Acts 5:12-16 Continuing Power in the Church
”And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 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. 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.”
The word has gone out through all the villages. “Something marvelous is happening in Jerusalem! Those Jesus followers are healing people with all kinds of problems. When that fisherman Peter passes through the streets and his shadow falls on someone, they are restored instantly!”
In a society in which cripples are scorned or generally reduced to the ranks of beggars and where epileptics and others with chronic diseases are fortunate if anybody cares for them, this news is electrifying. Who does not dream of health and wholeness? Which cripples, which epileptics, which demon-possessed men and women do not long to be freed and normal?
So people are flocking into Jerusalem, filling the streets as never before. The word has gone out as to where the disciples stay and the route they take to the temple to pray, and now the sick, the maimed, and the halt are lining those streets. If only Peter’s shadow will fall on them or if only one of the disciples will lay hands on them, they will be healed. And these hopes are not false, for as Peter and the other disciples pass through the streets, the Holy Spirit sovereignly arranges for their shadows to fall on all those who are sick. The first time the disciples pass by and then hear loud cries of joy behind them, they are stunned. Surely these people are happy over something else. But looking back, the disciples see that the very people whom they have just passed are the ones making all the noise. The disciples are as awe-struck as anybody else, for they know that these healings must be due to the Holy Spirit and not to any other force. The disciples have no illusions about themselves; they realize that unless God sovereignly moves, they are helpless.
It’s always amazing when God demonstrates His power in a special way. The late Kathryn Kuhlman conducted healing services during which the anointing of the Holy Spirit was so strong that some people were healed as they entered the building. Not everyone who attended those services were healed, but many others walked away healthy and whole.
Why does God heal some people miraculously and not others? Only God can answer that question; however, around the world, there are millions of people receiving miraculous healings as believers pray for them.
Years ago, I cared for a lady who had fractured her breastbone in a motor vehicle accident. Our first x-rays confirmed the fracture. That night about 10 PM the lady suddenly felt all the pain go away, and a CT scan the next morning failed to demonstrate any fracture. When I learned about the sudden disappearance of the pain, I immediately demanded, “OK. Who prayed?” That’s when I learned that this lady belonged to her church choir, and the choir members gathered at the altar that night after practice to pray for her healing. It was as those people were praying that the pain suddenly disappeared, never to recur. I remain fully convinced that this lady did have a sternal fracture and that God miraculously healed her as her friends prayed for her.
There’s a lovely hymn inspired by the stories of Jesus healing people at Peter’s house in Capernaum. Ponder these words this morning and use them as your prayer if you need healing or restoration.
At Even Ere The Sun Was Set
1 At even, ere the sun was set, the sick, O Lord, around thee lay;
O in what diverse pains they met! O with what joy they went away!
2 Once more ’tis eventide, and we oppressed with various ills draw near;
what if thy form we cannot see? we know and feel that thou art here.
3 O Saviour Christ, our woes dispel; for some are sick, and some are sad,
and some have never loved thee well, and some have lost the love they had;
4 And some have found the world is vain, yet from the world they break not free;
and some have friends who give them pain, yet have not sought a friend in thee;
5 And none, O Lord, have perfect rest, for none are wholly free from sin;
and they who fain would serve thee best are conscious most of wrong within.
6 O Saviour Christ, thou too art man; thou hast been troubled, tempted, tried;
thy kind but searching glance can scan the very wounds that shame would hide.
7 Thy touch has still its ancient power; no word from thee can fruitless fall:
Hear, in this solemn evening hour, and in thy mercy heal us all.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to perfectly love You and worthily magnify You as Savior, Lord, and Healer. Please enter our hearts and minds and bring us health and relief. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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