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Acts 3

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1Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2A certain man who was lame from his mother’s womb was being carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask gifts for the needy of those who entered into the temple. 3Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive gifts for the needy. 4Peter, fastening his eyes on him, with John, said, “Look at us.” 5He listened to them, expecting to receive something from them. 6But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” 7He took him by the right hand, and raised him up. Immediately his feet and his ankle bones received strength. 8Leaping up, he stood, and began to walk. He entered with them into the temple, walking, leaping, and praising God. 9All the people saw him walking and praising God. 10They recognized him, that it was he who used to sit begging for gifts for the needy at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. They were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. 11As the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering. 12When Peter saw it, he responded to the people, “You men of Israel, why do you marvel at this man? Why do you fasten your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him walk? 13The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up, and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had determined to release him. 14But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, to which we are witnesses. 16By faith in his name, his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which is through him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. 17“Now, brothers, I know that you did this in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18But the things which God announced by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19“Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, 20and that he may send Christ Jesus, who was ordained for you before, 21whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God spoke long ago by the mouth of his holy prophets. 22For Moses indeed said to the fathers, ‘The Lord God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, like me. You shall listen to him in all things whatever he says to you. 23It will be that every soul that will not listen to that prophet will be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ 24Yes, and all the prophets from Samuel and those who followed after, as many as have spoken, they also told of these days. 25You are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘In your offspring will all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 26God, having raised up his servant Jesus, sent him to you first to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your wickedness.”

World English Bible (public domain)

"And in his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all."

Acts 3:16

Summary

In Acts Chapter 3, Peter and John encounter a lame man at the temple gate called Beautiful and heal him in the name of Jesus Christ, demonstrating the power of faith and the continuation of Jesus' mission through His apostles. The healed man rejoices and praises God, drawing the attention of the onlookers. Seizing the moment, Peter delivers a sermon explaining that the miraculous healing testifies to Jesus as the glorified servant of God, who despite being rejected and crucified was resurrected by God. Peter urges the crowd to repent and turn to God to have their sins blotted out, highlighting the fulfillment of the prophets and calling for a renewal of faith. The chapter emphasizes the themes of restoration, the power of Jesus' name, fulfillment of prophecy, and the call to repentance.

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Chapter outline

How Acts 3 unfolds

  1. Acts 3:1–2 Peter and John Heal the Lame Man

    Peter and John encounter a lame man at the Beautiful Gate, where he asks for alms, highlighting his need.

  2. Acts 3:3–6 A Command in Jesus' Name

    Peter tells the man to look at them, then declares healing in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

  3. Acts 3:7–10 The Miraculous Healing

    Peter helps the lame man up, and he is instantly healed, drawing the amazement of onlookers in the temple.

  4. Acts 3:11–16 Peter's Explanation of the Miracle

    As the man clings to them, Peter addresses the crowd, clarifying that it is faith in Jesus' name that healed him.

  5. Acts 3:17–21 Call to Repentance and Refreshing

    Peter urges the crowd to repent for their ignorance, emphasizing that Jesus' suffering fulfills prophecy and leads to restoration.

  6. Acts 3:22–26 Prophetic Fulfillment and Blessing

    Peter cites Moses and the prophets, affirming that Jesus is the promised prophet who brings blessings to the people.

Key verses

  • Acts 3:16Acts 3:16 encapsulates the chapter's focus on faith in Jesus' name as the source of healing and restoration.

Main themes in Acts 3

Healing and Restoration

This theme surfaces prominently when Peter heals the lame man at the Beautiful Gate in verse 6. The miraculous act not only restores the man's physical well-being but also symbolizes a deeper spiritual renewal for both him and the surrounding community. In the broader narrative of Acts 3, this healing demonstrates how Jesus continues to work through His apostles, inviting the community into a transformative experience of faith and restoration.

Power of Jesus' Name

Peter makes a clear declaration about the power of Jesus' name in verse 16, attributing the healing to this divine authority. This assertion stresses that the miraculous healing is rooted in faith in Jesus rather than the apostles' own capabilities. Within the chapter's development, it reinforces the theme of Jesus' centrality and authority as the foundation of the early church's mission, encouraging believers to rely on His power.

Fulfillment of Prophecy

In verse 22, Peter connects the healing of the lame man to the fulfillment of prophecy, specifically referencing Moses. He articulates that the events surrounding Jesus' suffering and resurrection are in line with the predictions made by the prophets, confirming Jesus’ messianic identity. This connection not only validates Jesus' role but also serves to encourage the audience to recognize and accept God’s sovereign plan as unfolding through these events.

Call to Repentance

The call to repentance is clearly articulated in verse 19, where Peter urges the crowd to turn back to God. This call emphasizes the importance of acknowledging their previous rejection of Jesus and the need for divine forgiveness. It represents a crucial moment for the community, offering an opportunity for a renewed relationship with God and inviting them to partake in the transformative grace that follows repentance.

Cross-references

Passages that echo Acts 3

Study questions

Questions for studying Acts 3

  1. Who are the main figures in Acts 3 and what do they do?
  2. What does the lame man's healing signify for the crowd?
  3. How does Peter connect Jesus' name to the healing?
  4. What do Peter's words reveal about the people's ignorance?
  5. What call does Peter make to the people after the miracle?
  6. How does this chapter illustrate the fulfillment of prophecy?
  7. What role does faith play in the healing described in Acts 3?

Acts 3: frequently asked questions

What is Acts 3 about?+
In Acts Chapter 3, Peter and John encounter a lame man at the temple gate called Beautiful and heal him in the name of Jesus Christ, demonstrating the power of faith and the continuation of Jesus' mission through His apostles. The healed man rejoices and praises God, drawing the attention of the onlookers. Seizing the moment, Peter delivers a sermon explaining that the miraculous healing testifies to Jesus as the glorified servant of God, who despite being rejected and crucified was resurrected by God. Peter urges the crowd to repent and turn to God to have their sins blotted out, highlighting the fulfillment of the prophets and calling for a renewal of faith. The chapter emphasizes the themes of restoration, the power of Jesus' name, fulfillment of prophecy, and the call to repentance.
What is the key verse in Acts 3?+
Acts 3:16: "By faith in his name, his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which is through him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all."
What are the main themes of Acts 3?+
The main themes of Acts 3 are Healing and Restoration, Power of Jesus' Name, Fulfillment of Prophecy, Call to Repentance.

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