In the Name of Jesus – Acts 3

Part 3 in the Series – “The Beginning of an Unfinished Work”

This chapter (Acts 3) begins with a miraculous event that initially involves 3 people (Peter, John and an unnamed crippled man), but the results will have far greater impact than any of them imagined. It has probably been somewhere around 3-6 months since the resurrection of Jesus and the healing of this crippled man. Even though the early Christians were meeting in their homes (Acts 2:46), they still had the right to access the temple which is where this miracle takes place.

Peter and John had made their way to the temple (as it was their right to do so) to pray. They encounter an unnamed crippled man who had positioned himself at the gate called “Beautiful” where he would beg for assistance in the form of money or food. Although the crippled man placed himself there for material assistance, God would use this as an opportunity to perform a miracle and bless him beyond his expectations. Upon seeing Peter and John who were about to enter the temple, he asked them for money. Instead of ignoring him like so many others, they paid attention to the crippled man.

Peter (by the power of the Holy Spirit) said; “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” There may have been other miracles performed by the Apostles prior to this, but this is the first miracle recorded in the Book of Acts. The unique power and ability to heal others was given by Jesus to the Apostles when he was with them during his earthly ministry and this authority continued throughout the Book of Acts and other New Testament writings:

“Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” (Matthew 10:1-8)

The people who witnessed the miracle were astonished and perhaps ready to hear the words of Peter, thus he begins to preach a compelling sermon about the powerful name of Jesus. Peter is speaking to fellow Israelites (probably less likely to be the “religious leaders” and more likely the common everyday Jew of their day) and pointed out that this miracle (the healing of the crippled man) should not come as a surprise for the prophets foretold that this would happen. What should have been obvious was that Peter and the other Apostles were a living illustration that the power of God rested on them. Peter intentionally directed all attention away from himself and John and will point them to Christ for it was because of Jesus they had the power to do these miracles. Peter will remind those whom he spoke to, of their knowledge and or participation (perhaps out of ignorance) in the crucifixion of Christ and will call them to repent, turn to God and trust in the name of Jesus to save them.

““But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:8-13).

Many of those who were listening to Peter will heed his words and repent but some of the hearers of this message might have been less responsive to Peter’s words and thus the tide will begin to turn towards silencing their message by the religious leaders of their day. That will be the theme of the next chapter – Acts 4