We often talk about how the power of God is all we need, and how material things should not matter. However, if you look around do you believe that to be true? We are inundated with the more, more, and more mentality. Yesterday in community Bible study we were talking about the beggar that always sat at the gate; and how two poor men with nothing to their name, transformed his life.
Acts 3 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
I would like to point out in this story that literally the disciples by all standards were poor men. Most of them did not have intensive schooling, or any for that matter. If you remember Jesus found a lot of them fishing in their family business. However, these physically poor men had the spiritual power to say, “in the name of Jesus Christ, rise up and walk”. Although they had nothing else to their name, they had the power of God. In Biblical history, there were times when God would allow miraculous wonders in order to bring His children out of rebellion. I often wonder when I look at our world what would happen if God once again unleashed the outpouring of miraculous signs and wonders. Would people be so busy it would simply pass them by? Don’t get me wrong God creates miracles for us everyday, but I am talking about times of Moses, the parting of the red sea; Elijah, the soaked alter that lit with a blaze, and Jesus’ days where the lame walked and the blind could see. During these times men were able to speak a word, and by the power of God made it so. The following is an exert from the commentary on Acts 3. It gives us all something to think about.
“Though the early church had poured out its gifts abundantly, Peter had not enriched himself, and was a poor man (Ac 2:45), presenting a great contrast to the popes who claim to be his successors. It is related that Thomas Aquinas came to Rome and visited Innocent IV. He looked somewhat amazedly upon the mass of plate and treasure, which he saw there. "So", said the pope, "you see, Thomas, we cannot say as did St. Peter of old, 'Silver and gold have I none.'" "No", said Aquinas, "neither can you command, as did he, the lame man to arise and walk".
Although we may not be able to perform miracles today humanly, we have a message that can transform lives, and save souls. It is our responsibility just as Peter did to “truly see” those people around us, and help them by what means we have.
Acts 3 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
I would like to point out in this story that literally the disciples by all standards were poor men. Most of them did not have intensive schooling, or any for that matter. If you remember Jesus found a lot of them fishing in their family business. However, these physically poor men had the spiritual power to say, “in the name of Jesus Christ, rise up and walk”. Although they had nothing else to their name, they had the power of God. In Biblical history, there were times when God would allow miraculous wonders in order to bring His children out of rebellion. I often wonder when I look at our world what would happen if God once again unleashed the outpouring of miraculous signs and wonders. Would people be so busy it would simply pass them by? Don’t get me wrong God creates miracles for us everyday, but I am talking about times of Moses, the parting of the red sea; Elijah, the soaked alter that lit with a blaze, and Jesus’ days where the lame walked and the blind could see. During these times men were able to speak a word, and by the power of God made it so. The following is an exert from the commentary on Acts 3. It gives us all something to think about.
“Though the early church had poured out its gifts abundantly, Peter had not enriched himself, and was a poor man (Ac 2:45), presenting a great contrast to the popes who claim to be his successors. It is related that Thomas Aquinas came to Rome and visited Innocent IV. He looked somewhat amazedly upon the mass of plate and treasure, which he saw there. "So", said the pope, "you see, Thomas, we cannot say as did St. Peter of old, 'Silver and gold have I none.'" "No", said Aquinas, "neither can you command, as did he, the lame man to arise and walk".
Although we may not be able to perform miracles today humanly, we have a message that can transform lives, and save souls. It is our responsibility just as Peter did to “truly see” those people around us, and help them by what means we have.
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