491-2 THE FIRST MIRACLE OF PETER AND THE FIRST MIRACLE OF PAULJune 27, 1979
Pastor Henry F. Kulp
Acts 3: 1 - 9 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate 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 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 of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
To understand the Book of Acts, and it is very important that we do—so few people do, we have to see it is divided into two main parts in verse 1 - 12 Peter is the chief apostle, and this portion is occupied with the ministry of Peter, and the chief city is the city of Jerusalem.
1/ Starting with Acts 13 to the end Paul is the chief apostle, and the chief city is Antioch. Before we go any farther in this message, we have to see Galatians 2: 7, 9 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
Here we see the great difference between the ministry of the Apostle Peter and the ministry of the Apostle Paul.
Peter is the minister of circumcision and Paul is the minister of the uncircumcision. Until you see this, Acts will absolutely be a befuddling book.
2/ I WONDER IF YOU HAVE EVER SEEN THE PARALLELS BETWEEN PETER AND PAUL, AND THEY ARE FANTASTIC. And I wonder if you know why these parallels are put into Acts. Let’s just study a few of them.
a. Acts 3: 2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Peter heals a lame man. Acts 14: 8 and here Paul heals a lame man. And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:
b. Acts 3: 6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. Peter repudiates silver and Gold. In Acts 20: 33 Paul repudiates silver and gold. I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
c. Acts4:8ThenPeter,filledwiththeHolyGhost,saiduntothem,Yerulersofthe people, and elders of Israel, Peter is before the council. Acts 23: 1 Paul stands before the council. And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
d. Acts 8: 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. Peter lays hands and they receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 19: 6 Paul laid hands upon them and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
e. Acts 8: 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Peter condemns a sorcerer. Acts 13: 10 Paul condemns a sorcerer. And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
f. In Acts 10 the first Gentile convert under Peter’s preaching has a Latin name. There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, Acts 13 the first Gentile that Paul led to the Lord had a Latin name. Acts 13: 6 - 12 Sergius Paulus was Paul’s first Gentile convert.
g. Acts 10: 9 - 14 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. Peter had a vision at noon day and heard a voice. Acts 22: 6, 7, 8 Paul had a vision at noon day and heard a voice. And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. Read Paul’s full conversion story in Acts 9
h. Acts 12: 5 - 7 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of
the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. Peter was delivered from prison. And then Acts 16: 25 - 26 Paul was delivered from prison. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
3/ We could go on and on because there are so many parallels between Peter and Paul in the Book of Acts. We find Paul duplicated every miracle Peter did and then some. Why is this true? I am sure the Holy Spirit wanted to settle once and for all the absolute equality in Peter and Paul. Paul was just as much an Apostle as Peter was, and both of them were a PRO-TOSE, a leading Apostle. Peter was the head of the twelve, and of course, Paul was the head of the Gospel team. No one was able to be compared with him.
4/ Now we want to make a comparison that is very important. That will head up all I’ve been saying II Peter 1: 16 - 18 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
Peter here is talking about his experience on the mount of transfiguration. And there Peter saw the Lord Jesus Christ transfigured in all His glory, His face did shine as the sun, His raiment was white as light, and then he heard a voice from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”
Acts 28: 14 - 18 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him. And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.
Here Paul saw the Lord of the Glory, and heard a voice from Heaven, and both of them were sent to be witnesses of what they saw and heard. Yet there is a difference, and we must all see this difference, if we are to understand the ministry of Peter and Paul. Peter saw the Lord in glory, but where was the Lord? He was right here upon this earth. Paul saw the Lord in His glory, but where was He? In Heaven at the right hand of God the
Father, the Majesty on High. Peter saw the Lord in His earthly glory, Paul saw the Lord in the Glory of Heaven. Peter heard a voice, and this had the acceptance of Christ in view. Hear ye Him. Paul heard a voice and it was the rejection of Christ in view—Why persecutes thou Me? Yes, Peter’s experience was an earthly one pertaining to the Kingdom, Paul’s experience was a Heavenly one and had to do with a Heavenly hope,
5/ Now compare,
Acts 5: 12 - 15 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
Acts 19: 11,12 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
In both of these passages you will find both Peter and Paul did many, many miracles that are not recorded in the Book of Acts. Then we must ask ourselves the question, if they did many more miracles why weren’t the miracles in the Bible? Why did the Holy Spirit have Luke record just certain ones? And the answer, of course, each one is recorded for a dispensational lesson.
6/ Now, let’s look at Peter’s first miracle.
Acts 3: 1 - 11 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate 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 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 of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God: And they knew 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. And 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.
We are on circumcision ground. Peter is the Apostle of circumcision.
7/ This man was healed and he leaped for joy and went into the temple. Here we have a man who was a Jew, lying at the gate of the temple, and he was crippled. He was not able to stand and walk into the temple and worship as he should, and here we have a picture of Israel.
8/ Notice this man was healed in the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
Verse 6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
Have you thought anything about Jesus of Nazareth? In that despised name the miracle was accomplished. It is in that name that Israel will be healed and be able to worship in the temple.
9/ This man was laid daily at the gate of the temple. Let’s contrast that with Acts 2: 46 where they, the believing group continues daily with one accord in the temple. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Notice, he wanted money, which he needed. But he wasn’t looking for healing. What a comparison we have here between the nation Israel and the believing remnant. Israel has never been able to walk since the day God took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt.
Jeremiah 31: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:
And now Israel wanted deliverance from all their problems, their troubles, but they didn’t want deliverance from their sin. They would not repent. Therefore the nation, lay as a helpless beggar outside the temple while the true worshipper, the little flock, worshipped daily within.
10/ John 1: 45, 46 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
Jesus of Nazareth the Son of Joseph. Then, can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Of course, the answer comes back, of course, not.
John 19: 19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was Jesus Of Nazareth The King Of The Jews.
Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews.
11/ Mark 1: 24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
Here Jesus Christ casts out the demons at Capernaum, and the demons say let us alone, what have we to do with Thee, Thou Jesus of Nazareth, For they recognized Him as King.
12/ Mark 16: 6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
Here we have the angel talking about the resurrected Christ and he says, be not amazed, ye seek Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified, He is risen, He is not here.
Then Acts 2: 22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
Peter says Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by signs miracles and wonders. So this Name is very important, it is the name that is the Kingly Name.
Then we notice the miracle that attracted a great deal of attention, and Peter starts teaching them, so Peter says, just as this man was physically healed, so you will be healed spiritually if you will repent and God will send Jesus unto you.
Acts 3: 19, 20 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
This is necessary for their spiritual healing, for them to be able to go into the temple and worship.
AMEN
Ref: 06/27/1979 / 491-2 THE FIRST MIRACLE OF PETER AND THE FIRST MIRACLE OF PAUL / July 26, 2020
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