Acts 3:1–26 forms part of a section in which Luke describes the life, witness, trials, and growth of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 3:1 – 8:3).1 The description of the healing together with the explanation finds a clear parallel with Jesus’ ministry on earth (see Acts 3:1–10) and serves as a confirmation that the same Jesus is now at work through the apostles.2
Having been told that the apostles performed many wonders and miraculous signs (Acts 2:43), Luke now gives us some detail regarding one of the miracles which was done through them after Pentecost.3 This miracle (Acts 3:1–10) is followed by a sermon (Acts 3:11–26) which contains the same general content as the one given in Acts 2:1–47.4 As with that sermon (Acts 2:14–36), we should realize that Luke has not given us a precise record of everything which Peter said, but a summary of the key ideas which he sought to convey.
1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.