Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
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;
Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
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.
And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
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.
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.
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?
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.
But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
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.
And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.
But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
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;
And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.
Acts 3 is a pivotal chapter, showcasing the early church in action and demonstrating the transformative power of Jesus Christ. Following Jesus' ascension (Acts 1:9) and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4), the apostles are now actively fulfilling their mission to be witnesses in Jerusalem (Acts 1:8). This chapter highlights a miraculous healing, Peter's powerful sermon, and the ongoing offer of repentance and restoration.
A Lame Man Healed (Acts 3:1-10)
Peter and John, as observant Jewish believers, went to the temple for prayer (Acts 3:1). There, at the gate called Beautiful, they encountered a man who had been lame from birth, over forty years old (Acts 4:22), begging for alms (Acts 3:2). This man was well-known, a fixture at the temple gate. He asked Peter and John for money, but Peter responded with something far greater (Acts 3:3-4). Peter told him to look at them. The beggar obviously expected to get something from them (Acts 3:5), but he had no idea what was coming! Peter had no silver or gold to give; instead, he had something much better.
Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, declared, "I have no silver or gold, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" (Acts 3:6). Then, Peter took the initiative and raised him up; therefore, the church must both speak hope into a broken life and extend practical help. Immediately, the man's feet and ankles were strengthened (Acts 3:7). He didn’t just walk; he leaped and praised God (Acts 3:8). His response to God’s work in his life was visible and vocal. The man went from limping to leaping.
The previously lame man's transformation was undeniable. All the people saw what had happened to the beggar who had always been lame (Acts 3:9-10). As a result, they were filled with awe and astonishment at what had happened (Acts 3:10).
Peter's Sermon: Jesus, the Source of Healing and Hope (Acts 3:11-26)
A crowd gathered, amazed by the miracle, and Peter seized the opportunity to preach about Jesus (Acts 3:11). Peter didn’t take credit for the miracle but pointed to the one true God: the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Acts 3:12-13). He emphasized that the healing was not due to their own power or piety, but through faith in the name of Jesus (Acts 3:12, 16).
Peter directly addressed the crowd, reminding them that they had handed Jesus over, denied him, and asked for a murderer (Barabbas) to be released instead (Acts 3:13-14). They were so blinded by their own sin that they couldn’t see they had put to death the Holy and Righteous One . . . the source of life (Acts 3:14-15). But, Peter declared, God raised him from the dead; we are witnesses of this (Acts 3:15; see 1:8). He reminded them that they had rejected and even killed Jesus, the very Messiah promised in their scriptures (Acts 3:13-15). However, he also offered them a path to redemption.
Knowing they acted in ignorance (Acts 3:17), Peter called on them to repent and turn back to God (Acts 3:19). Repentance, a turning away from sin and back to God, was the key to receiving forgiveness and experiencing "seasons of refreshing" (Acts 3:19). This refreshing also included the promise of the Messiah's return (Acts 3:20-21). He has gone to heaven . . . until the time of the restoration of all things, the time when Israel will repent and receive her Messiah as predicted by the prophets (3:21-24; see Rom 11:25-27). The coming of the earthly messianic kingdom is directly connected to the repentance of the Jewish nation (see Matt 23:39; Zech 12:10).
Peter connected Jesus to the promises God made to Abraham, emphasizing that Jesus was the fulfillment of those promises (Acts 3:25). Though the national restoration of Israel under King Jesus is yet future, Peter called the Israelites standing before him—these sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with [their] ancestors—to place their faith in Jesus so that God could bless them by turning them from their wickedness. God sent His Son to bless them by turning each one of them from their wicked ways (Acts 3:26).
Key Themes and Implications
Several important themes emerge from Acts 3:
- The Power of Jesus' Name: The healing was performed "in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth," demonstrating the authority and power inherent in His name. Peter exercised faith when he told the man to walk, and the lame man exercised faith when he allowed himself to be seized and responded to the spiritual help that enabled him to get up and start walking.
- Repentance and Forgiveness: Peter's message emphasizes the need for repentance as the pathway to forgiveness and restoration. This call to repentance is a recurring theme throughout Acts and the New Testament.
- Fulfillment of Prophecy: Peter connects Jesus to the prophecies of the Old Testament, demonstrating that Jesus is the promised Messiah.
- God's Greater Purpose: When God does something amazing in an individual’s life, he usually has a greater purpose in mind than that individual’s benefit. He wants to do something even more amazing through that individual. The Holy Spirit worked in this lame man’s life and then worked through him so that the truth might be proclaimed to a large crowd of people (3:11-26) and to the Jewish leaders (4:1-22). His transformation ultimately led to the salvation of many souls (see 4:4). All of this took place because God acted in the life of a simple beggar who responded with public praise.
Acts 3 reminds us that Jesus offers healing and hope, not just physically, but spiritually. It challenges us to examine our own lives, to repent of our sins, and to embrace the promise of restoration found in Him. Just as the lame man received more than he asked for, we can trust that God will meet our needs in ways that exceed our expectations. Don’t settle for what you want from God. When God meets your needs, he may not give you what you asked for, but what he provides will always be greater than what you wanted.
