Jesus power in us, by the Spirit, in response to prayers to the Father
Peter healed the lame man at the temple gate (Acts 3:1-8). In verse six, Peter says "what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." This implies that the ability to give the man healing was something Peter "had."
However, when the people responded with amazement (Acts 3:9-11), Peter asked them, "Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?" Then he concluded, "By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see" (Acts 3:12; Acts 3:16). So, Peter did not consider the power or holiness that produced the miracle to be his own.
So, it is Jesus' power that Peter considered something he "had." It was not something he needed to retrieve for the man, or something for which he needed to pray, but something he already had in his possession. In fact, it was not a result of anything Peter did other than placing his faith in Jesus.
In the next chapter, after Peter and John have been interrogated by the Sanhedrin regarding the miracle, Peter prays, "Now, Lord, consider [the Sanhedrin's] threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus" (Acts 4:29-30). Here, we see Peter's understanding of the source of the power as being the Father, and here we see it being something he prays for.
So, Peter sees the power to heal as:
However, when the people responded with amazement (Acts 3:9-11), Peter asked them, "Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?" Then he concluded, "By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see" (Acts 3:12; Acts 3:16). So, Peter did not consider the power or holiness that produced the miracle to be his own.
So, it is Jesus' power that Peter considered something he "had." It was not something he needed to retrieve for the man, or something for which he needed to pray, but something he already had in his possession. In fact, it was not a result of anything Peter did other than placing his faith in Jesus.
In the next chapter, after Peter and John have been interrogated by the Sanhedrin regarding the miracle, Peter prays, "Now, Lord, consider [the Sanhedrin's] threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus" (Acts 4:29-30). Here, we see Peter's understanding of the source of the power as being the Father, and here we see it being something he prays for.
So, Peter sees the power to heal as:
- Something he already has.
- Not being his power or the result of his godliness.
- Something the Father sends and which should be prayed for.
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