July 15, 2018
Hymn 40 - The Gospel of Thy grace
Prayer
Last time, we saw Peter and John heal a man lame from his mother’s womb—he had never walked! He begged in a good spot: by the Beautiful Gate in the temple. This was during Pentecost, and during the hour of prayer, so it was a prime time for people walking by. He was a grown man by this point, so many people would have seen him and known who he was. Peter and John were broke, but decided to give him what they did have.
Acts 3:6-8. The name of Jesus held power. Peter and John didn’t possess power to heal this man, the power was in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Everyone watching would have to agree that something marvelous happened in the name of Jesus. They all knew this man was lame, but was now leaping and praising in the temple; somewhere that he would not have been allowed before. Now he was filled with worship! We pray in the name of Jesus. We can’t use any other name, and we certainly can’t use our own, but Jesus tells us to pray in His name. It has power.
You could tell that there was something different about this man. Once we are saved, others should see a difference in us, too. Once we’re saved, we have the Holy Spirit, and obey the Word of God. This healing took place at the beginning of the Day of Grace (which we’re still in). For hundreds of years, the Jews lived under the Law that God gave Moses. Now Jesus had died, risen, ascended to Heaven, and sent the Holy Spirit to live in believers. Things are different. We don’t live under the Law, but under grace with a powerful Saviour. People notice when a Saviour changes people.
Acts 3:10. The people were amazed at this healing. Some of us know a girl named Pamela, who can’t walk, talk, or function normally because of an accident. If she was taken to town one day, and came home healed, her parents would be blown away! (We wish this would happen!) That’s how this lame man’s parents felt when they saw him walking and leaping.
As we said, this happened at the start of the day of grace. and it gave Peter an opportunity to preach the gospel. V16. It’s a blessing how much power we have in Jesus’ name, and can avail help through it.