the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 4 of 5
Acts 2:42-47; ; Acts 3:1-11
Ch. 2 ends with a wonderful picture of the assembly in its infancy. There were, as today, meetings for edification, worship and prayer (v. 42). But we often limit the life of the assembly to this, even though it should be extended into the homes of those who compose it (v. 46).
"Fear came upon every soul" declares v. 43. Solemnity and seriousness can be in perfect harmony with the gladness described at the end of v. 46.
In ch. 3 we see the power of the Holy Spirit manifesting itself not only in the words of the apostles but also in their deeds. In asking for alms from Peter and John, the poor, lame man seated at the gate of the Temple called Beautiful, certainly did not expect the gift he was going to receive: miraculous healing by faith in the name of Jesus. "Such as I have give I thee", says Peter (v. 6). When it is a matter of giving, we usually think of money. More rarely do we think of the heavenly treasure, that is to say, the knowledge of the Saviour which we still have the privilege of imparting to those around us.
What a change for this poor, lame man! Up to then he was "at the gate". Now he enters into the presence of God to praise Him (v. 8). Could one of our readers still be "at the gate"?
