This verse is the crescendo of an amazing story that begins in Acts chapter 3. The apostle's Peter and John are going up to the temple for prayer when they are stopped by a lame man who is brought to the temple gate called Beautiful every day to beg for alms. When he calls out to Peter, Peter responds with the famous reply, 'Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.'
The story continues with Peter taking him by the right hand, helping him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles becoming strong. He begins to walk.
All the people see him walking and praising God, and they recognize him as the man who used to sit and ask for donations at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. They are filled with astonishment and amazement at what has happened to him.
Then Peter says, 'Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this? Why do you stare at us as if we had made this man walk by our own power or piety?' Peter continues to describe how this crowd had rejected and killed Jesus, and then he concludes, 'By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.' (Acts 3:16)
The story is beautiful and worth reading in its entirety in Acts 3:1-4:31.
So how do we apply this verse today?
It is a triumphant call to evangelize. God did this amazing thing to get people's attention. Peter was able to share the Gospel with many at the temple. Yes, it would get him arrested, but that was a small price to pay for spreading the Gospel to many. In fact, Acts 4:4 says, 'But many of those who had listened to the message believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.' God still performs miracles to bring people to Jesus.
It is a clear reminder that healing comes through faith in Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him. I believe that God still heals today. I have seen it happen. I have seen lame people walk and blind people see. It is through faith alone. Our modern minds of skepticism and doubt often get in the way of that faith.
Sometimes miracles are commanded rather than prayed for, as in this miracle. Jesus, in the Great Commission, tells us to use his authority to go forth and make disciples. Peter did not pray; he commanded. We too have been given this authority. We need to grasp it and put it to use.
Praying for miracles in the context of evangelism is consistent with one of the New Testament's prescribed reasons for miracles. See this fragment of prayer in Acts 4:29-30 regarding this miracle: 'And now, Lord, pay attention to their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your message with great courage, while you extend your hand to heal and bring about miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.'
Miracles are for glorifying God, not the person who commanded or prayed for the miracle. Note that neither Peter nor John took credit for this; instead, they pointed to Jesus as the source of the healing. We must do the same.
Some Christians believe that miracles do not happen today. To them, I embrace them as siblings in Christ but point them to point 2. If they do not believe miracles can happen, they won't. This is sort of a Matrix “Red Pill/Blue Pill” thing. You must fully commit to it to enter it. There is no testing of the waters.
As I write this, I am personally still struggling with all of this. With a deeply analytical mind, I often align more with Thomas than with Peter or John. Yet, I know in whom I believe. I have seen Him do amazing things. I lean in to seek this treasure of faith so that I too can be a channel of miracles that may draw many people to faith in Jesus.
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