Feb 1, 2019 - Suggested Reading Acts 3 for Feb 3rds message on Matthew 9:18-38 in our worship service at 10:45am

“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.””

Acts 3:6 (NIV) 

The apostle Peter had something to give the beggar!

What was it that Peter had in his possession to give to the man so that he could walk?

Could we say that Peter had the gift of health that he was able to give?

It is clear from this verse that Peter possessed the name of Jesus, and further it is clear from verse 16 that Peter possessed faith in the name of Jesus. 

(It seems that the man did not expect to be healed, he expected money - so we understand verse 16 to be speaking of Peter’s faith in the name of Jesus, not the man’s faith.)

Now it is true of every Christian that we possess the name of Jesus – surely, we understand that we bear His Name for we are His.

It is also true of every Christian that we possess faith in the name of Jesus, for we would not be Christian at all if we had not called on the name of Jesus to be saved.

But we must admit that is not true that every Christian can grab a lame man by the hand
telling him to walk! 

It brings to my mind a dear lady full of faith, who is with the Lord now, who attended Parkdale and would periodically when gripped by faith try to stand up out of her chair. 

What a blessing it was to our church to have this dear lady - full of faith in the name of Jesus - in our midst. Yet she was not healed.

Peter has more than the name of Jesus and more than faith in the name of Jesus, for Jesus Himself gave Peter authority over sickness. 

Peter is able, through faith in the name of Jesus,  to speak to lameness with the word WALK and watch the lameness disappear. 

Peter was given authority (the ability to say to this one go, and have them go, and to this other one come and have them come) by Jesus as an apostle of Jesus. 

Not for Peter’s glory nor his benefit, but for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ and for the benefit of those Peter preached the gospel to.

Will we see these apostles as men who occupy a unique office in Christ’s church?

Will we follow the apostles as our leaders under Christ?