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Has anyone ever told you: יהוה (Yahweh) God loves you and has a great plan for your life?
Has anyone ever told you: יהוה (Yahweh) God loves you and has a great plan for your life?
The question, “What was the 3 PM prayer service Peter and John attended in Acts 3?” refers to an event recorded in the New Testament where Peter and John went up to the temple in Jerusalem for prayer. This inquiry seeks to understand the nature and significance of this prayer service in Jewish tradition and early Christian practice, as well as its implications for contemporary faith and worship.
Historical Context:
In Acts 3:1 (NASB 2020), it is mentioned that Peter and John went up to the temple at the “ninth hour,” which is 3 PM. This was one of the three times daily that Jews would traditionally gather for prayer at the temple. The practice of praying three times a day — morning, afternoon, and evening — is rooted in Jewish customs that date back to the Old Testament. These times were known as the third hour (9 AM), the sixth hour (12 PM), and the ninth hour (3 PM).
The ninth hour prayer coincided with the time of the afternoon sacrifice, also known as the “Minchah” prayer. This was a significant time for the Jewish people, marking the hour of offering a daily burnt offering as instructed in Exodus 29:39. The temple would be filled with those who came to seek God through prayer and offerings. Thus, Peter and John were participating in a familiar practice that had deep roots in their Jewish faith.
Cultural Context:
For Jews in the first century, prayer was not just a private act but a communal one. The temple was central to worship and daily life. The daily prayer services were an essential part of the temple routine, drawing crowds who would come to pray, offer sacrifices, or hear teachings. After the resurrection of Jesus and the birth of the early Church, many Jewish Christians, like Peter and John, continued to participate in these temple prayers, blending their Jewish heritage with their new faith in Jesus as the Messiah.
Literary Context:
Acts 3 follows the events of Pentecost in Acts 2, where the Holy Spirit empowered the apostles to preach the gospel boldly. Acts 3 shows the early disciples still actively engaging with their Jewish roots and customs while being led by the Spirit to proclaim Jesus. Peter and John’s participation in the prayer service provides a backdrop for the miraculous healing of the lame man and Peter’s subsequent preaching to the crowd.
Several key verses provide insight into the significance of the 3 PM prayer service:
Other Interpretations:
Some might see Peter and John’s attendance at the temple prayer service as evidence of the early Church’s adherence to Jewish law and customs, suggesting that they had not yet fully separated from Jewish tradition. However, others view it as an intentional choice to engage with their community and demonstrate that the message of Jesus fulfilled rather than abolished the Jewish faith.
A Balanced Perspective:
While the early disciples continued to observe Jewish customs, they did so with a transformed understanding brought about by Jesus’ teachings and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Their actions at the temple were both a continuation of their heritage and an opportunity to witness to the gospel within their community. Peter and John’s presence at the 3 PM prayer service allowed them to meet the lame man and perform a miraculous healing that testified to the power of the risen Christ.
The 3 PM prayer service in Acts 3 serves as a reminder of the power of faithful, consistent prayer and the importance of seizing every opportunity to share Christ’s love. As Peter and John demonstrated, God can use ordinary moments, like attending a prayer service, to accomplish extraordinary things. As believers, we are encouraged to approach our daily routines with a sense of expectation, knowing that God is always at work and that He can use our faithfulness to impact others.
Let us, like Peter and John, be people of prayer, continually seeking God’s presence, and ready to act in love and faith wherever He leads us. As the Apostle Paul reminds us, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17, NASB 2020). May our lives be marked by prayer, devotion, and a readiness to serve God in every circumstance.
יהוה (Yahweh's) words are pure words,
Psalm 12:6 F.O.G
As silver smelted in a crucible on the land, Refined seven times.
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