The healing of the man lame from birth causes a stir among the people. Peter addresses their concerns, “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this.” He goes on to speak how it came to be that this man would be healed. He talks about faith.
We always need to be careful, when examining sentence structure of an English translation of ancient Greek text. But the verses in 3:12ff speak of faith as something more than a mental attitude. Peter speaks of “faith in his (the Holy and Righteous One, i.e. Jesus) name.” This is “the faith which is through Jesus.”
Peter seems to be saying that it isn’t simply a matter of what we believe about Jesus, it has to do with confidence and dependence. Faith seems to flow through Jesus and into us; as if it were some sort of spiritual ooze.
Prepositions are often lacking in the New Testament. Thus, it is impossible for us to know whether Paul writes about “faith in Jesus”, or the “faith of Jesus.” One might suggest developing an attitude with regard to the events and teachings associated with first century events. The other invites us to possess something, the perfection of which is found in the One whose trust enables him to endure the cross.
The man who receives much more than he could have ever hoped for receives it as an expression of faith. The faith of Peter and John enables them to pronounce the healing power of faith. It is this same faith which is to be active in our lives, enabling us not merely to believe certain things but to live our lives a particular way.
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