Acts 3 Bible Commentary

Peter and John encounter a lame beggar in the temple courtyard. This man has been unable to walk all his life and has begged at the temple for many years. He asks the two apostles for money, but instead of giving him silver or gold, Peter heals the man of his disability in the name of Jesus. The man leaps about and follows Peter and John, praising God. Nearby crowds see this miracle.

The people who witnessed the healing of the lame beggar follow Peter and John. Peter confronts them on why they should be amazed. Peter did not heal the man of his own power. Don't they know that only God can work such a miracle? This miracle was done by faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Messiah, whom the Jewish people put to death, whom God raised back to life.

Peter tells those listening to him that they and their leaders were ignorant of who Jesus really was, and that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament, that He was destined to suffer. Peter calls on his Jewish audience to repent of their sin and return to God, so that they will be forgiven, and so that Jesus will return to earth and initiate His kingdom, and refresh and restore the earth.

Peter shows that Jesus was the prophet like Moses, whom God promised to raise up for Israel, but that anyone who does not listen to the prophet will be destroyed. All the other prophets of God spoke of this period, where the Jews could decide to obey God's Messiah, for they are part of a covenant with God. God sent Jesus to bless the people of Israel and reconcile them with God. This will happen now, if they will repent.