Acts 3 | Daily Bible Reading & Reflection

Acts 3 Devotional: Witness the miraculous healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate. Explore Peter’s bold sermon in Solomon’s Colonnade and the power of the name of Jesus to bring healing and repentance.

Dear brothers and sisters, peace in Christ. Welcome to Acts Chapter 3. Following the fire of Pentecost, we now see the Holy Spirit in action through the everyday lives of the apostles. As Peter and John head to the temple for prayer, they encounter a man who had been broken from birth. Let us watch as "silver and gold" are bypassed for something far more eternal: the restoring power of the Living Christ.

Acts Chapter 3 Introduction:

The Power of the Name and the Call to Refreshment

Acts 3 centers on a miracle and the message that follows it. A man lame from birth sits at the "Beautiful Gate," begging for alms. Instead of money, Peter offers him healing in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. As the man leaps and praises God, a crowd gathers in amazement at Solomon’s Colonnade. Peter immediately turns the focus away from himself and onto Jesus, preaching a searing and hopeful sermon that identifies Jesus as the "Author of Life" whom God raised from the dead.

What can we learn from this today? In this chapter, we see that Salvation is a gift of God’s grace. As your Statement of Faith affirms, through Christ’s death and resurrection, believers are justified and born again. The healing of the lame man’s legs is a physical picture of what the Gospel does for our souls—it enables those who were "spiritually lame" to stand and walk with God. Peter’s message highlights that "repentance" is the key to experiencing "times of refreshing." We learn that the name of Jesus is not a magic formula, but a declaration of His sovereign authority over every broken part of creation. When we turn to Him, we don't just get a temporary fix; we get a place in His eternal Kingdom.

Bible Verse - Acts 3

Peter Heals a Lame Beggar

3 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 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. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

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.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 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. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 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.

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.’

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.’ 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.”

Prayer

Peter told the man, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." As we enter into prayer, let us come in that same Name, believing in His power to restore what is broken in our lives and our world.

Prayer Theme: "Times of Refreshing"

Dear Heavenly Father, We praise You as the Creator and sovereign Lord of all things. We believe, as Your Word declares in Acts, that You raised Jesus from the dead and have given Him the name that is above every name. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who empowers us for service and brings the reality of Jesus into our daily lives.

Lord, I ask that You would bring "times of refreshing" to my soul today. Where I have grown weary or where my heart has become "lame" through doubt or sin, I ask for Your restoring touch. Help me to look past the "silver and gold" of worldly solutions and put my total trust in the power of Jesus. Grant me the boldness of Peter to speak of Your wonders to those around me, always pointing the glory back to You.

We pray for those in our community who are physically or spiritually broken. For the "beggars at the gate" who feel overlooked by the world, may they encounter the life-changing power of the Gospel through Your people. We lift up the Church, asking that we would be a community that moves in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring healing and hope. We pray for a world that is searching for restoration in all the wrong places; may many turn in repentance today so that their sins may be wiped out and they may find true life in the Author of Life. Amen.

Daily Application Question

The lame man was looking for a small coin, but God gave him a whole new life. Is there a "small" request you are bringing to God today where He might be wanting to do something much "bigger" for your soul or your faith?

Frequently Asked Questions about Acts 3

What is the significance of "Solomon’s Colonnade"? This was a covered walkway in the Temple area where people gathered for teaching. By preaching there, Peter was speaking in the very heart of the religious establishment, showing that Jesus is the fulfillment of all Jewish prophecy.
Why did Peter call Jesus the "Author of Life"? This title emphasizes Jesus' divinity (Article 3). It creates a powerful irony: the people put to death the very One who created and sustains all life, yet God's sovereignty turned that death into the source of salvation for all.
What does it mean for "sins to be wiped out"? In the ancient world, ink had no acid and could be literally wiped away with a wet sponge. Peter is saying that when we repent, God doesn't just "cover" our sins; He erases the record entirely through the grace of Christ.

Thank you for joining us for Acts 3. May you walk—and perhaps even leap—in the joy of the Lord today, knowing that His name is your strength. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow for the trial and boldness found in Acts Chapter 4.

Navigate the Journey

Previous: ← Acts Chapter 2 | Next: Acts Chapter 4 →

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