The Work and Person of the Holy Spirit. Pt. 12 Gift of Healing
Good Morning to all of our Readers from around the world and welcome back to our study on the Holy Spirit.
In Ohio, the morning daylight is arriving later now and in the evenings it is getting dark noticeably sooner than during the summer months. This truth reminds me of something the Lord Jesus Christ taught.
While He was in the world, Christ was the light of the world. Today each believer is to reflect the light of our indwelling Lord into this world. Like our Lord, we must work while Christ is giving us light to shine the gospel into dark places.
John 9:4-5 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
It is of interest to see what scripture says about the born again child of God with regard to light.
Salt & Light
Mathew 5:13-16 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Put on the Armor of Light
Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Walk as children of Light
Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Your walk must match your talk
1 John 2:9-10 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
Let us turn our focus to the gift of healing. In our last post we looked primarily at the healing ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. we noted that Jesus is Jehovah Rapha in the flesh. This Old Testament name of God means the "LORD that healeth thee."
We also pointed out the prophetic declarations about the Messiah, Jesus Christ and saw that healing would be part of His ministry.
Today I would like to look at the birth of the church and the apostolic ministry with regard to the gift of healing.
Connection between faith and healing
On numerous occasions Jesus Christ was not able to work miracles because of the unbelief of the people. They did not believe that Christ was the Messiah and Son of God because of hard hearts refusing to believe. Christ's power to do anything is unlimited but faith in Christ is the necessary element for being healed.
Matthew 13:58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Mark 6:4-6 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
Sign gifts and the Apostolic Commission
Notice the Great Commission from the gospel of Mark. 5 Specific signs were noted that Jesus said would accompany the apostolic ministry. Mark's account runs parallel with Acts 1 where Christ ascended and instructed the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit to come.
Notice that concerning the sign gifts the text reminds us that it was "the Lord working with them." I have mentioned why the sign gifts were necessary. It was to authenticate or prove that the apostles were speaking for God. See how clearly Mark states this. "Confirming the word with signs following." This was the purpose for these gifts so that they knew God was speaking through these men.
Mark 16:15-20 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
The first apostolic healing
Here is the context of the first healing done by the apostles and it involved healing a man who was born lame or crippled. Peter called this man so he would look on him. The crippled man was expecting to receive alms (money) and instead he was healed by Peter, the apostle.
This healing was done in the name of Jesus Christ and when Peter pulled this man to his feet he was immediately healed.
Acts 3:1-7 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.
Acts 3:8-11 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.
Acts 3:16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
After the lame man was healed by Peter and had preached Christ to them, the religious leaders were upset and arrested Peter. This part of the account is from the remainder of Acts 3 and carries over into the next chapter. The text below tells us what happened after Peter did the healing and preached Christ. "Many of them which heard the word believed." About 5,000 people were born again that day.
The sign of healing certified that Peter spoke for God and 5,000 were born again
Acts 4:4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
The second Apostolic healing
The next act of healing in the Book of Acts is after the conversion of Saul to Christ. Saul was stopped by the risen Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. Saul's conversion was unexpected and had a powerful impact upon the church of Jesus Christ that still reverberates today. After being blinded by the light from heaven and speaking with Christ, Saul was stricken and made blind as well.
Saul's companions led him by the hand and took him to Damascus where he fasted for 3 days and he still could not see. The Lord prepared a certain disciple named Ananias to go find Saul and lay his hands on him so that his sight would return.
Here is the healing account. Ananias laid his hands on Saul and told him what Christ instructed him to do. Immediately the scales fell off Saul's eyes. He could see once again and he was baptized. From that point forward Saul who was renamed Paul, never looked back and he served Christ with all his being until he was martyred.
This miracle gave us the apostle to the Gentiles
Acts 9:10-18 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
The next healing is also in Acts 9. Peter was traveling through Lydda and came across a man named Aeneas. This man had been in bed 8 years because he had palsy. This disease caused muscles to become spastic and weakened by tremors.
Lydda was a small town in the territory of Saron in northern Judea. It is about 10 miles north of Joppa.
Peter told Aeneas that Jesus Christ would make him whole. He told Aeneas to arise and make his bed and he did so immediately. The end result is that all who were at Lydda and Saron saw this miracle and they turned to Christ.
This healing resulted in people being born again because of faith in Christ
Acts 9:32-35 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.
And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
The third Apostolic healing
This healing also involved the apostle Peter. He had gone to Joppa which was about 10 miles from Lydda. A notable Christian woman named Dorcas was known to all for the good things she did for so many in the church. She became ill and died.
When the people learned that Peter was in Joppa they implored him to come to them. When he arrived, they took him to the upper chamber where her body lay and people were grieving. Peter put the people out of the room and prayed to the Lord Jesus Christ. Then he stood up and commanded "Tabitha arise" and she was raised from the dead.
Many people came to Christ after this healing
Acts 9:36-42 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
Points to Ponder.....
In Ohio, the morning daylight is arriving later now and in the evenings it is getting dark noticeably sooner than during the summer months. This truth reminds me of something the Lord Jesus Christ taught.
While He was in the world, Christ was the light of the world. Today each believer is to reflect the light of our indwelling Lord into this world. Like our Lord, we must work while Christ is giving us light to shine the gospel into dark places.
