Math. 10:8; Luke 9:2; 10:9; Acts 3:1-10; 5: 14-16; 9:17; 32-35; 14:8-10; 28:7-11

Recurrent Thought

As You share the Gospel, be deliberate about praying for the Sick.

The New Testament Church is driven by the mandate of winning souls and discipling believers. Every Christ devoted-follower is called to regularly demonstrate that they know and practice this Great Commission (Math. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:14-15; Luke 24:44-49; John 20:21, Acts 1:8). In giving this mandate to his followers, Jesus stated that the task of preaching the Gospel would be accompanied by the miraculous. The preaching of the Gospel accompanied by the miraculous has been termed Power Evangelism

Power Evangelism is witnessing accompanied by the miraculous. A miracle is an event or activity that is extraordinary and supernatural in nature; although experienced on the human and natural plane, a miracle is not exercised by human power or by any natural agency. The phrase “Signs and Wonders” is commonly used in the Scriptures to depict the miraculous done by the working of supernatural entities, especially God. However, you will note that the devil (Rev. 16:4) and his human workers such called false prophets (Math. 24:24. Mark 13:22; 2 Thess. 2:9) also have the power to produce these miraculous. The miracles we refer to are the ones done by followers of Jesus Christ who rely on the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.

The New Testament reveals that the Church is a prophetic community that proclaims the Word of God to the World through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28; Acts 2: 14-17). Additionally, the New Testament shows that the miraculous are expected to be seen and experienced where the Gospel is preached. Thus, every Christ-devoted follower must expect the Miraculous as they proclaim the Gospel. 

In this Message we discuss how to effectively pray and anticipate the healing of the Sick in the context of the context of preaching the Gospel. However, before we do this, here are distinctive traits of miracles as revealed in the New Testament:

1. God (Yahweh) is the initiator and source of all true miracles. It does not matter how many miracles you perform; the author is God.
2. All miracles must be based on the similitude of Christ’s miracles. Recognize that Jesus is our example in life and in deeds.
3. Healing does not bring divine or eternal health. Those who get healed eventually die.
4. Miracles, especially healing miracles, create the greatest irony and parodox of believing in God. Do all the sick get healed? No, of course, they don’t all get healed. We Pentecostals usually get caught in between certainty and sovereignty.
5. Miracles are NOT a proof of the correctness of the doctrines in the church; although the ‘healers’ want people to believe so. Simon the sorcerer is a good example. The more mystifying fact however, is that correctness of doctrine does not guarantee miracles either.
6. Miracles are vehicles for the Gospel, but they are not the gospel. Miracles are key to open doors for evangelism. They have ability to build faith in others: They gave heed . . . seeing the miracles which he did (Acts 8:6).
7.  New Testament shows that sometimes the righteous do NOT get healed

Paul with his eyesight problem: Galatians 4:13; Timothy with recurring stomach problem: 1 Tim. 5:23; Trophimus whom Paul left sick at Miletus 2 Tim 4: 20). Although we expect deliverance and care from God at all times, the Acts of the Apostles reveals that sometimes God does not deliver nor rescue his Children (Steven Acts 7; James Acts 12). And his children suffer death.

Instructions on How to Heal the Sick

1. Fan the faith and expectation from the candidate
   • Act 3:4  And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, "Look at us. Act 3:5   “And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them”
   • Many times increasing someone’s faith is through teaching the word of God. In Acts 14:8 shows   that the crippled man listened to  Paul’s teaching and his Faith for healing increased
2. Command the Sick to respond in the Name of Jesus (Acts 3)
   • This implies you are doing this in the authority and power of Jesus
   • It also implies that we follow his values in the area of the Miracles
3.  Command the Sick to do what they could not do in their Power
   • Peter to the Sick “Rise up and walk.” The apostle requests or commands the sick to do the very thing they would fell to do naturally. He also helped him to rise up. The ankle bones became well as Peter raised him up.
   • Paul commanded him stand on your feet (Acts 14:10)
4. Regularly Lay hands on the Sick
   • This is the admonition of Jesus (Mark 16: 17-18)
   • Paul laid hands on Publius’ father who was sick (Acts 28:3-10).
   • The discipline of laying on hands is regarded as basic for all believers (Mark 16: 17-18)

Altar Time

• My Prayer is that I continuously remain sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit
• Increase my courage to preach the Gospel and heal the sick