Peter and the other disciples used every chance they had to share the Gospel.  In today’s passage we see this too.  After Peter healed the man with who couldn’t walk, the people who saw it were very surprised and gathered together at Solomon’s Colonnade. Peter didn’t miss the chance and witnessed to Christ.  This testimony is in verses 12-26.  Verses 12-16 are about where the power from this miracle came. Verses 22-26 are about the blessings and responsibilities of the chosen Israelites.  Today let’s look at verses 12-16.  This miracle took place not by the disciples, but by Christ.  In other words, by the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, this miracle took place.  Let’s look at this meaning from 3 aspects.

I.                It is not by us. (vs. 12, 13)

The man was not healed because Peter and John had a special power.  Nor was he healed because he had a deep faith.  Peter asked the crowds who saw the healing and was surprised 2 questions in hope of correcting their mistaken thinking.

1.                                  “Why does this surprise you?” (vs. 12) Humanly speaking to see a man who couldn’t walk running, dancing and jumping around is very amazing.  However, if we realized who the God is that we believe in really is, then it would not be something to be surprised about.  We believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  That means the God who can do anything as we can see through these patriarch’s lives and history. Even though they were weak and had faults, God took care of them through unnatural means. 

For example, to the father of our faith, Abraham, a son, Isaac was born when he was 100 years old.  Humanly speaking he was too old to have a child. Also his descendants became as numerous as sand.

Isaac planted seeds and saw a hundred fold harvest. The Lord greatly blessed him.  He was given a well so that he could increase and spread out.

Jacob deceived his brother Esau and fled to Leban.  However, 20 years later he returned and has peace with his brother.

Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt where they had been slaves for 430 years.  God performed many miracles and wonders and saved the Israelites from Egypt.  God killed all the first sons of Egypt and divided the Red Sea in half as God saved the Israelites with his mighty arm.

While the Israelites were in the desert, God made water rush out of a rock, provided manna for them to eat, pigeons to eat for 40 years.  God took care of them.

Through out history God has taken care of the Israelites by unnatural means. The Bible is full of miracles. 

2.                                  “Why do you stare at us as if by our own power of godliness we had made this man walk?” (vs. 12)

Gentiles saw people who performed miracles as gods.  For example, Acts 14:8 However, Peter is saying that they are only mere men. 

II.              Jesus’ name is the source of the miracles. (vs. 13-16)

God gave his servant Jesus, Christ glory.  Jesus’ name by the faith of those that believe in that name, the man was made strong. And today Jesus does the same, strengthens us and heals us. If Jesus heals today, why are there times when we are not healed?

1.      James 4:2   We don’t ask.

2.    I John 5:14  It’s not the Lord’s will.

3.      I Peter 1:8, 9 We have even a greater blessing, eternal life. This is the greatest mercy.  Therefore whether we are physically healed or not is not so important.

                      What’s wonderful about this man was not only was he healed, but spiritually he was healed too.  He was able to walk this life straight forward.  By Jesus’ name and faith he was completely healed. The word used for complete is the word used for animals that were sacrificed.  It meant they were without blemish.  This means that this man was healed spiritually too and was now without blemish.

                      This spiritual healing is available to us today too.  Jesus wants to heal our spirits and make us whole giving us peace and joy.

III.            The author of life (vs. 13-15)

Jesus is the servant, the righteous one, the holy one, the author of life, in other words, the Messiah.  He was brought before Pilate, put on the cross and died, but this is who should be worshipped, the Lord, the Messiah.  He is the one who healed the man. He is the author of life.  He is the one that we must look at.

What do you have your eyes on?  Are you looking for the answers to your problems in other people or things?  It is only Jesus Christ who can heal you totally.  Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever.  Jesus is alive and working today.  He’s the one that we need to look to. Let’s seek after Him.