The Same Spirit That Raised Jesus From the Dead

It’s pretty clear that something has changed in Peter. This failed disciple who spent Jesus trial cowering in the corner has now stood before the greatest religious leaders of Israel and declared allegiance to Jesus. But while that’s exciting, it isn’t discipleship. And Peter knows it. If he truly is Jesus’ disciple, it’s time to show it to the world. But now, the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead had filled Peter. It was time for him to show that he could be what Jesus believed he could be. I’ll prove it to you in less than 10 minutes.

Peter Becomes Like His Rabbi

One day Peter and John entered the courts of the Temple, and a beggar called out to them, asking for money.  Peter replied:

“Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Acts 3:4-10 NIV

It’s as if Peter remembered the numerous times when Jesus had healed the lame and crippled.  I can imagine Peter seeing the man lying there and hearing his request, and realizing that in this moment he was being given the opportunity to be just like Jesus.  He did what he knew his Rabbi would do.  And the lame walked.

Facing Down the Opposition

The religious leaders heard about this and immediately decided to put a stop to what has happening.  Jerusalem still hadn’t settled down from the events of Passover and the crucifixion of Jesus, and they couldn’t have Peter or any of Jesus’ disciples stirring up any more trouble.  So they arrested Peter and John, and later gave them strict instructions not to speak or heal again in the authority of Jesus.  But they replied:

“Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Acts 4:19-20 NIV

Now, Peter is facing the same opposition from the religious leaders that Jesus had fought against. 

Again, Peter is becoming like his Rabbi.  But Peter holds firm and remains bold:

The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”  Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.  We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Acts 5:27-32 NIV

This same man who had feared for his life so much that he denied that he even knew his Rabbi, now had been imprisoned for his faith and commanded that he cease from ever healing or speaking in the name of that Rabbi again. Yet, he was willing to risk everything in order to continue as a disciple of Jesus.  

Can He Raise the Dead?

But Peter wasn’t done trying to become like his rabbi.  Jesus was known for raising the dead.  And in Acts 9, Peter is faced with a decision:

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”  Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.

Acts 9:36-43 NIV

Peter had raised the dead.