LIGHT FOR DIVINE HEALING (3)

“...bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were ALL HEALED” – Acts 5:16b

Following the Lord’s Footsteps, the Apostles also manifested LIGHT for DIVINE HEALING: “Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were ALL HEALED” (Acts 5:16). Miracles of healing occurred massively in the early Church. The book of Acts is not a mere historical record. It has undeniable records of dominion over demons and diseases, and is the Pattern for the Church. As part of His Great Commission, our Lord Jesus instructed all believers: “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will LAY HANDS on the SICK, and they will RECOVER” (Mk.16:17-18).

In the preceding verse to today’s key scripture, Peter was so filled with the Holy Spirit that even his shadow had the POWER to HEAL: “So that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them” (v.15). The Bible describes many instances of healing in the early church, especially healings performed through the apostles, but also by other Believers. In the first recorded healing miracle in Acts, Peter and John healed a man who had been lame from birth at the Beautiful Gate: “And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them – walking, leaping, and praising God” (Acts 3: 7-8). 

Other instances of healings in the book of Acts included: Peter commanded the healing of 8-years paralyzed Aeneas (9:33-35); Paul healed by the command of Faith, “a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked” (14:7-10); Paul delivered a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination (16:16-18); and even a man with fever and severe diarrhea – the father of Publius – was healed as Paul prayed and laid hands on him (28:7-8); following which “the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed” (28:9). The apostles, under the Holy Spirit, passed on their healing ministry and “gifts of healings” to others (1 Cor.12: 9; 28). 

James 5:14-16 gives clear Light for Healing in the Church: “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be HEALED.”