We have begun looking at the response of Peter and John to the questioning of the leaders. Acts 4:9-10 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, (10) let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.
Peter clarifies the leaders’ accusation, judging them for a good deed done to a helpless man.
Peter and John saw the lame man, sitting and begging. Their hearts were moved with concern and compassion for him. The Lord used them as His instruments and the healing took place. Acts 3:6-8 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” (7) And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. (8) So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.
It was not Peter and John who caused the healing, it was the Lord. When the healing took place, the lame man went walking, leaping, and praising God into the temple with Peter and John. This caused no small stir among the people and they gathered on Solomon’s porch.
This was how Peter preached the message of Jesus being raised from the dead and how God has sent Him to bless them, in turning everyone from their iniquities. Act 3:26 To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”
Was any evil committed? Was there any violence or any social disturbance that was caused? All that happened was good for everyone. Yet, the leaders judged the apostles as though a serious evil and crime, against their religion, society, and nation, had been committed.
This resonates with the accusation and allegation that is being placed against His church, especially in India. We are being charged for all the good deeds that the church has been doing for the people and for the nation over the centuries. We are being accused that we are causing serious disturbance to the religion, society, culture, and nation. The charge against the church, being that these ‘good works’ done by His church to people were an inducement and enticement to get people to come to faith in Jesus.
Let us be certain that we are saved by God to produce good works, just as Peter and John had done. We will always do good to people, society, and the nation. This is who we are. This is what Jesus causes to take place in us when we come into the habitat of God in Christ.
This life of caring for people and doing good works for people is a fruit-bearing life. Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (9) not of works, lest anyone should boast. (10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them._
A tree does not consume its own fruit but a tree bears fruit, which is a blessing to others. In bearing fruit, we are a blessing to the people, society, and nation where God has placed us. Matthew 10:7-8 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ (8) Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
It is our relationship with Jesus that causes us to be fruit-bearing people. John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
Jesus has chosen us to be fruit-bearing. John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
Fruit bearing is the mandate of a disciple of Jesus. Matthew 7:19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Who are we as the church of Jesus?
The following passage gives us a description of who we are. Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, (12) teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, (13) looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, (14) who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Peter and John were being judged for a good deed done to a helpless man. This is the accusation of the world on His church. Just because the world accuses us, charges us, condemns us, beats us, imprisons and even kills us, will the world be able to stop His church from doing good works to the people, society and nation? We will not stop, and we cannot stop from doing good works, for this is who we are in Christ.
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