Healing Miracles in Acts of the Apostles

Paul Feider

• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9781666702651, 9781666702668
• eBook ISBN: 9781666702675
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Theology

Life has many challenges and some illnesses, but none of these can withstand the miraculous and healing power of the Holy Spirit. This unique book takes a person into the incredible healing power of the Spirit seen in the early Christian community and then shares stories of that healing love changing lives today. The author has both a keen understanding of these dynamic biblical accounts and personal experience to draw people into a life lived in the power of the Holy Spirit. The compelling texts, teachings, stories, questions, and practical applications awaken the human heart to the holy love of God, who desires the fullness of life for each person. The book leaves one wanting that much more of life, the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It is a book of hope, filled with stories of miracles.

Session 1

The Miracle of Remaining Together

Prayer for Openness

(This, or a prayer like it, could be used to begin every session.)

Jesus, open my mind and my heart to your message in these scriptures as I read them and reflect on their meaning for me. Anoint me with an awareness of your loving presence and the power of your Holy Spirit as I ponder these stories and seek to immerse myself more fully in your word. Enlighten me to the meaning of these accounts for my life and ministry today. Fill me with the courage to live out the challenges of being your disciple. Send the fullness of your Spirit upon me as I make this journey into Acts of the Apostles that I might be empowered to live your mission in my life. Amen.

Read Acts 1:1–9

1In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

6Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

Acts 1:14–17

14They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

15In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”

Acts 1:21–26

21Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

23So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Reflection

As we begin this journey into the miracles in Acts, we might consider what healings had to happen for this group of disciples to stay together. They were very different and somehow had to move past their differences if they were going to continue Jesus’ important mission of bringing the fullness of life. In other cases, at this time, where a person tried to lead a movement but then got killed, the disciples scattered, and the movement ended (Acts 5:36–37). Jesus’ disciples remained together and prayed. They did what they often saw the Master do (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16; Luke 11:1–4). They obediently waited for the empowerment that Jesus promised. Together, they had to heal through grief at losing a friend, anger at those who killed him, guilt about deserting him in the garden, and fear about what would happen to them now. They needed “inner healing”. They had to take time to feel the peace of Jesus which he offered to them when he appeared after his resurrection. They had to empty themselves of all inner distractions and to forgive so that they could be filled with this outpouring of the Holy Spirit of which Jesus spoke.

I once was assigned as pastor of a community that had gone through a scandal with the former pastor. Many people were hurt and angry. I began by praying with the people for inner healing, and I spoke of their need to forgive. We celebrated a community healing service and I invited people to release their hurts to Jesus and receive his deep love. Soon after I led the Spiritual Enrichment Seminars. (This is a six-session series I developed with reflections and daily meditations inviting people to feel God’s deep love for them and then pray for a fresh outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit.) Many people experienced God’s personal love for them and new energy for ministry. Soon they wanted to learn more about scripture and go out to bring healing to others. The effects of the former events were gone, and they became a healing community. They felt called to continue Jesus’ mission just as this early community of Christians did.

The first Christians desired to carry on Jesus’ work, but they had no clear plan to accomplish that. They had to listen and discern how Jesus might wish them to carry on his ministry. They discerned the need to choose another apostle to fill Judas’ place. The candidate’s criteria were that this person would know the heart and mind of Jesus by walking with Jesus from his baptism to the ascension. They used a method which they felt allowed the Holy Spirit to guide the process. All of this they did as a community while they waited in prayer. It was a great miracle that they experienced inner healing and remained together. This miracle made other miracles possible.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion

1.What do you hope to receive from this journey into the Healing Miracles in Acts?

2.How have you experienced the gift of being together with other disciples?

3.What people do you think could help you open yourself to the awesome, transforming power of ...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Layout of this Book
• Introduction
• Session 1: The Miracle of Remaining Together
• Session 2: The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
• Session 3: The Miracle of Metanoia
• Session 4: The Healing of the Crippled Man
• Session 5: Self-Assurance with the Holy Spirit
• Session 6: Many People Were Cured
• Session 7: The Anointing of Deacons
• Session 8: The Miracle of Stephen
• Session 9: Miracles in Samaria
• Session 10: The Miraculous Encounter
• Session 11: Miracles in Lydda and Joppa
• Session 12: The Miracle of Cornelius
• Session 13: Miracles in Antioch
• Session 14: Healings in Lystra
• Session 15: Healings in Philippi
• Session 16: Miracles in Ephesus
• Session 17: The Raising of Eutychus
• Session 18: Healings in Malta
• Recommmended Reading