Acts 3 demonstrates the power of God by confirming the words spoken by Peter and John with miraculous healing that they later describe in
Acts 4:10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man stands before you healthy!
Peter goes on to affirm that there is no other savior in
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among people by which we must be saved.”
It is quite probable that this man had been sitting in this same spot when Jesus came and went to teach in the temple and he may have seen or heard of other people being healed. But on this day, his life was changed. While the disciples had received boldness to proclaim the name of Jesus with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, it is this demonstration of power to transform lives that Jesus came to deliver.
In the Old Testament, God revealed himself by his name. He is called El Shaddai, the almighty one and Tsidkenu, the Lord our righteousness and Jehovah Rapha, the Lord who heals and Jehovah Shalom, the Lord is peace and Jehovah Jireh, the Lord our provider and the list goes on, but now, the nature of God is revealed in one name, Jesus. It is in Jesus name that we have access to the throne of God in
Hebrews 4:16 Therefore let us approach with confidence to the throne of grace, in order that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
It is in Jesus name that we ask in
John 16:23 And on that day you will ask me nothing. Truly, truly I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.
and we know God’s will because Jesus demonstrated it to us so we know we will receive an answer in
1 John 5:14–15 And this is the confidence that we have before him: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked from him.
In our culture, the power of a name is much diminished, but in the covenant culture in Jesus’ day, and the culture of God’s kingdom, having the name of the king represented all of the power behind that name. So Jesus was transferring power and authority to us when he said in
John 17:6 “I have revealed your name to the men whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours, and you have given them to me, and they have kept your word.
This power was demonstrated through them in
Matthew 10:1 And summoning his twelve disciples, he gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could expel them and could heal every disease and every sickness.
When we pray “in Jesus name”, we invoke His power and authority as He sits at the right hand the Father. We are his Church, his redeemed, bought with a price, the very life of Jesus. It is in that name that we have protection and it is Jesus that is our advocate with the Father as in
John 17:15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the evil one.
In the Old Testament, the Lord demonstrated his power and “made for yourself a name” in
Jeremiah 32:20–21 who accomplished signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, up to this day, and in Israel, and among humankind, and you have made for yourself a name, as it is this day. 21 And you brought out your people Israel from the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with an arm stretched out, and with great terror.
and he is still working in this same way to make for himself a name by delivering people from trouble, by transforming their lives as he takes them from darkness to light.
But in the world, there are those that will try to stop this move of God as in
Acts 4:18 And they called them back and commanded them not to speak or to teach at all in the name of Jesus.
and just as Peter and John answered, so are we to go forward in
Acts 4:19–20 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God, you decide! 20 For we are not able to refrain from speaking about the things that we have seen and heard.”
The Word Guiding Prayer for the Day
Acts 3:6 But Peter said, “Silver and gold ⌊I do not possess⌋, but what I have, this I give to you—in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!”
John 14:12–14 Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in me, the works that I am doing he will do also, and he will do greater works than these because I am going to the Father. 13 And whatever you ask in my name, I will do this, in order that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
Luke 10:8–9 And into whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat whatever is set before you, 9 and heal the sick in it, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.”
The Needs
Pray
Pray in Jesus’ name for specific sick people to be healed. Write their names and expect God to restore them. Acts 3:16 And also pray for those you know that are Christian counselors John 15:26
Praise
Praise God and expect him to move with signs and wonders in your local schools. Mark 16:20
Listen
Listen for his guidance as you pray over your city officials and government. 1 Timothy 2:1-4
Answers
Expect God to answer. Write down perceptions, insights as you are praying. Give thanks as God does answer. Remember that He is far above all and yet, is involved in the affairs of men in
Psalm 8:1 Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth, who put your splendor above the heavens.
And remember that He is the one that made the heavens and the earth in
Jeremiah 32:17–20 ‘Ah Lord Yahweh! Look, you made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for you, 18 showing loyal love to the thousands, and repaying the guilt of parents into the laps of their children after them. Powerful, great, mighty, his name is Yahweh of hosts, 19 great in counsel and great in deed, whose eyes are opened to all the ways of the children of humankind, to give to each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds, 20 who accomplished signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, up to this day, and in Israel, and among humankind, and you have made for yourself a name, as it is this day.
Day 3 Reading
- Acts 3:1-26
References
- 1. Teykl, T. (Dr.). (1997), Acts 29: 50 Days to Invite the Holy Spirit. Prayer Point Pr. https://www.amazon.com/Acts-29-Days-Invite-Spirit/dp/1578920450/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ref_=nav_signin&&linkCode=ll1&tag=prayny-20&linkId=f53533b082e7ab3aa9a206bf08fd85db&language=en_US
