J Vernon McGee Acts 2-3

Dr. McGee begins his exposition of Acts chapter 3 by highlighting the healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate by Peter and John. He emphasizes the contrast between the "beautiful gate" made by man and the marred condition of the man, whom man could not truly improve. This miracle occurred at the hour of prayer, drawing the attention of many in the temple. Dr. McGee points out that even after Pentecost, Peter and John, being 100% Israelites, continued to go to the temple to pray. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, told the lame man that while they had no silver or gold, they could give him the ability to walk in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The immediate strengthening and leaping of the man was significant, reminding instructed Israelites of the prophecy in Isaiah regarding the restoration of the kingdom where the lame would leap.

Following the healing, Peter addressed the marveling crowd in a sermon, focusing on Jesus Christ. He clarified that the miracle was not due to their own power or holiness but through faith in Jesus' name, whom the people had delivered up, denied before Pilate, and killed, but whom God had raised from the dead. Dr. McGee stresses Peter's consistent message of the resurrection. Peter called upon the men of Israel to repent and be converted so that their sins might be blotted out when the times of refreshing would come and Jesus Christ would be sent again. Dr. McGee notes that the possibility of Christ's return at that time was contingent on their acceptance of him, but they did not repent. The chapter concludes with the result of Peter's sermon: approximately 5,000 men believed.

Chapter 4 details the reaction of the religious leaders, specifically the Sadducees who denied the resurrection, who arrested Peter and John. When brought before the Sanhedrin, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly proclaimed that the healing was done in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they had crucified but God raised from the dead, identifying Jesus as the stone rejected by the builders that had become the cornerstone. He declared that there is salvation in no other name. Despite the Sanhedrin's threats to stop speaking in Jesus' name, Peter and John refused, stating they must obey God rather than men. Upon their release, they returned to the church, and the believers prayed for boldness to continue speaking God's word in the face of threats, resulting in the place being shaken and them being filled with the Holy Ghost and speaking the word with boldness. The early church also demonstrated a remarkable unity and communal sharing of possessions, though Dr. McGee notes this was due to their high spiritual condition and was not a lasting practice.

Chapter 5 begins with the account of Ananias and Sapphira, who lied about the amount of money they gave to the apostles, and as a consequence, were struck dead by God. Dr. McGee emphasizes that their sin was not in keeping back part of the money, as the property was theirs, but in their deception. This event brought great fear upon the church. Despite this defection, the apostles continued to perform many signs and wonders, and multitudes of believers, both men and women, were added to the Lord. People even brought the sick into the streets, hoping that Peter's shadow might heal them, which Dr. McGee clarifies was the faith of the multitude, not something Peter intentionally did. However, the high priest and the Sadducees, filled with indignation, arrested the apostles again and put them in prison, but an angel of the Lord miraculously released them and commanded them to continue speaking in the temple. Despite being rearrested and questioned, the apostles, led by Peter, boldly declared that they must obey God rather than man and continued to teach and preach Jesus Christ daily, even after being beaten by the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer for his name.