Peter Heals and Helps

We listen attentively to Peter as he addresses the crowd who are staring at them as gods. Right here, deadly poison is brewing. Indeed, in this time of response to what these people have witnessed, deadly thoughts are being served to all around. Let’s reason here for a bit, as we are made clear on what is being spoken to us and why. Straightway, we are reminded that sin is committed in thought, as well as word and deed.

Jesus has been doing some deep-cleansing and deep-changing teaching to all who are listening. He must remove their old ways and interpretations of God’s law, to accept and know His complete interpretation, so that they can follow Him and live in Spirit and Truth. We remember Him saying, this, as recorded in Matthew 5: 27 – 28. You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Jesus has said, the lustful look is deadly, for it is sin. This sinful look is what Peter and John are experiencing from the people. The vibes, the atmosphere, the wind being blown, from the thoughts of these mesmerized witnesses of that miracle, is sin and all sin is deadly. Do not think that this is to be bypassed as mere simple looks. No! To look with the eyes of idolatry at anyone, means that you have already committed idolatry with that person. You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20: 2.

Without doubt or hesitation, obeying the prompting of the Holy Spirit, Peter addresses this idolatrous situation. Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we have made this man walk? Acts 3:12. Living, tangible, proof of the indwelling Holy Spirit in these disciples is most evident, for through Him, Peter clears the poisonous atmosphere for himself, John and all others listening. With heavily laden idolatrous thoughts, witnesses to a stunning miracle in their eyes, are idolizing these servants of God. Just at this point, don’t you see and hear how Peter acknowledges the Power and Godliness of the Holy Spirit?

When he himself is kind of taken back that these people think that the power to do miracles is coming from John and himself, he quickly denounces any such erroneous and frankly speaking, sacrilege thoughts. By quickly dispelling such a mind and such thoughts, has he not cleared the atmosphere, as it were? Has he not healed that poisonous atmosphere and turned it into fresh, clean wholesomeness, so people can drink in the freshness of Truth? But it does not just remain there, with cleansing the poisonous atmosphere. Here is the second part of the two-part sign.

Peter continues speaking and acknowledges God the Father, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers. He then goes on to give honour to God the Son, in the incarnate Jesus as the Servant. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. Acts 3: 13a. Peter has not just spoken about God the Father, but he is distinct and clear in acknowledging God the Son – His Servant Jesus. He presses upon the minds and hearts of these listeners to have their lives changed. He helps them by offering them these life-saving words. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 3: 19. We are told that some people believed. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand. Acts 4: 4. When the Spirit of Truth is truly living in Jesus’ disciples, deadly poison will not harm them, nor those with them.