The Gospel of Jesus

TNIV Scripture for Thursday, September 25, 2008 [Acts 3:19-23]

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus. Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.'

Peter and John went to the temple complex in Jerusalem to pray one afternoon. Peter healed a man who had been lame from birth and who was begging at the Beautiful Gate, an entrance into the temple complex. The people were amazed when they saw the familiar beggar walking and praising God. Then, Peter began to speak and said, "Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this? Or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or  godliness we had made him walk?" (Holman Bible) Next, Peter preached the good news of Jesus Christ concluding with the challenge for them to repent (change your mind) so that they may be saved (Acts 3:19-23 - today's reading). Two more significant things happened as a result of the lame man's healing and Peter's bold preaching of the powerful gospel of Jesus that day. Both Peter and John were arrested and about 5,000 men became believers!

Beth Warlick, 9/25/2008