Hinge verses--Acts 3:13-16
Peter and John, disciples of Jesus, still kept the time of prayer that was likely part of Jewish tradition. They used this time to preach Jesus to the Jews gathered for the prayer time, too. As they were approaching the temple, they encounter a man asking for money, but needing healing. Peter says "In the name of Jesus Christ, rise and walk!" The man didn't just rise and walk; he walked, leapt, all while praising God. The crowd was astonished at his healing. When Peter noticed that all the crowd was shocked by this, he questioned why this would be so shocking, when Jesus had been performing miracles like this in their midst for three years, And while they might have been amazed at His miracles, ultimately they turned on Him and had Him crucified. Jesus literally held life and death in His hands, but they denied the proof right in front of them. They put to death the source of life, BUT GOD raised Him from the dead. Although Peter and John are putting their reputation and their very lives on the line, they will not back down on the truth they saw with their own eyes--Jesus is risen.
Peter shows unexpected kindness by letting the crowd off the hook a little, by echoing the words of Jesus
"They know not what they do."
Everything happened according to God's plan, so they--these people standing here with their mouths open--would have a chance to repent and turn back to God, be given a clean slate, and abundant life and joy in His presence. Although the invitation is to everyone, it was first to the crowd standing right here, Jesus's own people.
In the late 1800's, a "Divine Healing" or "Faith Cure" movement swept across America. The pioneers of the movement included physicians, ministers, and evangelists. I will admit that the image I have in my mind of this movement comes from an episode of "Little House on the Prairie" called The Faith Healer. In this episode, a traveling evangelist comes to Walnut Grove and preaches and prays and offers healing to its residents. Reverend Alden, the much-loved pastor of their little church, saw his congregation shrink due to the popularity of Reverend Danforth. Dr Baker sees a patient who needs emergency surgery, but Rev Danforth convinces the Father that he just needs to have more faith. The boy dies. Pa, always to the rescue, sees Reverend Danforth in another town with the same "healed" people, and confronts Reverend Danforth and runs him out of town.
Now, I know that this fictional episode wasn't exactly right. But it's not completely wrong either. I believe some of the pioneers of this movement meant well, they meant to honor God, they believed they had good theological arguments in their favor. And there are some stories that came out of this movement of healing and miracles. Not of man, BUT GOD. Peter called God "Theos", owner and Creator of all things. He alone holds life and death and ultimate health in His hands.
Side note--some believe that the gifts of the Spirit, including speaking in tongues and healing, continue to this day. Some believe the gifts ended with the apostles, eye witnesses of Jesus's ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension. I mostly believe the latter. However, I am in no position to put God--Owner and Creator of all things--in a box. If He wants to heal now, He will. If someone needs to hear the gospel in a language I do not speak but there's only the two of us, I believe God can do all things.
I'm including a video by Costi Hinn--nephew of the famous "faith Healer" Benny Hinn. He was a part of the modern-day Divine Healing movement, and has since left for a traditional Biblical, Christian view.
I am not trying to be argumentative, I have friends who love the Lord and we disagree on this. There are those out there who deceive and abuse in the name of "healing". And we need to use discernment given by God. But God alone can heal now AND forever. The state of the soul's health is in His hands. And they are pierced for our transgressions. We are safe with Him.
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