Story Of Peter And John Healing The Lame Man
The story of Peter and John healing the lame man is a remarkable event in the history of the early Christian church. It is recorded in the book of Acts, chapter 3, verses 1-10. The story is about a man who was lame from birth, and Peter and John healing him through the power of Jesus Christ.
The Lame Man at the Gate Beautiful
The story begins with Peter and John going to the temple in Jerusalem for the daily prayer service. On their way, they encounter a man who was lame from birth. This man had been placed at the gate called Beautiful, which was the entrance to the temple. He would ask for money from people who passed by, hoping to receive enough to support himself.
Peter and John, however, did not have any money to give him. Instead, Peter said to the man, "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)
The Healing of the Lame Man
At that moment, Peter took the man by the right hand and helped him up. Instantly, the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk, praising God. The people who saw this were amazed, and they recognized the man as the beggar who had been at the gate Beautiful.
The man walked with Peter and John into the temple, where he continued to praise God. All the people who saw him were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened.
The Significance of the Healing
The healing of the lame man is significant for several reasons. First, it demonstrated the power of Jesus Christ working through his apostles. Peter and John were able to heal the man because they had faith in Jesus and the authority he had given them.
Second, the healing was a sign to the people that Jesus was the Messiah. The man had been lame from birth, and there was no doubt that he had been healed miraculously. This was a fulfillment of prophecy, as Isaiah had predicted that the Messiah would heal the lame (Isaiah 35:6).
Finally, the healing was a testimony to the truth of the gospel message. Peter and John used this miracle as an opportunity to preach about Jesus Christ and the salvation he offered. Many people who saw the healing were convinced of the truth of their message and became believers.
The Response of the Religious Leaders
The healing of the lame man did not go unnoticed by the religious leaders of the time. They were disturbed by the fact that Peter and John were preaching about Jesus and performing miracles in his name. They arrested the apostles and put them in jail overnight.
The next day, Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin, the ruling council of the Jewish people. They were questioned about the healing of the lame man and were told not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus again. Peter and John, however, refused to be silenced. They said, "Which is right in God's eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." (Acts 4:19-20)
The Impact of the Healing
The healing of the lame man had a profound impact on the early Christian church. It was a sign of the power of Jesus Christ and his ability to heal and save. Many people who saw the healing were convinced of the truth of the gospel message and became believers. The apostles continued to preach and perform miracles in the name of Jesus, despite the opposition of the religious leaders.
The healing of the lame man is also a reminder of the power of faith and the importance of sharing the gospel message with others. Peter and John were able to heal the man because they had faith in Jesus and the authority he had given them. They used this miracle as an opportunity to preach about Jesus and the salvation he offered. Today, we can do the same by sharing the good news of Jesus with those around us.