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
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;
Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
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.
And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
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.
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.
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?
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.
But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
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.
And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.
But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
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;
And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.
Acts 3 is a pivotal chapter, showcasing the early church in action and demonstrating the transformative power of Jesus Christ. Following Jesus' ascension (Acts 1:9) and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4), the apostles are now actively fulfilling their mission to be witnesses in Jerusalem (Acts 1:8). This chapter highlights a miraculous healing, Peter's powerful sermon, and the ongoing offer of repentance and restoration.
A Lame Man Healed (Acts 3:1-10)
Peter and John, as observant Jewish believers, went to the temple for prayer (Acts 3:1). There, at the gate called Beautiful, they encountered a man who had been lame from birth, over forty years old (Acts 4:22), begging for alms (Acts 3:2). This man was well-known, a fixture at the temple gate. He asked Peter and John for money, but Peter responded with something far greater (Acts 3:3-4). Peter told him to look at them. The beggar obviously expected to get something from them (Acts 3:5), but he had no idea what was coming! Peter had no silver or gold to give; instead, he had something much better.
Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, declared, "I have no silver or gold, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" (Acts 3:6). Then, Peter took the initiative and raised him up; therefore, the church must both speak hope into a broken life and extend practical help. Immediately, the man's feet and ankles were strengthened (Acts 3:7). He didn’t just walk; he leaped and praised God (Acts 3:8). His response to God’s work in his life was visible and vocal. The man went from limping to leaping.
The previously lame man's transformation was undeniable. All the people saw what had happened to the beggar who had always been lame (Acts 3:9-10). As a result, they were filled with awe and astonishment at what had happened (Acts 3:10).
Peter's Sermon: Jesus, the Source of Healing and Hope (Acts 3:11-26)
A crowd gathered, amazed by the miracle, and Peter seized the opportunity to preach about Jesus (Acts 3:11). Peter didn’t take credit for the miracle but pointed to the one true God: the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Acts 3:12-13). He emphasized that the healing was not due to their own power or piety, but through faith in the name of Jesus (Acts 3:12, 16).
Peter directly addressed the crowd, reminding them that they had handed Jesus over, denied him, and asked for a murderer (Barabbas) to be released instead (Acts 3:13-14). They were so blinded by their own sin that they couldn’t see they had put to death the Holy and Righteous One . . . the source of life (Acts 3:14-15). But, Peter declared, God raised him from the dead; we are witnesses of this (Acts 3:15; see 1:8). He reminded them that they had rejected and even killed Jesus, the very Messiah promised in their scriptures (Acts 3:13-15). However, he also offered them a path to redemption.
Knowing they acted in ignorance (Acts 3:17), Peter called on them to repent and turn back to God (Acts 3:19). Repentance, a turning away from sin and back to God, was the key to receiving forgiveness and experiencing "seasons of refreshing" (Acts 3:19). This refreshing also included the promise of the Messiah's return (Acts 3:20-21). He has gone to heaven . . . until the time of the restoration of all things, the time when Israel will repent and receive her Messiah as predicted by the prophets (3:21-24; see Rom 11:25-27). The coming of the earthly messianic kingdom is directly connected to the repentance of the Jewish nation (see Matt 23:39; Zech 12:10).
Peter connected Jesus to the promises God made to Abraham, emphasizing that Jesus was the fulfillment of those promises (Acts 3:25). Though the national restoration of Israel under King Jesus is yet future, Peter called the Israelites standing before him—these sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with [their] ancestors—to place their faith in Jesus so that God could bless them by turning them from their wickedness. God sent His Son to bless them by turning each one of them from their wicked ways (Acts 3:26).
Key Themes and Implications
Several important themes emerge from Acts 3:
- The Power of Jesus' Name: The healing was performed "in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth," demonstrating the authority and power inherent in His name. Peter exercised faith when he told the man to walk, and the lame man exercised faith when he allowed himself to be seized and responded to the spiritual help that enabled him to get up and start walking.
- Repentance and Forgiveness: Peter's message emphasizes the need for repentance as the pathway to forgiveness and restoration. This call to repentance is a recurring theme throughout Acts and the New Testament.
- Fulfillment of Prophecy: Peter connects Jesus to the prophecies of the Old Testament, demonstrating that Jesus is the promised Messiah.
- God's Greater Purpose: When God does something amazing in an individual’s life, he usually has a greater purpose in mind than that individual’s benefit. He wants to do something even more amazing through that individual. The Holy Spirit worked in this lame man’s life and then worked through him so that the truth might be proclaimed to a large crowd of people (3:11-26) and to the Jewish leaders (4:1-22). His transformation ultimately led to the salvation of many souls (see 4:4). All of this took place because God acted in the life of a simple beggar who responded with public praise.
Acts 3 reminds us that Jesus offers healing and hope, not just physically, but spiritually. It challenges us to examine our own lives, to repent of our sins, and to embrace the promise of restoration found in Him. Just as the lame man received more than he asked for, we can trust that God will meet our needs in ways that exceed our expectations. Don’t settle for what you want from God. When God meets your needs, he may not give you what you asked for, but what he provides will always be greater than what you wanted.