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There are language cues in Acts 3 that strongly suggest that it is a description of an event on the afternoon of Pentecost. Thus this is a continuation of the events of Acts 2. The Spirit of God is on display in the temple with power, a display meant to prompt Israel to “turn back” from their rejection God’s Messiah and be restored by God’s Spirit.
Summary of the chapter
Shimon Petra and Yochanan see a crippled man begging at the Beautiful Gate to the temple, and Petra passes along the best gift one could give, the Spirit Who had been given to him. Bystanders are amazed at the healing — and likely the Spirit power shown earlier that day — but Petra tells the throng they should be more amazed that their ignorance of God in action led them to push for the Messiah’s execution. Just as the Spirit restored function to the cripple’s legs, so too, the Author of Life couldn’t be kept in the grave. Thus on Pentecost, the people of Yerushalayim get two witnesses to the depths to which their indifference toward God has taken them. Petra again tells the people to “turn back” and be converted.
Food for thought from the recorded discussion
When did the events of Acts 3 occur? Where were Peter and John traveling?
In Acts 3:21 Peter talks about “the restoration of all things”? When will that happen?
There are several Greek NT translations in common use. Different Greek manuscripts cut up the verses in slightly different ways. The last verse of Acts 2 (Acts 2:47) and the first verse of Acts 3 (Acts 3:1), depending on how they are cut up, can change the meaning of the text. Some translations leave us with the idea that the events of Acts 3 occurred on the same day as the events of Acts 2.
When did the events of Acts 2 occur? Which feast of the LORD was celebrated?
What time of day did Acts 2 occur? What time of day did the events of Acts 3 occur?
What is “the third hour”? What is “the ninth hour”? What religious activities were done during these times (Psa. 55:17; Dan. 6:10)? How old is this tradition?
If Acts 2 and Acts 3 discuss events from the same day, how are the events and messages similar?
Both chapters occur at the temple. Why is that important? Why would Peter speak there?
Where else in Acts do we have someone praying at noon and receiving a special message (Acts 10:9)?
Which gate of the temple area did Peter and John enter? What is the Beautiful Gate? Why is it “beautiful”? Why was it also called the “Corinthian gate” in the first century? Why was it called the “Eastern Gate” hundreds of years before? Why is it called the “Golden Gate” today?
Where will Yeshua enter Jerusalem at His second coming? Why does He go to the temple first (Eze. 9:1-7)?
In Ezekiel 9, who was marked? Why were they marked, for salvation or judgement? How does that mark compare with the “mark of the beast” in Revelation (Rev. 13:17; Rev. 14:9-11; Rev. 16:2; Rev. 19:20; Rev. 20:4-5)? Does God start judgment with the nations or with Israel?
Why was the crippled man at the temple that day? What happened after he was healed, and how does that speak to the power of God (Isa. 35:6)?
Did Peter give a new message in Acts 3 or a repeat of the message in Acts 2?
What are the phases of God’s restoration? What does God collect, or gather together (Acts 2:47 in the Greek for “added to their number” literally says “gathered into the assembly”)? Is the collecting the beginning of the restoration or the end of the restoration?
How does Peter connect Deut. 18:22-26 to Yeshua? What parallels are there between Moshe and Yeshua?
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