In this next section of Acts, chapter 9:32-12:25, three things happen…

focus shifts from Peter to Paul

from Jerusalem to Antioch

from outreach to the Jews to the inclusion of the Gentiles..this story is the first step in that direction!

1.Establishes the Gospel

2.Demonstrates the Kingdom

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” -Matthew 4:17

“And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.” -Luke 9:1-2

Five Questions Concerning Healing

Why doesn’t God always heal?

a) the Kingdom of God is entirely now- prosperity gospel

b) the Kingdom of God is entirely not yet- cessationism

c) The Kingdom of God is already and not yet- it was inaugurated by Jesus and will be consummated when he comes again

2) Does God always heal us if we just believe he will?

“And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick and their diseases left them and the evil spirts came out of them.” -Acts 19:11-12

“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” -2 Corinthians 12:7-10

3) Why not?

4) How can we see more healing?

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 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 one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” -James 5:13-15

“I live my life and face my cancer somewhere between seemingly sincere “namers and claimers” who expect healing every time and seemingly surrendered “if-the-Lord-willers” whose prayers affirm God’s healing power but whose caveats and qualifiers make it sound like he’s not likely to use it. God alone knows the heart. But the tone of the former party can sound like presumption masquerading as faith, while the tone of the latter can sound like doubt masquerading as humility.” -Tim Shorey

5) How should we pray?

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” -Matthew 6:10

“Believing God can and does heal means I’m believing in something even though my experience says otherwise. This is as it should be. We should believe whatever the Bible teaches, even when our experiences don’t line up. Scripture is never wrong. Our interpretations, experiences, preferences, and perceptions often are.” -Tim Shorey

3. Alters our perspective

v. 43- “And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon , a tanner.”

Mental worship…

What prayers have gone unanswered and how has this affected your faith?

Do you have an asking problem or a believing problem?

Is it hard for you to have faith in a God who answers some of your prayers with, “no?”

Is your faith more in what God can do or in God?

Is there anything in you that God needs to heal?