I’ve read Acts a bunch of times in my life, but I read through it 3-4 times this summer in preparation for building out this sermon series, and something really stuck out to me this time. There is a consistent pattern that keeps coming up:
- Praying for someone’s healing
- Sharing the Gospel
- Them getting saved
LAME BEGGAR IN ACTS 3
Acts 3:6-7
6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.
PETER’S SHADOW HEALING PEOPLE
Acts 5:15-16
they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
PHILIP HEALING PEOPLE IN SAMARIA
Acts 8:7
many who were paralyzed or lame were healed
PAUL WAS HEALED AFTER THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS
PAUL HEALS A CRIPPLED MAN IN LYSTRA
Peter healing Aeneas
Acts 9:32-43
32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
Peter is traveling in a town called Lydda, he meets a guy named Aeneas who is paralyzed and has been stuck in bed for 8 YEARS! He prays for him, Aeneas is healed, and ALL THOSE who lived in the town turned to the lord.
Peter Healing Tabitha
As Peter is still in Lydda, word of what happened to the man there makes it to a town nearby, called Joppa. There was a lady there named Tabitha (or Dorcas in Greek) who passed away, and was a great lady who always took care of the poor.
Acts 9:40-42
then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.
She was fully healed, the disciples told the whole town about Jesus, and people were saved.
- Pray for healing
- Share the Gospel
- People Get Saved
WHO
All of us.
I would love to hide behind the veil of, God doesn’t do it this way anymore, or he works differently after the bible was canonized, because praying for someone’s physical healing who doesn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus, is just straight out awkward. But… it’s a straight out Biblical thing.
The verse that some will use to refute healing is this:
1 Corinthians 13:8
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.
For one thing, that’s not talking about the Bible being canonized, it’s talking about Jesus coming back. (If you want a deeper dive into this subject, listen to THIS SERMON).
Secondly… healing isn’t even listed in that verse. There is no Biblical reason to think this has gone away.
WHAT
(see everything above)
WHEN
There’s not question that you should do it whenever the Holy Spirit prompts you to do it, but there is also a Biblical precedence here for just doing it most of the time as an opener for telling people about Jesus.
WHY
Because it’s modeled in the Bible, and because it works!
HOW
Here’s the QUICK practical overview.
- Go up to someone
- Tell them you are a Christian and you believe God heals people
- Ask if they have any pain or physical issues they want prayer for
- If they say no, say okay, ask if there is anything else you can pray for
If they say yes, ask what their physical pain or issue is
- If it’s appropriate to lay hands on them for the issue, ask if you can
- If they say yes, lay hands on them, and pray
:
Simply say something like,
“God, we know you love this person,
and sometimes you choose to heal people,
we pray that you would heal ___________________.
Bring wholeness to his ________________
and show him how much you love him.
Amen
.
- Ask if they feel any different
- If they do feel better, ask if it’s all the way better.
If it’s not pray again.
- If they’re healed, share the Gospel with them,
and ask if they want to know Jesus personally.
If not, share the Gospel with them,
and ask if they want to know Jesus personally.
