Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

Peter and John were going into the temple at the hour of prayer. This was around 3 pm. As they entered, they saw a man who had been lame since birth. He was carried by others and placed daily at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, where he would ask for alms from those entering.

The man's eyes met Peter and John as they were about to go in. He looked at them hopefully, expecting to receive something from them. "Look at us," Peter said to the man, his eyes locked onto him. The man was eager to hear what they had to say.

Peter continued, "I have no silver or gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk." With that, he took the man by the right hand and raised him up. Immediately, the man's feet and ankle bones strengthened, and he began to heal.

The man leaped to his feet and stood tall, then started walking with Peter and John into the temple. As they walked, the man leaped and praised God, drawing the attention of everyone around them. All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they were amazed at what had happened to him.

Those who recognized the man as the one who usually sat begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple were stunned by his transformation. They rushed together with great wonder to see Peter and John in the porch called Solomon's. The lame man held onto them, still praising God.

When Peter saw the crowd gathering around them, he spoke up, addressing the people. "Men of Israel, why do you stare at us as if we're responsible for this man's healing?" He explained that it was not Peter and John who had healed him but rather the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, their ancestors' God.

Peter continued, "This God has glorified his Son Jesus. You handed him over to be condemned by Pilate despite his intention to release him." The people had denied the Holy and Righteous One, asking for a murderer to be released instead. They had killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead.

"We are witnesses to this," Peter said firmly. "His name has made this man strong through faith in him. You see and know this man, who is now walking with perfect soundness, thanks to that same faith." The people were still confused and didn't understand what had happened.

Peter knew that their ignorance was part of the problem. He gently said, "I'm aware that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did." Those things which God had previously shown by the mouth of all his prophets – that Christ would suffer – have now been fulfilled.

Peter urged the people to repent and be converted, so their sins could be blotted out when the times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord. "And he will send Jesus Christ, who was previously preached to you," Peter declared. He explained that this Jesus must be received in heaven until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

Moses had prophesied about a prophet like him who would rise from among their brothers. They were to listen to everything he said. If anyone refused to heed this prophet, they would be cut off from among the people.

All the prophets from Samuel onward, including those who followed after, had foretold of these days. The people were children of the prophets and heirs to the covenant God made with their ancestors, promising that all nations on earth would be blessed through Abraham's descendants.

God raised up his Son Jesus and sent him to bless them by turning each of them away from their iniquities.