We Have To Go Where The Lost Are:
These people don't know that there is a successful defense against Satan's temptations, the world's pressures, and their body's desires. The Holy Spirit is causing them to be aware of the fact that their life isn't like it should be. They know they are doing wrong things. But, they keep WANTING to do them even though they know they are doing wrong. They know there is a much better way to live. But, they keep not really wanting to live them. They feel miserable about their life and deeds. Yet they find themselves completely sold out to them, body and soul. Nothing is going to change for the better in their life unless we make contact with them.

Our armor is designed to be able to go out into some of the most spiritually dangerous places, find a lost person, and bring them to God. God's character, provisions, and power flow through this armor of God into the lost person's life and circumstances. The man healed at the gate called Beautiful is an example of God flowing through a person's life and ministry, doing massive damage to Satan's kingdom, and setting a large quantity of captives free. What happened was, Peter and John were going to the temple for a time of prayer. As they got to the gate called Beautiful that let them into the temple area, there was a man that was unable to walk.

He was begging for money from those passing by. As Peter and John got close to him, he asked them if they would give him some money. Peter told him that he didn't have any money but what he did have he would share with him. Then Peter told him to stand up and walk. After that Peter reached down his hand and pulled the man to his feet. Immediately the man's feet and ankles were strengthened and the man was able to walk.

Acts 3:9-11 (NIV) 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. While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade.

With a curious crowd gathering, Peter proclaims the message of salvation to them. But, as usual, there were those who had no intention of accepting the healing and delivering power of God into their lives; and they were going to do everything in their power to keep anyone else from receiving God's loving power.

Acts 4:1-4 (NIV) The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.

It occurred in hostile territory. Satan was very upset with all this gospel preaching. However, approximately 5,000 men plus women and children came to Christ. When God is allowed to do God-sized things, awesome things happen in the hearts of men. This is Jesus' ministry and this is Jesus' plan for reaching a desperate world with the good news. Peter and John made it very clear that they didn't do it. They explained to the crowd that this was Jesus doing the second phase of His ministry. He hasn't changed and His ministry hasn't changed. The works He did are the works He is and will continue to be doing through us.