History · Chapter 3 of 28

Acts 3

At the temple gate called Beautiful, Peter and John heal a man lame from birth in the name of Jesus. As the astonished crowd gathers in Solomon's porch, Peter preaches that it is faith in the risen Jesus, whom they had denied and killed, that healed the man. He calls them to repent so that their sins may be blotted out and times of refreshing come.

What happens in Acts 3

Going to the temple at the hour of prayer, Peter and John meet a man lame from birth begging alms at the gate called Beautiful. Peter tells him he has no silver or gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth commands him to rise and walk. Taking him by the hand, Peter lifts him up, and immediately his feet and ankles gain strength; he enters the temple walking, leaping, and praising God. The amazed people run together in Solomon's porch.

Peter disclaims their own power or holiness and preaches: the God of the fathers has glorified his Son Jesus, whom they delivered and denied, the Prince of life whom God raised from the dead. Faith in his name has made the man whole. Acknowledging their ignorance, Peter urges them to repent and be converted, that their sins be blotted out, and points to Jesus as the prophet like Moses whom all the prophets foretold.

Acts 3 in context

Acts 3 follows Pentecost, showing the early church continuing in temple worship while proclaiming the risen Jesus. Luke, the author, presents this healing as the first recorded miracle by the apostles, demonstrating that the same power at work in Jesus now works through his name.

Peter's sermon in Solomon's porch, like his Pentecost address, confronts Jerusalem with responsibility for Jesus' death and offers repentance and restoration through him, grounding the gospel in Israel's prophets.

Main themes of Acts 3

Acts 3 (KJV)

1Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 2And 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; 3Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. 4And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 6Then 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. 7And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. 9And all the people saw him walking and praising God: 10And 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. 11And 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. 12And 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? 13The 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. 14But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 15And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. 16And 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. 17And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. 18But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. 19Repent 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; 20And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21Whom 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. 22For 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. 23And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. 24Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. 25Ye 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. 26Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

Verses to carry from Acts 3

“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.”Acts 3:6

“And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.”Acts 3:15

“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;”Acts 3:19

Reflection

Peter had no silver or gold, yet gave what mattered most: Jesus. What do you have that you think too small to offer? The same risen Christ still heals, forgives, and refreshes those who turn to him. Point others not to yourself but to his name, and repent freshly today.

A prayer from Acts 3