Power In the Name of Jesus

By Apostle Aje Pelser, Harvester Reformational Church, Cape Town

Entry Points that release the power in the name of Jesus

I the book of Acts 3, peter and john went to pray.

Act 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

Act 3:2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple;

Act 3:3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.

Act 3:4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.”

Act 3:5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.

Act 3:6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

Act 3:7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

Act 3:8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.

Act 3:9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God.

Act 3:10 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Entry Point 1: Regular Prayer

The apostles, at this stage, had a set a time for prayer. The ninth hour can be interpreted a three o’ clock in the afternoon. This was the regular time of ‘evening oblation’ (‘something that is offered as a religious sacrifice’, Cambridge Dictionary) When the persecution arose, the ratio of public prayer shifted to private household meetings.

Lindsay explains.

“As these two apostles, Peter and John, were on their way to the temple, they came to the gate called beautiful”. To get there they had to pass several areas: the court of the Gentiles; then through the middle court accessible to women; and finally after ascending a second flight of steps, they came to the Gate Beautiful that led to the inner court where the altar and sanctuary were located. Here only men were allowed to enter.”

The historian Josephus elaborates:

“But there was one gate that was without [the inward court of the holy house, which was of Corinthian brass and greatly excelled those that were covered over with silver and gold.

“But over that Corinthian gate, which opened on the east over against the gate of the holy house itself, was much larger; for its height was fifty cubits; and it was adorned after the most costly manner, as having much richer and thicker plates of gold and silver upon them than the other [gates].” Josephus Book V, Chapter 5, 3.

All the glory of the gate could not open the entry point for the healing of the lame man. Entry points for miracles are required.

The lame man also had a habit of being carried and laid daily at the gate called Beautiful. But he was not laid there to receive his healing, but to beg for alms.

Entry point 2: Shift of attention

When the man asked Peter and John for alms, they replied:

“Look at us.”

Act 3:5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.

They made it clear that his attention was on the wrong thing. You are asking for ‘alms’ but we have something better: In Jesus’ name you can get back your legs!”

How many times did Jesus see this man? Every time Jesus went past this gate he must have seen a Holy Spirit Movie of him getting up and leaping and praising God. He would have had a double take to see if it was time, if the Holy Spirit was leading him to heal this man but then a check in his Spirit comes: ‘Leave him for Peter and John!’

Some miracles you will work in your life and others you will leave for your disciples. That’s why we minister in teams in the church. Our leaders are capable of praying for hundreds of people in a meeting one by one. Then we will leave here four hours later! But there