This post is written by Matt Rogers as a companion for Unit 30, Session 2 of The Gospel Project for Adults, Volume 10: From Many People to One People (Winter 2023-24).
The Bible seems unapologetic about linking ideas that are often at odds in modern conversations. In Acts 2–3, Peter preached a clear sermon about the person and work of Jesus Christ and called his hearers to respond in faith and repentance (2:14-41; 3:11-16). Many come to faith and are baptized and gathered together in the church. There’s no mistaking the fact that the Bible as a whole—the book of Acts in particular—is Christ-centered.
That same good news message of Jesus compels those who preach it to live with concern for the well-being of others—especially the poor, the needy, the lame, the sick, and the marginalized. This should come as no surprise since these were also the themes that the Lord Jesus announced at the outset of His earthly ministry: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19). There is no conflict between the good news of personal salvation and care for the broken in this world.
In Acts 3, the apostles were surely riding high. Much had happened in the recent days that surely electrified their faith. They received the Holy Spirit, proclaimed the gospel, saw thousands repent and be baptized, and witnessed the establishment of the church. It would have been easy for them to overlook the lame beggar they met at the outset of Acts 3. But notice what they did.
First, they noticed him (3:4). They didn’t go about their day, even though they surely had many important things to do. They stopped and looked straight at the man who asked them for help. One can’t help but wonder how many people even did that much. Most likely, everyone else kept moving—attempting to look in any direction other than at the man in need.
Then Peter and John spoke to the man. They invited him to look at them. Again, it’s likely that even the few who did throw some money at this man did so without so much as a word. How long had it been since this beggar had anyone talk to him?
Next, they met his needs. Here Peter and John did not give him money because they didn’t have any. But this didn’t stop them from acting on the man’s behalf. They knew that he needed far more than money anyway. They addressed his far deeper need—his need to walk again. You have to imagine that the man had likely given up on ever being healed. After all, he’d been lame since birth. But this need was no match for the power of God, who can do whatever He wants, whenever He wants.
Finally, they pointed him to Jesus. Even though the onlookers seemingly wanted to direct attention on to the apostles, they knew that the power to heal did not come from them alone. Instead it was faith in Jesus’s name that made the man walk again. It would have been easy for the apostles to take glory themselves, especially coming on the heels of all the great things they’d seen and done in recent days. But they understood that the power was God’s, not theirs. It was natural then for them to point this man to the one who could both heal physical ailments and forgive a sin-sick soul. This four-fold progression is a good model for social action for Christians today. First, Christians should look for needs. This requires turning attention toward others. It also requires actually noticing the people who are hurting all around us. Then, Christians should seek to speak to those who are hurting. Conversations go a long way, especially for those who’ve not heard good news in a while. Next, Christians should address the core needs. Of course, this may at times mean giving some money to someone, but money rarely addresses the deepest needs. As you notice people and listen to their story, you are best positioned to hear what the person truly needs. Finally, as you meet that need you are able to point people to the One who loves them far more than you can. Like the apostles, Christians understand that true and lasting change doesn’t come through social action alone, but through faith in the name of Jesus.
Matt Rogers is the pastor of Christ Fellowship Cherrydale in Greenville, South Carolina. He and his wife, Sarah, have five children: Corrie, Avery, Hudson, Willa, and Fuller. Matt is also an assistant professor of church planting at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, the church development coordinator with the Pillar Network, and a freelance author.
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