A MIGHTY ENTRANCE 129
Now watch what begins to happen suddenly in the book
of Acts. The Holy Spirit gives tremendous authority to
those who have received Him. It's three o'clock in the
afternoon as Peter and John were going up to the temple,
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" (Acts 3:2).
Turning to the disheveled beggar, "fixing his eyes on
him, with John, Peter said, 'Look at us'" (v. 4). It's a
marvelous thing to see a man completely given over to the
Holy Spirit. Peter was filled with a boldness and power he
had never known as he looked deep into the soul of this
poor man—right through his eyes.
The beggar knew Peter and John were not playing
games. A holy boldness had been vested in the apostles.
When Peter said, "Look at us," the man immediately "gave
them his attention, expecting to receive something from
them" (v. 5).
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" (v. 6). He took him by the right
hand, helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and
ankles became strong. "So he, leaping up, stood and walked
and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and
praising God" (vv. 7-8).
Can you imagine the consternation in the temple? The
beggar made a mighty entrance of his own. They
recognized him immediately and "were filled with wonder
and amazement at what had happened to him" (v. 10).
Not a "Yesterday" Experience
The power and authority the apostles received began to