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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

CHAPTER THREE:
WITNESSES OF THE RESURRECTION!

[“Repent and be Refreshed”]
Key word: Jesus

Acts 3:1-10 – Peter and John and a Temple Healing

AC3:1 Now Peter and John were ascending up to the Temple area at the 3 PM hour of prayer. 117

117	Ascending up to the Temple area at the 3 PM hour of prayer: The Christians did not go to the Temple to worship but to gather where there were plenty of people to witness to about the Gospel.

AC3:2 A man born lame from his mother’s womb 118 was carried daily and put at the gate of the Temple area. He was placed there at the Beautiful Gate 119 to beg for alms from those entering the Temple area.

118	A man born lame from his mother’s womb: In such a case, similar to the man born blind Jesus healed, there can be no case of trickery or crediting the cure to some kind of psychic or emotional cure.

119	Beautiful Gate: Possibly the same as the East Gate into the Temple compound, described by Josephus as being 70 foot tall and made of brass.

AC3:3 Now observing Peter and John approaching the Temple area, he began begging them to receive alms. AC3:4 But Peter, and John with him, giving him their attention, said: “Look at us.” AC3:5 Now the beggar, thinking he was about to receive something from them, gave them his attention. AC3:6 Now Peter said: “Silver and gold I do not possess, 120 but what I have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, rise and walk.” 121

120

Silver and gold I do not possess: Compare the Master’s command to his apostles at Luke 12:32, 33. The apostles were poor, particularly after all had sold their possessions to live communally with the thousands of new disciples in Jerusalem. It is ironic that the “first Pope” was penniless, unlike those who supposedly succeeded him. In modern times many so-called Christian healers and preachers proclaim the Prosperity Gospel.

121	In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, rise and walk: It is interesting to note the full phrase used in baptism and healing by the apostles.

AC3:7 Peter took the beggar by the hand and raised him up. Immediately the beggar’s feet and ankles became strong. AC3:8 Then, jumping up, he stood there, and then began walking around. The beggar entered the Temple area with Peter and John, walking and jumping about, praising The God. AC3:9 All the people saw him walking and praising The God. AC3:10 They recognized him as that beggar that sat at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple area begging for alms, and they were filled with wondrous awe and amazement over what had happened to him.

Acts 3:11-18 – Peter’s Second Sermon to More Jews

AC3:11 While the beggar hung onto Peter and John, all the completely astonished people ran together with them to the porch called Solomon’s Portico. 122

122	Solomon’s Portico: East of the Temple proper, Jesus also walked there. [John 10:22-24] Josephus mentions the location. (Jewish Antiquities, VIII, 95-98 [iii, 9]; XX, 219-221 [ix, 7]; The Jewish War, I, 401 [xxi, 1]; V, 184-189 [v, 1])

AC3:12 When Peter saw this, he respond to all the people: “Men, Israelites, why are you marveling at this, or at us? Why are you looking as if by our own power or reverence 123 this man was made to walk?

123	Reverence: Or, holiness, godliness, personal piety. Peter takes no personal credit.

AC3:13 The God of Abraham, The God of Isaac, and The God of Jacob 124 – The God of our forefathers – glorified His servant-boy Jesus. 125 You [Jews] handed him over and denied him before Pilate, 126 asking for the other man to be released. 127

124	The God of Abraham, The God of Isaac, and The God of Jacob: That is, Yehowah. See Exodus 6:3.

125	Glorified His servant-boy Jesus: Or, KJV: Son; servant. The Greek is PAIDA, or a young male slave. It is Yehowah, The God of Abraham, who glorified His Servant. This Servant is not Yehowah himself.

126	You [Jews] handed him over and denied him before Pilate: Again Peter puts the blame upon the Jews.

127	Asking for the other man to be released: Or, Barabbas. [Matthew 27:21; Luke 23:14]

AC3:14 Instead, you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked a man who was a murderer to be released to you. AC3:15 However, the Prince 128 of Life you [Jews] killed, whom The God raised from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 129

128

The Prince: Or, RHM: princely Leader; TCN: Guide; MOF: pioneer; GDS: the very source of life; KNX: author of life; NEB: led the way to life; BEC: the Master and Giver of life. The Greek is ARCHEGON [chief leader] and the more paraphrased a Trinitarian version becomes the more – Trinitarian. It is possible Peter echoes Isaiah 9:6 from the Hebrew Text, ham-mis-rah, and where some Greek versions use ARCHE.

129	We are witnesses of this: A powerful statement that serves as the engine of the Nazarene movement in the first days. [1 John 1:1-3] Note this “ignorance” at Acts 17:30.

AC3:16 And on the basis of faith in his name – this beggar you saw and knew – has been made strong in his name. And that faith in Jesus gave this man health right before all of you. AC3:17 So, now, brothers, I realize you [Jews] acted with ignorance, as did also your leaders. 130

130	I realize you [Jews] acted with ignorance, as did also your leaders: Peter is amazingly forgiving to the Jews and their hierarchy. Possibly he includes Plate in this statement.

AC3:18 But, by these means The God fulfilled those things previously announced by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ was to suffer.” 131

131	His Christ was to suffer: Compare Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. A phrase similar to “His Christ” occurs at Revelation 11:15.

