Acts 20:10 – And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.”
When Jesus sent His disciples out on a gospel mission He told them, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons”. This type of ministry was common in the days of the early church, its why nations were turned upside down and many thousands of Jews and gentiles alike were brought into the kingdom of God. Casting out demons, healing the sick, and raising the dead have been replaced with slick presentations, coffee and donuts, and even circus like entertainment at church. These kinds of things can attract crowds but can never heal a broken heart or change a sinner into a man or woman of God. Paul continued in this supernatural type of ministry and as a result changed nations and experienced extreme persecution ultimately ending in his death. Here is how the Pillar Commentary describes this.
“Like the prophets Elijah and Elisha in similar situations, Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. Then he said, Don’t be alarmed, He’s alive! In view of the statement in v. 9 that he was picked up dead, the expression He’s alive! (hē psychē autou en autō estin) must mean, ‘his life is now, in virtue of my action, within him.’ Similarities between this narrative and the raising of Tabitha in 9:36-42 suggest parallel ministries, whereby ‘both Peter and Paul enable the Christian community to discover life in the face of death.’ This life is clearly the gift of God, though Peter and Paul are God’s instruments in bringing it about. Like the healing in Acts 3:1-16, this miracle points to the new life available through the resurrection of Jesus, in all its dimensions and aspects.”
Can you imagine how these kinds of miracles would effect our modern world. What kind of response would there be from the church crowd? I’m sure it would be quite mixed. Some would be all in and others would claim it was some sort of occultic, demonic power. At any rate, there is no way to effect this generation without a radical outpouring of God’s power. In other words we have no other choice, we must heal the sick, cast out devils, and raise the dead.
1 thought on “HEAL THE SICK…RAISE THE DEAD”
Rock the boat, don’t rock the boat baby, funny there was a song in the 70’s that had these words for lyrics. Part timers are there for a supplement, constantly looking for an easier way because their full time never quite satisfies. He is the way, the truth and the life, want proof, deny yourself and follow Him.