Frameworks:
Acts 3
(The
objective of these ‘Frameworks' is to provide an easy-to-read
layout of the text in order then to use these individual verses
for verse-by-verse study or meditation. )
Frameworks:
Acts 3
v.1-10
Peter Heals a Lame Beggar
v.11,12
Peter questions the surprised Onlookers
v.13-18
Peter explains what happened to Jesus and its significance
v.19-26
Peter calls for repentance
v.1-10
Peter Heals a Lame Beggar
v.1
One
day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of
prayer—at three in the afternoon.
v.2
Now
a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple
gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from
those going into the temple courts.
v.3
When
he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.
v.4
Peter
looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at
us!”
v.5
So
the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from
them.
v.6
Then
Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have
I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
v.7
Taking
him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's
feet and ankles became strong.
v.8
He
jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into
the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
v.9,10
When
all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized
him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate
called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement
at what had happened to him.
[Passage
Synopsis: The
first recorded miracle at the hands of the apostles that triggers
an opportunity to share the gospel in what follows.]
v.11,12
Peter questions the surprised Onlookers
v.11
While
the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished
and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade.
v.12
When
Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does
this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power
or godliness we had made this man walk?
[Passage
Synopsis: Peter
grabs the opportunity of the surprise created by the man being
healed]
v.13-18
Peter explains what happened to Jesus and its significance
v.13
The
God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified
his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned
him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go.
v.14
You
disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer
be released to you.
v.15
You
killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We
are witnesses of this.
v.16
By
faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was
made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through
him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.
v.17
“Now,
fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did
your leaders.
v.18
But
this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the
prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer.
[Passage
Synopsis: Again
he plainly describes what happened to Jesus laying the blame for
his death firmly on the people.]
v.19-26
Peter calls for repentance
v.19,20
Repent,
then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that
times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send
the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.
v.21
Heaven
must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything,
as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.
v.22
For
Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet
like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything
he tells you.
v.23
Anyone
who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their
people.' [Deut 18:15,18,19]
v.24
“Indeed,
beginning with Samuel, all the prophets who have spoken have foretold
these days.
v.25
And
you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with
your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all
peoples on earth will be blessed.' [Gen.
22:18; 26:4]
v.26
When
God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you
by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”
[Passage
Synopsis: The
obvious follow on to having confronted them with their part in
bringing about Jesus' death is a call to repentance. Note, quite
intriguingly, this fisherman of but three years ago, possibly
through Jesus' recent teaching before he left them, now comes
out quoting Old Testament prophecies (even as he had done in the
Pentecost sermon] to explain how Moses had spoken of Jesus and
how Jesus was now the fulfilment of the word to Abraham (starting
Gen 12:1)]
Continue
to chapter 4