Acts 3:6 – Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
This is a classic story in the New Testament, these are words that most everyone remembers once they hear them, “silver and gold have I none but such as I have give I thee”. Silver and gold, cash, seems to be the answer everyone is looking for. In New Orleans we have beggars somewhat like this one on every corner. Can you imagine if there was an outbreak of major miracles on the corners of the streets in New Orleans? And why not, after all Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
This story always reminds me of the homeless man who was healed in our church a number of years ago. The service he attended was filled with joy and many people were being intoxicated by the Spirit. This man got in the prayer line for healing that day, this is where this story takes an unusual twist. No one new this man had been scheduled at the old Charity Hospital for heart surgery that week. When he was going through the tests before his operation the doctor asked him an unusual question. ‘What have you done this week? Your heart is normal and no operation is needed.’ The homeless man told him some ‘drunk’ pastor on Airline Highway had prayed for him.
The funny thing about this story, I was that pastor and I was not drunk as he supposed but our church (me included) was intoxicated with the Holy Spirit.
The point is we didn’t have the resources to financially fix all of this man’s problems but we has something, the power of the Spirit and the wonderful name of Jesus. That’s what Peter was saying in today’s passage, he couldn’t change this man’s life with a financial contribution but he did have something that could change everything. Peter had obviously been given the command by Jesus to heal the sick in His Name. Peter had also been there when the power of the Holy Spirit fell on them and this power was resting on him and the other believers to bring salvation and healing to all who would listen to their words. Today we have been given the right to speak and heal the sick in His Name, we also have been filled with the power of God to see that this takes place. Maybe its time for all of us to take a stand and preach and declare the Name of Jesus to whomever will hear our voice.
