Stop staring at the messenger: Why the Name of Jesus is the real source of power (Acts 3:11-16)
- Thad DeBuhr
- 2 minutes ago
- 7 min read
Study Guide: Acts 3:11-16
Imagine you are standing in a crowded airport and you see a massive crowd of people running, shouting, and crying with joy. In the middle of the chaos is a man who everyone knows has been in a wheelchair for forty years. But now, he isn't just standing—he’s sprinting laps around the terminal. Naturally, everyone turns to the two guys standing next to him. They start shouting, "How did you do it? What's your secret? You must be superhuman!"
At that moment, most of us would feel a little bit like a celebrity. We might stand a little taller or enjoy the spotlight. But in Acts 3:11-16, Peter and John do the exact opposite. As the crowd rushes them in a place called Solomon’s Porch, Peter grabs the "microphone" of the moment and immediately points the spotlight away from himself and back to the King. This study is about learning the difference between the Messenger and the Source.
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Before you dig into the study guide, I would suggest reading or listening to the passage in two different bible translations from this list: NIV, NLT, NASB, ESV, NKJV
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Setting the Scene
To understand this moment, we have to look at where it happened and why the crowd was so shocked.
The Location: The Bible tells us the crowd gathered at Solomon’s Porch. This was a long, beautiful, covered walkway on the east side of the Temple. It was lined with massive stone pillars and provided shade from the sun. It was the "public square" of the Temple. It’s where people hung out to debate, talk, and listen to teachers.
The Crowd: These weren't strangers. These were the people who had walked past the lame man every single day for decades. They had a "file" on him in their heads: Lame. Beggar. Invisible. Now, that file had been shredded. The man was clinging to Peter and John, and the crowd was "filled with wonder and amazement." They weren't just curious; they were looking for a hero to worship.
The Source of the Power: Breaking Down the Teaching
As the crowd rushes in, Peter realizes they are making a massive mistake: they are staring at him instead of the King. Here is a deeper look at the points we covered in the podcast:
1. The Reality Check (Acts 3:12)
Peter sees the crowd's faces and asks a blunt question: "Why are you so surprised? And why are you staring at us like we did this by our own power or godliness?"
Peter is a regular guy. He’s a fisherman. He knows that he has no "magic" in his fingers. He warns the crowd that "godliness" (being a "good" religious person) isn't what healed the man. If we think God moves because we are "good enough," we’ve missed the point of the Gospel.
2. The God of the Burning Bush (Acts 3:13)
Peter connects this miracle to their deepest roots. He calls God the "God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."
This is a direct "echo" of Exodus 3. This is how God introduced Himself to Moses at the burning bush. Peter is telling the crowd, "The same God who rescued our ancestors from slavery in Egypt is the one who just rescued this man’s legs." He is showing them that the "New Way" isn't a new God—it’s the same God of Rescue doing a new thing.
3. Choosing the Murderer over the Author (Acts 3:14-15)
Peter holds up a mirror to the crowd. He reminds them that they handed Jesus over to be killed.
He uses a powerful contrast. They asked for a murderer (Barabbas) to be released and killed the "Author of Life." Think about that title. An author writes the story. Peter is saying, "You tried to kill the one who writes the story of life, but God raised Him from the dead!" (Acts 3:15). Because the Author is alive, He can still "edit" the broken parts of our lives.
4. Faith in the Name (Acts 3:16)
This is the "Engine" of the miracle. Peter explains that it was "faith in the name of Jesus" that gave this man "complete healing."
In the ancient world, a "Name" wasn't just a label; it was Authority. Like a police officer acting in the "name of the law," Peter was acting as an authorized agent of King Jesus. He didn't have the power, but he had the permission to use the King’s power. It was Peter's trust in that authority that changed the man’s life.
🛑 Applying it Wrong
The "Super-Christian" Trap: Some people read this and think they need to reach a certain level of "holiness" before God can use them. They think, "If I pray more or sin less, then I'll have power." But Peter says it wasn't his godliness that did the work.
The "Magic Formula" Error: People sometimes treat the phrase "In Jesus' Name" like a magic spell at the end of a prayer to get what they want. Peter shows us that the Name is about Partnership. You are acting on the King's behalf, for His goals, not just your own wishes.
The "Blame Game" Misuse: Some have used Peter’s words about the death of Jesus to be "anti-Jewish." This is a total mistake. Peter was a Jewish man speaking to his own neighbors with a heart of love, inviting them to see the truth so they could be healed too.
✅ How to APPROACH This passage in ACTS Correctly (Tips and Principles):
To get the most out of this study, approach it with these lenses:
The "Author" Lens: When you read verse 15, think about your own life as a book. If Jesus is the "Author," then even the "bad chapters" aren't the end of the story. He has the authority to bring life out of dead situations.
The "Authorized Agent" Lens: Realize that as a follower of the King, you carry His "ID card." You are authorized to bring His peace, His truth, and His healing into your workplace, your family, and your travels.
The "Messenger" Lens: Practice what Peter did. When people notice something good in you, learn to say, "Don't stare at me—let me tell you about the Source."
Questions to Chew on and Discuss:
These questions are designed to help you personally dig deeper into the passage.
The Credit Check: Why is it so hard for us to point the credit to God when we do something well? Why do we secretly want people to "stare at us" a little bit?
The Author's Pen: If you truly believed Jesus was the "Author of Life" in your current situation, what "broken chapter" would you hand over to Him today?
The Name's Authority: A police officer doesn't stop a car with his own strength, but with his authority. In what area of your life do you need to stop trying to use your own "strength" and start relying on the "Authority" of Jesus' Name?
Journey Group Discussion Starter:
Whether you're helping facilitate a small group, talking about this passage one-on-one with a friend, or even just need a topic to guide the conversation at the dinner table, these ideas can help start a good group conversation before you dive into the passage and questions in this study guide.
Solomon’s Porch Moments: Talk about a time when you were "amazed" by something God did. Did you spend more time talking about the miracle or the King who did it?
"Look at Us" vs. "Don't Stare at Us": In Acts 3:4, Peter says "Look at us" to give the man dignity. In Acts 3:12, he says "Why are you staring at us" to give God the glory. How do we balance being present for people while keeping the focus on Jesus?
Sum it Up
Acts 3:11-16 teaches us that the power is in the Name, not the man. Peter and John were just regular people, but they were authorized by the "Author of Life." Peter reminds us that the same God who rescued Israel from Egypt is still in the rescue business today. We don't need to be "super-religious" to see God move; we just need to have faith in the authority of King Jesus and be ready to point all the credit back to Him.
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