Acts 3

1 Petrus autem et Iohannes ascendebant in templum ad horam orationis nonam

2 et quidam vir qui erat claudus ex utero matris suae baiulabatur quem ponebant cotidie ad portam templi quae dicitur Speciosa ut peteret elemosynam ab introeuntibus in templum

3 is cum vidisset Petrum et Iohannem incipientes introire in templum rogabat ut elemosynam acciperet

4 intuens autem in eum Petrus cum Iohanne dixit respice in nos

5 at ille intendebat in eos sperans se aliquid accepturum ab eis

6 Petrus autem dixit argentum et aurum non est mihi quod autem habeo hoc tibi do in nomine Iesu Christi Nazareni surge et ambula

7 et adprehensa ei manu dextera adlevavit eum et protinus consolidatae sunt bases eius et plantae

8 et exiliens stetit et ambulabat et intravit cum illis in templum ambulans et exiliens et laudans Dominum

9 et vidit omnis populus eum ambulantem et laudantem Deum

10 cognoscebant autem illum quoniam ipse erat qui ad elemosynam sedebat ad Speciosam portam templi et impleti sunt stupore et extasi in eo quod contigerat illi

11 cum teneret autem Petrum et Iohannem concurrit omnis populus ad eos ad porticum qui appellatur Salomonis stupentes

12 videns autem Petrus respondit ad populum viri israhelitae quid miramini in hoc aut nos quid intuemini quasi nostra virtute aut pietate fecerimus hunc ambulare

13 Deus Abraham et Deus Isaac et Deus Iacob Deus patrum nostrorum glorificavit Filium suum Iesum quem vos quidem tradidistis et negastis ante faciem Pilati iudicante illo dimitti

14 vos autem sanctum et iustum negastis et petistis virum homicidam donari vobis

15 auctorem vero vitae interfecistis quem Deus suscitavit a mortuis cuius nos testes sumus

16 et in fide nominis eius hunc quem videtis et nostis confirmavit nomen eius et fides quae per eum est dedit integram sanitatem istam in conspectu omnium vestrum

17 et nunc fratres scio quia per ignorantiam fecistis sicut et principes vestri

18 Deus autem quae praenuntiavit per os omnium prophetarum pati Christum suum implevit sic

19 paenitemini igitur et convertimini ut deleantur vestra peccata

20 ut cum venerint tempora refrigerii a conspectu Domini et miserit eum qui praedicatus est vobis Iesum Christum

21 quem oportet caelum quidem suscipere usque in tempora restitutionis omnium quae locutus est Deus per os sanctorum suorum a saeculo prophetarum

22 Moses quidem dixit quia prophetam vobis suscitabit Dominus Deus vester de fratribus vestris tamquam me ipsum audietis iuxta omnia quaecumque locutus fuerit vobis

23 erit autem omnis anima quae non audierit prophetam illum exterminabitur de plebe

24 et omnes prophetae a Samuhel et deinceps qui locuti sunt et adnuntiaverunt dies istos

25 vos estis filii prophetarum et testamenti quod disposuit Deus ad patres vestros dicens ad Abraham et in semine tuo benedicentur omnes familiae terrae

26 vobis primum Deus suscitans Filium suum misit eum benedicentem vobis ut convertat se unusquisque a nequitia sua

Acts 3 Commentary

Chapter 3

A lame man healed by Peter and John. (1-11) Peter's address to the Jews. (12-26)

Verses 1-11 The apostles and the first believers attended the temple worship at the hours of prayer. Peter and John seem to have been led by a Divine direction, to work a miracle on a man above forty years old, who had been a cripple from his birth. Peter, in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, bade him rise up and walk. Thus, if we would attempt to good purpose the healing of men's souls, we must go forth in the name and power of Jesus Christ, calling on helpless sinners to arise and walk in the way of holiness, by faith in Him. How sweet the thought to our souls, that in respect to all the crippled faculties of our fallen nature, the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth can make us whole! With what holy joy and rapture shall we tread the holy courts, when God the Spirit causes us to enter therein by his strength!

Verses 12-18 Observe the difference in the manner of working the miracles. Our Lord always spoke as having Almighty power, never hesitated to receive the greatest honour that was given to him on account of his Divine miracles. But the apostles referred all to their Lord, and refused to receive any honour, except as his undeserving instruments. This shows that Jesus was one with the Father, and co-equal with Him; while the apostles knew that they were weak, sinful men, and dependent for every thing on Jesus, whose power effected the cure. Useful men must be very humble. Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to thy name, give glory. Every crown must be cast at the feet of Christ. The apostle showed the Jews the greatness of their crime, but would not anger or drive them to despair. Assuredly, those who reject, refuse, or deny Christ, do it through ignorance; but this can in no case be an excuse.

Verses 19-21 The absolute necessity of repentance is to be solemnly charged upon the consciences of all who desire that their sins may be blotted out, and that they may share in the refreshment which nothing but a sense of Christ's pardoning love can afford. Blessed are those who have felt this. It was not needful for the Holy Spirit to make known the times and seasons of these dispensations. These subjects are still left obscure. But when sinners are convinced of their sins, they will cry to the Lord for pardon; and to the penitent, converted, and believing, times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord. In a state of trial and probation, the glorified Redeemer will be out of sight, because we must live by faith in him.

Verses 22-26 Here is a powerful address to warn the Jews of the dreadful consequences of their unbelief, in the very words of Moses, their favourite prophet, out of pretended zeal for whom they were ready to reject Christianity, and to try to destroy it. Christ came into the world to bring a blessing with him. And he sent his Spirit to be the great blessing. Christ came to bless us, by turning us from our iniquities, and saving us from our sins. We, by nature cleave to sin; the design of Divine grace is to turn us from it, that we may not only forsake, but hate it. Let none think that they can be happy by continuing in sin, when God declares that the blessing is in being turned from all iniquity. Let none think that they understand or believe the gospel, who only seek deliverance from the punishment of sin, but do not expect happiness in being delivered from sin itself. And let none expect to be turned from their sin, except by believing in, and receiving Christ the Son of God, as their wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.