PETER HEALS A CRIPPLED BEGGAR

Passage: Acts 3:1-10

Key verse: 6

NIV

Peter Heals a Lame Beggar

3 One day Peter and John(A) were going up to the temple(B) at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.(C) 2 Now a man who was lame from birth(D) was being carried to the temple gate(E) called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg(F) 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,(G) 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,(H) and praising God. 9 When all the people(I) 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,(J) and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Lame Beggar Healed

3 Now Peter and John were (A)going up to the temple at (B)the hour of prayer, (C)the ninth hour.[a] 2 And a man (D)lame from birth was being carried, (E)whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate (F)to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, (G)“I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. (H)In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And (I)leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And (J)all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

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Footnotes
  1. Acts 3:1 That is, 3 p.m.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. A crippled beggar by the Beautiful gate (1-3)

The crippled beggar represents all whose spirits and/or bodies are crippled by sin. Those who sit in self-pity and burden others are like this beggar. Those who beg for love but have none to give; who want to be helped, but cannot help anyone else; who want to be served, but don't know how to serve others are relatives of the crippled beggar.

2. What I have I give you (4-10)

As Peter and John were going into the temple for the afternoon prayer meeting, the crippled beggar called to them. Peter looked straight at him and said, 'Look at us.' Peter did not give him money. He gave him something better. He gave him Jesus, and Jesus gave him new life. His useless legs became strong, and he jumped and danced. Lips that had only complained and begged began to praise God. He had only sought people's pity before the temple gate; now he went in to pray and thank God.

Prayer: Lord, show me how to give Jesus to the crippled beggars of my time.

One Word: In the name of Jesus