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Chapter 33—The Healing of the Cripple
This chapter is based on
Acts 3
and
4
.
A short time after the descent of the Holy Spirit, and immediately
after a season of fervent prayer, Peter and John, going up to the
temple to worship, saw a distressed and poverty-stricken cripple,
forty years of age, who had known no other life than one of pain and
infirmity. This unfortunate man had long desired to go to Jesus and
be healed, but he was almost helpless, and was removed far from the
scene of the Great Physician’s labors. Finally his earnest pleadings
induced some kind persons to bear him to the gate of the temple.
But upon arriving there he discovered that the Healer, upon whom
his hopes were centered, had been put to a cruel death.
His disappointment excited the pity of those who knew how long
he had eagerly hoped and expected to be healed by Jesus, and they
daily brought him to the temple, that the passers-by might be moved
to give him a trifle to relieve his present wants. As Peter and John
passed, he begged charity from them. The disciples regarded him
with compassion. “And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with
John, said, Look on us.” “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I
have give I thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and
walk.”
The poor man’s countenance had fallen when Peter declared his
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own poverty, but grew bright with hope and faith as the disciple
continued. “And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up:
and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he
leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple,
walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him
walking and praising God: and they knew that it was he which sat
for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled
with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.”
The Jews were astonished that the disciples could perform mir-
acles similar to those of Jesus. He, they supposed, was dead, and
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