"Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee." What does he have? He said next, "In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, rise up and walk." And he took him by the right hand, lifted him up, and suddenly his feet and ankle bones became strong and the man walked and leaped and praised God, went into the temple.
It's interesting to note the man's reaction after getting blessed by God. He didn't quietly and conservatively say say, "Thank you Lord, I appreciate it."
That man leaped! You ought to leap and shout and give God praise and glory. You leap and shout about everything else. You shout about her and you shout about him and you shout about them and you shout about a raise on your job. You ought to leap and give God praise and glory because he has healed you, and delivered you.
Somebody said, "Yeah, that man got healed because Peter was an apostle." Verse 16 says, "In His name—through faith in his name hath made this man strong." Peter said it's not because he us an apostle. It's not because he walked with Jesus. It's because he has His name. He gave the man the Name of Jesus. And the man exercised faith in that Name.
Somebody said, "When the last apostle died, didn't the miracles die with him?" Faith in the name didn't die. The name of Jesus is still here. First John 3:22 commands us to have faith in the name of Jesus. Jesus says in Mark 16:17, "And the signs shall follow them that believe, in my name..."
"...In my name they shall cast out devils.They shall speak with new tongues. In my name they shall take up serpents. And if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them." (That means if you accidentally ingest a deadly substance it will not harm you. Don't do it on purpose. You'll get hurt.)
"They shall lay hands on the sick." He didn't say just apostles. It said just ordinary believers. Are you a believer? Well, He said, "In the name of Jesus, you can lay your hands on the sick and they shall recover.
Exercise faith in the Name of Jesus.
Scripture references: 2 Peter 1:15-21; 1 John 3:22
Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).
