Acts 3 Continued...

Acts 3:11-26

Peter Speaks to the Onlookers

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. 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? 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. ¹⁴ You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. ¹⁵ You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 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.

¹⁷ “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. ¹⁸ But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. ¹⁹ Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, ²⁰ and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. ²¹ Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. 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. ²³ Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’^[a]

²⁴ “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets who have spoken have foretold these days. 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.’^{[b] 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.”

Footnotes:

1. Acts 3:23 Deut. 18:15,18,19
2. Acts 3:25 Gen. 22:18; 26:4

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Observation

v. 11 - The beggar is still holding on to Peter and John.

v.11 - People are astonished and come running to them.

v.13-15 - Peter lets them know that they gave over and betrayed Jesus.

v. 16 - Peter places emphasis on Jesus' name and on faith.

v. 17 - Peter acknowledges that they acted in ignorance.

v. 19 - Peter tells the people that through repentance, their sins can be forgiven.

Peter preached this message after the beggar had been healed. He had the people's attention, so he shared the gospel through the beggar's testimony.

Interpretation

The sharing of our testimony is an opportunity through which we can tell the good news of Jesus. Through our testimony, we can offer the opportunity to repent and to God (v. 19).

Verse 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.

Question:

Was it the faith of the beggar or the faith of Peter that healed the him? What does Peter mean when he says "faith that comes through Him"? Who's faith came through Him?

Peter does not hide the fact that the people gave over God's Chosen One (v.13-15). He makes it clear that they betrayed Him. But He also acknowledges that they acted in ignorance and gives them the opportunity to repent (v. 17, 19). We must know our sins and where we have done wrong yes, but the next step is to turn to God so that those sins may be wiped out.

Faith in the name of Jesus brings healing (v. 16). The is power in His name.

Application

When I end my prayers with "in the Name of Jesus" do I really believe that change and healing will come? Do I pray understanding that there is power in praying in the name of Jesus?

I need to be aware of my sins so that I can turn from them. Cannot turn away from something if you do not know it is there.

Verse 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?

Peter acknowledges and is fully aware that the healing power is not by him. When God does awesome things through me, do I acknowledge that it is Him, not me, doing the work?

I should be willing to share my testimony and use that opportunity to share the gospel. Every testimony should be a gospel sharing moment. Revelation 12 says that that is how we triumphed over Satan; "by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony" (v. 11). I should be ever eager to share!

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Lord, thank You for Your word. Thank You that it is ever-living and that You are always speaking through it. Thank You for the power that is in the name of and in faith in Jesus Christ. Lord, may I be like Peter, ever-ready to share the gospel, making use of every opportunity. May I know that it is by Your Spirit and power that awesome things happen, not my own. May I not run away from You Holy Spirit. Be with me over the next week as I seek to hear Your voice. Please show me what You would have me do. I pray for clarity and direction. In Christ's Name -- the powerful name, in which mighty and awesome things happen -- I pray, Amen.