Peter (after the lame man walked for the first time in his life) addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, GLORIFIED HIS SERVANT JESUS…”
Imagine Peter’s excitement and boldness, he had just been used of the Lord to heal a man WHO HAS BEEN LAME FOR 40 YEARS, from birth. Peter acts with no explanation and no warning. He does nothing to awaken this man’s faith. He does not tell him that he first must believe and then he will be healed. Instead, Peter just speaks the word, and the power goes forth to make this man well. No one in this crowd could say that a real healing had not taken place. They all knew this man, and they all knew that he had been lame. Now, he was clearly seen WALKING, LEAPING AND PRAISING GOD, and they could have no doubt that something miraculous had occurred. It makes it much easier to be so bold when you have a miracle walking, leaping and praising God around you…
Now Peter speaks to the religious leaders, “…whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and YOU KILLED THE AUTHOR OF LIFE, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.” (Acts 3:12-15) Then Peter lays out the truth about what they had done to Jesus and how did they respond? People started getting saved by the thousands… “So, turn away from your sins. TURN TO GOD. THEN YOUR SINS WILL BE WIPED AWAY. The time will come when the Lord makes everything new.” (Acts 3:19)
GOD USES MIRACLES TO WIPE OUT UNBELIEF…
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham