It’s Not About Us – Pointing People to Jesus (Acts 3:12-4:4)
Imagine seeing a man who couldn’t walk suddenly jumping, running, and praising God. That’s what happened in Acts 3. A man who had been unable to walk from birth was healed when Peter told him, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
The crowd at the temple was shocked—and excited. People rushed toward Peter and John, amazed by the miracle. But what Peter said next was even more powerful than the healing itself.
“Don’t Look at Us!”
When Peter saw the crowd gathering, he spoke up right away. He said,
“Why are you staring at us, as if we made this man walk by our own power or goodness?”
Peter wanted everyone to know:
“This miracle wasn’t because of us—it was all Jesus.”
He pointed the crowd to God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Then he boldly reminded them of something difficult:
“You handed Jesus over to be killed… You rejected Him… But God raised Him from the dead.”
And then Peter said something amazing:
“It is by faith in the name of Jesus that this man was made strong.”
The man they all knew—the one who sat outside the temple gate every day—was now walking because of Jesus.
A Second Chance
Peter didn’t stop with a history lesson. He gave them hope.
He said, “I know you acted in ignorance… but now’s the time to repent and turn to God, so your sins can be wiped away.”
Peter was saying:
“Yes, you made a terrible mistake—but God is offering forgiveness.”
He reminded them that this was all part of God’s plan, and that Jesus is the promised Savior, the one Moses and the prophets talked about long ago.
Peter’s message was clear and full of grace:
“Turn back to God. He’s ready to forgive you.”
Not Everyone Was Happy
While many people were amazed and moved by Peter’s message, the religious leaders were not.
The priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees were annoyed that Peter and John were talking about Jesus’ resurrection. They arrested them and put them in jail for the night.
But here’s the good news:
Even though Peter and John were arrested, many people believed. About 5,000 men (plus women and children) came to faith in Jesus that day.
What This Means for Us
This story reminds us of a few important truths:
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God uses ordinary people: Peter and John weren’t special by the world’s standards—but they trusted Jesus and let Him work through them.
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Miracles point to Jesus: The healing amazed people, but Peter didn’t want the credit. He used the moment to talk about Jesus, not himself.
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God offers forgiveness: Even to those who rejected Jesus, Peter offered hope. That same hope is for us today.
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Bold faith makes an impact: Even though it got them arrested, Peter and John didn’t stay silent. And because of their courage, thousands believed.
When we experience God’s goodness, we don’t need to take the spotlight. We just need to point people to Jesus—the one who truly saves, heals, and gives second chances.
Acts 3:12-4:4 (WEB)
3:12 When Peter saw it, he responded to the people, “You men of Israel, why do you marvel at this man? Why do you fasten your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had determined to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, to which we are witnesses. 16 By faith in his name, his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which is through him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.17 “Now, brothers, I know that you did this in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But the things which God announced by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled.19 “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that he may send Christ Jesus, who was ordained for you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God spoke long ago by the mouth of his holy prophets. 22 For Moses indeed said to the fathers, ‘The Lord God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, like me. You shall listen to him in all things whatever he says to you. 23 It will be that every soul that will not listen to that prophet will be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ 24 Yes, and all the prophets from Samuel and those who followed after, as many as have spoken, also told of these days. 25 You are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘All the families of the earth will be blessed through your offspring.’ 26 God, having raised up his servant Jesus, sent him to you first to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your wickedness.”4:1 As they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came to them, 2 being upset because they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 They laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was now evening. 4 But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.