Summary
Two apostles, Peter and John, went to the temple at the hour of prayer and met a beggar, a lame man, at the Gate Beautiful. When he asked for alms, Peter told him that he had no money but he would give him a gift in the name of Jesus. With that, he healed him and the man walked and praised God. This caused all the people to be amazed and gave Peter the opportunity to preach the gospel. We sometimes call this the second gospel sermon but this event may have been some time after Pentecost. The sermon again spoke of Jesus’ resurrection and the audience’s role in crucifying Him. He again told them to “repent” and said that Moses and all the prophets had told them that a new “Prophet” would come and should be heard.
The Lame Beggar Healed
3Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Question 1
Why would Peter and John be going up to the Temple at the time of prayer?
Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico
11While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16And 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.
Question 2
How would an event like affect the people? How would it affect you? (see verse. 12)
Question 3
How was the man made whole? (see verse 16)
17“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 22Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 25You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 26God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”
Question 4
What are the “times of refreshing” about which Peter spoke?
Question 5
What did God say to Abraham that pointed to Jesus? What did he say to Moses that pointed to Jesus?
People
- Peter and John
- Lame man
- All the observers
Healed the lame man
Healed
Later heard Peter’s sermon
Places
- Jerusalem at the Temple
We do not know when this occurred. It could have been weeks or months after Pentecost.
The Lame Beggar Healed
3Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Acts 3:1
Tradition (rather than specific commandment) called for prayer at the 3rd, 6th, and 9th hours. is a possible example. Daniel prayed three times a day (Daniel 6:10).
Acts 3:1
The “ninth hour” was about 3:00 pm. The Jews counted time from sunrise, about 6:00 am.
Acts 3:2
Perhaps the gate called “Beautiful” was the Nicanor Gate which led from the court of the Gentiles into the Court of Women. Stairs led up to the Temple grounds where these events took place.
Acts 3:3
“Alms” were gifts of charity given to beggars. This man was lame from birth, unable to work.
Acts 3:6
“In the name of Jesus” means that the power and right to do this was from Jesus, not Peter.
Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico
11While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16And 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 3:11
“Solomon’s Porch,” a portico (roof supported by columns) on the eastern side of the outer court.
Acts 3:14
The “murderer” was Barabbas (Luke 23:13-19).
17“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 22Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 25You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 26God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”
Acts 3:19
The “times of refreshing” refers to the spiritual blessings from God associated with the salvation offered by Christ. It is refreshing to have one’s sins taken away and relationship restored to God. (see Isaiah 28:12).and 40:1ff for prophecies anticipating rest and spiritual prosperity with Messiah).
Acts 3:21
The “restoration of all things” refers to God’s fulfillment of all that he had promised through the Prophets. We are living in the time when God is restoring mankind to Himself in Christ.
Acts 3:22
The Jews thought they were defending Moses and the Law by denying Jesus. Peter is saying that even Moses predicted another Prophet like Himself (Jesus, a spokesman for God and Lawgiver).
Acts 3:24
To further confirm Jesus as God’s Prophet, Peter says all the prophets looked forward to this time.
Acts 3:25
Not only Moses and the Prophets but also Abraham, their national Father, was promised this.
Acts 3:26
The purpose of Christ’s coming was to turn all men away from sin.
Perspectives
The miraculous power exhibited by the apostles came from Jesus in heaven, not themselves.
The condition of forgiveness must begin with repentance from sin.
All the Jewish messengers of God before Jesus foretold of His authority to instruct and command.