While Peter and John were speaking to the people, they were confronted by the priests, the captain of the Temple guard, and some of the Sadducees.
People attend a Mass led by Catholic priest Marcelo Rossi at the Mother of God sanctuary in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012. Rossi, inaugurated on Friday the massive new Roman Catholic church that will hold about 20,000 worshippers when complete. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
These leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching the people that through Jesus there is a resurrection of the dead.
They arrested them and, since it was already evening, put them in jail until morning.
But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of believers now totaled about 5,000 men, not counting women and children.
Prayer: Lord Jesus – Fill your church with your Spirit. Guide and direct your servants to seek and save those who are lost. Baptize them into your family and make them spirit and truth worshipers. Teach and train them to become more like you and send them out to tell others of your mercy and grace. And may you receive all the glory. Amen.
Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd.
“People of Israel,” he said, “what is so surprising about this? And why stare at us as though we had made this man walk by our own power or godliness? For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this.
“This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release him. You rejected this holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact!
“Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes.
“Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance. But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had foretold about the Messiah—that he must suffer these things.
“Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets.
“Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people. Listen carefully to everything he tells you.’ Then Moses said, ‘Anyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from God’s people.’
“Starting with Samuel, every prophet spoke about what is happening today. You are the children of those prophets, and you are included in the covenant God promised to your ancestors. For God said to Abraham, ‘Through your descendants all the families on earth will be blessed.’
“When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways.”
Prayer:Heavenly Father – Give me a passion and heart for the lost… a passion to reach one more for Jesus. Holy Spirit – Usher in a season of refreshment… of power healing and evangelism where sins are forgiven, lives are changed, and families, tribes and nations turn to God. Lord Jesus – You reign over heaven and earth… pray for us… may your Kingdom come and your will be done… so that in the end every knee shall bow and tongue confess you as Lord. Amen.
Spiritual Song: “In the name of the Lord” – Sandi Patti
Crowds Have Lined The Narrow Street / To See This Man From Galilee / Just A Carpenter Some Say Leading Fools Astray / Yet Many Kneel To Give Him Praise
And In His Eyes They Glimpse The Power / That Sees The Heart Of All Men / And He Knows His Fathers Mind He Speaks His Fathers Words / For He Comes In The Name Of The Lord
There Is Strength In The Name Of The Lord / There Is Power In The Name Of The Lord / There Is Hope In The Name Of The Lord / Blessed Is He Who Comes In The Name Of The Lord
When My Plans Have Fallen Through / And When My Strength Is Nearly Gone / When Theres Nothing Left To Do But Just Depend On You / And The Power Of Your Name
And When We Call Upon Your Name / Your Strength Through Weakness To Show / We Can Know The Master Plan Extend The Masters Hand / When We Come In The Name Of The Lord
There Is Strength In The Name Of The Lord / There Is Power In The Name Of The Lord / There Is Hope In The Name Of The Lord / Blessed Is He Who Comes In The Name Of The Lord
His Name Will Be Worshiped Forever / Creator Redeemer And King / There Is Strength In The Name Of The Lord / There Is Power In The Name Of The Lord / There Is Hope In The Name Of The Lord / Blessed Is He Who Comes / Blessed Is He Who Comes / Blessed Is He Who Comes In The Name Of The Lord / In The Name Of The Lord
Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service.
As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.
Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money.
But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”
Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk!
Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God.
When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John.
Prayer:Lord Jesus – Forgive my timidity… my self-consciousness… my unbelief. I am so worried about looking foolish if nothing happens, that I don’t even try to offer healing in your name… especially in a public setting like the Beautiful Gate. And in the end, everyone loses… no one gets healed… no one’s life is changed… no one praises God… and no one sees your power at work in real life.
Holy Spirit – Give me the heart and mind of Peter and John… to discern the real problem… and, with boldness, to offer a healing solution. Help me to get over myself, and focus on what you want to do.
Heavenly Father – May I honor you in all things… and bring glory to your name. Amen.
Members of the Rutba House in Durham, N.C., gather for meals and morning and evening prayer.
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer.
A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
Prayer:Heavenly Father – Make me a believer who is devoted to learning… to breaking bread with others… and to prayer. Holy Spirit – Give me a spirit of joy and generosity… freely sharing with those in need. Lord Jesus – May my life and witness bring honor to you… and may you add to your number those who are being saved. Amen.
Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”
Philippines: 1000 people baptized
Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles — all who have been called by the Lord our God.”
Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”
Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day — about 3,000 in all.
Prayer:Lord Jesus – Give us the courage and boldness to speak the truth, “Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins, then you will receive the Holy Spirit!” Holy Spirit – I call on the name of the Lord… on behalf of my children and grandchildren… my friends and neighbors… the people I see around me every day… pierce their hearts that they might be saved from this crooked generation. Heavenly Father – Call your childrem home… guard them and protect them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
The Peanut Gallery 