Peter had a “wow” experience on Pentecost day. He delivered an amazing Gospel sermon and three thousand people gave their lives to Jesus Christ. There were no microphones to project his voice and no social media to send invitation cards. With the infilling of the Holy Spirit, Peter and the rest of the disciples were on fire. The power of the Holy Spirit baptism was not a one time quick fix. No! The disciples were filled up for ministry and no wonder they did amazing things even at the peril of their lives. “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts” (Acts 2:46a). “One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon” (Acts 3:1) and they met “a man who was lame from birth” (Acts 3:2a). Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (Acts 3:6) When this lame man saw Peter and John, he asked them for money. The man had been sitting at the gate called Beautiful and all that he does is to beg people for money. His only source of livelihood was to beg. “Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.” (Acts 3:4-8) What a miracle? The man wanted money but he was given healing. He was able to walk! This miracle caused people to gather around Peter and John in awe. Peter once again admonished the people with the Gospel message. He told them to “repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19). Even when Peter and John were arrested and sent before the Sanhedrin, Peter boldly told these Jewish religious leaders that “salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Such boldness can only be from the power of the Holy Spirit. Even till now, the church has faced countless persecution but believers have not given up. Recently, a group of believers faced their deaths on Pentecost Sunday. We need to draw strength and power from the Holy Spirit to stand even to the point of death.
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