with us to continue that.
Spiritual Lessons from this event
The same Holy Spirit is also with us today to walk and guide us. If an uneducated men (“Peter / John”) can be transformed to defend against scholars of law, the same Holy Spirit can do the same to transform you and me in the same way based on our situation.
Simple act of Faith and acts of repentance from past made thousands of people get the Holy Spirit, It’s the same first step if we must get this from God.
When the Holy Spirit is in action the person (Pastor or Prayer warrior or anyone) will not take any credit, he will Always give credit to God, that’s the true sign of real Holy Spirit.
Jesus determines what type of action you will do with Holy Spirit. none of us have the authority to question or ask how we can do what.
When you receive the Holy Spirit there will be opposition and you will not fear the enemy. As Holy Spirit gives you the Spirit of “Boldness”
When you are filled with the Holy Spirit you cannot remain calm there will be actions which will be seen by others and you will bring out the joy of your experience to others and other will benefit with that, it becomes a viral experience.
Comments