Acts 3-5:16 "People who had been with Jesus"

3:1-11  The crippled beggar's physical cure is a picture of the spiritual truths of salvation.

a) His need - He was absolutely helpless and could do nothing to help himself.

b) The necessity of faith - He had to believe that God could change his situation, even if humanly speaking the evidence suggested otherwise.  He had to be "sure of what he hoped for & certain of what he did not see". (Heb 11:1)

c) The importance of personal witness - Once his life had been changed, it was vital that he personally and publicly told it to others.  

d) The assurance of salvation - Once had had been healed, he needed to believe the change had been made and then live in that certainty.

e) The miracle of salvation itself - Humans had been unable to heal him.  Only God could do this.  Thus, his healing was a miracle.  

As Peter & John were the links between God and the man that day, each day, we need to be the links between God and needy men and women whose situation is helpless and hopeless, and bring them the spiritual miracle that only Jesus can bring.

Peter's address to the Jews is clear and direct.  He minces no words, repeatedly directing his comments to them in the words "You".  Peter charges them with handing Jesus over to be killed, disowned Him before Pilate, asked for Barabbas, and killed Jesus.  

Peter then promises to them that if they repent and turn to God, their sins would be wiped out, times of refreshing would come from the Lord and He would send the Christ.  This promise is available for us, even though we were not 'directly' the ones who killed Jesus - we did by our sins and transgressions.   

4:1-22

Peter and John's arrest came about because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.  Their release came about when they could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.  Peter and John appealed before the sight of God, saying "Look through His eyes!"  We ought never to be afraid of humans, but rather live our lives in the perspective of God - we live in His sight.

4:23-31 

The disciples' prayer:

Their reason v24-28- God's Sovereignty, in creation, His speaking by the Spirit through David prophesying that the kings and rulers would take their stand against the Lord and against Jesus, the fact that Herod and Pilate had conspired against Jesus.  

Their request v29-30- In light of the threats, they prayed for great boldness in speaking God's word, to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders.

Their result v31- God came upon them by His Holy Spirit and they spoke the word of God boldly.

4:32-37  Essentials of fellowship:

Unity of heart and mind

No 'possessiveness'

Sharing of everything you have

Testifying to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus in great power

Much grace being on them

No needy people being among you

A wholeheartedly giving spirit

Ananias & Sapphira's sin was so grave because they were deceitful in their attitudes and actions.  Divine judgment was necessary to ensure their deceit was dealt with - it produced great fear (of God) throughout the church.  We deal with an awesome and fearful God.  

We need to have the generous attitude of Barnabas that clings to nothing too tightly, but freely gives of all we have for God's sake.  If we have the Ananias and Sapphira attitude, we deprive ourselves and other, and more importantly, reflect our view of God - He cannot be trusted with our treasures, nor can we trust Him for our provision.