When Faith and Miracles Work Together

After Jesus’ followers experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, their ministries moved to a new dimension. Acts 3 relays a story of how the power of faith works to perform miracles.

One day, Peter and John went to the Temple, but the Holy Spirit distracted them with a crippled man. They had probably seen him many times before, but didn’t pay him much attention.

Before getting into the story, Peter had previously preached a sermon, and 3,000 people got saved. In this chapter, he preached a second sermon, and I want to share a portion of it with you.

Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes. Acts 3:16

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With the help of others, this crippled man sat at the same temple gate every day. He begged for a living because he had no other means of support.

As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. Acts 3:2

How often do you think that Jesus and His apostles passed by this man? Why didn’t Jesus heal him? Maybe He knew his day of healing would soon come.

As the man’s friends set him beside the gate, the two apostles fixed their focus on him. He had enough experience to know that when people made eye contact with him, help might follow.

Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!” The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. Acts 3:4-5

Instead of Giving, Peter Took

Before proceeding, we must understand that God doesn’t always give us what we expect. In fact, He often goes beyond our expectations. And we’ll see that as this story develops.

But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Acts 3:6

He had just gotten into position with the possibility of getting lunch money from the first person he encountered. But, then Peter told him the last thing he wanted to hear: they had no money!

We don’t know if this man had any faith at all; chances are, he didn’t. He only had his hope to lean on. Hope that someone with a generous heart would supply his needs for that day.

Peter, on the other hand, had experienced miracles and knew what faith in Jesus could accomplish. So, instead of reaching out to give him money, he reached out to take his hand.

Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. Acts 3:7

We can learn a valuable lesson about faith from what happened that day. When we, by faith, take our authority in the Lord, the God of miracles will honor our faith.

He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them. Acts 3:8

Miracles Can Often Result from Our Faith

Think about this, the man had never walked. When Peter gave him what he had, the man didn’t hesitate. On Peter’s authority in Christ, he jumped up to his feet!

His hope instantly changed. By faith, he began walking and leaping and praising God, the author of miracles. He also did another first; he went beyond the gate and entered the Temple.

The crowd noticed the commotion and rushed towards the three men. The man who used to be lame held on to Peter and John. Not to hold him up, but from fear of the rushing crowd.

All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! Acts 3:9-10

How would you have handled the crowd situation? Would you have taken the opportunity to say, “Look what we did?” Or would you have told those needing a touch in their body to get in line?

Peter didn’t do anything like that. He would have plenty of opportunities for miracles, but he took that moment to talk about faith in Christ.

Full of the Holy Spirit, Peter turned this event into a real God moment. He knew that a great miracle had just happened, but asked the crowd, “What is so surprising about this?” Then said;

It is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this. Acts 3:13

What Peter and John did in this situation can serve as a great lesson for us. They didn’t turn this miraculous moment into a healing clinic. Instead, they turned the crowd towards Jesus.

Follow the Leading of the Holy Spirit

To clarify, sometimes one healing can certainly lead to additional healings. In each case, though, like anything else we do in ministry, we must follow the Holy Spirit’s leading.

The physical healing of this lame man turned out great for him. But it also became a tool that God used to meet the most essential need of that gathered crowd.

They needed a spiritual healing. One that could only come by repenting of their sins and accepting Christ as their Savior. Thus, Peter made that his message to them.

Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. Acts 3:19-20

God wants us to pray by faith for the needs of others with the expectation of Divine miracles. But we must always remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit and follow the direction He leads us.

The events of this day for the two apostles began with a distraction from the Holy Spirit. Let’s make sure our busyness doesn’t keep us from any distractions the Holy Spirit brings our way.

Because Peter and John yielded in obedience to God, look at the results. Through one healing, God added 2,000 more people to the church because Peter shared the gospel of Christ.

Lord, extending our faith and seeing miracles happen is great. But, help us to stay focused on your leading so we can accomplish your will. We like it when faith and miracles work together.