Surrey Chapel Fellowship Group Notes 11th/ 12th September 2013
Acts 3:1-4:4 Miracle at the Gate

Before reading this passage try to imagine the scene in Jerusalem when all this took place; probably just a few months after pentecost. Recently a man called Jesus had entered the city to loud shouts of acclamation. Some hailed him as a prophet, others as the Messiah. A week later the crowd turned on him and he was crucified by the Roman authorities. Three days later reports started circulating that he had been seen alive. Reports of sightings increased, then during the second of the annual harvest festivals after a remarkable open-air sermon three thousand people from the assembled crowd from many nations came to believe that this man Jesus was indeed the Christ.

Healing
This account gives an example of the miraculous signs that are spoken of in Acts 2:43. The beggar looked expectantly at Peter and John. What was he expecting/ hoping for? What did he get? - God doesn’t always answer prayer in the way we expect.
Verse 8 is a fulfillment of Isaiah 35:6.

In the Name
v.6 “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
v.16 “By faith in the name of Jesus...”
What does it mean to do something in Jesus name?
What is meant when we finish a prayer saying “we ask this in Jesus name”?

Proclamation
This sermon is similar to the one given at Pentecost. It begins with a proclamation of Christ and ends with a  call to repentance. It is primarily a sermon to the Jews present in Jerusalem calling them to repent of their rejection of Christ. 

V.11 The miraculous healing clearly had the desired effect of bringing the people to hear Peter and John speak. - They then quickly deflect the attention away from themselves and point the assembled crowd to Christ.

The first half of this sermon can be described as an exposition on the name of Jesus. Reflect on the various titles that are applied to Jesus here.
Servant (v.13 & 26) - This title links with the servant songs of Isaiah 42-53.
Holy One (v.14) Holiness is at the heart of God’s being
The Righteous One (v.14) A title used by John in 1 John 2:1.
Author of Life (v.15) See also Hebrews 2:10 & 12:2.
Prophet (v.22) Fulfills Deuteronomy 18:15-16.

Compare this sermon with what you might hear in a “typical” evangelistic talk? Should we follow a passage like this as a model sermon? If not are there still lessons that we can learn?

Prayer Topics										ADB
Various groups restarting after the summer break - especially those members of your fellowship group are involved in.
Preparations for the week of prayer, gathering sunday and harvest weekend.
Students as they start/return to university. Students at Surrey Chapel, UEA CU, UCCF, Friends International etc.