WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22
2 Corinthians 12
Acts 5:12-16

“I will lift up mine eyes
unto the hills…”

THE APOSTLES’ HEALING MINISTRY

The gift of miracle healing was given by our Lord to the Apostles for a purpose and a time. The purpose was to mark them out as God’s appointed servants and our Lord’s successors in the ministry of the Gospel. The Apostolic band had to be given distinctive credentials so that the infant Church could be established and the Gospel outreach could be extended – by the hands of the Apostles.

Luke’s account in Acts 5:12-16 is relevant: “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people… Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities… bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.”

This phenomenal power marked the Apostles’ ministry especially in the earlier history of the infant Church. As the Church became firmly established throughout Judea, Samaria and the Roman Empire, the need for this authenticating sign of the Apostles progressively diminished. Whereas in the earlier years of his ministry, Paul worked notable miracles of healing (Acts 14), towards the later years, his gift appears to have waned, probably withdrawn by the Lord.

Thus we read that Paul did not heal Epaphroditus who was “sick nigh unto death” (Phil 2:27) nor Timothy whom he advised to “use a little wine” for his stomach ailment (1 Tim 5:23), and Trophimus who was “left at Miletum sick” (2 Tim 4:20). The Apostle himself was not healed of his “thorn in the flesh” despite praying to the Lord three times (2 Cor 12:7-9).

When the authenticating gift of healing was no longer needed, the Lord took it back. The purpose and time for it had passed.

THOUGHT: Tongues have ceased.
PRAYER: Lord, Thy grace is sufficient, in sickness and in health.