Crippled beggar healed1One day Peter and John went to the temple for the afternoon time of prayer at three o'clock.2At the entrance to the temple called the Beautiful Gate, was a man who had been crippled from birth. He was carried there every day to beg for money from those entering the temple courts.3So when he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.4Both looked directly at him and Peter said: "Look us in the eye!"5The man did so, expecting to receive something from them.6Peter said to him: "I don't have any silver or gold to give you, but what I do have I give you now. Walk, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth."7He took the man by the right hand and began to pull him to his feet. Immediately his ankles were healed and were made strong.8He jumped up and began to walk. Then he went with Peter and John into the temple courts, walking freely and jumping about, praising God as he did so.9-10When all the people saw the way he walked and heard his shouts of praise, they recognised him as the one who used to beg for money at the Beautiful Gate. They were amazed and filled with awe because of what had happened to him.Peter preaches to the crowd11The man clung to Peter and John in gratitude and soon a crowd of astonished people came running to them and surrounded them in Solomon's Colonnade.12Peter used the opportunity to address them: "People of Israel, why does this amaze you? Why look at us as if we have caused this man to walk by some power of our own or by our godliness?13Your God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has glorified His servant Jesus through this miracle. You handed Him over to the Roman authorities to be crucified and you rejected Him before Pilate, even though he wanted to release Him.14You denied the Holy and Righteous One and demanded that a terrorist murderer be released instead.15You were responsible for putting to death the One who gave you life. Yet God raised Him from the dead and we are witnesses of His resurrection.16"So by faith in the person of Jesus this man has been healed and he is someone you clearly recognise. It is by the name of Jesus and the faith that comes from knowing Him that this complete healing has been given to this man, as you can all see clearly for yourselves.17"Brothers, I acknowledge that you and your leaders only acted in ignorance.18But realise that God has fulfilled what He promised through all the prophets. He foretold that the Christ would suffer.19-20So repent now; turn to God so that you can be forgiven and freed from all your sins, that you can enjoy times of refreshing that only the Lord Himself can give, that the living Christ will come to you now and that Jesus will return at God's appointed time.21He has to remain in heaven until the time comes that has been promised through the holy prophets, when God will restore everything to His purposes.22"It was Moses who said: 'The Lord your God will raise up a Prophet from among your own people, a Prophet for you who will be like Me. You must listen to all that He says to you.23For anyone who does not listen to this Prophet will be cut off completely from God's people.'24"In fact, all the prophets from the time of Samuel onwards have spoken these things.25Because of the covenant God made with your forefathers, you are heirs of all the prophets foretold. He said to Abraham, 'All the peoples of the earth will be blessed through your offspring.'26So when God raised up His Servant, Jesus, He sent Him to you first in order to bless you by turning you away from your sinful ways."
Scripture quoted by permission. The passage above is taken from THE TRUTH VERSION. Copyright © 2009 by Colin Urquhart. All rights reserved worldwide. (The Truth New Testament)