Acts 3:6-10 KJV
6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
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.
As recounted in chapter 3 of the book of Acts, Peter and John are in the temple and see a lame man, who had been lame from birth.
As Peter said, they had no gold or silver to give him, but they would give him so much more.
In the name of Jesus, they healed the man and told him to get up and walk.
The man jumped to his feet and began to walk, praising God. The people who saw this man walk, were filled with wonder and amazement, for they knew he had been lame since birth.
Peter and John had been teaching and performing miracles in the name of Jesus before this, but the healing of this lame man was more than the Jewish authorities and rulers could take. This miracle was known all over the city.
So, Peter and John are called before the authorities.
Acts 4:5-7 NIV
5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
The rulers were in a quandary. The man who was lame since birth was standing before them and there was nothing they could say. They could not dispute the miracle.
What are we going to do with these men they asked each other?
They vocalized that everybody in the city knows they have performed this healing and we certainly cannot deny that it happened.
They concluded that they must stop “this thing” from spreading any further and they called Peter and John before them commanding them not to speak or teach at all, in the name of Jesus.
Acts 4:13-20 NIV
13 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. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Notice that the Jewish rulers called the teachings of Jesus “this thing.” "This thing" was upending their world and they didn't know how to stop it. They would soon find out that they could not stop it.
To which Peter and John replied, “as for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
OUR COMMITTMENT TO CHRIST MUST MIRROR THAT OF PETER AND JOHN
As a child of God, who is the recipient of redemption, pardon and reconciliation with God, we have an obligation to glorify and magnify His name. We are to honor Him in all our words and deeds.
When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, repenting of our sins and turning our lives over to Him, we are to be the light of the world, bringing God’s light to a world of darkness.
Whether we realize it or not, each day of our life we are verbally and non-verbally “speaking about what has happened to us” through Jesus Christ.
It doesn’t even have to be verbalization about our salvation experience.
We are a witness for our Lord in the way we comport ourselves, our demeanor, our kindness, our language. In fact, a Christian is not hard to identify.
So, the question that we all must seriously consider is this; Do we have the same zeal as Peter and John, as to wanting those we come into contact with, to see the teachings of Jesus and what He has done for us?
As discussed in other lessons, our actions and deeds are the most important witness that we have. Why? Because people SEE that we are living the teachings of Jesus and they match our words.
However, like Peter and John, do we always stand up for Christ? With our voice and words? With our actions?
When others at work are talking about partying or telling indecent jokes, do we kindly remove ourselves or let them know that we can’t participate in this? In situations like this, do we fail to stand on our convictions and be the light of the world we are called to be?
We aren’t used by God to be “healers” of men, but we are commissioned to always show the love and teachings of Jesus to those around us, offering the ultimate and true healing of their soul.
The most important thing we can offer to those around us is our witness and exemplification of the teachings of Jesus.
It isn’t silver and gold that people need, but the saving grace that God offers through repentance and belief in His Son.
Salvation is found in nothing else and no one else. There is no other name under heaven, by which we must be saved. This is why it is so important that we have the attitude of Peter and John at all times.
Acts 4:12 NIV
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
So, when we find ourselves in situations where we must stand up for Jesus, let us say to ourselves “silver and gold have I none”, but I cannot help but speak about, or show through my actions, the teachings of Jesus, in whom I believe.
Remember, our actions speak louder than our words.
RVH