“By what power or what name did you do this?” (Acts 4:7b)

In Acts 3, some days after the Pentecost crowd had dramatically encountered God, Peter and John healed a man crippled from birth.

Acts 4 opens with the local powers-that-be “greatly disturbed” (Acts 4:3) by this. They wanted to know “By what power or what name did you do this?” (4:7). After all, they were the ones with the power in Jerusalem. That Peter and John healed this man and then proceeded to teach and proclaim Jesus was disturbing the spiritual status quo they oversaw.   

The people of Jerusalem would have believed their rulers’ own power and godliness got them their positions. The people would also have recognized that what Peter and John had done was jaw-dropping.

Seeing their astonishment, Peter asked them, “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?” (Acts 3:12). 

As a 21st century church family in Chatham County, we have had to face some crippling circumstances of our own, especially during this time of Covid-19. Through it all, though, we retain our vision to connect people to God and to each other and to engage the world for good. By what power or name do we presume to do this?  

Our answer to that will have to be better than “by our own power and godliness.” 

We do have a degree of power and godliness, don’t we? We are made in the image of God, after all. Images do bear a resemblance to and have qualities of the original.

However, faced with individuals and systems crippled spiritually—which includes being crippled physically, mentally, emotionally, and relationally--a greater power and godliness are needed for healing and flourishing to occur.

Peter and John had undoubtedly lived most of their lives drawing from their own power and godliness. As do we. When they were filled with the Holy Spirit, though, they were infused with a power and godliness beyond anything they had previously experienced. As are we.

We will encounter resistance because of this. As did they.* We will want and need to return to our community and pray for boldness because of this. As did they.**

Reflect on a time you were aware of something done by the Spirit in the name of Jesus. Share this with others, listen to their stories, and together pray as the believers in Jerusalem prayed: ”Lord…enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus” (4:29-30).

*Acts 4:3,17-18,21a

**Acts 4:23-30