THE CHURCH AND A HEALING MINISTRY
#841 THE CHURCH AND A HEALING MINISTRY
Scripture Acts 3:1-11, NIV Orig. 11/2/79
Rewr. 12/4/86
Passage: One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 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.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 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. 11 While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.
Purpose: Continuing a Bible study from Acts, showing the beginning surges of healing as it existed within the early church
Keywords: Faith Healing Ministry
Timeline/Series: Acts
Introduction
What interest do you have as a believer in the practice of Christian healing? Most contemporary church members seem to be satisfied to avoid it altogether. Part of the reason seems to be that it is not needed in the 20th Century as it was in the first. As little as fifty years ago, even the most visionary practitioner of medicine could not foresee the strides that medical research would take in our lifetimes.
I see no reason, however, not to conclude that there is yet far more to be done, than has ever been done before. Diseases that were unknown a century ago are prevalent today. Some bludgeoning human ailments capturing headlines today, were virtually unknown twenty years ago (Alzheimer’s, HIV, Legionnaire’s Disease).
There are other reasons why many people see a charismatic gift of healing as unimportant. It is so often viewed in the pin-striped suit of big business or as a feature in the practice of snake-handling. It is associated, almost in its entirety, with people who are often viewed as charlatans. We hear of it, elsewhere being conducted to the end that hair may grow on bald heads, and that legs might be lengthened to eliminate back pain. This takes place sometimes within sight of cancer hospitals, and homes for the incurables.
Jesus healed because He believed absolutely in the power of God to heal. The disciples undertook the continuation of that ministry because they were able to believe that He was the healer, and that He would heal, that He was the only One who could. This may be where our faith breakdown comes. Oh, we believe in the power of God to heal, alright; but He usually is not our only alternative.
Great good was done in the early church by experiences of miraculous healing. What a loss it would be if God chose to bless His contemporary church in the same way, and we have become too proud, or too indifferent, to accept the gift that He wants us to have.
I. First, We Must View the Circumstances. V1 “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.” Chapter two allowed us to focus on the importance of the spoken word. He reminded us that a new day had come. He related that day to Jesus’ life and ministry. He declared the supremacy of grace over law. He called his hearers to personal commitment.
Now another, and different opportunity has come. Luke records how healing is being used. It starts with emphasis on prayer. For the devout Jew, there were three special hours of prayer: The day began at 6a.m., and the first prayer was to be practiced at 9a.m., the second at 12 noon, and the third at 3p.m. Prayers could be said at any hour, but these were special, and if in the temple, even more so. How important to good practice are the habits learned in childhood? We see Jesus accentuated some of these.
What we may know about the man to be healed are that he was lame from birth; he was the ward of public generosity—he had friends who helped, but except for them or in hard times, he was without; it is likely that the disciples have passed this man before but had no eyes with which to see—now, with redeemed sight, they see opportunity.
II. Secondly, We Must Look at the Character of the Event. Look for a moment at the disparity between place and person, the beggar in the temple. The temple was of white marble in grand design. Started by Herod in 20 BC, some 50 years prior, the inner court was sacred and worked on by 1000 priests; the temple itself was not yet complete. Amidst all this lay the beggar. He was there because people in a worshipful mood are always the first to show compassion. Remember that the beggar, doubtless, had no idea who these men were, and did not ask for healing. The disciples could not help materially. They were living under a common fund among believers. Note that the healing was precipitated in the name of Jesus. “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!” In 2:22f, Peter links his message to Christ. The same bond is forged again. The miracle accomplished here was instantaneous and complete. The Greek word estereothesen means “to make firm.” The medical term steroids comes from the same word; all-American Brian Bosworth was unable to play because of steroid use.
III. Next We Must Measure the Consequences of this Miracle. V9 “And all the people saw him walking and praising God.” We note a man overwhelmed by his good-fortune. He doesn’t have someone else’s experience to try to mimic, or to compare with his own. How often do we try to make something of faith that was not meant to be? (Copying another.) Or how often do we keep faith from taking a natural turn?—“Walking, and jumping, and praising God.”
A central tenet of our faith is joy. Luke 1:14’s angelic announcement—“Thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at His birth.” John 15:11,”These things I have spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
Note also that God receives the praise of this man’s outspoken witness of faith. We mentioned the angels’ announcement in Luke 2:13. “Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God." The believer is expected and commanded to offer such praise. Hebrews 13:15 “Through Jesus, . . . let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess His name.”
Such praise is linked with healing and may just be one of the clearest determinants of healing. How ennobling to find physicians who believe, and more so to hear of a surgeon who prays for his patient, or the believing patient who thanks God for whatever condition confronts him or her. The praise of God is the noblest rite of faith.
There is such an outpouring of emotion that a crowd quickly gathers. In this very place, Jesus was questioned by Jews. John 10:23: “If thou be Christ, tell us plainly.” V25 “I did, ye believed not. The works I do bear witness, . . . ye believe not.”
IV. Finally, A Conclusion. V10 “. . .They were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.” We perceive the compassion of Christ for all hurt things. The Latin word for compassion is a compounding of 2 words meaning “to suffer with” (cum passus). Matthew 8:17 quotes Isaiah 53:4 “He the weaknesses of us took, and the diseases bore.” Jesus seems clearly to have determined that pain and illness are intruders. Dr. James Stewart reminds us that there is no instance of Jesus turning away saying, “I am sorry friend, I cannot heal you, because God wants you to suffer.”
Healing as a reflection of faith was related to Jesus’ sinlessness, His moral perfection. If we were more like Jesus, perhaps our work would be more like His work. Matthew 17:20 tells of the epileptic boy the disciples could not heal. “Because of your lack of faith.” The mighty works of Jesus were the Father’s answer to the faith and obedience of His Son. In Jesus, the power of God was present and unimpeded. John 3:34 GNV: “The one whom God has sent speaks God’s words, because God gives Him the fullness of His Spirit.”
As Christians, we must relate ourselves to a world torn, not only by sin, but also by pain and disorder, and disease. Healing of the body must also be a vital ministry of faith. Such healing portends a larger healing of the broken spirits of people.
Conclusion
A religious magazine shared the story of a Scottish minister, and of a dream that he had dreamed. As he walked down High Street in Aberdeen, he saw a shop never seen before. Entering, he discovered that an angel was the clerk, and he inquired what they sold. The angel replied, “Everything your heart desires.” “Then,” said the dreamer, “I want peace on earth, and an end to sorrow, famine, and disease.” “Ah,” said the angel, “but you do not understand. We do not sell fruits here, only seeds.”