2. READ: ACTS 3:1-26
[Acts 3:1] "One day Peter and John were going up to the
temple at the time of prayer--at three in the afternoon. [2]
Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate
called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg 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 have I give you. In the Name of Jesus Christ of
Nazareth, 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, and praising
God. [9] When all the people 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, and they were filled with wonder and
amazement at what had happened to him.
[11] "While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all
the people were astonished and came running to them in the place
called Solomon's Colonnade. [12] When Peter saw this, he said
to them: 'Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do
you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made
this man walk? [13] The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of
our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus. You handed Him over
to be killed, and you disowned Him before Pilate, though he had
decided to let Him go. [14] You disowned the Holy and Righteous One
and asked that a murderer be released to you. [15] You killed the
Author of Life, but God raised Him from the dead. We are witnesses
of this. [16] By faith in the Name of Jesus, this man whom you see
and know was made strong. It is Jesus' Name and the faith
that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him,
as you can all see.
[17] "'Now, brothers, I know that you acted in
ignorance, as did your leaders. [18] But this is how God fulfilled
what He had foretold through all the prophets, saying that His
Christ [or, 'Messiah'] would suffer. [19] Repent, then,
and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of
refreshing may come from the Lord, [20] and that He may send the
Christ, Who has been appointed for you--even Jesus. [21] He
must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore
everything, as He promised long ago through His holy prophets. [22]
For Moses said, "The Lord your God will raise up for you a
Prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to
everything He tells you. [23] Anyone who does not listen to Him
will be completely cut off from among His people [Deuteronomy
18:15, 18-19]."
[24] "'Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on,
as many as have spoken, have foretold these days.
[25] And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant
God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, "Through your
offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed," [Genesis
22:18; Genesis 26:4]. [26] When God raised up His servant, He sent
Him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your
wicked ways.'"
a. In what name was the beggar given complete healing?
b. Where is Jesus now?
c. How does God bless people through His servant Jesus?
