Atos 3
Matthew Henry · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 3
Henry says this miracle was not "done by any merit of their own; the power which Christ gave them to do it they had not deserved: it was not by their own holiness; for, as they were weak things, so they were foolish things, that Christ chose to employ (1 Cor 1:27, 28, 29). Peter was a sinful man. What holiness had Judas? Yet he wrought miracles in Christ's name. What holiness any of them had it was wrought in them, and they could not pretend to merit by it....It was the praise of Peter and John that they would not take the honour of this miracle to themselves, but carefully transmitted it to Christ. Useful men must see to it that they be very humble. Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to thy name give glory (Ps 115:1). Every crown must be cast at the feet of Christ (Rev 4:10); not I, but the grace of God with me (1 Cor 15:10)." Peter's response is the response which every believer should seek to give to those who applaud them for teaching or preaching or serving, etc. Paul's words should be emblazoned across our heart and mind... Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider ANYTHING as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, 6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life (2 Cor 3:5-6+) Steven
Atos 3
Henry says Peter "sowed the gospel seed in the ground which was thus broken up, and prepared to receive it." Steven Cole tells a story we could probably all tell - We’ve all had opportunities to share our faith in Christ where we’ve blown it. A year ago last Thanksgiving Day, Marla and I had run in the Turkey Trot race at Buffalo Park. After the race, a man came up to me and, without any introduction or greeting, said, “How old are you?” When I answered, his next words were, “When was the last time you had your prostate checked?” I must admit that I was a bit taken aback! He went on to tell me that he was 53 and was dying of prostate cancer. He was going around handing out leaflets to men about prostate cancer and to women about breast cancer. Although he was not in a listening mode, I wanted to say something to him about his eternal destiny, but I stood there tongue-tied. Since then, whenever I have thought of him, I have prayed that God would bring someone else into his life to share the gospel before he dies. I have had many other opportunities to tell people about the Savior where I could not think fast enough to figure out what to say. About an hour later, I get brilliant ideas of what I could have said, but by then the opportunity is gone. If you’re like me, then we all could use some instruction on how to proclaim the gospel when God opens the opportunity." (How to Proclaim the Gospel) I would add one thing which I have begun to ask people when I sense the time is opportune. I ask then where would they go if they died tonight? I have had some fascinating answers, such as "I would go to hell," to the most common answer "I think I would go to heaven." I will ask them on what basis they think they would go to heaven and they usually answer something like "I'm a good person. I do good deeds for others. I have integrity, etc." If we are not interrupted, this interchange almost always leads to an opportunity to explain the Good News of what the Bible says about how they can be sure they will go to heaven when they die. Try it sometime but be sure you are filled up (with the Spirit) and prayed up." It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to share the Gospel with a soul who is otherwise destined for eternal punishment. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - This is the great covenant name recorded by Moses in Exodus at the burning bush encounter where Jehovah addresses Moses declaring "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God." (Ex 3:6) A significant point is the naming of the three patriarchs, for this God is the covenant God, Who will fulfill His promises. Peter immediately identifies with the God of the nation of Israel, the God with Whom they were familiar. David Thompson says "Peter wastes no time in linking Jesus Christ to Israel and the Old Testament starting with Genesis. Jesus Christ has been glorified by the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." (Acts 3:11-26) The God of our fathers - What is Peter saying? He is using very "Jewish language" with his Jewish audience and is declaring that the God of our fathers is the God of all the descendants of the three patriarchs. Notice he says "our" fathers linking himself and John with his listeners.