Peter Heals a Lame Beggar

3 One day Peter and Johnh were going up to the templei at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.j 2 Now a man who was lame from birthk was being carried to the temple gatel called Beautiful, where he was put every day to begm 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,n 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,o and praising God. 9 When all the peoplep 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,q and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Peter Speaks to the Onlookers

11 While the man held on to Peter and John,r all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.s 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, 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,t the God of our fathers,u has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him overv to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate,w though he had decided to let him go.x 14 You disowned the Holyy and Righteous Onez and asked that a murderer be released to you.a 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.b We are witnessesc of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus,d this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

17 “Now, fellow Israelites,e I know that you acted in ignorance,f as did your leaders.g 18 But this is how God fulfilledh what he had foretoldi through all the prophets,j saying that his Messiah would suffer.k 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,l that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah,m who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 Heaven must receive himn until the time comes for God to restore everything,o as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.p 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.q 23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’a r

24 “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophetss who have spoken have foretold these days. 25 And you are heirst of the prophets and of the covenantu God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’b v 26 When God raised upw his servant, he sent him firstx to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin

4 The priests and the captain of the temple guardy and the Sadduceesz came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.a 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jailb until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grewc to about five thousand.

5 The next day the rulers,d the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas,e John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit,f said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!g 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lameh and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,i whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead,j that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is

“ ‘the stone you builders rejected,

which has become the cornerstone.’a k

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”l

13 When they saw the courage of Peter and Johnm and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men,n they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.o 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrinp and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?”q they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign,r and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.s 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him?t You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speakingu about what we have seen and heard.”v

21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the peoplew were praising Godx for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.