Acts 3:19-26 – Times of Restoration Foretold

AC3:19 “So, you should repent and turn around 132 so that your sins might be blotted out. 133

132	Repent and turn around: Or, converted, turn to God, turn back to Him. No forgiveness can occur without a regret for form thoughts and conduct, as well as a turnabout in a godly direction. Such encouragement is given in Ezekiel 33:11 a possible echo here. [Acts 2:38; Ephesians 4:22; 1 Peter 4:3]

133	So that your sins might be blotted out: Or, wiped away, completely taken away. Possibly echoing Ezekiel 33:16. [1 John 1:7]

AC3:20 Then restful times 134 may come to you from the presence of the Supreme Being, 135 and then He will send to you the One proclaimed beforehand, Christ Jesus. 136

134	Restful times: Or, refreshing, brighter days, breathing-space, revival, recovery. Compare Isaiah 28:12.

135	From the presence of the Master: Or, Yehowah, as the context indicates.

136	He will send to you the One proclaimed beforehand, Christ Jesus: Judging from the context, Peter refers to the Return of Christ. [John 14:1-3]

AC3:21 It is necessary that heaven must receive [Christ] 137 until the times of restoration of everything 138 that was spoken by The God through the mouth of the holy prophets in ages past.

137

Heaven must receive [Christ]: Or, TCN: must be his home; GDS: remain in heaven; WMS: retain him. The Greek for “receive” here is EXASTHAI [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #1209]. Christ must remain in heaven – restrained as it were – until God’s “appointed time” which only He knows. [Matthew 24:36; Acts 1:7]

138

Until the times of restoration of everything: Or, KJV: times of restitution; RHM: due establishment; TCN: universal restoration; MOF: great restoration; WEY: reconstitution; BAS: all things put right; KNX: restored anew; RIE: whole world is recreated. The context deals with the Parousia of King Messiah. Daniel 7:22 foretold such an arrival or return of Yehowah’s agent, Messiah. Compare also Malachi 3:1; 4:5; Matthew 4:5. Some make application to a so-called restoration of Israel, but it is more likely something like Ephesians 1:10 and Colossians 1:20. This “restoration” begins with the Return of Christ and the gathering of his Church first. [1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17] Following this will be a Thousand Years of Messiah reign on earth with his Church. [Revelation 20:4; 21:2] The “restoration” will be complete after the judgment of mankind in general following the Thousand Years. [Revelation 20:5, 12, 13; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28] The peace and unity in heaven and earth will be restored and for earth this will mean a global Eden. [Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:13]

AC3:22 Indeed, Moses said: ‘YHWH your God will raise up a prophet like me 139 for you [Israelites] from among your brothers. You must listen to him regarding everything he may speak to you.

139

YHWH your God will raise up a prophet like me: Peter quotes Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15, 16, 19 where the Messiah as Prophet is foretold. In the Hebrew Text the Tetragram occurs and the Greek here suggests YHWH originally appeared here. Moses is characterized particularly as a prophet who knew Yehowah “face to face” and Jesus Christ also knew his Father in the same manner. [Deuteronomy 34:10]

AC3:23 And any soul who does not listen to that Prophet will be completely destroyed 140 from among you people.’ [Deuteronomy 18:15, 16, 19; Leviticus 23:29]

140

Does not listen to that Prophet will be completely destroyed: The Jews were faced with a life or death decision. Failure to respond to this Prophet – Messiah – meant a loss of God’s favor and death. What happened to Jerusalem between 66-73 AD confirms that the vast majority of the Jews rejected Messiah and therefore lost their Temple and holy city. Jesus foretold the same. [Luke 19:41-44] In addition to this curse there is another Mosaic curse resting upon all Jews who fail to obey God’s Law. [Deuteronomy 28]

AC3:24 Also, all the prophets from Samuel and his successors, 141 as many as spoke, proclaimed this day.

141

All the prophets from Samuel and his successors… proclaimed this day: For a list of such prophecies see the work Nazarene Principles 2000© in Nazarene Commentary 2000©. Compare Luke 24:27 and Acts 10:43. 2 Samuel 7:16 represents Samuel’s prophecy regarding Messiah. Compare also Psalm 2, 22, 89, 110; Isaiah 53; Daniel 9:25-27; Zechariah 12:10.

AC3:25 You [Jews] are the sons of the Prophets 142 and of the Covenant that The God decreed to your forefathers, 143 saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth will be blessed.’ 144 [Genesis 22:18; 26:4]

142	You [Jews] are the sons of the Prophets: Compare notes on Romans 3:1 and Romans 9:4.

143	Covenant that The God decreed to your forefathers: Compare Genesis chapter 17; Exodus 2:24; Psalm 89:3, 28.

144	And in your seed all the families of the earth will be blessed: Peter quotes Genesis 22:18. [Genesis 26:4] Compare Paul’s inspired interpretation of such verses at Galatians 3:8.

AC3:26 After raising up his servant-boy, 145 The God first sent him to bless you [Jews] 146 as a result of each person turning away from your wicked ways.”

145	After raising up his servant-boy: Or, servant. See notes on Acts 3:13. Peter refers to Christ’s resurrection.

146	God first sent him to bless you [Jews]: Upon his resurrection Jesus only appeared to Jews throughout the 40 days of his appearances. Compare notes on John 14:19. [Acts 13:46; Romans 1:16]

Review Questions on Chapter Three