Chapter II.--THE LAME MAN HEALED BY PETER AND JOHN.

When the multitude of Jews from all parts of the earth, heard twelve poor ignorant men of Galilee, able to speak easily in many different languages, which they had most probably never even heard spoken before, "they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?" The great truths of the Gospel thus proclaimed, must indeed have startled them, for they could not but perceive that God was with these men in a very remarkable manner. Some of them, unwilling to believe the words spoken by the Apostles, tried to make out that they had been drinking so much wine, that they did not know what they were talking about, and ought not, therefore, to be listened to. "Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine,"--as if being drunk, could make any man speak a real language, of which, in his sober moments, he knew nothing.

It was of the greatest importance that all men should clearly understand that the Apostles were really and truly the messengers of God, and that the Holy Spirit had been wonderfully given to them, to enable them to teach all nations: and therefore, when the accusation of being drunk was brought against them, they stood up, and Peter, no longer timid and fearful as to what man might do to him, lifted up his voice, and spake boldly to the assembled multitude. It is most probable that all this took place in some part of the temple.

Peter began by declaring to the people, that he and his fellows were not drunk, reminding them that it was only the third hour of the day. The third hour, nine o'clock in the morning with us, was the time appointed for service in the temple, and the pious and devout Jews did not eat nor drink _anything_ before they attended it. Then Peter told his hearers, that what they had now seen, was only the fulfilment of the prophecies, that the Lord would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. Then he went on, and spake to them of many solemn things, and of the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth; and how David, whom all the Jews acknowledged to be a prophet, had declared beforehand those things which had happened unto Jesus. Peter also told the people, that "this Jesus, being by the right hand of God exalted" into heaven, "and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear": and he ended his discourse with these plain and fearless words, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ."

These words seem to have had a great effect on the people, for "when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart," that is, their consciences told them that they had greatly sinned in putting Jesus to death; and now, feeling their need of help and guidance, they "said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" The answer was ready: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you and to your children, to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation,"--that is, separate yourselves from the unbelieving and sinful multitude, and so save yourselves from the wrath of God, which will rest upon all impenitent sinners.

The success of Peter's words, proving the reality of the power given to them by the Holy Spirit, must have been a great encouragement to the Apostles to continue their labours, in humble confidence that the same help would be ever with them. We read, "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them," to the company of disciples, "about three thousand souls"--a large number. Nor was it a momentary feeling that actuated them, for we read, "And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers"; that is, they continued to listen to the blessed truths taught by the Apostles of the forgiveness of sins for Jesus Christ's sake, partaking with them of the Lord's Supper in remembrance of His death, and joining in earnest prayer for grace, to enable them to serve God acceptably. "And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the Apostles." Those who saw such miracles performed, were more and more convinced that the Apostles were the messengers of God; and they would naturally fear to offend the Almighty God, Whose power was thus shown, and of Whose goodness the Apostles spake.

"And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 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, praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." Those who now became Christians, devoted themselves and all their possessions to the service of God: content with food for the supply of their daily wants, their whole object was to do the work of God with "singleness of heart"; that is, with a heart wholly filled with love towards Him, and to their fellow creatures for His sake,--a heart whose single purpose it was to do the Will of God. No wonder that those who acted in such a manner, found favour with all the people, and that their example was followed, so that many were daily added to the Church, or body of believers in Jesus Christ.

We read just now, that those who believed had all things common, and sold their possessions so as to make one common fund, out of which the daily wants of each were supplied. Thus those who had goods and riches gave them up; and those who had none were supplied out of their abundance.

This giving up of all private property by the rich, so that the poor believers might be supported, was necessary at that time: for the poorer class of people on becoming Christians, would get neither employment nor help from their Jewish brethren; nor would they receive any part of those sacrifices offered in the temple, which were devoted to the relief of the poor. But however desirable this arrangement was then, it was not _commanded_; it was a sacrifice made willingly by the rich, for the benefit of the poorer brethren. In these days, to have everything in common would be impossible; but though we are not called upon to do this, we _are_ called upon and _commanded_ to help others; and to deny ourselves, and sacrifice our own wishes, that we may be able to do good to our fellow creatures; and thus show our love for Jesus, Who says, "If any man seeth his brother have need and shutteth up his compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" And again, "To do good and to distribute forget not, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." Many other passages of Scripture teach us the same lesson, and it is summed up as it were in the command, "Do unto all men as ye would they should do unto you."

The next act we hear of as done by the Apostles is, that "Peter and John went up together into the temple, at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour." There were three fixed times for public prayer in the temple: the third hour (or 9 o'clock in the morning), when the morning sacrifices were offered; the sixth hour, that is, 12 o'clock or noon; and the ninth hour, 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when the evening sacrifices were offered. The gates of the temple were the favourite resorts of cripples, who caused themselves to be carried to them, that they might beg for money from those who were continually passing and re-passing. Peter and John, going up to prayer in the middle of the day, saw a poor man who had been lame ever since he was born, and "whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple." When this man begged of the Apostles they said unto him, "Look on us." The man readily gave heed unto them, and did as they told him, "expecting to receive something of them"; and so he did, though not of the kind he expected. "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." When the people saw this man, whom they had long known as a helpless cripple, "walking, and praising God," they were naturally full of wonder and amazement. "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."

This porch was, you must remember, a sort of colonnade or piazza, built over the same spot on which that built by Solomon in the first temple, had stood. When Peter saw such a number of people assembled, he spake to them, and said, "Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?" And then he told them, that this cripple was made whole, because he had faith in Jesus Christ, who was truly the Son of God the promised Messiah, though they had refused to believe in Him, and had forced Pilate to crucify Him. But that, although they had preferred a murderer, and had killed Him Who was the Prince of Life, God had raised Him from the dead; as all the Apostles could bear witness, and that in His name and by His power alone, was this miracle worked. Peter then went on to say, that they did not know what they were about when they persecuted Jesus even unto death; and that if now, they would repent, and believe all that the Apostles could tell them of Jesus Christ, their sins should be "blotted out." And he reminded them, that Moses, and all the prophets since his time, had spoken of the coming of Christ; and that to them, as the descendants of the Children of Israel with whom the first covenant was made, God had now sent His son Jesus Christ, to bless them, in turning away every one from his iniquities. Peter and John were not long left to preach undisturbed to the people: for "as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide." The captain of the temple was one of the Priests, who directed and looked after all the guards and watches of the Priests and Levites, who were appointed to keep the temple from being in any way profaned. Before the death of Jesus, the Scribes and Pharisees were His chief enemies; but now that His disciples declared and taught that He had risen from the dead, the Sadducees became the most violent opposers of the Apostles, who taught the doctrine of the Resurrection.