ACTS SERIES: LOOK ON US – CHAPTER 3

Chapter three opens with Peter and John, in accordance with their custom, going to the temple to pray at the ninth hour. Passing through the Court of the Gentiles into the middle court, which was accessible to the woman, they came to the gate of the temple called Beautiful, which was made of Corinthian bronze. Lying, there was a lame man who was laid daily in this place to beg for money. Unfortunately, this man has never walked up to that present time due to lameness from birth. 

As Peter and John passed by, the lame man asked them for some money. Peter looked intently at the man and said, “Look on us.” Expecting to receive some money, the lame man obeyed the words of Peter, but Peter said to him, “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.” Then Peter assisted the man in standing by taking his right hand and lifting him up. Instantaneously, strength came into the man’s feet and bones, and walking, leaping, and praising God, he accompanied Peter and John into the temple.

When the crowd saw the man, they recognized him as the lame man who daily sat at the gate Beautiful. Curious about what had happened to him, they gathered at Solomon’s porch, which was located on the east side of the temple. As he did in chapter two, Peter took the opportunity to share that God raised Jesus Christ, the Messiah whom the Jews willingly killed from the dead, and He was responsible for the lame man’s healing. Unlike them, the lame man by faith believed, and thus he was healed.

Conceding the Jews acted out of ignorance, Peter acknowledged the sufferings of Jesus, as prophesied in the Old Testament was in the plan of God. The Jews were to come to the full knowledge of Christ by repenting and receiving Him as their Savior, and with their positive response to the Word, times of refreshing and restitution would come from God.

In this chapter, we see the disciples following the instructions of Jesus to preach and heal the sick. And though many centuries have passed since Acts 3, we are responsible for doing the same as believers. Additionally, from this chapter, I gathered a few nuggets to share with you.

1. Be mindful of those around you; someone may need ministry.
2. When God does something for you, praise Him
3. Acknowledge that the power to heal comes from Jesus, not from you.
4. When the opportunity arises, share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Finally, I invite you to come back for my next blog in this series to see the religious leader’s response to this miracle.