John 9:4-5 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
It is of interest to see what scripture says about the born again child of God with regard to light.
Salt & Light
Mathew 5:13-16 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Put on the Armor of Light
Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Walk as children of Light
Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Your walk must match your talk
1 John 2:9-10 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
Let us turn our focus to the gift of healing. In our last post we looked primarily at the healing ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. we noted that Jesus is Jehovah Rapha in the flesh. This Old Testament name of God means the "LORD that healeth thee."
We also pointed out the prophetic declarations about the Messiah, Jesus Christ and saw that healing would be part of His ministry.
Today I would like to look at the birth of the church and the apostolic ministry with regard to the gift of healing.
Connection between faith and healing
On numerous occasions Jesus Christ was not able to work miracles because of the unbelief of the people. They did not believe that Christ was the Messiah and Son of God because of hard hearts refusing to believe. Christ's power to do anything is unlimited but faith in Christ is the necessary element for being healed.
Matthew 13:58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Mark 6:4-6 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
Sign gifts and the Apostolic Commission
Notice the Great Commission from the gospel of Mark. 5 Specific signs were noted that Jesus said would accompany the apostolic ministry. Mark's account runs parallel with Acts 1 where Christ ascended and instructed the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit to come.
Notice that concerning the sign gifts the text reminds us that it was "the Lord working with them." I have mentioned why the sign gifts were necessary. It was to authenticate or prove that the apostles were speaking for God. See how clearly Mark states this. "Confirming the word with signs following." This was the purpose for these gifts so that they knew God was speaking through these men.
Mark 16:15-20 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
The first apostolic healing
Here is the context of the first healing done by the apostles and it involved healing a man who was born lame or crippled. Peter called this man so he would look on him. The crippled man was expecting to receive alms (money) and instead he was healed by Peter, the apostle.
This healing was done in the name of Jesus Christ and when Peter pulled this man to his feet he was immediately healed.
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.
Notice the powerful impact of this miracle. He leaped up, stood and walked and began jumping with joy and praising God for being healed. All the people who saw the miracle and those in the temple recognized this man who was formerly lame now leaping and walking. The people ran together and were filled with wonder.
Acts 3:8-11 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.
Next Peter tells them how this miracle was done. He makes it very clear that it was not because the apostles had some special ability to do this. He made it very clear that this was of God. Peter tells them the healing was through faith in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
The Father Glorified the Son with this healing
The Father Glorified the Son with this healing
Acts 3:12-13 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why
marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power
or holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath
glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of
Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.
Acts 3:16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
After the lame man was healed by Peter and had preached Christ to them, the religious leaders were upset and arrested Peter. This part of the account is from the remainder of Acts 3 and carries over into the next chapter. The text below tells us what happened after Peter did the healing and preached Christ. "Many of them which heard the word believed." About 5,000 people were born again that day.
The sign of healing certified that Peter spoke for God and 5,000 were born again
Acts 4:4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
The second Apostolic healing
The next act of healing in the Book of Acts is after the conversion of Saul to Christ. Saul was stopped by the risen Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. Saul's conversion was unexpected and had a powerful impact upon the church of Jesus Christ that still reverberates today. After being blinded by the light from heaven and speaking with Christ, Saul was stricken and made blind as well.
Saul's companions led him by the hand and took him to Damascus where he fasted for 3 days and he still could not see. The Lord prepared a certain disciple named Ananias to go find Saul and lay his hands on him so that his sight would return.
Here is the healing account. Ananias laid his hands on Saul and told him what Christ instructed him to do. Immediately the scales fell off Saul's eyes. He could see once again and he was baptized. From that point forward Saul who was renamed Paul, never looked back and he served Christ with all his being until he was martyred.
This miracle gave us the apostle to the Gentiles
Acts 9:10-18 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
The next healing is also in Acts 9. Peter was traveling through Lydda and came across a man named Aeneas. This man had been in bed 8 years because he had palsy. This disease caused muscles to become spastic and weakened by tremors.
Lydda was a small town in the territory of Saron in northern Judea. It is about 10 miles north of Joppa.
Peter told Aeneas that Jesus Christ would make him whole. He told Aeneas to arise and make his bed and he did so immediately. The end result is that all who were at Lydda and Saron saw this miracle and they turned to Christ.
This healing resulted in people being born again because of faith in Christ
Acts 9:32-35 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.
And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
The third Apostolic healing
This healing also involved the apostle Peter. He had gone to Joppa which was about 10 miles from Lydda. A notable Christian woman named Dorcas was known to all for the good things she did for so many in the church. She became ill and died.
When the people learned that Peter was in Joppa they implored him to come to them. When he arrived, they took him to the upper chamber where her body lay and people were grieving. Peter put the people out of the room and prayed to the Lord Jesus Christ. Then he stood up and commanded "Tabitha arise" and she was raised from the dead.
Many people came to Christ after this healing
Acts 9:36-42 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
Points to Ponder.....
- There is a connection between faith and healing.
- Jesus promised that sign gifts would follow the apostolic ministry.
- God healed people through the apostles and certified that they spoke for Him.
- In each instance of healing the end result is that people listened to the Word and were converted to Christ.
We have some additional scripture to cover regarding apostolic healing as we seek to understand how God used this gift to glorify Christ and save souls.
Bob
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