The printed scripture portion includes only 12 verses; but the lesson for this day extends over the entire third chapter of Acts. From verse 12 to the end we have the second recorded sermon of Peter. As in the first sermon, his theme is Jeans: how God had honored and exalted him whom they had delivered up and killed. But God raised him from the dead. The apostles were witnesses to the fact.

      The explanation of the miracle which had just occurred lay in the power of that great Name. Its power and virtue is made available to faith. Compare the case recorded in Acts 16:8-10.

      They had killed the Lord in ignorance. That makes some difference (1 Tim. 1:13). But it is no excuse--especially not since their ignorance was guilty and willful. (John 5:40; 7:17; 1 Cor. 15:9). Ignorance does not save; it destroys. However their ignorance became a factor in the fulfilment of prophecy. (1 Cor. 2:8; Acts 13:27). All things, whether good or bad, must contribute toward the accomplishment of God's ultimate plans.

      The same voice of authority that called the lame man to rise from his pitiable estate, now calls upon the hitherto spiritually lame to rise out of their impotency to a new life. "Repent ye and turn again." The lame man did not start an argument about his inability to walk when called on in the name of Jesus to "Rise up and walk." Neither is it in place for these sin-bound men, nor for us, when the call of God to repentance comes to us, to argue whether we "can" or not; but to leap up and walk, depending on God's grace and power to give us the necessary strength. Upon repentance follows the blotting out of their sins. (Verse 19). He did not mean to set aside either faith or baptism when he so spake. True repentance involves faith and true faith involves baptism. The three belong together and agree in one.

      Had Israel repented nationally even this late in the day the whole history of the world would have been different. (Verses 20, 21. See Rom. 11:11, 12, 15). The context here shows that had they repented the Christ would have been sent. But they refused; and there followed what has by now proved a long interval during which Israel is (nation ) rejected, and the privilege of membership in the church, the Body of Christ, has gone out to the Gentiles who accept. (Acts 15:14; Rom 11:11; Eph. 3:4-6).

      Christ is in heaven, and there must remain until "The Times of Restoration of all things," of which God spake by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old. This does not mean that he will be in heaven during those restoration times; but until then. When Jesus comes the Restoration begins. It will be according to the Old Testament (and New Testament) predictions. (v. 21; Isa. 11; 35; 55:11, 12; 65:17-25, etc.; Rom. 8:18-23).

      The Prophet like unto Moses is evidently Christ. By so much as he is greater than Moses, it is more serious to disobey him. (Heb. 2:1-3; 12:25).

      The Jews were "the sons of the prophets" and of the Abrahamic covenant--that is, by right the first and chief beneficiaries thereof. The Olive Tree into which we were grafted through Christ is their olive tree. God had never entered into formal covenant with the Gentiles as such. Theirs are the covenants. Rom. 9:4. We who were "aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise" (Eph. 2:12) are now living upon their riches, from which, as a nation, they have been temporarily excluded (Rom. 11:8-32).

      Unto Israel First Therefore--for they were first in line of the Abrahamic covenant blessing--God having raised up his servant, sent him to bless them. (Vs. 25, 26; 13:46). The first step of the blessing consists in turning them from their sins. For this Jesus came. It required His coming into the world to make this truly possible. He can and does do it--not without their will and faith, but with it. When sin is abolished all other promised blessings follow.

      These Sunday School Lesson Leaflets are printed by the Word and Work, 2500 Portland Ave., Louisville, Ky. Eight page folders containing one month's lessons, 15 cents per dozen; in larger quantities 1 cent each. [46]

["Lord's Day Lesson 5: The Lame Man Leaping." Word and Work 9 (January 1916): 45-46.]

      The electronic version of R. H. Boll's "Lord's Day Lesson 5: The Lame Man Leaping" has been produced from microfilm of Word and Work for 1916.

      Pagination in the electronic version has been represented by placing the page number in brackets following the last complete word on the printed page. Inconsistencies in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typography have been retained; however, corrections have been offered for misspellings and other accidental corruptions. Emendations are as follows:

            Printed Text [ Electronic Text
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 p. 46:     covenants of promise [ covenants of promise"
 

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 25 January 2002.
Updated 22 June 2003.