Apostle Peter reveals the secret to healing. He explains this to the people after he healed the lame man at gate Beautiful. But they missed it.
Today, our Book of Acts Bible Study continues. Our reference comes chiefly from Acts 3:11-16.
“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” (Acts 3:11).
“And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? [O]r why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?” (Acts 3:12).
Many Christians Don’t Know That This Is a Secret to Healing
Apostles Peter and John were two such Christians. They didn’t desire, in any way, to take credit for the healing of the lame man. They had the secret of healing and they shared it with us above.
The people were amazed at what Peter and John had done. Therefore, their “greatly wondering” concerning the secret for healing this man is justified. They healed him.
Peter, the chief preacher, tells us a number of important things before he exposes the secret to healing.
First, rhetorically, he inquires: “why marvel ye at this? [O]r why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?” (Acts 3:11-12).
“The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go” (Acts 3:13).
Read an earlier writing, you could learn what he means by “the God of our fathers” (Acts 3:13).
Next, Peter continues to explain who has the secret of healing. He says: “But ye denied 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; whereof we are witnesses” (Acts 3:14-15).
Conclusion
Finally, Apostle Peter speaks of the secret to healing that he has been leading up to.
He reveals that the name of the “Prince of Life” is important.
“And his name 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 this perfect soundness in the presence of you all” (Acts 3:11-16).
After Apostles Peter and John healed the lame man he made a proclamation. He proclaims that the “power or holiness” of someone other than themselves had “made this man to walk”.
They didn’t elevate themselves into the glory which belongs to God. Instead, they gave Him glory. The kingdom, the power, and the glory are the Lord’s. They knew this, (Matthew 6:13).
Then Peter reveals the identity of that person. He uses a string of adjectives to describe him mainly: “the Holy One”; “the Just”; and “the Prince of Life” (Acts 3:15).
Agents – the Secret to Healing of the Lame Man
Nevertheless, the secret to healing is in “the name”. Therefore, none of these descriptions is a name.
Recall, that Peter and John invoked the name of “Jesus Christ of Nazareth” to heal the lame man (Acts 3:6).
So, those descriptions denote Jesus Christ, that’s the name.
Similarly, because the Lord sent Peter and John they have his authority to use his name in any matter relating to their assignment.
Additionally, because they are baptized in His name: Jesus Christ, the Lord will honour their request to act on their behalf when they request or need Him to do so.
Therefore as agents of Christ, when they call on his name they are requesting his intervention.
The Secret to Healing the Lame Man Hides in the Apostles Words
He intervened on their behalf, therefore it was the power and holiness of Jesus Christ, which heal the lame man.
Finally, the secret to healing of the lame man hides in these apostles. The baptism of the Holy Ghost that they received on the Day of Pentecost, is the might of God to witness of Jesus’ resurrection, (Acts 2:8).
The name of Jesus Christ confers authority on you, but His Holy Ghost empowers you. It enables you to do exploits for him using his name. This is the secret of healing.
However, Christians, take note of what Peter and John didn’t do. They never prayed for the healing of the lame man. Why? That’s not what the Lord told them to do! Obey Him!
Without the name of Jesus Christ you have no authority and he didn’t send you.
Leroy A. Daley is an author, blogger, YouTuber, and Bible teacher. Globally, he's helped hundreds of Christians understand the Bible better. He has been studying and teaching the Bible for more than forty years. He is passionate about the Lord and spends quality time with the Word of God every day.
His Books are available for purchase wherever books are sold.
