Why were Peter and John still going to the temple at the hour of prayer?
Peter and John continued going to the temple at the required hour of prayer because they were still under the law. They had not yet grasped the grace of God that would be poured out later, so they remained in Israel's covenant economy tied to Exodus 19 and the temple ritual.
Les explains that Peter and John's temple attendance shows they were still under the law and had no concept yet of the grace of God, which would be poured out later. They were still under the covenant economy going back to Exodus 19, where if Israel would accept their king, they could be a kingdom of priests. They went up to the temple at about the ninth hour, since it was the hour of prayer. After the lame man was healed, he held Peter and John, and all the people ran together to them at Solomon's porch, which was part of the temple. The temple was not removed from Israel's religious scene until 69 or 70 A.D., about forty years after the crucifixion, a period covered by the book of Acts.
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
Why did Peter and John go to the temple at the hour of prayer if Christians aren't under the law?
Peter and John went to the temple at the required hour of prayer because they were still under the law and the covenant economy of Israel, not yet understanding the grace of God that would be poured out later. The temple remained central to Israel's religious scene during Acts.
Does Paul teach a specific ritual of prayer, and why are Peter and John going to the temple at the required hour of prayer?
Paul does not teach a specific ritual of prayer. Peter and John went to the temple at the required hour of prayer because they were still under the law and had no concept yet of the grace of God. They remained in the covenant economy tied to Exodus 19, expecting Israel's kingdom of priests.
More Questions
Where did Peter and John go in Acts 3, to the church or to the temple?
In Acts 3 Peter and John go up to the temple rather than out to the church, showing the continued temple setting of early Acts.