John 3
Acts 3 begins with an event in which Peter and John meet a man who had been unable to walk from birth at the Beautiful Gate of the Jerusalem temple and heal him. This miracle is connected to the Pentecost events just before the text, showing how the lives and ministry of the apostles of the early church—who had received the Holy Spirit—continue on. This chapter is divided broadly into the miracle event (verses 1–10) and Peter’s sermon (verses 11–26).
1verseNow there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
2verseHe came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.”
3verseJesus answered him, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see God’s Kingdom.”
4verseNicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
5verseJesus answered, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and Spirit, he can’t enter into God’s Kingdom.
6verseThat which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7verseDon’t marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’
8verseThe wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don’t know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
9verseNicodemus answered him, “How can these things be?”
10verseJesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and don’t understand these things?
11verseMost certainly I tell you, we speak that which we know and testify of that which we have seen, and you don’t receive our witness.
12verseIf I told you earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
13verseNo one has ascended into heaven but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven.
14verseAs Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
15versethat whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16verseFor God so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
17verseFor God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.
18verseHe who believes in him is not judged. He who doesn’t believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only born Son of God.
19verseThis is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were evil.
20verseFor everyone who does evil hates the light and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed.
21verseBut he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God.”
22verseAfter these things, Jesus came with his disciples into the land of Judea. He stayed there with them and baptized.
23verseJohn also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came and were baptized;
24versefor John was not yet thrown into prison.
25verseTherefore a dispute arose on the part of John’s disciples with some Jews about purification.
26verseThey came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, he baptizes, and everyone is coming to him.”
27verseJohn answered, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.
28verseYou yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before him.’
29verseHe who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore my joy is made full.
30verseHe must increase, but I must decrease.
31verse“He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.
32verseWhat he has seen and heard, of that he testifies; and no one receives his witness.
33verseHe who has received his witness has set his seal to this, that God is true.
34verseFor he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure.
35verseThe Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand.
36verseOne who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
The Healing of a Man Who Could Not Walk from Birth
As Peter and John go up to the temple during the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.) for the time of prayer, they meet a man who had been unable to walk from birth (verses 1–3). This man had been sitting at the entrance to the temple every day, begging. The apostles say they cannot give him silver or gold, and they lift him up in the name of Jesus Christ (verses 6–7). He immediately gets up, walks, and runs, praising God (verse 8). As a result, people are greatly amazed, and this incident becomes an opportunity for the gospel to many (verses 9–10).
Peter’s Sermon: The Name of Jesus and Repentance
To the crowd astonished by the miracle, Peter declares that this healing was not done by their own power, but through the name of Jesus Christ (verses 12–16). He also points out that although Jesus was the author of life sent by God, the Jews handed him over to death (verses 13–15). However, God raised Christ back to life, and Peter says that now anyone who believes in his name can receive healing through faith in Jesus’ name (verse 16). Then Peter urges the crowd to repent and turn back toward restoration (verses 17–21), and he explains that Jesus is the promised Christ by citing the Old Testament Scriptures (verses 22–26).
The Structure and Flow of the Text
- Verses 1–10: The healing event at the Beautiful Gate
- Verses 11–26: Peter’s sermon and proclamation of repentance in light of the miracle
The apostles’ deeds and words in ministry are not separated; the miracle and the proclamation of the gospel are happening together.
Points to Ponder
- The healing event is not merely a simple miracle; it testifies that Jesus Christ is still working today.
- We can see that in the early church, gathered as a community of faith, God’s Word and prayer were at the center.
- It is emphasized that genuine change begins through faith in Jesus Christ and through repentance.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- In the face of the problems and limits of life, I reflect on whether I am trusting God’s will and name rather than the way I expect.
- I also consider whether the life I live, in which God’s grace and work that I have experienced become proof of the gospel to others, is truly bearing witness.
- Even in the small encounters or situations given to me in everyday life, I take up the attitude of seeking opportunities to honor God’s name and share the gospel.
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