Acts 3
Acts 3 is part of “The Church in Jerusalem” (1–7) in the outline of Acts.
Acts 3 summary
In this chapter we have a miracle and a sermon: the miracle wrought to make way for the sermon, to confirm the doctrine that was to be preached, and to make way for it into the minds of the people; and then the sermon to explain the miracle, and to sow the ground which by it was broken up. I. The miracle was the healing of a man that was lame from his birth, with a word speaking (Act 3:1-8), and the impression which this made upon the people (Act 3:9-11). II.
Read the full introduction
In this chapter we have a miracle and a sermon: the miracle wrought to make way for the sermon, to confirm the doctrine that was to be preached, and to make way for it into the minds of the people; and then the sermon to explain the miracle, and to sow the ground which by it was broken up. I. The miracle was the healing of a man that was lame from his birth, with a word speaking (Act 3:1-8), and the impression which this made upon the people (Act 3:9-11). II. The scope of the sermon which was preached hereupon was to bring people to Christ, to repent of their sin in crucifying him (Act 3:12-19), to believe in him now that he was glorified, and to comply with the Father's design in glorifying him (Act 3:20-26). The former part of the discourse opens the wound, the latter applies the remedy.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Key verses in Acts 3
Acts 3 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
A Lame Man Healed
1Nowe Peter and Iohn went vp together into the Temple, at the ninth houre of prayer. 2And a certaine man which was a creeple from his mothers wombe, was caried, whom they layde dayly at the gate of the Temple called Beautifull, to aske almes of them that entred into ye Temple. 3Who seeing Peter and Iohn, that they would enter into the Temple, desired to receiue an almes. 4And Peter earnestly beholding him with Iohn, said, Looke on vs. 5And hee gaue heede vnto them, trusting to receiue some thing of them. 6Then said Peter, Siluer and gold haue I none, but such as I haue, that giue I thee: In the Name of Iesus Christ of Nazareth, rise vp and walke. 7And hee tooke him by the right hand, and lift him vp, and immediately his feete and ankle bones receiued strength. 8And he leaped vp, stoode, and walked, and entred with them into the Temple, walking and leaping, and praysing God. 9And all the people sawe him walke, and praysing God. 10And they knewe him, that it was he which sate for the almes at the Beautifull gate of the Temple: and they were amased, and sore astonied at that, which was come vnto him.
Peter's Second Sermon
11And as the creeple which was healed, held Peter and Iohn, all the people ranne amased vnto them in the porch which is called Salomons. 12So when Peter saw it, he answered vnto the people, Ye me of Israel, why marueile ye at this? or why looke ye so stedfastly on vs, as though by our owne power or godlines, we had made this man go? 13The God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Iacob, the God of our fathers hath glorified his Sonne Iesus, whom ye betrayed, and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had iudged him to be deliuered. 14But ye denied the Holy one and the Iust, and desired a murtherer to be giuen you, 15And killed the Lord of life, whome God hath raised from the dead, whereof we are witnesses. 16And his Name hath made this man sound, whom ye see, and know, through faith in his Name: and the faith which is by him, hath giuen to him this perfite health of his whole body in the presence of you all. 17And now brethren, I know that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your gouernours. 18But those thinges which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his Prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath thus fulfilled. 19Amend your liues therefore, and turne, that your sinnes may be put away, whe the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. 20And he shall sende Iesus Christ, which before was preached vnto you, 21Whome the heauen must containe vntill the time that all thinges be restored, which God had spoken by the mouth of all his holy Prophets since the world began. 22For Moses said vnto the Fathers, The Lord your God shall raise vp vnto you a Prophet, euen of your brethren, like vnto me: ye shall heare him in all things, whatsoeuer he shall say vnto you. 23For it shalbe that euery person which shall not heare that Prophet, shall be destroyed out of the people. 24Also all the Prophets from Samuel, and thencefoorth as many as haue spoken, haue likewise foretolde of these dayes. 25Ye are the children of the Prophets, and of the couenant, which God hath made vnto our fathers, saying to Abraham, Euen in thy seede shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. 26First vnto you hath God raysed vp his Sonne Iesus, and him hee hath sent to blesse you, in turning euery one of you from your iniquities.