Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Acts 3
Acts 3:6But 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!"
Peter explains that while he lacks money, he carries the authority of Jesus to bring total physical and spiritual healing. This shows that the greatest thing we can offer others is the hope found in Christ.Acts 3:15and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.
Peter highlights the irony that the people killed the very person who gives life to everyone, but God proved His power by raising Jesus from the dead. This serves as the foundation for the apostles' message.Acts 3:19Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,
This verse invites everyone to repent, meaning to change your mind and turn your life back toward God. Doing so allows God to wipe away past mistakes and bring a sense of peace and refreshing.
Historical & Cultural Context
A Miraculous Encounter at the Beautiful Gate
Peter and John are heading to the Temple for the afternoon hour of prayer, continuing their Jewish traditions while following Jesus. At the entrance called the Beautiful Gate, they encounter a man who has been unable to walk since the day he was born. He spends his days asking for money from those entering the holy place, but he is about to receive something he never expected. This encounter happens right after the Holy Spirit arrived in Acts 2, showing that the power of God is now active through the apostles.
Peter Explains the Source of the Power
After the man is healed and begins leaping and praising God, a massive crowd gathers in Solomon's Portico, a covered walkway in the Temple area. They are completely shocked because they recognize the man as the one who used to sit and beg. Peter sees their amazement and immediately begins to speak, making sure they understand that he didn't heal the man through his own goodness. He uses this public stage to explain that Jesus, whom they had rejected, is the true source of this miracle.
The Healing and the Sermon in Acts 3
The chapter begins with a routine trip to the Temple in Acts 3:1-10 that turns into a life-changing miracle. This event creates a stir among the religious community, leading to Peter's second major sermon in Acts 3:11-26, where he connects the miracle to the long history of God's promises to Israel.
The Gift of Healing (Acts 3:1-10)
1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
2 And 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.
3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.
4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, "Look at us."
5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.
6 But 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!"
7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.
8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.
And all the people saw him walking and praising God,
10 and 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.
Commentary:
Peter heals a man who was unable to walk, showing that Jesus' power is still active through His followers.
Deflecting the Glory (Acts 3:11-16)
11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's.
12 But 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?
13 The 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.
14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.
16 And 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.
Commentary:
Peter tells the crowd that the miracle happened through faith in Jesus, not his own power.
The Call to Turn Back (Acts 3:17-21)
17 "And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers."
18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.
19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,
20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,
21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.
Commentary:
Peter invites the people to repent so their sins can be forgiven and they can find spiritual rest.
Fulfilling Ancient Promises (Acts 3:22-26)
22 Moses 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.
23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’
24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days.
25 You 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.'
26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”
Commentary:
Peter shows that Jesus is the fulfillment of God's long-standing promises to bless the world.
Deep Spiritual Truths in the Temple Courts
Restoration Beyond Expectations
The man at the gate asked for money, but God gave him legs to walk. This reveals that God often wants to give us a deep, structural restoration of our lives rather than a temporary fix for our immediate problems.
The Authority of the Name
In this culture, acting in someone's name meant you had their full authority and power behind you. By using Jesus' name, Peter shows that the physical absence of Jesus doesn't mean His power is gone. His authority remains with His people.
Repentance as a Path to Peace
The passage redefines repentance not as a heavy burden, but as the doorway to refreshing. It teaches that turning to God is the only way to find true relief from the weight of our past mistakes and the stress of life.
Applying the Lessons of Acts 3 to Your Life
Like Peter in verse 6, you may feel like you don't have much money or influence to help someone in need. However, you have the ability to share the hope and love of Jesus, which can provide a lasting change that money cannot buy.
Peter shows you in verse 12 that when people notice your good works or successes, it is an opportunity to point them toward God. By acknowledging that your strengths are gifts from Him, you keep a healthy perspective and give credit where it is truly due.
According to verse 19, refreshing comes when you stop trying to manage your own guilt and instead turn your life over to God. It means you can experience a renewed sense of energy and peace because you are no longer carrying the burden of your own wrongdoings.
Restoration and Refreshing Through Jesus Christ
Acts 3 demonstrates that the power of the risen Jesus is still active and available to change lives today. The healing of the lame man was a visible sign that God is in the business of total restoration, not temporary help. Peter’s message bridges the gap between ancient promises and personal faith, inviting everyone to turn to God. The ultimate message is that through Jesus, our past can be wiped clean and we can enter a new season of spiritual life and peace.
What This Means for Us Today
God's invitation in this chapter is for total restoration, starting from the inside out. As the man at the gate stood up and walked into a new life, we are invited to leave our old ways behind and walk in the light of Christ. Faith begins with the simple act of looking to Jesus for the refreshing our souls truly need.
- Is there an area of your life where you feel 'stuck' and need God's healing touch?
- How can you point others to the source of your strength this week?
- What is one step you can take today to experience God's 'times of refreshing'?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
Connections Across Scripture
Jesus heals a paralyzed man, demonstrating the same authority that Peter uses in Acts 3.
The original prophecy from Moses that Peter quotes to prove Jesus is the promised prophet.
Discussion Questions
- The lame man was looking for money but received healing. When have you asked God for a 'small' fix and He gave you something much deeper?
- Peter was very bold in telling the crowd they were wrong about Jesus. How can we speak the truth with that kind of courage while still being loving?
- What does 'spiritual refreshing' look like in your daily life, and how can you make more room for it?