Pastor and 1st Lady Mims

Mims Chapel Church

Week 6, April 5, 2026

LESSON 6

Peter Preaches in the Temple

Lesson Text:

Acts 3:11-26

Memory Verse
'And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of IsraeI, why marvel ye at this or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?"
Acts 3:12

Key Terms
Efficacy • The ability to produce a desired or intended result.
Healing Virtue • A force or power that is designed to engage an infirmity and heal it.
Restoration • The action of returning something to a former owner, place, or condition.

Suggested Emphasis

The healing of the lame man at the Temple gates is as resonant a story about early Christianity as we have in the Bible. We are animated by the picture of how religious practice and genuine charity were inseparable for the newborn Church. The believers could not simply step over a desperate, injured soul on their way to worship the Lord. Although Peter and John had no money to answer his petition for alms, they had a resource that was far more precious to the beggar that they could freely provide. The healing took place when divine agency was channeled through human instruments. It was God's power at work, but it required Peter's availability and the lame man's openness.

The miracle is astounding, and speaks meritoriously about all the parties involved —God, the apostles, and the lame man. But for today's lesson, our attention is drawn away to the immediate repercussions of this event. The evidence of the healing generated so much attention from worshippers at the Temple, it became an opportunity for Peter's second recorded sermon. The apostle effectively realized that miracles are not ends in themselves, but instead are pretexts for sharing the Gospel.

Emphasis 1:

Pointing the Finger

The congregants traveling through Solomon's Porch — many of whom recognized the previously lame man and were amazed by this turn of events — began to cluster around him and the apostles. The crowd was in a deep state of excitement. The people's awe and appreciation must have fallen upon Peter and John, principally because the recipient of the miracle was holding tightly to them while he praised God and them. This is why Peter addressed the spectators as he did: "Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?" (Acts 3:12).

Now Peter quickly attributed the miraculous healing to the name of Jesus Christ. And while doing so, he assumed that among his hearers were some of the mob that lobbied for the crucifixion of Christ: "Ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you" (Acts 3:14). Peter pointed his boney finger and accused his audience of killing the "Prince of Life." He consciously chose to guilt the people into attentiveness. He applied the rhetorical equivalent of an open-handed slap.

Emphasis 2:

All Part of the Plan

Of course, Peter's attention-grab had an ulterior motive. He wanted to be heard when he testified that Jesus had been raised from the dead. He declared that he and John were witnesses of the resurrected Christ (Acts 3:15). Moreover, he associated the healing itself with the Mes-siahship of Jesus. Now faith in Jesus' name — which is effectively faith in the efficacy of His death and resurrection to provide salvation — could afford humanity access to miracle-working power. It was as if Jesus was again here in the flesh, laying His hands on the sick. The effect of praying in "the name which is above every name" is tapping into the healing virtue of Christ.

Peter further reminded them that the suffering of the Messiah was prophesied. The chief priests and elders had been ignorant of the invisible hand at work—they certainly thought their convoluted plot was of their own imagination. "But the things which God previously announced by the mouths of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has fulfilled in this way" (Acts 3:18, NASB). The apostle wanted his hearers to again consider the Scriptures, and recognize how their actions had fit into the overall plan of redemption.

Emphasis 3:

Time to Repent

Finally, Peter challenged the crowd to respond to the Gospel call. Conversion is available. "Repent ye therefore;" i.e., change your direction and God will forgive your sins. The preacher wanted the people to be forward-thinking: If the hearers turned around, they could expect to participate in a "time of refreshing" that is coming. Restoration is going to be brought by the return of Jesus Christ, who is "your appointed Messiah" (Acts 3:20, NLT) if you have repented. But the logical conclusion is that Christ's return will be a sorrow for anyone who has not turned to Him in faith. Peter reminds us that Moses prophesied that God would raise up a Prophet, and "anyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from God's people" (v. 23, NLT). Christ is that Prophet, and our acceptance of Him determines our eternal destiny.

Missions Application Questions

How was the opening of Peter's message confrontational to the hearers?
What would the people have to do the enjoy "times of refreshing"?
Is a confrontational approach ever helpful in witnessing for Christ? Explain.

World Missions Prayer Points

Let us pray to remember that miraculous healing is a pretext for sharing the Gospel.
Let us pray to recognize every opportunity to witness for the Lord.
Let us pray for the courage to be confrontational when necessary.