Acceleration problem

Hi i have a '96 jeep cherokee 4cyl manual. the check engine light just cane on and withina day i tried to accelorate from a stoplight and as i pressed the gas down the less power i had…as i let off the gas it would jerk foreward…it drove fine for the 5 minute drive to the light. I did this gas down then up jerk untill i could get off the road. any suggestions? thanks!

 That CEL (check engine light) is just a kid in class waving her hand trying to get you attention because she has the answer. You need to have the codes read. Some places will read them for FREE. Try Autozone or Advanced Auto Parts. Get the exact code (like P0123) not just their translation into English and post it back here. 

 BTW, How many miles does  that Jeep have n it?  Any other issues or history that might be connected?