Act 3 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Acts 3:1-11: 3:1-11 Jesus’ promise that his disciples would do even greater works than he had done (John 14:12 ; see Mark 16:20 ) was fulfilled in the signs, wonders, and mighty works of the apostles (Acts 2:43 ; 5:12 ; 8:4-8 ). Here, Peter clearly exercised the power to heal in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene (3:6 , 16 ). The cure was instant and undeniable (3:8 ), resulting in the man’s praising God (3:8-9 ; cp. 2:47 ; 16:25 ; Luke 2:20 ; 17:15-18 ; 18:43 ; 19:37 ; 24:53 ). This is the first of many demonstrations of divine power given to disciples in Acts (Acts 4:24-31 ; 5:12 ; 6:8 ; 8:6 ; 9:33-42 ; 28:8 ).

Summary for Acts 3:1-11: 3:1-11 ^a Jesus’ promise that his disciples would do even greater works than he had done (John 14:12 ^b; see Mark 16:20 ^c) was fulfilled in the signs, wonders, and mighty works of the apostles (Acts 2:43 ^d; 5:12 ^e; 8:4-8 ^f). Here, Peter clearly exercised the power to heal in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene (3:6 ^g, 16 ^h). The cure was instant and undeniable (3:8 ⁱ), resulting in the man’s praising God (3:8-9 ^j; cp. 2:47 ^k; 16:25 ^l; Luke 2:20 ^m; 17:15-18 ⁿ; 18:43 ^o; 19:37 ^p; 24:53 ^q). This is the first of many demonstrations of divine power given to disciples in Acts (Acts 4:24-31 ^r; 5:12 ^s; 6:8 ^t; 8:6 ^u; 9:33-42 ^v; 28:8 ^w).
3:6 ^x The name of Jesus represents his identity and power to heal (see Mark 9:38-39 ^y).
Summary for Acts 3:10-11: 3:10-11 ^z The Beautiful Gate was probably the Nicanor Gate, built of Corinthian bronze and located on the east side of the Temple (see Josephus, War 5.5.3). It was adorned in a costly manner, with plates of silver and gold upon its panels richer and thicker than other gates.

• Solomon’s Colonnade was a portico on the east side of the Temple (see Josephus, War 5.5.1-3; Antiquities 20.9.7).
Summary for Acts 3:12-26: 3:12-26 ^aa The evangelistic speeches in the book of Acts focus on Jesus, the crucified and risen Lord. They call people to repentance and faith in Jesus as the promised Messiah and the divinely appointed Judge (2:38 ^ab; 3:19 ^ac; 11:18 ^ad; 17:30 ^ae; 26:20 ^af). They also offer the same Good News for the people of Israel and the Gentile world—“there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all” (10:36 ^ag).
3:15 ^ah It was unfathomable to the Jewish mind that the author of life, God himself, could be killed. They did not recognize Jesus as Messiah (cp. 13:27 ^ai; Luke 23:34 ^aj), and they did not realize that the Messiah would be divine (see John 1:1-18 ^ak; cp. Dan 7:13-14 ^al).
3:17 ^am Friends: Literally Brothers, which was a common way to address one another (13:15 ^an, 26 ^ao, 38 ^ap; Gen 27:29 ^aq; Lev 10:6 ^ar; 25:46 ^as; Num 20:3 ^at; Deut 1:28 ^au; 24:7 ^av; Josh 22:3-4 ^aw; 2 Sam 2:26 ^ax; Ezek 11:15 ^ay).

• in ignorance: Cp. Acts 17:30 ^az; 1 Tim 1:12-14 ^ba. The Christian message challenges this ignorance and calls all people to respond in faith and repentance (Acts 2:38 ^bb).
Summary for Acts 3:19-21: 3:19-21 ^bc The message of Good News offers refreshment (see Matt 11:28-29 ^bd). The second coming of Christ will be one of those times of refreshment from God, when he will again send . . . Jesus to his people. 3:19 ^be The Good News of forgiveness is more fully explained elsewhere (see 5:30-32 ^bf; 10:36-43 ^bg; 13:26-38 ^bh; Luke 24:25-27 ^bi, 45-47 ^bj).
3:22 ^bk Jesus fulfills the ancient promise of a Prophet like Moses (see Deut 18:15 ^bl, 18 ^bm; cp. John 6:14 ^bn; 7:40 ^bo).
3:23 ^bp Refusing to heed Jesus, God’s final Prophet, would have disastrous consequences (John 3:16 ^bq, 17 ^br, 36 ^bs).
3:25 ^bt all the families on earth will be blessed: God’s blessings on the covenant people were not intended to be selfishly hoarded, but were to be shared with the world.