Great bronze doors of a temple gate glowing gold in low afternoon sun at the top of broad stone steps.

The Book of

Acts 3

A man who has never walked asks two fishermen for spare change. They have no money, but they have something better.

26 verses≈ 5 min3 peopleBSB

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In this chapter

A Lame Man Walks

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Peter looked directly at him, as did John.

Peter

“Look at us!” said Peter.

So the man gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.

Peter

But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”

Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you

Acts 3:6

Taking him by the right hand, Peter helped him up, and at once the man’s feet and ankles were made strong. He sprang to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and leaping and praising God.

When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the man who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Question

Quick question

The man at the gate held out his hand for a coin. Peter had none to give.

What did Peter give the lame man?

Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Colonnade

A long double row of tall columns under cedar roof beams, a crowd running along the paving toward a small group at the far end.

While the man clung to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and ran to them in the walkway called Solomon’s Colonnade.

Up to the temple

Whiteboard

Every day the man was set down at the gate to beg. Now he goes in on his own feet, into the temple courts, and in Solomon’s Colonnade all the people come running.

And when Peter saw this, he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why are you surprised by this?

Peter

Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

An empty beggar’s reed mat and an overturned clay bowl on stone steps below a bronze gate, afternoon sun pouring through.

The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus. You handed Him over and rejected Him before Pilate, even though he had decided to release Him. You rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the Author of life, but God raised Him from the dead, and we are witnesses of this fact.

By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know has been made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has given him this complete healing in your presence.

0:37

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Reflect

Not by our own power

Peter refused the credit: the man walked by “faith in the name of Jesus,” not by anyone’s “own power or godliness.” Where are you tempted to take credit for what God has done? And where do you need to trust His name instead of your own strength?

And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But in this way God has fulfilled what He foretold through all the prophets, saying that His Christ would suffer.

Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away

Acts 3:19–20

Heaven must take Him in until the time comes for the restoration of all things, which God announced long ago through His holy prophets.

Pray

Times of refreshing

Peter promised “times of refreshing” from the presence of the Lord to everyone who turns back to Him. Pray for a heart that turns quickly, for sins “wiped away,” and for the courage to offer Jesus’ name to someone who is only expecting a little help.

You’ve experienced

Acts 3

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A verse to carry with you

Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!

Acts 3:6

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