THE MINISTRY OF HEALING
#763 THE MINISTRY OF HEALING
Scripture Acts 3:1-11, NIV Orig. 11/25/1979
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.
Peter Speaks to the Onlookers
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: To continue the series from the book of Acts, calling attention to the insights the early church had gained from the teaching of Jesus, and their determined efforts to continue these teachings.
Keywords: Healing Bible Study Faith Ministry
Timeline/Series: Acts
Introduction
Matters related to Christian healing are matters that too many of us had just as soon avoid. In the first place, we do not need it in the 20th century as it was needed in the 1st century. As little as 50 years ago, even the most visionary practitioner of medical science could not foresee the strides that would be taken in medicine in the mid-20th century.
It probably is fair to say, however, that far more remains to be done than has been accomplished. It is most certainly true that diseases are prevalent on the world scene that were totally unknown a century ago. We who live amidst the fair practice of medical skill are not much encouraged to give consideration to healing as it was practiced by Jesus.
There is another reason why this expression of the charismatic gifts has been down-graded in importance. We see it carried on today in the “pin-striped” suit of big business. It is associated almost entirely with fund-raising escapades that are near charlatan level in their intensity. Or, we see it carried on on the level of the mundane. Growing hair on a bald head, or the lengthening of a leg, are not very meaningful expressions of healing when a few minutes away reside the hopeless intractables of the Home for Incurables. One has to make but one visit to any cancer ward of any hospital to discover a need that is overwhelming.
There is one other point for consideration. Jesus healed because He believed absolutely in the power of God to heal. The disciples were able to carry on this healing ministry because they too were able to believe, not only that God did the healing, but that He was the only one who could. It is at this point that our faith generally breaks down.
Great good was done in the early church by experiences of miraculous healing. It would be a shame if it were God’s purpose to bless the church of the 20th century with such a gift, and we were too proud to accept it.
I. First, We Need to Consider the Circumstances as it Was Happening. In Chapter two, we walked with Simon through an opportunity to proclaim the gospel to searching hearts. He reminded them of a new day in human history. He related that new day to the life and ministry of Jesus. He declared the supremacy of that new day of grace over the old of law. He invited them to personally discover its truth.
Now another opportunity has come, and Luke here records how it was used as an opportunity to proclaim the gospel. First, a quick consideration of the Jewish day. For the devout Jew, there were three special hours of prayer. The day began at 6a.m. 3rd—9a/6th—12n/9th—3p. Any hour was a prayer hour, but these three times were special. And if that prayer time [was] spent in the temple, then all the more significant. It is timely for our consideration to note the continuation of habits learned in childhood, held onto through the influence of Jesus.
Now, consideration of the scene as it related to this first recorded healing. The afflicted man: Lame from birth. Ward of public generosity: he did have friends who brought him; or if they failed or if times were bad he had no income. R.W.E. Jones, “If your income doesn’t exceed you outgo, your upkeep is gonna be your downfall.”
It is likely that the disciples have passed this man before but did not see. Suddenly their eyes are opened to a need not seen before.
II. We Have Looked at the Circumstances of this Event—Now Let’s Look at its Character.
Look at the diversity of the Temple and the Beggars. Of white marble in grand design, started by Herod about 20 B.C. No temple ritual was interrupted. The Inner Court, sacred to the priests, was completed by 1,000 of them. Finished in 64 A.D. John 2:20 mentions “46 years” in construction. Amidst all of this beauty lay the beggar. He was there because, obviously, people in a worshipful mood stood to be the ones willing to give.
The beggar did not know who these men were, and was not asking to be healed. The disciples, who had no wealth, had something better. Remember, at this time, the common fund was in operation.
The healing was accomplished in the name of Jesus. “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” In Acts 2:22f great care was made to link the name of Jesus with what Peter was preaching. Again, the same is done.
The miraculous was instantaneous and complete. From a Greek word stereoō “to make firm.” It was another of Luke’s medical terms, though I can not link it with finality to a current medical practice.
III. Next, We Consider the Consequences of this Miracle. First, we have a man who was filled with joy. He did not have the experiences of other believers to compare with his own. How much happier all of us would be if we did not try to work at duplicating the Christian experience. Luke 1:14, Remember the 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.”
God received the praise of this man’s outspoken witness of his faith. Luke 2:13, Listen in again on the commotion upon Jesus’ birth. “Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God.” Hebrews 13:15, Speaking of Jesus, the Hebrew writer puts all of us in the camp with this beggar. “By him, therefore, let us offer the praise to God continually.” Herein may be the one clearly defined determination of healing. Who is the one who stands most ready to lift his voice in praise of the Healer?
Such a scene emerged that a crowd quickly gathered here at the Temple colonnade known as Solomon’s porch. John 10:23, Jesus was in this very place when the Jews questioned [Him] about being the Christ. “The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe.”
This brings about the opening into the last part of the chapter and Simon Peter’s gospel witness.
IV. In Conclusion, Let’s Try to Define Healing from the Mind of Jesus. We discover the compassion of Christ for all hurt things. The Latin word for compassion is a compounding of two other words that mean “to suffer with.” Matthew 8:17, “He took our infirmities and bare our weaknesses.”
Jesus seems clearly to have considered pain and disease as intruders. James S. Stewart calls it to our attention that there is no instance where Jesus turned anyone away saying, “I am sorry, friend, but I can not heal you, because God wants you to suffer.”
The healing potential of Jesus was directly related to His sinlessness, His moral perfection. If we were more like Jesus, perhaps our works would be more like His works. Matthew 17:20, the epileptic boy whom the disciples could not heal. “Because of your lack of faith.” The mighty works of Jesus were the Father’s answer to the faith of His Son. In Jesus, the power of God was present and unimpeded. John 4:34, GNV, “The one whom God has sent speaks God’s words, because God gives him the fulness 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 always be a vital ministry of the faith. Such healing portends a larger healing of the broken spirits of people.
Conclusion
A religious magazine recently shared a word of witness of one who remembered hearing a Scottish minister tell of a dream that he had had. “One night he dreamed that he saw a new shop on High Street and, going in, he found an angel behind the counter. What did the shop sell? “Everything your heart desires,” the angel said. “Then I want peace on earth,” cried the minister: “An end to sorrow, famine, and disease.” “Just one moment,” smiled the angel, “You haven’t quite understood. We don’t sell fruits here, only seeds.”
Links/references
Jones: https://www.gram.edu/academics/majors/arts-and-sciences/music/band/history.php
Stewart: https://www.preaching.com/articles/past-masters/james-s-stewart/