“Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; who seeing PETER and JOHN about to go into the temple asked an alms. And PETER, fastening his eyes upon him with John, SAID, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then PETER SAID, Silver and gold have I (not we) none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. 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. And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.” Acts 3:1-11

In the foregoing Account, I’d like you to notice something I find quite amazing. Two Disciples, Peter and John have gone to the Temple to pray. They encounter a lame man. (We learn from the next chapter that he is 40 years old, Acts 4:22.)

A dialogue ensures. Beginning with the blind man begging for money. Then PETER answers. (Remember, John is right by his side! John, “the Disciple whom Jesus loved.” Also the author of one New Testament Gospel, three Epistles and the glorious Book of Revelation!)

And John does not say a single word! Not that is recorded in our Holy Spirit Paragraph! Peter does all the talking!

What might this I imply?

The verbosity of Peter? (Talking incessantly at times.)

The reticence of John? (An introverted personality.)

A proper strategy for soul winning? (Go out in pairs, like Jesus taught … but one person take the lead. The other handling any potential interruptions.)

John’s immaturity at that point? (Only a few days earlier he had asked Jesus to be first in the Kingdom of God! He and his brother!)

John’s concern with “theology” and “prophecy” more than people? (Thank God he had the insight to warn us in his Epistles of approaching false doctrine and foretell us in his Apocalypse of future events.)

But at least this Acts chapter 3 “talk/be quiet” Scenario shows us how God makes every one of His servants different!

Dear reader here this morning, do not try to “copy” another servant of the Lord. Be the person God made you, and build upon those traits!

After all, Psalm 139 teaches us that every human being is an original masterpiece from the Hands of an Almighty God, a loving God as well.

By the way, John (wordless in today’s Text) … grew into one of the Bible’s greatest spokesmen for the Cause of Christ!

Build upon what God made y7ou to be!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

By the way, in this Incident/Miracle no matter who talked and who remained quiet … God got the Glory!

Amen!

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