HEALING OF THE LAME MAN
Introduction
The incubation at the upper room was a sealing encounter for the disciples of Jesus Christ including His half brothers and sisters who joined the church fully after His resurrection.
The Lord's last statement "Ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" was about to given expression by the coming upon the disciples of the Holy Ghost. That touch was to be a well-loaded encounter. They were to receive 'power' to become witnesses of Christ in Jerusalem and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
So the Lord says to them 'Wait for the promise of the Father, which you have heard of me Acts 1:4-5. The gospel is a power movement because you can dispossess a well armed strongman of his goods without a superior power, it wouldn't work. The devil is the strongman and the souls of men are his goods.
The Holy Spirit is the promise of the Father for everyone of us. The Lord knew the water baptism which John conducted for them will not be enough to carry them around the world. He says to them "you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence" - Acts 1:5b.
The great commission will be a difficult task without power. The Holy Ghost is the One sending Evangelists to the field. After you have received training, studied the word and meditated on it, if you discover the presence of the Holy Ghost is not with you, please wait!
It does not mean you are not born again, it means you should wait a little more. You dare not venture into the work of the cross without the Holy Ghost backing you. It will be very frustrating, and even dangerous. The disciples were with Christ, performed many signs and miracles with Him, yet the Lord insisted they should be endued with power, that will stay with them.
HEALING OF THE LAME MAN
The healing of the lame man was an eye-opener for Church. It was another proof of the coming of the Holy Ghost upon them. If you study the passage in Acts 3:1-16, you will notice that many things happened that culminated to the healing.
The first thing that happened was that Peter had the desire to help the begger. He may have watched him at the gate for years and decided to help. Unfortunately, he had no money to give the man. It was at that point the Holy Spirit opened his eyes to see the power in the name of Jesus and the miracles His name could trigger for the lame man.
A power that can raise the man from the floor and strengthen him to work and earn money for himself. The moment the revelation birthed in Peter's spirit, he knew the days of begging for the Lame man were numbered. Peter shared the revelation with John who agreed with him that, healing the man is far better than giving him coins.
They meditated on the best way to raise the faith of the poor begger and put him on the expectation mode before giving him the key to his turn around. They decided the begger should "Look on them". If the begger looked unto them, who are mere vessels, the healing anointing in Jesus ministry will flow through them to the lame man, for his healing.
Remember the anointing in the Lord's ministry is still flowing up till this day because He has an everlasting Priesthood, Jesus the same yesterday, today and forever. The arrangement looked strange to the Lame man. He was used to getting money from people, but now Peter only spoke a word of command to him, asking him to rise up and walk.
Another important issue is that the two disciples were in the spirit to hear the promptings of the Spirit and to obey it. They knew for sure that the power in the name of Jesus is able to raise the man up. They also knew their position in Christ as disciples, which explains their boldness to face the spirit of paralysis plaguing the man and commanded the demon to leave.
Remember that Peter did not pray to God to heal the man. He rather commanded the man to rise up and walk in the name of Jesus Christ. This is the same as commanding the spirit of paralysis to come out of him and go! It was an exercise of his faith in the name of Jesus Christ.
For a preacher to issue such a command and it is established unto him, there are some basic spiritual requirements, among which includes:
1. The preacher must have the presence of the Holy Spirit with him.
2. The Lord knows your voice - Your voice is known in heaven
3. Jesus is dwelling in you by the word.
4. Your heavenly prayer account is rich.
5. Answer to your prayer (decree) will glorify God.
Peter and John had the desire to help the begger, then the eyes of Peter was opened to see the supernatural way to do it, healing of the lame man, which will allow him to walk and fend for himself instead. They did a good job of getting the man to look on JESUS before commanding him to rise up in the name of the Lord.
The name of Jesus is the greatest power in the whole world and the disciples have a revelation of the power in that name. They knew they have to speak the name into his life and the healing power in the name will be activated.
The begger was initially confused, he was expecting money. But nothing tangible was handed to him, he was still wondering how to respond when Peter took him up and lifted him for the miraculous healing to take place. Whenever we have a desire, don't wait for a convenient time to execute it.
Seek for the best ways to execute the plan even when it appears practically impossible. It could be at such time the Lord will open your eyes to see a better way to do it. That was the case with Peter. He has the desire to assist the lame man whom he saw everyday when he goes there to pray. That desire led him to a better way to assist the man - healing!
That healing of a man lame from birth brought glory to the Lord instantly, and many who were doubting the genuineness of the gospel believed.
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