ACTS OF THE APOSTLES CHAPTER THREE AND THAT NAME

This is a very gracious chapter of the Bible. Peter and John on their way to the temple had an encounter with a man above forty years old (Acts 3:22) born lame from his mother’s womb. His family always carried him and laid him at the entrance to the Temple called Beautiful, to beg for alms. All his life, the High Priest, scribes and leaders of the church could not help him except may be give him alms, because their orientation did not include miracles, it was unheard of till Jesus Christ came to heal and save the sick; and set the captives free and loosen the bands of wickedness. His problem was his legs and feet. He could not walk and could not work to maintain himself.  But his appointed day came and he received from that NAME. Peter in verse 6, declared to the man that he had no silver nor gold, but looked at him straight in the face and said to him, “Look on us.” That created an expectation out of compassion. You cannot expect to receive without compassion. They gave him what they had.

It was not what he expected. Never walked or stood up from birth to adulthood. All hope was lost until, Jesus Christ came to earth and gave authority in his NAME. Peter said, such as I have give I thee in the NAME of Jesus Christ rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up, stood and walked and entered with them into the temple, walking, leaping and praising God. Has God done anything for you lately to make you walk, leap and praise God? When was your last encounter with God and when was your last testimony?

In verse 10, the people were filled with wonder and amazement; at that which had happen to the man who was lame, as he now walked, leaped and praised God. It was done in the NAME of the same Jesus Christ that we call on today. The problem is that today we have silver and gold to give but have forgotten the NAME. We need to fall at the foot of the Lord to find out what is wrong with us. We have the silver and the gold but bankrupt in the power that is in the NAME. It is the same promise the same NAME but with no results today.

In verse 12, Peter said to the people, “Why look ye so earnestly on us as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?” And in verse 22-23 Peter quoted, “For Moses truly said, unto the fathers, A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; Him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass that every soul which will not hear that Prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. This same Jesus is the Prophet Moses spoke of; whom ye delivered up and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go; the Holy One and the Just; and desired a murderer to be granted unto you. And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; wherefore we are witnesses. And in his NAME and through faith in his NAME, hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know; yea the faith which is by him hath given him perfect soundness in the presence of you all.”

Through ignorance you did it and that Christ should suffer; He hath so fulfilled. In Jesus Christ shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Peter reminded the Jews in verse 26; that unto you first God having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. And in verse 19, Peter said, “Repent ye therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out; when times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Jesus Christ is that NAME that saves, heals, delivers, supplies, protects and translates anyone who yields to the Lord in repentance and is converted. Do not allow ignorance to make you deliver, deny and crucify Jesus Christ a second time. Remember that according to Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other NAME under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. Now you know the NAME, what is your relationship to the NAME and when last did you use the NAME? You may claim to know the NAME but do you really know JESUS THE CHRIST? Will He find you worthy and loyal and faithful to his WORD when he arrives? Expect him in an hour you think not.

108 – ACTS OF THE APOSTLES CHAPTER THREE AND THAT NAME