What We Have
The time of prayer was about three o’clock in the afternoon, and Peter and John were going into the temple. Men carried the man who had been born lame to the temple door. Each day these men placed the man beside the what is known as the Beautiful Gate. He would sit there and beg from the people who were going in.
The man saw Peter and John entering the temple, and he asked them for money. But they looked straight at him and said, “Look up at us!”
The man stared at them and thought he was going to get something. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold! But I will give you what I do have. In the name of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, get up and start walking.” Peter then took him by the right hand and helped him up.
At once, the man’s feet and ankles became strong, and he jumped up and started walking. He went with Peter and John into the temple, walking and jumping and praising God. Everyone saw him walking around and praising God. They knew that he was the beggar who had been lying beside the Beautiful Gate, and they were completely surprised. They could not imagine what had happened to the man.
Peter Speaks in the Temple
While the man kept holding on to Peter and John, the whole crowd ran to them in amazement at the place known as Solomon’s Porch. Peter saw that a crowd had gathered, and he said:
Friends, why are you surprised at what has happened? Why are you staring at us? Do you think we have some power of our own? Do you think we were able to make this man walk because we are so religious? The God that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and our other ancestors worshiped has brought honor to his Servant Jesus. He is the one you betrayed. You turned against him when Pilate tried him, even though Pilate wanted to set him free.
Peter Points Out Their Sin
You rejected Jesus, who was holy and good. You asked for a murderer to be set free, and you killed the one who leads people to life. But God raised him from death, and all of us can tell you what he has done. You see this man, and you know him. He put his faith in the name of Jesus and became strong. Faith in Jesus made this man completely well while everyone was watching.
Acts 2:29-47 ~ CEV