Lesson 10
Acts, Chapter 3
1
Time Frame (Acts 3)

Exact Date Not Known


The New Testament does not reveal the
time between the events of Pentecost, and
the events of Acts 3
Conflicts with Unbelievers Begin


How long did the preaching of the gospel
go unopposed? (No doubt a short period of
time).
Chapter 3 begins a record of conflicts and
opposition to the spread of the gospel of
our Lord
2
The Lame Man Healed
(vs. 1-11) 1

Peter & John Together at the Temple



Often spoken of in scripture as together
(Jn. 1:41; Mt. 17:1; Mk. 5:37; Mt. 26:37; Lk.
22:8; Jn. 18:16; 20:3; Jn. 21:7; Acts 8:14;
Gal. 2:9)
Were partners in fishing when called by
Christ (cf. Luke 5:10)
Jews traditionally prayed at the 3rd, 6th and
9th hours. (9th hour = 3:00 pm)
3
4
5
The Lame Man Healed
(vs. 1-11) 2

Man was lame since birth


A beggar, carried every day to the
gate to beg alms
“Beautiful” gate (called that only
here).
6
The Beautiful Gate
“The gate which led from the Court of
the Gentiles into the Court of the Women.
This would be the gate of Corinthian bronze
described by Josephus” (called Nicanor
gate). “Nicanor was made of Corinthian
brass, and adorned with silver and gold
plates. It was 75 feet high and 60 feet wide.
It was located on the east where the sunlight
presented a bright reflection to the constant
crowds entering for worship.”
(New Testament History, Acts [Reese], pg. 152-153)
7
The Lame Man Healed
(vs. 1-11) 2

Man was lame since birth



A beggar, carried every day to the
gate to beg alms
“Beautiful” gate (called that only
here).
Peter and John got his attention, and
Peter offered him something other
than alms. “In the name of Jesus
Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”
8
The Lame Man Healed
(vs. 1-11) 3

The nature of the miraculous
healing




The miracle was instantaneous (vs. 7)
The miracle was dramatic (vs. 8)
The miracle was verifiable (vss. 9-10)
The miracle fostered wonder in the
people who witnessed it (vs. 11, cf. vs. 12,
“as though by our own power or godliness
we had made this man walk…”).
9
John 20:30-31
And truly Jesus did many other signs in the
presence of His disciples, which are not written
in this book; 31 but these are written that you
may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of
God, and that believing you may have life in
His name.
Note: A miracle is evidence of the divine.
But, faith comes by “hearing God’s word…”
10
Romans 10:17
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing
by the word of God.
Note: The miracle is not the source of faith,
but readies the mind to believe. The gospel of
Christ is the source of faith.
11
Peter’s Second Sermon
(vs. 12-26) 1

The miracle gave Peter an audience


They were “amazed” and “ran” (vs. 11)
Peter deflected the focus from him
and John (vs. 12)


Miracles come from God, not men
Paul and Barnabas had a similar
reaction at a similar circumstance (Acts
14:8-18) in Lystra. There it was said,
“they could scarcely restrain the multitudes
from sacrificing to them.”
12
Peter’s Second Sermon
(vs. 12-26) 2

Peter Immediately pointed out the
sin of the Jews (13-15)


Remember his statement on Pentecost
(2:36). Stephen did the same, with a
different result (7:51-53)
Note: The emphasis today on
“Friendship evangelism” is
misplaced. All examples of
conversion in Acts had immediate
convicting of sin!
13
Peter’s Second Sermon
(vs. 12-26) 3

Peter identified Jesus as the source
of the miracle (cf. John 20:30-31)

It was the apostles’ faith in Jesus Christ
that accomplished this miracle (Mt.
17:20; Lk. 17:5-6)
14
Luke 17:5-6
And the apostles said to the Lord,
"Increase our faith." 6 So the Lord said,
"If you have faith as a mustard seed, you
can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled
up by the roots and be planted in the
sea,' and it would obey you.”
15
Peter’s Second Sermon
(vs. 12-26) 3

Peter identified Jesus as the source
of the miracle (cf. John 20:30-31)


It was the apostles’ faith in Jesus Christ
that accomplished this miracle (Mt.
17:20; Lk. 17:5-6)
The key point here is this: It is “through
His name” that the miracle was
performed. The “prince of life” they had
rejected had accomplished this miracle.
16
Peter’s Second Sermon
(vs. 12-26) 4

God accomplished man’s
redemption through the Jews’
actions (vs. 17-18)


The had done this in ignorance (though
that did not excuse their actions).
God’s purposes could not be thwarted
through their efforts. In fact, he used
them to accomplish the redemption of
man in Christ’s sacrifice (cf. Jn. 10:17-18)
17
John 10:17-18
"Therefore My Father loves Me,
because I lay down My life that I may
take it again. 18 No one takes it from
Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I
have power to lay it down, and I have
power to take it again. This command I
have received from My Father.”
18
Peter’s Second Sermon
(vs. 12-26) 5

Peter called the Jews to Repentance
(vs. 19-21) (Parallel to Acts 2)



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Repent and be converted (return).
Baptism would certainly be included in
the “return” (cf. Acts 2:38)
Sins “blotted out” / “remission”
Blessing: “Times of refreshing” / “Gift of
the Holy Spirit”
Until Jesus second coming (cf. 1 Thess.
4:13-18)
19
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren,
concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest
you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we
believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God
will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For
this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we
who are alive and remain until the coming of the
Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven
with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and
with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will
rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall
be caught up together with them in the clouds to
meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always
be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another
with these words.
20
Peter’s Second Sermon
(vs. 12-26) 6

An Appeal to the Prophets


Jesus attributes the quote from
Deuteronomy 18:15-19 to Moses
In these “last days” Jesus’ voice is the one
that must be heeded (cf. Heb. 1:1-2; Jn.
14:6)
21
Hebrews 1:1-2
God, who at various times and in
various ways spoke in time past to the
fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these
last days spoken to us by His Son,
whom He has appointed heir of all
things, through whom also He made the
worlds”
22
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the
truth, and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through Me.”
23
Peter’s Second Sermon
(vs. 12-26) 6

An Appeal to the Prophets



Jesus attributes the quote from
Deuteronomy 18:15-19 to Moses
In these “last days” Jesus’ voice is the one
that must be heeded (cf. Heb. 1:1-2; Jn. 14:6)
Jesus is the fulfillment of the Prophets

The Seed of Abraham is Christ (Gal. 3:16)
24
Galatians 3:16
Now to Abraham and his Seed were
the promises made. He does not say,
"And to seeds," as of many, but as of
one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ.
25
Peter’s Second Sermon
(vs. 12-26) 6

An Appeal to the Prophets



Jesus attributes the quote from
Deuteronomy 18:15-19 to Moses
In these “last days” Jesus’ voice is the one
that must be heeded (cf. Heb. 1:1-2; Jn. 14:6)
Jesus is the fulfillment of the Prophets


The Seed of Abraham is Christ (Gal. 3:16)
His purpose in coming was to “turn” the
Jews from their “wicked ways”
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