Lord’s Day, Vol. 3 No. 37
Evangelism at the Beautiful Gate
A lame man above 40 years old sought alms from Peter and John at the gate of the temple called Beautiful (Acts 3:2; 4:22). The man’s limbs were without strength and he could not walk from birth. It was no fault of his. It was sad, but it was for the glory of God.
The Beautiful gate was the main gate at the eastern part of Herod’s Temple. It was the ninth gate and the principal entrance into the Temple. The ascent to the Temple was by 12 easy steps. The gate itself was made of dazzling Corinthian brass, richly ornamented and so massive were its double doors that they needed the united strength of 20 men to open and close them. It was at 3pm, the 9th hour (Acts 3:1). The Jews observed daily three stipulated hours of prayer. These were the 3rd, 6th and 9th hour. It was when Peter and John observed the appointed time of communion with God that they met the lame man.
Acts 3:4-5 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
Peter and John were mindful of the precious gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ that they could offer to the man.
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.
Acts 3:7-9 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
Indeed, “…how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:15)
Imagine the joy in the heart of the man, the joy in heaven that a soul was gloriously saved and the joy in the hearts of Peter and John who took the time to help the lame man. Notice, the man did not praise Peter and John for his healing but praised God. He knew it was God who healed him!
Peter answered the people who saw the lame man walking and praising God that it was by faith in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, that the lame man was made strong (Acts 3:16).
When brought before the rulers of the people, Peter being filled with the Holy Ghost testified further. Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
Peter spoke boldly that salvation comes only in Jesus Christ – Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
How was the lame man saved? Not by silver and gold. Peter and John said to the man that they had none to offer him. Salvation is a free gift from God. It cannot be bought with money.
1 Peter 1:18-19 “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
A significant sign happened after Jesus had accomplished His salvific work on the cross – the miraculous rending of the temple veil (Exodus 26:31-33, 36:35, 2 Chronicles 3:14).
Matthew 27:50-51 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent.
The veil of the temple that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of holies was completely torn apart from top to bottom into two equal pieces. It was 60 feet (18m) long, 30 feet (9m) wide and 4 inches (10cm) thick. It was so heavy it required 300 priests to hang it up.
The tearing of the veil was indeed a powerful visual aid revealing Christ’s redemptive mission on earth in both His life and death, and in both His active and passive obedience. Saints can now enter into God’s very presence through Jesus Christ. This is our privilege in Christ.
Hebrews 10:19-22 “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”
As the Lord sends us forth to be His witnesses, may we be mindful of the gospel opportunities that can arise as it did for Peter and John when they visited the temple on that eventful day to pray. Amen.
Yours lovingly,
Pr. Lek Aik Wee