October 2, 2025 - Acts 3-6

Luke gives us a report on the man at the temple healed by Peter and John:  “And all the people saw him walking and praising God . . . And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him” (3:9,10).  Peter responded:  “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made them walk?  The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus . . . And his name – by faith in his name – has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all” (3:12-16).

Am I being too irreverent to observe, “When Jesus shows up, amazing things happen!”  And, in fact, the entire book of Acts is the story of the early church and the amazing things that Jesus did by his Holy Spirit and through his apostles.  The boldness of the disciples.  Signs and wonders.    The disciples sharing with one another.  Ananias and Sapphira.  Multitudes healed.  The apostles imprisoned and miraculously freed.  The choosing of the deacons.  Stephen, full of grace and power.  An amazing read!  An amazing Savior!

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds

in a believer's ear!

It soothes our sorrows, heals our wounds,

and drives away our fear.

It makes the wounded spirit whole

and calms the troubled breast;

'tis manna to the hungry soul,

and to the weary, rest.   –John Newton (1779)