Lesson 342

(Lesson 342)(07-22-12) Acts 3:1-12, "Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God: And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?"

The first portion of this lesson demonstrates how, through the power of the Holy Ghost, Peter and John enabled the lame man to walk.

It is important to understand what these Apostles did by invoking "the name of" Jesus. Again, its evident by other usages, that the phrase "in the name of" describes Jesus' word, or overall message. Mark 16:17-18, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; IN MY NAME shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
Therefore, "in the name of" essentially means, through the power of, upon the word, or promise of, etc.

The latter portion of this lesson shows how those who saw the miracle were amazed at what had happened to the lame man. Peter, knowing the crowd thought the miracle had come from he and John, immediately, and rightfully, gave the glory to God, through Jesus Christ.
I believe that faith can be demonstrated in all kinds of ways and in all manner of strengths, even today. While teaching His Apostles that all things could be accomplished through faith, Jesus scorned them many times, saying "oh ye of little faith". This same Apostle, Peter, whose faith had caused the Holy Ghost to heal the lame man, allowed his faith to waver in Matt.14:28-31, and in doing so, began to sink and was unable to walk on water, "And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?".

We the saved, can invoke the Holy Ghost to perform the same miracles as those accomplished by the Apostles, if we totally believe.
Maintaining that amount of faith sounds real easy! However, in practice, its a very very hard thing to do.

A lack of faith is demonstrated by one who will pray for a new car at night, then run to the window in the morning to see IF its there. ~ :)