November 2: Experiencing the Gospel’s Power

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

The word we translate as Gospel also means "Good News." For those living in bondage to sin and those struggling under oppressive legalism, the "Good News" shows itself in freedom, freedom from the entangling power of sin as well as from the supposed need to obey human laws in order to be saved. The Gospel power can show itself at times in miraculous displays of physical healing.

• We should not overlook the fact that Jesus healed the lame beggar at a time of regular worship (v. 1). In the years immediately following the outpouring of power at Pentecost, the disciples maintained their connection with the Jewish patterns of worship. At three o’clock in the afternoon, Peter and John went up to the temple to pray, just as Jesus spent time in the place so symbolic of God’s presence among His people.

Peter and John had built up a powerful relationship. Partners in a fishing enterprise (Lk. 5:10), present at the raising of Jairus’s daughter (Mk. 5:22, 41), and participants at the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-2), they were bonded in their love for Jesus.

• When a lame man begged Peter and John for alms, Peter offered him an inexpressibly greater gift, healing in the name of Jesus (vv. 2-8). Peter first liberated the man’s preoccupation with settling for a hand-out by commanding him to look intently at the two apostles. This unusual process probably increased the lame man’s hope for a larger gift.

Peter’s actions and words caught the man by surprise. Peter’s statement that he had no money must have made the man suppress a sigh of disappointment. Peter’s command to rise up and walk in the name of Jesus left him confused. As Peter reached down and grasped him by the right hand, however, the man’s feet and ankles gained strength. The man instantly jumped up and began to walk, a second miracle because he did not have to learn how to walk. He went with them into the temple, walking, jumping, and praising God.

• Peter used the healing to drive home a crucial point, that Gospel power comes only through faith in Jesus (vv. 11-16). As reports of the healing of the lame beggar quickly spread among the people, a curious crowd gathered near Solomon’s colonnade. Peter immediately seized the chance to explain the Person and work of Jesus. Addressing the "men of Israel" (v. 12), he presented Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s plan. Yet, the Chosen People disowned Jesus before Pilate and asked for a murderer to be released. They had killed the Prince of Life but God brought victory out of defeat by raising Him from the dead (v. 15).

Jesus is alive! For proof they could observe the healed man who joyfully witnessed to the power of the Good News. When Peter spoke of the healing through faith, he probably meant Peter’s faith in Christ rather than that of the lame beggar. Regardless of our uncertainty on that point, Jesus, not Peter and John, was the source of the miracle. The man was healed in Jesus’ Name (v. 16).

• We make special note of Peter’s application, that the Gospel’s healing power comes in times of refreshing (vv. 19-20). God worked groups of miracles at specific times in Israel’s history, such as the eras of Moses-Joshua, Elijah-Elisha,, and Jesus-the apostles. When the Spirit moves in power, hearers take advantage of those moments.

In the absence of physical miracles, however, anyone can participate in the miracle of a new birth. Just repent of sin and turn to God in faith for God to send Jesus to you until He returns from heaven in the future (v. 21).