Often, when someone was healed by Jesus, he would tell them, “your faith has healed you” or “made you well” (cf. Matthew 9:22, 15:28, Luke 17:19, 18:42). However, on at least two occasions, it was not the faith of the one who was healed that healed them. Instead, it was the mercy of God. We see this in John 5:1-15 (the man at the pool of Bethesda) and the blind man in John 9. Neither of these men knew about Jesus before they were healed. Therefore, they weren’t cured by their faith.

In the book of Acts, a beggar born lame is healed, and while the people stand gawking at Peter and John, Peter tells them that they weren’t the ones to heal the man.

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 3:16 (NIV)

Whose faith was it that healed the man born lame?

We know that Peter and John had faith in telling the man to get up and walk. They had spent years with the Lord and saw miraculous signs and wonders. They remembered that he told them to ask for anything in his name, and it would be done (John 14:14). When they were sent out to minister, they were given the power to heal and cast out demons (Matthew 10:1). They had seen the Lord die and be raised from the dead. There’s no doubt that their faith was part of this healing.

What do we know about the lame beggar?

  • He was born lame.
  • He begged every day at the temple gate called Beautiful. Therefore, he saw everyone who went into the temple courts. This means that he may have seen Peter, John, and even Jesus with the rest of the disciples going into and out of the temple courts since Jesus often preached there (Luke 19:47).
  • Verse 7 tells us that Peter “helped” the man get up.

Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong (emphasis added).

Acts 3:7 (NIV)

This verse reveals that the man tried to get up, and when he did, he was instantly healed.

  • Verse 8 tells us he jumped to his feet, began to walk, and praised God.

He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

Acts 3:8 (NIV)
  • The man praised God because he knew who had healed him.

Therefore, we can conclude that the faith of Peter, John, and the man born lame healed him.

Sometimes we will pray for people who don’t know the Lord from a hill of beans. However, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t pray for them. Indeed, we’ve seen that some people are healed because of their faith. While others don’t get their faith until after they are healed. Regardless of whose faith it is, that heals someone, we know that the power comes from God.

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, freed from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart and receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

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