Acts Sermon 2: Healing and Opposition

Acts  2  concludes  with  the  mighty  work  of  the  Spirit  among  the  Jerusalem  believers.  But  just  as  Jesus  encountered  opposition  in  his  earthly  ministry,  so  also  the  disciples  would  encounter  opposition  as  they  proclaimed  the  crucified  and  resurrected  Messiah.  The  story  of  the  healing  of  a  lame  man  occupies  Acts  3-4.  The  healing  provided  further  opportunity  for  apostolic  witness  to  the  mighty  acts  of  God  in  Christ.  The  Holy  Spirit  empowered  the  disciples  for  bold  proclamation  and  courage  in  the  face  of  opposition.  The  narrative  of  Acts  makes  clear  that  persecution  was  a  central  element  of  the  spread  of  the  Gospel  beyond  the  boundaries  of  Jerusalem.  Today’s  study  of  Acts  3-4  focuses  upon  the  healing  (3:1-10),  Peter’s  response  (4:8-31),  and  the  character  of  the  early  church  (4:31-37).