Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 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 of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
Acts 3:1-8
Peter and John were walking into the Temple at the hour of prayer. The Jewish people had a tradition of praying three times daily.
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
Daniel 6:10
Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
Psalms 55:17
It is likely that Peter and John had been at the Temple for prayer many times. We are told that the lame man was laid at the gate on a daily basis. He was probably familiar with Peter and John.
I’m sure that the man had asked them for an offering previously. This day was different. The Holy Spirit stopped Peter. He looked at the man with what I picture to be a very intense look.
Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”
Peter commanded the man to rise and walk! Can you hear the boldness in his voice?
This is not something that can be worked up. It is very likely that Peter had passed this man on his way to prayer before this. The man had probably even asked for an offering before.
The anointing produces a boldness. Peter commanded the man to rise and walk. He did not stop there! This command was followed by Peter grabbing the man by the hand and pulling him to his feet. The result was the man leaping and praising God!
There is a difference between a simple prayer offered in faith and an operation of the Spirit. I believe that Peter lived a life fully led by the Spirit. He had learned this from Jesus.
Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
John 5:19
Peter was present when Jesus said this. He saw the great miracles that manifested in Jesus’ ministry.
I believe that Jesus “saw” the Father do and then acted on what He saw. He did not see though with His physical eyes. Peter learned to develop his spiritual vision by watching Jesus in his earthly ministry.
Peter was aware of the Holy Spirit. He followed Jesus’ lead and did what He “saw” the Father do by being “tuned” into the realm of the Spirit. When he passed the man he was aware of the Holy Spirit’s prompting.
The man asked for an “alm” and the anointing rose up in Peter. Peter responded to that anointing and the lame man was healed!
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