Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.
Synopsis
A man lame from birth, begging daily at the temple gate called Beautiful, asks Peter and John for money, but receives far more: 'In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.' Instantly healed, he enters the temple leaping and praising God, drawing a crowd to whom Peter immediately deflects credit: 'Why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?' Peter uses the miracle as a platform to preach Christ, the Author of life whom they had denied, now glorified by God. When questioned by the rulers, Peter declares the timeless gospel principle: 'Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.' This healing is a living parable of the gospel — helpless, unable to walk, we are made whole not by our merit but solely by the name and power of Jesus.
I. The helpless need
- Lame from his mother's womb
- Begging daily at the Beautiful gate
- No human remedy possible
II. The power applied
- "Silver and gold have I none"
- "In the name of Jesus Christ... rise up and walk"
- Immediate strength given
III. The credit redirected
- "Why look ye so earnestly on us?"
- Not by our own power or holiness
- Faith in His name, not the apostles' merit
IV. The exclusive claim declared
- "None other name under heaven"
- Salvation found in Christ alone
- Boldness before the rulers despite threats
Like the lame man, you may be utterly unable to walk in righteousness by your own strength. There is healing and salvation in the name of Jesus alone — will you call on that name today and rise up?
Key points
- Healing and salvation come through the power of Jesus' name, not human merit.
- True gospel witnesses redirect glory to Christ, never to themselves.
- Salvation is exclusively found in Jesus Christ; there is no other name.
Key passages
- Acts 3:6
- Acts 3:12
- Acts 4:12
- Acts 4:19-20