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THE BOOK OF ACTS

CHAPTER 3

A CALL TO REPENTANCE

The whole purpose of miracles, healings, signs and wonders is for people to come to the saving
knowledge of Jesus Christ. Born-again, Spirit-filled believers are exhorted to “desire spiritual
gifts” (1 Corinthians 14:1). But the operation of spiritual gifts is not intended to draw attention
to the individuals, rather to cause the unbelievers to repent and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord
and Savior.

We must never see the gifts for our own glory. Our motives should always be to glorify the one
who makes salvation possible and sent the gift of the Holy Spirit to abide with us forever -- Jesus
Christ!

LAME MAN HEALED (1-11)

Sometime after the day of Pentecost, Peter and John are headed into the temple, a lame man
asks them for money. This man is well-known because he has asked for alms at the temple gate
for many years. This day, however, would be different. Although Peter and John have no money
to offer the lame man, Peter, operating in the working of miracles, offers him the healing power

of Jesus Christ. When bystanders in the temple see the man walking, they give glory to God and
stand amazed at his healing.

THE HABIT OF ATTENDING CHURCH

Act 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the
ninth hour.

Now Peter and John went up (linear action, “continually went up”) together into the temple at
the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.).

Going to the temple to pray is something Peter and John do daily. They have developed the habit
of attending church (Hebrews 10:25). There is no record of the number of days after Pentecost
this event occurs, but enough time has elapsed for Peter and John to establish the habit of
attending church.

The day this miracle occurs is probably not the first day Peter and John have seen the lame man
at the gate, but this will be a day of divine appointment for the lame man. He will have the faith

to be healed, and the crowd is large enough to be affected by the miracle.