Acts 3

Power in the Name

garage issues

The Jews observed 3 times of prayer - morning, afternoon, and evening. At these times devout Jews and Gentiles who believed in God often would go to the temple to pray. Peter and John were going to the 3 o’clock prayer service.

Neither the OT nor other Jewish sources mention a “Beautiful Gate.” Christian tradition has identified the gate with the Susa (or Shushan) or Golden Gate on the east side of the temple leading from outside into the Court of the Gentiles. Modern scholars, however, identify the gate as the one on the east side of the Court of Women leading from the Court of the Gentiles

Acts 3:1–10 ESV

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. 9 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 for what had happened to him.

Lame man from Birth

would have sat at these locations for years

looked at people to have pity on him

Saw himself through the circumstance - wouldn’t look at people

Who Peter and John saw

Looked at him with Mercy and Grace

saw the lame man how God saw the man

Not of their own power, But the power of the name of Jesus.

John 14:13 “13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

Healing through the power

Power of the Holy Spirit

is this possible today

Darla

what it doesn’t mean.

That just because we want it a miracle to happen, doesn’t mean it will.

more people at the gate

Response to the Miracle

jumping for joy and praising God

God get’s the glory.

Acts 3:11–16 ESV

11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 And 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.

The Miracle leads to a crowd. News spreads fast and people run to the area and stand in awe.

Peter explains what happened.

why are you confused

Points to Jesus and how their actions killed Jesus

Declares Jesus Risen from the grace and that the disciples serve as witness to this truth.

Declares that this miracle was done by faith in the power of Jesus Name and that Jesus did this work.

Acts 3:17–26 ESV

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. 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.”

Peter reveals that their actions were out of ignorance. and that it was foretold.

Luke 23:34 “34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.”

Sins of our Ignorance

Their ignorance of their sins was not and excuse

plea of Stupidity

John 16:8–11 ESV

8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

Call for Repentance

Jesus came to the Jews first to bless them with the first opportunity to turn from their wicked ways.

What this passage means for us today.

Miracles happen at God’s design

The Glory of Miracles is for God alone

We have sinned, if nothing else in our own ignorance

Jesus came as to bless us with an opportunity to repent and turn away from our sins.

Jesus brings complete restoration and healing to all people who put their faith in him.