Chapter at a glance
Peter and John go to the Temple at the time of afternoon prayer. At the gate, a man unable to walk since birth asks for money. Peter has no silver or gold to give, but tells him to walk in the name of Jesus the Messiah. The man is strengthened, enters the Temple, and praises God. As people gather in amazement, Peter insists that neither his own power nor his godliness caused the healing. He proclaims that God raised Jesus from the dead and calls his hearers to repent and turn to God. Peter then appeals to Moses, the prophets, and God's promise to Abraham, presenting Jesus as the one through whom God's blessing calls people away from evil.
Read the chapter
Read Acts 3 in your Bible. Notice what the man requests, what he receives, and whom he praises. Then compare the crowd's attention to Peter's explanation in Acts 3:12–16. Trace how Peter connects Jesus' resurrection, the call to repentance, and the promises spoken through Moses and Abraham. Note that the chapter describes one actual healing; it does not give us a formula guaranteeing that every illness will be healed immediately.
Key Scripture connections
- Acts 3:1–10 — the man is healed, walks, and praises God
- Acts 3:11–16 — Peter credits Jesus, not the apostles' power or godliness
- Exodus 3:6, 15 — the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, recalled in Acts 3:13
- Acts 3:17–21 — repentance, forgiveness, refreshing, and promised restoration
- Deuteronomy 18:15–16 — the prophet like Moses, applied to Jesus in Acts 3:22–23
- Genesis 22:18; 26:4 — the promise of blessing through Abraham's offspring, recalled in Acts 3:25
- Acts 3:22–26 — listen to the prophet, receive God's blessing, and turn from evil
Respond to the Word
When help is needed, compassion should be practical, and God's works should not become opportunities for self-promotion. Consider whose burden you can help carry today, with whatever resources you genuinely have. Peter's invitation also confronts the heart: turn away from known wrongdoing, listen to Jesus, and let gratitude to God shape your words and actions. Do not use another person's suffering as a measure of their faith.
Prayer for this chapter
Father, thank You for raising Jesus and for showing mercy through Him. Keep me from seeking credit for what belongs to You. Open my eyes to people who need compassion and give me wisdom to offer the help I can truly provide. When I am tempted to avoid repentance, draw me toward honest confession and faithful obedience. Teach me to listen to Jesus rather than merely admire extraordinary events. Make my words truthful, my motives humble, and my hands ready to serve. Strengthen me to bear another person's burdens with patience and love. May the fruit of my life bring honor to You. Amen.
Continue walking
Read Acts 3:12–19 and 3:25–26 again. Identify one person whose practical needs you can address today. Also name one concrete way you need to turn from wrongdoing and follow Jesus more faithfully.