In the name of Jesus Christ, the man lame from birth was healed. He was leaping, jumping and dancing around Peter and John as they entered Solomon’s court. There they came to the temple in Jerusalem to pray. Surrounding them were Jewish people who also came to pray. Many of them, very devout in their prayer, steeped in Jewish rituals. They had seen the crippled man lying at the gate. The gnarled appearance of his feet and ankles certainly etched in the memories of many. Yet, here he was dancing and praising God. The crowd gathered and Peter, led by the Holy Spirit began to preach. Not long before, these same people had screamed for Christ to be crucified. Furthermore, even Peter in fear and confusion denied Christ during the hours of His trial. Despite all that, Peter began to speak the truth boldly to the crowd.
How did he have the strength to do that? We need to know! Afterall, we are faced daily with people telling us that the gospel of Christ is wrong. The crowds surrounding us would either scream “crucify Him” or they would merely “change” His message to make it “socially acceptable” in their obscured vision of reality. Yet, Peter in Acts 3 spoke very boldly. He was thrown in jail; but that after many came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Are we willing to really speak the truth boldly regardless of the price to ourselves? If not, why not? How can we speak the truth boldly without compromising? Let’s examine his sermon and let us look prayerfully as to how we too can speak the truth boldly.
Peter’s Sermon Begins With
As the crowds gathered because of the miracle healing of the crippled man, Peter began to preach. His sermon begins with a humble statement; yet, a true statement. “Why do you marvel at this as though we could have performed such a miracle?” To speak the truth boldly, one must first know the truth. Peter knew he had no power to perform such an act of healing. Only God could. Jesus Christ, God Incarnate, the perfect Son of God performed such acts of healing. However, Peter could have cut this short and not reminded them of their role in His crucifixion. He could have played it safe; but then they would not be confronted with the truth of their guilt. We can attempt to play safe by not confronting people with their sin. However, in doing so, we fail them.
Abortion is a sin. Homosexuality is a sin. Is it any worse than my own sins? No. Pride is a sin. Adultery and fornication are sins. Unbridled anger is a sin. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Tiptoeing around the truth does not change the truth. Peter standing in the courtyard of the Jewish temple knew the importance to speak the truth boldly, regardless of the ridicule and even possible death he might face for so doing. Peter fully recognized his own sin as well. After all he had denied Christ three times during His trial and wasn’t there at the foot of the cross when Christ died. I too must daily die to self that Christ might live. So, like Peter, I must with humility tell others of their sins; but I cannot compromise the truth of their sin either.
Acts 3: 11-16
As the lame man, which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.
When Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, ‘Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?
The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.
But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
(Thereby) you killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. His name, through faith in His name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know. Yea, the faith which is by Him (Jesus) hath given him (this man) this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
Note: there was no mincing of words. No political correctness. “Pilate wanted to let Him go. The Roman leader thought Jesus innocent. But YOU chose to save a murderer while killing the PRINCE OF LIFE. You chose to let a murderer loose and free within your streets while killing the only true essence of life. But God raised Jesus from the dead and we are true witnesses to the resurrected Christ.
Speak the Truth Boldly
Then Peter tells them, “I know that this you did out of ignorance. However, if you repent and accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord you can be redeemed.”
Furthermore, Peter spoke the truth boldly because he knew the authority and authenticity of it. He saw the risen Christ. Beyond that, Jesus had pointed out to them clearly how every scripture in the Old Testament were fulfilled in His life, death and resurrection. Christ will return one day and will reign over all of heaven and earth, just as foretold. Today is the day of salvation.
For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. (Acts 3:22-26)
Conclusion
In Acts 4 we are told that the people, priests and Sadducees took them and placed them in “holding”. Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand (Acts 4:4). Because Peter was willing to speak the truth boldly, souls were transformed for an eternity. So, what about you and me? How do we speak the truth boldly that lives may be transformed? In much the same way, we should tell others about Christ.
- Never miss an opportunity presented by the work of the Holy Spirit.
- Remain humble when speaking truth, knowing that it was by Grace alone that you were saved. Sometimes this does mean we have to be open to speak the truth about our own vulnerabilities.
- Allow the Holy Spirit to work through you. Trusting Him to guide you, being instant in prayer.
- Study the word, so that you can speak with truth boldly. You cannot speak authoritatively about what you do not take the time to really know. II Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
- Trust God with the results. You may never know how many lives are changed. But if your ministry is not your own, you will be content with not knowing. Your ministry must be God’s Ministry instead of yours. As we are told in I Corinthians 3:7. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?
If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here
Or if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here
Books Available
If you want to know more about books I have written, click on this link to discover my Book Resources.
Another option is going to Amazon.com. There you can find my books by searching for Effie Darlene Barba. Or click this link to be taken there
Furthermore for inspirational photos or home decor click here.
Previous Posts in This Study of ACTS
Miracle of God, His Timing, and the Faith to Stand
Do We really Have Singleness of Heart?
What is our Greatest Opportunity at Hand?
The Remarkable Communication of the Holy Spirit in Revival
Is Being Filled with the Spirit a Different Experience?
What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
How to Wait with Cautious Discernment
How to Hold Fast to the True Gospel Message
Disclosures
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
CREDITS
Photo by permission of 123rtf.