In The Name | The Book of Acts (week 3)

Luke sets Peter and John on the well-worn path to the temple at the hour of prayer, and the Beautiful Gate meets an ugly story. The gate shimmers with brass, but a man laid there from birth has been reduced to his condition. Peter’s “Look at us” restores dignity before it restores ankles. The name of Jesus then breaks in: “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give to you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” The text sends him walking and leaping and praising God, and sends the crowd into wonder.

The name of Jesus becomes the line that runs through both chapters. Peter refuses to let credit collect on him or John. The healing is not their “power or piety,” but God glorifying his servant Jesus. Peter presses the moment toward repentance: “Repent therefore and turn back… that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” The gospel is not mere relief; it is restoration that ushers refreshment on the far side of a turned life.

God’s timing in this scene carries weight. Luke notes the man is over 40, which means Jesus likely walked past him before. The Spirit uses that delay to make this miracle a microphone for witness, and thousands believe. Miracles become setups for messages, and changed lives point people to Jesus.

Chapter 4 shows the other response. The leaders jail the apostles, but Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, keeps the point clear: “By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth… this man is standing before you well.” The image shifts to an extension cord. The apostles do not generate power; they stay plugged into Jesus, and his power flows through them. Peter then nails down the center line: “There is salvation in no one else… no other name under heaven… by which we must be saved.”

God delights to do this through ordinary people. The rulers see “uneducated, common men,” but they also see men who “had been with Jesus.” Proximity carries authority. When ordered to go quiet, the apostles answer with witness: “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” The church then prays, not for safety, but for boldness. God shakes the room and fills them afresh. The story ends where it began, with the name of Jesus on their lips and power in their steps. And under it all sits a deeper image: every person is that lame man by a beautiful place, unable to enter, until Jesus comes near, lifts, forgives, and brings them into the presence of God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The name of Jesus carries authority The text ties healing, preaching, and salvation to one center line: Jesus’ name. Authority is not generic power; it is the King’s signature on the moment. When that name is spoken in faith, the living Jesus acts, and human glory gets out of the way. Humility keeps the channel clear. [19:33]
• 2. Interruptions can be divine invitations Peter and John make space to be stopped, and the Spirit turns a routine prayer hour into a resurrection moment. Speed often makes hearts miss eye contact and dignity. Slow presence becomes the doorway where God’s timing meets human need. Availability often outruns ability. [05:38]
• 3. Repentance opens the door to refreshing Peter does not stop at amazement; he calls for a turn so that “times of refreshing” can come. Refreshing is not a vague vibe but the presence of the Lord reentering a surrendered life. The hard grace of change becomes the soft grace of joy, peace, and renewal. [16:50]
• 4. Ordinary people carry extraordinary power The rulers see common men, then realize they have been with Jesus. Proximity, not pedigree, explains boldness. When the branch stays plugged into the Vine, fruit shows up, and Jesus gets the credit. Formation in his presence beats performance for his applause. [25:09]
• 5. Pray for boldness, not merely safety The church does not ask to avoid threats; it asks to speak with courage while God stretches out his hand. That prayer aligns with heaven, and heaven answers with shaking and fresh filling. Boldness is not bravado; it is love refusing to go silent. [30:07]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:40] - Healing at the Beautiful Gate
• [01:51] - Who said and the Name
• [04:49] - Interruption as invitation
• [06:15] - Look at us, restored dignity
• [08:49] - Silver and gold, rise and walk
• [12:34] - God’s timing and patient hope
• [16:50] - Repentance and times of refreshing
• [18:46] - Opposition and arrest
• [19:33] - By the name of Jesus alone
• [20:00] - Extension cord, not the power
• [24:42] - Ordinary people who have been with Jesus
• [29:28] - Praying for boldness, not safety
• [32:21] - All are the lame man spiritually

1. In Acts 3:6, Peter says, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you.” What did Peter offer instead of material relief, and how did the man respond?
2. When the religious leaders questioned Peter and John in Acts 4, how did Peter clarify the source of the healing (Acts 4:10)?
3. According to the sermon, why might Jesus have walked past the lame man earlier in His ministry but allowed Peter and John to heal him later? [12:34]
4. What phrase did the religious leaders use to describe Peter and John in Acts 4:13, and what did they notice about them?

1. Why do you think Peter emphasized “the name of Jesus” repeatedly in Acts 3-4 instead of taking credit for the miracle? How does this connect to the idea of humility in ministry?
2. The sermon described miracles as “setups for messages” [17:55]. How does the healing of the lame man create an opportunity for Peter to preach repentance and refreshment?
3. Acts 4:13 says the religious leaders recognized Peter and John “had been with Jesus.” What does this imply about the relationship between proximity to Jesus and spiritual authority?
4. The apostles prayed for boldness instead of safety when facing opposition (Acts 4:29-31). Why might boldness matter more than protection in spreading the gospel?

1. The lame man had likely lowered his expectations to mere relief after decades of suffering [09:28]. Are there areas in your life where you’ve stopped hoping for God’s restoration and settled for temporary relief? How can you rekindle faith for deeper healing?
2. Peter and John viewed interruptions as divine invitations [04:49]. What distractions or “interruptions” in your daily routine might God be using to invite you into someone’s story?
3. Repentance leads to “times of refreshing” (Acts 3:19). Is there a habit, attitude, or relationship where God is calling you to turn toward Him to experience renewal? What practical step could you take this week?
4. The sermon compared believers to “extension cords” carrying Jesus’ power [20:00]. How can you prioritize staying “plugged in” to Christ through prayer, Scripture, or community to ensure His power flows through you?
5. The early church prayed for boldness, not safety [30:07]. What fears or obstacles make it hard for you to share your faith openly? How might praying for courage instead of comfort change your approach?
6. The lame man’s healing drew crowds to Jesus. Who in your life needs to see tangible evidence of God’s work in you? How could sharing your story—even a small part—point them to Him?