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obvious, is that there must be all the difference in the world between the foundations of
any building, and the top storey. Without the separate ministry initiated at Acts 13:
Paul would hardly have been prepared for the great ministry associated with his
imprisonment. Acts 13: not only sets the Apostle apart, it provides at least four
outstanding features which make its contribution vital:
(1)
The foreshadowing of the blindness of Israel and the sending of the salvation of God to
the Gentiles is obvious in the ministry recorded in Acts 13: 6-12.
(2)
The foreshadowing of the lo-ammi period of uncounted time that characterizes the
present parenthetical dispensation of the Mystery (Acts 13: 17-22). This must be
demonstrated presently.
(3)
The introduction into the record of that fundamental doctrine, namely Justification by
faith (Acts 13: 38, 39).
(4)
The anticipatory turning from Israel to the Gentile (Acts 13: 46-48).
Before examining Acts 13: 6-12, let us observe that in Acts 3: and 4: Peter's
ministry was also foreshadowed by a typical miracle. Perhaps it is not quite right to
single out the healing of the lame man and call it a "dispensational miracle" for the
miracles performed by the Lord and His apostles in almost every case foreshadow
spiritual truths. The miracle of the death of Ananias and Sapphira, for instance, was a
dispensational anticipation; and also the judgment of blindness that fell upon Elymas.
Nevertheless, while all miracles are called "the powers of the age to come" (Heb. 6: 5),
this initial miracle of the Acts in a special way follows on the day of Pentecost and
illuminates its prophetic character.
Peter's miracle of healing (Acts 3: 1 - 4: 22).
The miracle of restoration.
A | 3: 1-11. The miracle. Its performance.
B | a | 3: 12-16. Explanation. "The Name."
b | 3: 17-24. Prophetic application.
B | a | 3: 25 - 4: 10. Explanation. "The Name."
b | 4: 11, 12. Prophetic application.
A | 4: 13-22. The miracle. Its acknowledgment.
Two corresponding passages in this record indicate the way in which the healing of
the lame man foreshadowed Peter's ministry to Israel:
B | b | 3: 17-24.
b | J1 | 17, 18. Fulfillment. Mouth of prophets. Suffering.
K1 | 19-21. Repent; Refreshing; Restitution.
J2 | 21. Fulfillment. Mouth of prophets. Glory.
K2 | 22-24. Hear . . . . . if not . . . . . destroyed.
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B | b | 4: 11, 12.
b | J1 | 11. Rejected Stone becomes Head.
K1 | 12. Neither is there THE HEALING in any other.
J2 | 12. None other name under heaven.
K2 | 12. Whereby saved (healing of nation).