A Study in Acts...Chapter 3

The Great Commission

The New King James Version (Chapter 16)

Mark 16:14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

The Ascension of Jesus

So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

The Lame Man Healed

The disciples have been commissioned by Jesus to continue the ministry that He had begun. Their ministry was marked by healings...

The New King James Version (Chapter 9)

Acts 9:34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. 35 So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

The New King James Version (Chapter 19)

Acts 19:11 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.

The New King James Version (Chapter 28)

Acts 28:8 And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. 9 So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.

Their ministry was marked by seeing the demon possessed set free...

The New King James Version (Chapter 5)

Acts 5:16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

The New King James Version (Chapter 8)

Acts 8:7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.

Their ministry was even marked with the dead rising to life...

The New King James Version (Chapter 9)

Acts 9:36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. 37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.

The New King James Version (Chapter 20)

Acts 20:7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together. 9 And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.” 11 Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. 12 And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.

So it’s about 3 in the afternoon and Peter and John are on their way into the Temple for prayer. On their way in they are stopped by a beggar at the gate requesting money.

Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God. 10 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

The New King James Version. (1982). (Ac 3:1–10). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Acts Peter Heals a Crippled Beggar / 3:1–11

Beggars would often wait in places where they would have the most traffic—such as along the roads near cities or, as here, at the entrance to the temple. The Beautiful Gate was one of the favored entrances into the temple complex, and many people passed through it on their way to worship. Since giving money to beggars was considered praiseworthy in the Jewish religion, the lame man wisely had himself placed where he could catch the almsgivers headed both to and from religious gatherings. As Peter and John entered the temple area, the lame man called out to them and asked them for some money.

Acts Peter Heals a Crippled Beggar / 3:1–11

Usually disabled in some way, beggars were unable to work for a living. Medical help was not available for their problems, and people tended to ignore their obligation to care for the needy (Leviticus 25:35–37). Thus, beggars had little hope of escaping their degrading way of life. For this lame man, begging was his only means of support.

The New King James Version (Chapter 25)

Lev. 25:35 ‘If one of your brethren becomes poor, and falls into poverty among you, then you shall help him, like a stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with you. 36 Take no usury or interest from him; but fear your God, that your brother may live with you. 37 You shall not lend him your money for usury, nor lend him your food at a profit.

So Peter demands this beggars attention, and he looks up EXPECTING something from them. There’s something to be said for expectation. Peter declares “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”. It wasn’t purchased or earned, it wasn’t because of anything Peter could’ve done himself, it was Jesus. Jesus said if we’d go that He’d work through us.

It was noted in a commentary…Many church’s today can not say “Silver and gold I do not have” nor do they seem capable of saying “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk”. Something for us to consider???

What an amazing scene this must have been. Most likely for the first time in his life this beggar is finally able to enter the temple. All the people that probably walked right by him on a daily basis, seeing him come in holding onto Peter and John. He jumping and shouting praises to God for his healing!

Acts Peter Heals a Crippled Beggar / 3:1–11

For the Jewish observers and readers, the sign here was too spectacular to overlook. Isaiah had written of such a time: “The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will shout and sing!” (Isaiah 35:6 NLT). All this Jewish audience needed was a “witness” to explain the significance to them. Peter, ever the one to take advantage of such a situation, seized the moment to bring a pointed message to an astonished audience.