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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. Shortly after being filled with the Spirit at Pentecost, Peter and John came across a lame man who was begging for alms. He had been lame from birth and others laid him at the temple gate every day. He fastened his eyes on Peter and John, expecting to receive something from them. Perhaps his expectation was based on them having given him some offering in the past. Well, not this time, Peter was broke. His pockets were empty because he probably hadn’t been doing much work lately. Just prior to His ascension, Jesus had commissioned His disciples (and us) to go and preach the gospel to every nation, promising to be with us even unto the end of the world (Mk. 16;16, Mt. 28:19-20). However, they were not to go immediately. They were wait for the promise of the Father, which would endue them with power from on high (Lu. 24:49). They had no power in themselves, but the Holy Spirit would give them enduring power to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world (Acts 1:8). Likewise we have no power in ourselves, but the Holy Spirit endues and controls our every thought and action. As situations arise, the Spirit gives us anointed words as the need occurs. It won’t be us speaking, but the Spirit that dwells within us (Lu. 4:18; Mk. 13:11). After the ascension Peter and John no doubt were among the number of disciples who were, “Continually in the temple, praising God.” That may be why they had no gold or silver to give the lame man (Lu. 24:50-53). A few days later, one hundred and twenty of the disciples were in one place to observe the feast day of Pentecost. They were also in one mind and one accord. They had been changed by the resurrection (Jn. 20:28) and they were expecting the Holy Spirit which Jesus had promised to them (Mk. 1:8; Lu. 3:16; Ac. 1:5) and they weren’t going anywhere until the Comforter arrived. They remembered the promise of Jesus that “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you (Jo. 14:18“). Well, suddenly it happened, the Holy Ghost descended with tongues of fire and sat upon each of them and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost (Ac. 2:4). A new day had arrived, the church was born and began to multiply rapidly. No opportunity was missed to witness the fact that they had seen Jesus crucified, buried, resurrected and ascended into heaven (Ac. 1:8-9, 4:33). Well as we mentioned, Peter and John was confronted by a lame man who was expecting some money. Peter’s reply was, “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 (Ac 3:6).” Which begs the question, “What, or perhaps I should ask, Whom do I possess that I can give out to the person in need (1Pet. 3:15)?” Obviously things have changed considerably since the infant days of the church. For one thing there wasn’t the confusion of 3000 or more denominations, each dwelling on their doctrinal distinctives while often dismissing the core teachings of Jesus. There was one church which was peopled by a bunch of fanatics. They were fans of Jesus and they only knew one thing, “He had risen and He was coming again, perhaps tomorrow (Ac. 1:11).” This didn‘t leave much room for idle chatter and they had no interest in keeping up with the fashion and whims of the world. If there was a stock market in that day because they didn’t participate. They had laid all of their money at the apostle’s feet. I doubt that they were overly concerned with Caesar’s government because they had been made citizens of an heavenly kingdom and they were awaiting the return of its King (Php. 3:20). I’m sure that they appeared to some as rather dull and uninteresting people. It seems that the only thing they could talk about was Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. 1Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Folks tell us to not be so vocal about our salvation. Perhaps if Peter had followed their advice, he and the other apostles wouldn’t have been constantly subject to beatings and imprisonments (Ac. 4:3; 5:17). Rather than be sad about it, they actually rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for the name of the Lord (Ac. 5:41). It seems that their biggest problem was they just couldn’t stop talking about and invoking the name of Jesus Christ. That caused a lot of friction back there and it still causes friction today, even among folks who claim the name, “Christian.” The council sternly warned them not to speak or act in this name (Ac. 4:17,5:28). Peter’s reply was, “ For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard (Ac. 4:20) and that, “We ought to obey God rather than men (Ac. 5:29). Peter and John were examined by the council and the folks who were looking for a reason to kill them had to marvel at their boldness. They took note that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. That’s the key to it all. I can’t reason with the unbelieving world on an academic level. Nor can I reason with a modernistic church world on theology. But, I can boldly proclaim the name of Jesus and trust that folks look past me and see and hear the living Christ within. 2Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. Romans 1:16 ¶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. If we preach the gospel and live what we preach, some who hear us and believe will be saved. That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? Sin will keep you from this book, or this book will keep you from sin*- D. L. Moody on the Bible Free Ebooks That You Can Download. An Expository Study on the Book of Colossians The I AMs of Jesus Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@About-Him.Com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe to About-Him Devotional Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! 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