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Writer's pictureBrian Doyle

Power in the Name of Jesus

My wife and I are currently studying through the book of Acts (I usually don't do personal endorsements, but here it is: https://www.readscripture.org/ is an amazing app, and works for most Phone Operating systems). What is amazing about Acts is that after He ascended in to Heaven, Jesus kept on working through His Apostles and His Holy Spirit. Today's chapter spoke of a lame man who had to be carried to the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg as people entered in for afternoon prayer.


He asked John and Peter for money, which they did not have, YET what they DID have was POWER in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth! And so in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, they asked for Healing for this man, and sure enough, He didn't just get up, he danced along with them praising God, and everyone who'd seen this man begging, day by day, marveled and began to believe as well! The number of the believers went from over 3,000 to 5,000 that day! (So many exclamation marks, but wow, God is good!!!!) It makes me wonder, what stops us, whether physical or spiritual, or anything else that we need to trust in the name of Jesus for? This act of mercy from God was not only for the man who was lame, but for those who needed to see God acting in power! They came to worship day by day, hearing the preaching of the Pharisees, and here, manifest among them was the power of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Church, we need to stop relying on ourselves, what we see in front of us, and realize the power in the name of Jesus. We need to be overcome by His Holy Spirit, and let the world see that what they're doing is not going to help; true freedom lies only in Jesus Christ. Your neighbors, friends, family, coworkers, and whoever else God puts before you are watching, waiting, and hoping that this is real. Put your trust in Him! Ask in His name, and see how God changes everything!

Acts 3 English Standard Version (ESV)


The Lame Beggar Healed


Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.[a] And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God,10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.


Peter Speaks in Solomon's Portico


11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant[b] Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus[c] has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.


17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”


Footnotes:

A. Acts 3:1 That is, 3 p.m.

b. Acts 3:13 Or child; also verse 26

c. Acts 3:16 Greek him



8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.


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