p. 14 | THE SUNDAY SCHOOL

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 22, 1902

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL

LESSON 4.—JANUARY 26.—THE LAME MAN HEALED.

Lesson Scripture, Acts 3:1-16, R.V.

1 Now PETER and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man that was lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked to receive an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him, with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, that give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. And he took him by the right hand, and raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankle-bones received strength. And leaping up, he stood, and began to walk; and he entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God; and they took knowledge of him, 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.

11 "And as he held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this man? or why fasten ye your eyes on us, as tho by our own power or godliness we had made him to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified His Servant Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied before the face of Pilate, when he had determined to release him. But ye denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted unto you, and killed the Prince of Life, whom God raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And by faith in His name hath His name made this man strong, whom ye beheld and know; yea, the faith which is through Him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all."

Golden Text.—"The Lord is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation." Ex. 15:2.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) On the occasion of this lesson, where were Peter and John? At what time? Verse 1. Note 1. (2) Whom did they see there? For what purpose was this man at that place? Verse 2. Note 2. (3) What did he say to Peter and John? Verse 3. (4) How did Peter reply? Verse 4. (5) What expectation did this arouse in the beggar's mind? Verse 5. Note 3. (6) What else did Peter say? Verse 6. (7) What action did Peter add to his words? What was the result? Verse 7. Note 4. (8) How did the man manifest the truth and his thankfulness? Verse 8. Note 5. (9) To what extent was his action noted by the people? Verse 9. (10) Did they recognize the man? How were they affected by the sight? Verse 10. (11) What drew attention to the apostles' agency in the miracle? What then did the people do? Verse 11. Note 6. (12) What questions did Peter ask the multitude? Verse 12. (13) How did he connect the fathers and the name of Jesus? Verse 13. Note 7. (14) What charge did Peter bring against the people to whom he was speaking? Verses 14, 15. Note 8. (15) How did he emphasize the cause and effect of the miracle? Verse 16. Note 9.

NOTES.

1. The hour of prayer implies a regular time. This regulation had been given by the Lord, who is always pleased with order and regularity. Spirituality is not a matter of mere routine, and often breaks through such bounds, yet regular hours for worship are as helpful to spiritual life as regular times for eating are to physical health.

2. "Called Beautiful."—Orientals often lavished expenditure on gates and doors of temples, and the gates of the temple at Jerusalem were massive and highly ornamented. The one called Beautiful (a name not applied by any other author) is supposed to have been the magnificent door of Corinthian brass described by Josephus, leading from the court of the Gentiles into the court of the women. The folds of this gate were seventy-five feet broad, and were covered with plates of gold and silver.

3. The interest manifested by the apostles in the lame man naturally aroused expectation on his part; but he had asked only temporal assistance, and expected nothing more. So his faith must be tested for a greater blessing. Then Peter told him plainly that he had no silver and gold, but would give him such as he had. No doubt the man had heard of Jesus of Nazareth before, but, like many others, supposed Him to be dead. Therefore to attempt to stand, when told to do so in that name, even when lifted up, was an act of remarkable faith.

4. The desire and expectation of the poor man was so great, and evidently enhanced by having heard before of the wonderful power of Jesus to heal, that his faith was instant. Therefore the reward came "immediately." The miracle was indeed a "notable" one, as the rulers and elders were forced to admit; the more so as the man was "above forty years old." Ch. 4:16, 22.

5. "Walking, and leaping, and praising God" would naturally attract much attention, and appear to be very unbecoming in the place of worship. The spirit of real joy and true praise often causes people to do things that ordinarily would be deemed eccentric and even foolish. Such an instance was David's dancing before the Lord when the ark was brought to Zion from the house of Obed-edom. 2 Sam. 6:14-16, 20-23.

6. Holding to Peter and John also drew attention to these ministers of the Gospel, and the people's coming together gave opportunity for the apostles to witness for Christ, in whose name the lame man had been healed.

7. The Jews always gave respectful attention to any favorable reference to the fathers, especially to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. So Peter wisely prefixed his testimony for Christ with mention of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Stephen and Paul used the same means of presenting Christ to the prejudiced minds of their Jewish brethren. See Acts 7 and 13. It is always wise to approach a prejudiced person with something in which he is interested.

8. Peter repeats the stinging charge which had pricked the hearts of the people on the day of Pentecost—the charge of putting the Messiah to death. There he called Him "both Lord and Christ," while here He is "the Prince of Life."

9. The healing of the lame man was a perfect work, a work in answer to faith. No other kind of work but that of faith can be perfect, for no other kind is of God. Through the medium of this man's faith, "perfect soundness" had been given.