I've been reading through the Bible with a friend, and we (somewhat) recently finished Acts. This book has really been sticking with me. Perhaps it is because it is a view into the early Christians' lives after Jesus left and so the incidents are perhaps easier to relate to than the story of David and Goliath or Moses. They apply to New Testament circumstances, in a more "contemporary" world, rather than Old Testament, ancient events. Acts also greatly impressed me because I kept reading through it, seeing the disciples' passion for God and the miracles they did, and thinking, "Why doesn't this happen today?"
Here are some things I noticed from just one chapter:
1. When the disciples performed miracles, they weren't ashamed or embarrassed.
Take the event in the very beginning of Acts 3, when Peter and John are going to the temple and encounter a lame man begging for money. Peter doesn't hesitate, or if he does, it must not have been for long, because it sure wasn't recorded. Peter doesn't think, "Never mind...I'll walk by this guy and pray for him later. What if Jesus doesn't heal him and then I look like a fool?" Or, "What if someone sees what I am doing and I am persecuted or mocked for Jesus?" He doesn't just stand and face him and pray silently, either. No, he orders the lame man to look right at him. He's going to make this event public, because he is not ashamed of Jesus or His power. He's not worried about what other people think.
And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” --Acts 3:4
2. Peter didn't ask for anything less than the best.
The lame man was begging for money to survive. Some were walking up and thinking they were bestowing the best blessing they could give upon him when they handed him some coins. Peter and John could have thought along those lines too: "Oh, darn, I don't have any money. If I could just run home and grab some and bring it back, I'd be such a blessing to this man." Maybe sometimes when we're praying, we don't ask God for the full blessing.
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. --Matthew 7:7.
...you do not have because you do not ask. --James 4:2b
Peter tells the man that he has no money, but that he will give the man what he does have: a much greater blessing from God. He doesn't ask for "something small." He trusts that God can completely heal this man, not give him a "band aid" for the problem.
3. Peter didn't ask. He commanded.
Notice what Peter says: "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk" (Acts 3:6b). He doesn't say, "Jesus, could you please, if it is Your will, heal this man?" Peter gives a direct command to the man. Not only that, but there is no hesitation, or any hint of going "halfway" this time either. He doesn't say, "Now, get up slowly," or "Maybe you should just try to move your foot a little." He not only tells the man to "rise up" but he also orders him to walk! The man that was just lame, and had been lame from birth, is going to walk, and Peter has no doubt about it. With confidence, he waits for the man to experience a miracle.
Think about the huge difference between just asking and commanding. By commanding, Peter displayed his confidence. Not confidence in himself, because he orders the man in Jesus' name. No, he has full confidence that Jesus can heal this man and he is not ashamed to show it. He doesn't "half believe" a miracle will take place. He doesn't wonder if God is listening to him. He knows Jesus is listening and will answer. He isn't timid; he is full of faith.
This reminds me of Luke 17:6, when Jesus tells His disciples that through faith, they can command and be obeyed. So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
4. Peter and John were together.
It's a simple fact, but it's encouraging. Jesus sent the disciples out two by two. Now, after Jesus has ascended and the disciples are to continue being witnesses, they stick together. God knows that we are stronger together than we are apart. Even though Peter is the one doing all the talking, I think John's presence is important. Who knows what sort of moral support he gave Peter just by being there, standing beside him as Peter reached out in faith and took a public stand for Christ by healing this man? Maybe Peter wouldn't have been as confident or full of faith on his own. But with John, he has company, encouragement, a friend.
5. Peter was on fire for God.
Everyone knows the story of how Peter seriously messed up when Jesus was betrayed. Ashamed of Christ and afraid, he denied Him three times before a handful of people. Once Jesus resurrected and visited Peter again, their relationship was restored to its former strength (or, perhaps, I could venture to say it was even stronger than before) when Jesus had Peter affirm his love for Him three times. Jesus commanded Peter to feed His sheep. Now, Peter, full of the Holy Spirit and a new flame for God after being forgiven for his painful choice, is ready to obey Jesus' command. His sin is in the past. He's spoken to Jesus about it and he knows he has been forgiven. It's not weighing him down. He isn't about to fail God again and deny Him before men. He's seen Jesus perform great miracles and he's tasted His forgiveness.
Think of all the great experiences you have had with Jesus...and just imagine if we focused on those more. Imagine the fire we would have. Imagine the confidence we would have; imagine how unashamed we would be if we allowed ourselves to be filled with His love and grace instead of fear.
These are just thoughts on a few verses of Acts, but I think it greatly demonstrates how powerful the book is. It's encouraging to see the disciples trust in God and perform miracles. It's also encouraging to see the times they messed up and remember that they faced the same struggles and failures we do today.
What if we acted more like Peter and John or the other disciples in Acts? What if we lived like them? What if we let the Holy Spirit consume us? What could we do then?
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