The Spectator., 1916-01-25
LESSON FOR JANUARY 30
THE LAME MAN LEAPiNG.
LESSON TEXT-Acts 3.

The coming of power Chapter 9 is soon tested outside of the circle of believers. It is put to public test, is tried as to it's efficacy physically, i. e., has the Holy Spirit power physically as well as over the spirits of men?
 ]. The Appeal to Peter and John, w. 1-10. Following Pentecost the disciples seem to have continued their accus- toned mode of life. CD The apostles and worship (v. D. AS yet, and in deed for many years to come, there was no particular separation of Jews and Christians.
 Praying men like these two leaders. Peter and John, continued to fulfill their temple duties. The ninth hour was the prayer hour the hour of sac rifice (Ex. 29:39. Kings 1896.
 All true approach to God must be on the grounds of sacrifice (John 14:6, Heb. 9:22) and we must remember that this hour was the one at which Jesus died for us, our sacrifice (Heb. 1O:19, 29).
 Emphasize the need and importance of worship and prayer.
 CD The afflicted one (v 9. This man had been there often and made his usual appeal; his expectation was limited to material aid (v. 5); he may or he may not have been familiar with Christ and his teachings. but some thing unusual was about to happen be- cause the two to whom he appealed really knew God and on them now rested this new power in the world
 (3) The apostles response (vv. 4-O. Peter took good look at the man (v 4). Peter was changed by a look (Matt. 16:O. What he saw was the mans fundamental spiritual need (a) Demanding the mans undivided attention, Peter gave the man what he had not-not what the man wanted or expected.
 Peter's words. Look on us" and Pauls be ye followers of me" q Cor f :16) are in no wise egotistical, but in each case the fearless appeal of a man wholly Goes. men conscious of the endowment of power. trying to seize the wavering wills of men that (b) Peter aroused the mans expect ancy.
 It is usually men lacking in silver and gold who give to the world it's greatest blessings and highest good q Cor. AID.
 Every effective Christian worker must base his appeal upon the facts of personal experience q. Pet 4:10, ID. (d) Peter bade the man to do the very thing he (humanly) could not do. but the thing which. 'in the name of Jesus Christ" he would be able to do.
 (D The result. CD Upon the man. There is no doubt as to the complete ness of the cure (v. S). He had strength" was lifted up" from his former position of weakness; he "leaped" Literally, ecstatic joy); he walked" continuous activity; and he "worshiped," thanksgiving and renew ing of strength. (2) Upon the people. (a) All the people saw" They may not have heard or comprehended the words of Peter. but they did witness the transformation. (b) ''They took knowledge" (v, 10). they began to ob- serve. even as the world always does. the one who Professes his faith in Christ? (c) They were filled with wonder and amazement" (v. 10), they could not understand. No more can the world of today (see I Cor. 1:1S. 2S) really compre- bend the Christian. There was no guesswork, however, about this mir acle, and, of the people who witnessed it and were so filled with wonder and amazement, many were converted (ch. 4:4.
 The miracle served to get for the gospel good hearing and it accom- plished it's purpose (Rom. 1:16).
 II. Peter's Appeal to the People, w. 11-26. Notice it was the man who attracted the crowd. not Peter or John. for he eagerly held the disciples while the crowd gathered (John 5:l0. ID. This may suggest the weakness of the mans faith in that he depended upon Peter and John rather than upon Je- sus. CD Peter seized this opportunity (v. 12) and began his salutation by taking advantage of their curiosity.
 Peter eagerly turned their thoughts from himself unto Jesus. He wished to divert attention from himself and used the miracle for the double pur- pose of glorifying Jesus Christ and to convict these men of their sin.
 Verses 13, 14,-l5 contain the charges whereof Peter and John were wit nesses." They were not to look upon "us" as though they had done any. thing, nor was it some new God of whom they witnessed (v. 13). The act of the crucitixion. he grants, may have been consummated in ignorance (v. ID, but since God had raised Jesus from the dead. and this doctrine Of the resurrection was new, therefore they ought to repent even though