“Peter and John went to the Temple…a man LAME FROM BIRTH (for over 40 years (Acts 4:22)) was each day put beside the Temple gate…he saw Peter and John…asked them for money. Peter and John looked at him…Peter said, “Look at us!” Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold. I’ll give you what I have. IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, GET UP AND WALK!” the man’s feet and ankles were INSTANTLY HEALED and strengthened. HE JUMPED UP, AND BEGAN TO WALK! He went into the Temple… All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God…they realized he was the lame beggar…THEY WERE ABSOLUTELY ASTOUNDED!” (Acts 3:1-10)
Jesus told His disciples, “… ANYONE who believes in me WILL DO the SAME WORKS I have done…” (John 14:12) This was just the beginning, “…many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about FIVE THOUSAND.” (Acts 4:4) They were threatened by the religious leaders to stop preaching Jesus but they told them they had to obey God, so now they gathered and prayed, “…now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may MIRACULOUS SIGNS and WONDERS be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After this prayer, THE MEETING PLACE SHOOK, and they were all FILLED with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached THE WORD OF GOD WITH BOLDNESS.” (Acts 4:29-31)
The work of the Lord continued amazingly, “…believers were increasingly added to the Lord…they brought the sick out into the streets…that at least THE SHADOW OF PETER passing by might fall on some of them…a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and THEY WERE ALL HEALED.” (Acts 5:14-16) Then this happened, “…the high priest, and all those who were with him…were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people ALL THE WORDS OF THIS LIFE.” (Acts 5:17-20)
“Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and A GREAT MANY OF THE PRIESTS were OBEDIENT TO THE FAITH.” (Acts 6:7)
About six years have passed so far, they had just got started with the work, thousands have been saved and hundred’s miraculously healed so far, we must believe the words of Jesus, “Most assuredly, I say to you, HE WHO BELIEVES in Me, THE WORKS THAT I DO HE WILL DO ALSO; and GREATER WORKS than these HE WILL DO, because I go to My Father. And WHATEVER you ask in My name, THAT I WILL DO, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I WILL DO IT.” (John 14:12-14) Our prayer needs to be, “Lord, I believe; HELP MY UNBELIEF!” (Mark 9:24)
-Bill Stockham