St Luke's Church Eccleshill, Bradford, UK

The healing of the lame man at the temple gate.

Acts 3

Cast: Narrator, Peter, John, Lame Man, Onlooker, Guard.

Narr. Today's reading comes from the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 3. In the same year that Jesus died and rose again, shortly after the day of Pentecost, Peter and John were going up to the temple at the usual time for prayer, about three o'clock in the afternoon. At the gate there was a man who had never been able to walk, who used to ask the people for money.

John. What are you going to pray about today, Peter?

Peter. I think we should pray for a chance to tell people about Jesus.

Lame man. Excuse me sir. Please can you give me some money?

Narr. Peter and John looked hard at the man.

Peter. Look at us.

Narr. So the man looked at them, expecting to get some money.

Peter. I haven't got any money, but I will give you something else that I've got. In the name of Jesus Christ or Nazareth, get up and walk.

Narr. Then Peter grabbed the lame man by the hand, and the man's feet and ankles became strong. He got up and went into the temple with Peter and John.

Onlooker. Hey, everybody, look at that. How did you do that, mister?

Peter. Don't be surprised, everybody. I didn't do it by myself: God did it. After all, this is his temple. God did it to prove that Jesus is his Son. Jesus was crucified but God raised him from the dead, and we are witnesses. This man has been healed in the name of Jesus.

Guard. I don't like the sound of this. I'm off to get the high priest, and then we'll arrest these men.

Peter. Now listen, everybody. I know you didn't know about Jesus when you killed him. You need to say sorry to God, so that you can be forgiven, and so that God can send Jesus to you and change you by his Holy Spirit.

Narr. So Peter and John spoke to the people about Jesus, until the guards came back with the priests.

Guard. I arrest you in the name of the law. You do not have to say anything, but anything you do say will be taken down and may be used in evidence against you.

Peter. It is by the name of Jesus that this man has been healed, and there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

Narr. This is the word of the Lord.
All. Thanks be to God.

John Hartley