Acts 3
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Remember that Jesus told His disciples in John 14:12-27
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.”
It looks like Peter believed Jesus — so that while he and John were on their way to the temple, a man lame from birth who was begging alms approached them. Peter said, “Look at us! I don’t have silver or gold, but what I do have, I give you in the name of Jesus Christ — WALK!” He grabbed his right hand and raised him up, and he was healed, leaping and praising God.
Results:
A. Glory to God, not Peter
B. Wonder and amazement in bystanders
C. Large crowd gathered
D. Sermon — It was God, glorifying His servant Jesus. You put to death the Righteous One. It is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man. Repent. Return. Have your sins washed clean.
E. Pharisees were annoyed and had them jailed
F. 5,000 men believed the message
Comment: In Acts 2 & 3 the sense of awe and oneness in the newly formed church is spoken of without mention of the Holy Spirit. They were praising God and having favor with man. These things frequently are attributed to the Holy Spirit without it saying He did it. Also, the healing of the lame beggar involved Peter seeing this man and being moved to offer him healing in the name of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is not mentioned in this encounter, but how did Peter otherwise know to do this? The name of Jesus was the key power behind the miracle as stated, but we assume the Holy Spirit was part of this process, working in and through Peter. When Peter spoke to the crowd and explained that this was not by his power or piety, he points to the God of our fathers who is glorifying Jesus through the miracle.
Questions
- Jesus made it clear that by the Holy Spirit’s power they would do great things (“greater”). Do you believe that promise is made to just the disciples, or does it include us?
- Have you ever stepped out in faith and claimed something that you believed was God’s plan in Jesus’ name? What happened?
- Do you think there are parameters that limit this statement? In other words, do we have to pray more, believe better, have all sins confessed…?
- What would abuse of this promise look like?
- If we grasp someone’s hand like Peter and the person doesn’t strengthen and heal, what does that mean?
Reflection, Notes and Prayer