The Beggar by the Gate By Calvin Hart Be sure to also check out Calvin's NEW book, "Poems of Praise," containing 121 poems! (320 pages) eter and John went up to the temple, At the ninth hour of the day to pray, As they passed through the gates called "Beautiful", They saw a beggar who lay by the way, Lame from birth, he lay at the temple, And begged alms from those passing by, When he saw John and Peter approaching the gate, He attempted to catch their eye, He asked them for alms, a small bit of money, With which to buy with to live, Peter told him, "Silver and Gold, have I none, But such that I have, I will give." He took the beggar by the hand, As he continued to talk, He said, "In the name of Jesus Christ, I say, rise up and walk." Immediately his crippled legs had strength, They were no longer painful and sore, And for the first time in his life, he stood on his feet, For the cripple was cripple no more. He entered the temple with Peter and John, Leaping and praising God's name, And all of the people who saw him, Knew that this man had been lame. They knew it was he who sat by the gate, He who asked for alms of them, And they were filled with wonder and amazement, At that which had happened to him. Then Peter spoke unto the crowd, He said, "Why do you marvel so? Why look upon us so earnestly? It is not by our power this man has been made whole." "God the Father has glorified His Son, The man Jesus, whom you all denied, The man you presented to Pilate, And demanded He be crucified." "The man that the Father has raised from the dead, Of which we are witness to, By faith in the name of this man Jesus, This lame man stands healed before you." Peter and John continued to preach, Salvation in Jesus name, Thousands where saved by the blood of the Lamb, Who for the sins of man was slain. Are you like the beggar who sits by the gate? Waiting for your healing to come? Let your heart be filled, let your soul be healed, By the precious blood of God's Son. ~ Calvin Hart ~ Acts 3:1-16, 19 3:1 "Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 3:2 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; 3:3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. 3:4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 3:5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 3:6 Then Peter said, 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. 3:7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 3:8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. 3:9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God: 3:10 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. 3:11 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. 3:12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? 3:13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified His Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied Him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. 3:14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 3:15 And killed the Prince of Life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. 3:16 And His name through faith in His name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by Him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord..." You may republish this without permission, provided it remains free, accredited and unaltered. Copyright © 2008 Calvin Hart.