Acts 3

Jesus Christ

Jesus — "Jehovah saves"; Christ — "the Anointed One"

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. Acts 3:6

Peter heals by priesthood power in the name of Jesus Christ, not by his own power. The Savior's healing ministry continues through His authorized servants.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in Acts 4:10 — Peter explains the healing was done by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth

Messiah (signs of)

And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. Acts 3:7–8

Isaiah said that when God came to save, the lame would leap like a deer. This man leaping in Jesus' name is a sign that the Messiah has come.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Isaiah 35:6 — "Then shall the lame man leap as an hart"

His Son (Servant) Jesus

Son — the Greek word can also mean "servant," echoing Isaiah's Servant

And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? Acts 3:12–13

Peter says the God of Abraham has glorified His Son Jesus, the same one the people rejected before Pilate. The word also means "servant," linking Jesus to Isaiah's suffering Servant who would be exalted.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Isaiah 52:13 — "my servant... shall be exalted and extolled"
• the same event in John 19:12 — Pilate sought to release Him

The Holy One and the Just

Holy One — perfectly holy; the Just — the Righteous One

But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; Acts 3:14

Peter uses two titles for Jesus: the Holy One and the Just (the Righteous One). The people chose a murderer, Barabbas, over the only perfectly righteous man.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Acts 7:52 — "the coming of the Just One"
• the same title in Acts 2:27 — "thine Holy One"
• the same event in Luke 23:18-25 — the crowd asks for Barabbas

Prince of Life

Prince of life — the Author, Leader and Source of life

And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. Acts 3:15

The irony is sharp: they killed the very source of life, and He could not stay dead. The apostles testify they are witnesses of His Resurrection.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Acts 5:31 — "a Prince and a Saviour"
• alludes to John 11:25 — "I am the resurrection, and the life"

Faith in Jesus Christ

And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. Acts 3:16

The healing came through faith in Jesus' name, and even that faith comes by Him. Christ is both the object and the source of saving faith.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Hebrews 12:2 — "Jesus the author and finisher of our faith"

Atonement (foretold suffering)

But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. Acts 3:18

Peter teaches that all the prophets foretold Christ's suffering, and Jesus fulfilled it. The Book of Mormon teaches the same: every prophet testified of Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• fulfils Isaiah 53:3-5 — the suffering Servant wounded for our transgressions
• alludes to Luke 24:25-27 — the risen Jesus shows from all the prophets that Christ ought to suffer
• alludes to Jacob 7:11 — none of the prophets have written or prophesied save they have spoken concerning this Christ

Second Coming

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; Acts 3:19–21

Jesus remains in heaven until the "restitution of all things," then the Father will send Him again. Latter-day Saints see the Restoration of the gospel as part of preparing for His return.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to D&C 27:6 — keys of "bringing to pass the restoration of all things"
• alludes to Matthew 17:11 — "Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things"

Prophet like unto Moses

For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. Acts 3:22–24

Peter identifies Jesus as the prophet Moses promised, a deliverer and lawgiver like Moses. Moroni quoted these very verses to Joseph Smith and said that prophet was Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interprets Deuteronomy 18:15-19 — Moses' promise of a prophet like himself
• quoted by JS-H 1:40 — Moroni quoted Acts 3:22-23 and said "that prophet was Christ"
• interpreted by 3 Nephi 20:23 — the Savior: "I am he of whom Moses spake"
• interpreted by 1 Nephi 22:20-21 — Nephi: this prophet of whom Moses spake was the Holy One of Israel

Seed of Abraham

Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Acts 3:25

God promised Abraham that through his seed all nations would be blessed. The next verse shows Jesus is that blessing, sent first to Abraham's children.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Genesis 22:18 — "in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed"
• interpreted by Galatians 3:16 — "to thy seed, which is Christ"

His Son (Servant) Jesus

Son — the Greek word can also mean "servant"

Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. Acts 3:26

The Father sent His Son Jesus to bless Israel by turning them from sin. The blessing of Abraham is fulfilled in the repentance Jesus makes possible.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Acts 3:25 — the promised blessing through Abraham's seed