PERFECT SOUNDNESS COMES BY FAITH

Acts 3:12-16 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this, or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified His Son Jesus; Whom ye delivered up, and denied Him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And His name through faith in His name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith, which is by Him, hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

Verse 11 tells us that Peter and John were standing in the porch that is called Solomon's immediately after the man, lame from birth, had been healed. It is said of the multitude of Jews that had gathered around them, that they appeared to be totally astonished - they seemed to be awestruck as they stood there greatly wondering at what had taken place in their presence. As they stood there in amazement, Peter took the opportunity to preach Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah, the Savior of the world. Whether someone posed a question or by their mere questioning appearance, we find here that Peter answered unto the people by saying, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this, or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

Peter could sense, by their astonishment, that the multitude of Jews were looking upon John and himself as if they, by their own power, had healed the lame man and had given him the miraculous ability to walk. Miracles too numerous to mention had been performed by God in the presence of the Jewish people for centuries from the time they were called out of Egypt and miraculously passed safely through the Red Sea unto the present time. And yet at this time they were ascribing the healing of the lame man to the human power of Peter and John. Peter renounced this by proclaiming Jesus Christ as the Son of God and giving Him the glory for this deed of mercy and compassion.

Their God, Who for ages had delivered them from all enemies, protected them, and had performed many miracles in their presence - their God, whom they all worshipped - The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified His Son Jesus. It was this same Jesus, the Son of God, Whom ye delivered up, and denied Him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. Peter then describes what actually occurred, and, without a doubt, was known to them all. He said to them, But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. Peter said that it is to this Holy One, the Son of God; it is to Him that praise should be given for the healing of the lame man. Not by the power of Peter and John was this miracle performed, but rather In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth this man was told to rise up and walk (Acts 3:6).

Praise, honor, and glory were never to be expected by them or given to the prophets of old. And the same was true of the apostles of Christ who served as His messengers. It was by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that they were given the ability to proclaim God's word and confirm it with wonders, signs, and miracles. So it was in times past, and so it is to be in the present. Today, humility is lacking in many that preach and teach the word of God. Within His church, the body of Christ, failure to spread the word of God and bring the hope of salvation to the world is the result of our complacency or our inability to do so. But any success resulting from the preaching of His word must be attributed to God and in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

And His name through faith in His name hath made this man strong, that is, not in Peter's name or his power, but by the power of God, in the name of Jesus Christ, the lame man was made whole. Faith in God and His Son, Jesus was taught by Peter and John and believed by the lame man. It was by that faith that the lame man was given ...perfect soundness in the presence of you all. Perfect soundness comes by faith!