1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, [being] the ninth [hour].
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 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
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.
7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted [him] up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength.
8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
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.
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.
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?
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.
14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
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.
17 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did [it], as [did] also your rulers.
18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
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;
20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
21 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.
22 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.
23 And it shall come to pass, [that] every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
24 Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
25 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.
26 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.
Summary of Acts Chapter 3
Acts Chapter 3 narrates a significant event in the early Christian church, highlighting the healing of a lame man by the apostles Peter and John. This miracle not only demonstrates the power of faith but also serves as a platform for Peter to preach about Jesus Christ, leading to the conversion of many.
Key Events
- The Healing of the Lame Man (Acts 3:1-10)
- Peter and John go to the temple for prayer at the ninth hour.
- They encounter a man who has been lame from birth, begging at the Beautiful Gate.
- The man asks for alms, but Peter tells him to look at them.
- Peter declares, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
- The man is healed instantly and begins to walk, leap, and praise God.
- The crowd is amazed and recognizes the man as the one who used to beg at the gate.
- Peters’ Address to the People (Acts 3:11-26)
- The healed man clings to Peter and John, drawing a crowd.
- Peter addresses the astonished crowd, explaining that the miracle was performed by faith in Jesus’ name.
- He emphasizes that it was the same Jesus whom they denied and crucified, but whom God raised from the dead.
- Peter calls for repentance, urging the people to turn away from their sins for the forgiveness of their sins.
- He speaks of the fulfillment of prophecies concerning the Messiah, linking Jesus to the promises made to their ancestors.
Theological Themes
- Faith in Jesus’ Name
The healing of the lame man illustrates the power of faith in Jesus. Peter explicitly states that it is through faith in Jesus’ name that the man was healed, emphasizing the centrality of faith in the Christian experience.
- Repentance and Forgiveness
Peter’s call for repentance highlights the need for individuals to turn away from their sins. The promise of forgiveness is a core message of the Gospel, showing that redemption is available through Jesus Christ.
- Fulfillment of Prophecy
Peter connects the events of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection to Old Testament prophecies, affirming that Jesus is the Messiah. This theme underscores the continuity between the Jewish faith and the emerging Christian belief.
Character Analysis
- Peter
Peter emerges as a bold leader in the early church, demonstrating confidence in his faith and the authority of Jesus. His willingness to address the crowd and proclaim the Gospel reflects his transformation from a fearful disciple to a courageous apostle.
- John
John, alongside Peter, represents the unity of the apostles in their mission. His presence during the healing and the sermon signifies the collective effort of the early church in spreading the message of Jesus.
- The Lame Man
The healed man symbolizes hope and transformation. His immediate response of praise and joy illustrates the life-changing impact of encountering Jesus and receiving healing.
Conclusion
Acts Chapter 3 serves as a pivotal moment in the early church, showcasing the power of Jesus’ name, the importance of faith, and the call to repentance. Through the miraculous healing and Peter’s sermon, the chapter emphasizes the foundational beliefs of Christianity and the urgency of spreading the Gospel message.
