Acts 3
—Simply Bible Readings

Miracle of a Lame Man Healed

(Acts 3:1-11)

¶“1Peter and John were making their way together up into the temple. It was the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2There was a man who was born lame. He was being carried to the gate of the temple —the gate named “Beautiful”. Every day he was laid there so that as people entered into the temple he could beg gifts for his needs. 3Seeing Peter and John about to go in, he asked them for a gift. 4Peter took a good look at the man, and John did too. Peter told the man, 'Look at us.' 5He gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.” (Acts 1:1-5).

¶“6But Peter said, 'I don't have any silver or gold, but I do have something to give you: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!' 7Peter took him by the right hand, and raised him up. Immediately his feet and ankles were given strength. 8He leaped up, stood, and began to walk. He went with Peter and John into the temple. He was walking, leaping, and praising God.” (Acts 1:6-8).

¶“9All the people saw him walking and praising God. 10They recognized him as the man who would sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. They were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. 11The lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John while all the people came running toward them into Solomon’s porch. How greatly amazed they were.” (Acts 2:9-11).

Peter’s Message at Solomon’s Porch

(Acts 3:12-26).

¶“12Peter looked at the crowd’s behaviour and made this response: 'Men of Israel, why do you regard this man in such amazement? Why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him walk? 13The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up. 14You denied Jesus in the presence of Pilate when Pilate had decided to release him. Yes, you denied the holy and righteous one and instead you asked for a murderer to be released to you. 15You killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead which we witnessed.'” (Acts 3:12-15).

¶“16'It is by faith in the name of Jesus that this man, whom you recognize and know, was made strong. Faith that comes through Jesus has given this man perfect soundness in the presence of you all. 17Now brothers I know that you acted in ignorance, and so did your rulers. 18Nevertheless what you did fulfilled God’s prior announcement, speaking through all his prophets, that Christ should suffer. 19So change your hearts and turn again, to have your sins blotted out, and then times of refreshing will come from the presence of the Lord'” (Acts 3:16-19).

¶“20'And the Lord will send Jesus Christ, who was preordained for you. 21But heaven must receive him until the times of restoration of all things. God spoke through his holy prophets about this too.” (Acts 3:20-21).

¶“22For Moses told the fathers, From among your brothers, the Lord God will raise you up a prophet like me. You shall listen to everything he tells you. 23Every soul who fails to listen to that prophet will be destroyed from among the people. 24Moreover, all the prophets from Samuel onwards, as many as have spoken, they also told of these days.” (Acts 3:22-24).

¶“25You are the children of the prophets. You are children of the covenant which God made with our fathers when he said to Abraham, In your seed will all the families of the earth be blessed. 26God raised up Jesus his servant and sent him first to you —to bless you by turning all of you from your wickedness.' ” (Acts 3:25-26).