Lesson Six: The Lame Man Healed

Acts 3:1-26

Key Verse

"And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all."

— Acts 3:16 Textual Questions Read Acts 3:1-26

Lesson Questions

Read Acts 3:1-26 carefully before answering these questions.

1. Who went into the temple? What did they find as they entered? 3:1-3

2. What did Peter say to this man? 3:4-6

3. Then what happened? 3:7,8

4. What did the people see? What did they know? How did they react? 3:9-11

5. When Peter saw the reaction of the people, what did he say? 3:12

6. As Peter continued, what did he say God had done? What had they done? 3:13

7. What had they done? What had God done? What proof did Peter give? 3:14,15

8. How had the lame man been healed? 3:16

9. Why had they crucified Christ? What had been fulfilled? 3:17,18

10. What did Peter tell them to do? What would result? 3:19-21

11. What prophecy was quoted? 3:22,23

12. Who had foretold of these days? How had God blessed them? 3:24-26

Thought Questions

A. Why would Peter and John go to the temple at the hour of prayer?

B. How was the miracle of Acts 3 different from professed miracles today?

C. List the results of this miracle.

D. List similarities between this second sermon and the sermon in Acts 2.

E. In Acts 3, what proof of the resurrection of Christ did Peter give?

F. Compare Acts 3:19 and Acts 2:38. How are they alike? How not alike?

G. What prophecy did Peter quote? To whom did he apply it?

H. List the three promises God made to Abram.

Supplementary Materials

The Setting: The Temple at the Hour of Prayer The Jews observed three daily hours of prayer: the third hour (9:00 AM), the sixth hour (noon), and the ninth hour (3:00 PM). Peter and John went to the temple at "the ninth hour" (3:1), which coincided with the evening sacrifice (cf. Exodus 29:39; Daniel 9:21). The "gate of the temple which is called Beautiful" (3:2) was likely the Nicanor Gate, an ornate bronze gate on the eastern side of the temple leading from the Court of the Gentiles into the Court of Women. This was a prime location for begging, as all Jewish worshippers would pass through. The man had been lame "from his mother's womb" and was over forty years old (4:22). He was carried daily to beg — a well-known figure whom many could identify. This made the miracle undeniable.

Characteristics of a True Biblical Miracle The healing of the lame man demonstrates what genuine miracles look like: Characteristic Evidence in Acts 3 Verifiable condition Lame from birth, over 40 years old, known to all (3:2; 4:22) Instantaneous "Immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength" (3:7) Complete healing "Perfect soundness" — not partial improvement (3:16) Publicly witnessed Done at the temple gate; "all the people saw him" (3:9) Undeniable Even enemies admitted "a notable miracle" was done (4:16) No faith required first The man expected money, not healing (3:5) Glory given to God Peter deflected credit: "Why look ye so earnestly on us?" (3:12)

Peter's Second Sermon: Structure The healing created an opportunity for Peter to preach. His sermon follows a pattern similar to Acts 2:

Verses	Section	Content
3:12	Introduction	Deflected glory from themselves; not their power or holiness
3:13-15	Accusation	"Ye denied... ye killed the Prince of life"
3:15-16	Resurrection	God raised Him; the healed man is proof
3:17-18	Explanation	They acted in ignorance; prophecy was fulfilled
3:19-21	Command	"Repent... and be converted" for blotting out of sins
3:22-26	Prophecy	Moses, Samuel, and all the prophets foretold these days

Comparing Acts 2:38 and Acts 3:19 These two passages both describe what sinners must do to be saved: Acts 2:38 Acts 3:19 "Repent" "Repent ye therefore" "Be baptized" "Be converted" (turn again) "For the remission of sins" "That your sins may be blotted out"

Both passages require repentance and obedience, with the result being forgiveness. "Be converted" (Greek: epistrepho) means "to turn" — the outward act that accompanies the inward change of repentance. In context, this turning would include baptism, as already commanded in Acts 2:38.

The Three Promises to Abraham Peter referenced God's covenant with Abraham (3:25). In Genesis 12:1-3 (and expanded in later passages), God made three distinct promises: Promise Scripture Fulfillment Land Gen. 12:1; 13:15; 15:18-21 Joshua 21:43-45 — fulfilled under Joshua Nation Gen. 12:2; 17:4-6; 22:17 The nation of Israel — descendants as numerous as stars Seed (Blessing) Gen. 12:3; 22:18 Christ! "In thy seed shall all... be blessed" (Acts 3:25-26; Gal. 3:16)

Peter declared that his Jewish audience were "children of the prophets, and of the covenant" (3:25). God sent Jesus "to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities" (3:26). The blessing promised to Abraham — salvation through Christ — was being offered to them first.

Key Cross-References

Reference	Acts Verse	Connection
Psalm 55:17	Acts 3:1	Hours of prayer — evening, morning, noon
Isaiah 52:13-53:12	Acts 3:13-15	The Suffering Servant — glorified, yet rejected
Deut. 18:15-19	Acts 3:22-23	"A prophet like unto me" — Moses foretold Christ
Gen. 12:3; 22:18	Acts 3:25	"In thy seed shall all families be blessed"
Galatians 3:16	Acts 3:25-26	"The seed" is Christ

Note: This miracle and sermon led to the first persecution of the church (Acts 4), but also to continued growth — "the number of the men was about five thousand" (4:4).