Act of Kindness
Act kindly to those in need
Acts 3:1-26
One act of kindness can transform a person’s day, or even their life. As the saying goes, ‘Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.’ Kindness is one of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Just after they had been filled with the Holy Spirit, we see in this passage what is later described as an ‘act of kindness’ (Acts 4:9) performed by Peter and John (3:1–10).
This ‘act of kindness’ led to a remarkable chain of events, which can perhaps best be described as ‘power evangelism’. It led to astonishing church growth. It was part of the beginning of an explosion that eventually was to change the whole world.
If we were asked to start a new church, I doubt we would have done it the way they did. They had no building, no money and no resources. It began with a bunch of fisherman and tax collectors and, among other things, a whole load of people speaking in tongues! Yet the church exploded into life with astonishing growth.
People from outside were attracted because of what they saw happening on the inside. They were attracted by the sheer undiluted power of God released through this ‘act of kindness’.
These two guys were on their way to an evening service. When they got there they saw a person in desperate need, begging for help. This is the sort of person that we might expect to find in one of the few places they could hope to receive any kindness.
The man ‘was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts’ (v.2). The gate was called Beautiful; yet, what they saw was not what the world sees as beautiful – a man disabled from birth, begging.
Their hearts did not sink when they saw the contrast. Rather, their faith rose. They did something. They healed him. They saw someone in need. They recognised the inner beauty of every human being. They didn’t have any money but Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk’ (v.6).
There is great power in the name of Jesus. To the Hebrew mind a person’s name revealed their character. This was not a magic formula or a tag-on at the end of a prayer. This was the difference between the ministry of Jesus and that of his disciples. Jesus healed on his own authority, while the disciples did it in his name. In the same way, we are dependent on him. In our weakness, you and I can continue to exercise his ministry, in his power and in his name.
Not only was this man healed (he jumped to his feet and began to walk and praise God, v.8), but many people were also converted. This one act of kindness had an astonishing effect. The people ‘were filled with wonder and amazement at what happened to him… all the people were astonished and came running to them’ (v.10–11). The demonstration of the power of God was accompanied by the proclamation of the gospel. They had the opportunity to speak about Jesus: his death and resurrection, and the need for faith (v.14–16).
Our preaching should always be Jesus-centred. Peter’s second sermon, like his first, is totally focused on Jesus. He starts by saying, ‘People of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?” (v.12). Peter does not want the people to be focused on himself, but rather on Jesus.
The whole talk is about Jesus. Jesus is God’s ‘servant’ (v.13), ‘the Holy and Righteous One’ (v.14), ‘the author of life’ (v.15) and the ‘prophet’ foretold by Moses (v.22). He says, ‘By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him’ (v.16).
Peter gives the good news about Jesus. He speaks about sin, the cross, the resurrection and the need to repent and turn to God. He assures them of God’s promise to forgive their sins and restore their relationship with God. He says, ‘Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord’ (v.19).
‘Times of refreshing’ come when you spend time in God’s presence. When you are weary or worn out, you can be refreshed by spending time with God. Sometimes, you need to learn to separate yourself from the busyness of life and spend time with God in the way that Jesus did. The Holy Spirit, in his kindness, wants to bring ‘times of refreshing’ to you.
