Divine Healing as a Manifestation of Faith

Acts 14:8–10 (NASB95) 

8At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. 9This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be made well, 10said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he leaped up and began to walk. 

Here, we witness Paul performing a truly transformative miracle: healing a man who had been lame from birth. This event is presented as more than a mere display of supernatural power; it resonates as a fulfillment of God’s redemptive work and mirrors earlier acts of healing in the ministry of Peter (as well as Jesus). Luke’s narrative deliberately draws a parallel between these two apostles to highlight how, through faith, God is actively breaking down long-held barriers. In the ancient world, where disabled individuals were often marginalized or even discarded, this healing stands as a powerful testimony against societal prejudices. It underscores that in the kingdom of God, the afflicted are restored and honored. Moreover, Paul’s discernment of the man’s faith—not simply employing rhetorical skill but operating through supernatural insight—reinforces the central theme of healing by faith, a recurring motif throughout Luke-Acts and the broader Jesus tradition. The healed man’s joyful, exuberant response, evoked by the imagery of “leaping,” calls to mind the prophetic promises of restoration found in Scripture, such as in Isaiah 35:6, which speaks of the afflicted celebrating a renewed strength. 

Today, as we strive to embody the transformative mission of the early church, this miracle challenges us to cultivate a ministry that not only preaches the Gospel but also actively restores lives. In every community, there are individuals marginalized by physical, emotional, or social handicaps. We are called to create environments where faith is nurtured and tangible acts of compassion bring about healing and restoration. Let us reaffirm our commitment to a holistic ministry—one that sees beyond mere physical ailments to address the deeper wounds of our society. By embracing and serving every person with the love and compassion of Jesus, we become living testimonies of a God who values every individual and brings hope where it is needed most.