Acts 9 - When We Pray for Everyone, Some Get Healed! When We Pray for No One, No One Gets Healed!

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Saul’s Conversion

There are many famous conversion stories in the bible but probably none more famous than the conversion of Saul, who later became Paul. Saul was so intent on stopping the Christian movement that he traveled all the way to Damascus to chase the Christians down. He hoped he might round them up, imprison them, and bring them to Jerusalem. 

As he was traveling, a bright light from heaven flashed, and he fell down to his knees. The voice said, "Saul, Saul why do you persecute me!" Saul knew there was a divine presence as he said, "Who are you Lord?"' The voice said, "I am Jesus who you are persecuting."

 

While Saul was not literally persecuting Jesus, by persecuting his followers, he in effect was persecuting him. Why? Because Jesus lives in us. Paul says, "Christ in you, the hope of glory!"Colossians 1:27

Saul was immediately blinded, and Jesus told him to go into the city of Damascus, where he would be told what to do next. There were men traveling with him who heard the voice, but they did not see anything. For three days Saul could not see, nor did he eat or drink anything. This was a life changing experience for Saul and his friends. 

Meanwhile, the Lord appeared to a man named Ananias, who was his disciple. The Lord told Ananias to go to Saul  and told him where Saul was staying. Ananias had heard reports about Saul, so he was very reluctant to go. But the Lord told him that he had chosen Saul to be his intstrument to reach the Gentiles. Not only would only Ananias have been shocked that jesus Saul, but also that this man who was rounding up Christians would also be reaching out to the hated Gentiles. How could this be? 

In obedience Ananias went and found Saul, laid his hands on and prayed for him and Saul regained his sight. Saul also received the Holy Spirit and was baptized. Notice again it was through the laying on of hands that Saul received the Holy Spirit. Also, he was baptized after he received the Holy Spirit.  

This is a great story which shows Jesus can use anyone to be his ambassador, even those who once despised him and his followers. There are many stories like this throughout the last 20 centuries. 

Saul’s Conversion

Immediately Saul began to preach in the power of the Holy Spirit that "Jesus was Lord". Saul kept it simple. He had been saved by Jesus, and he shared his testimony about it had happened to him. Many were surprised at the 180 degree turn Saul made in his life, but his following grew larger, as he proved that Jesus was the Messiah. You see that right away Saul had the ability to explain the reasoning of why Jesus was the true Messiah, even to the Jewish people who had by and large rejected him. 

Soon the opposition to Saul grew to the point that some wanted to kill him. Sounds familiar right. But his followers made a hole in the city gate and let him out secretly. When Saul met the believers in Jerusalem, they were very reluctant to embrace him, as his reputation had preceded him. Yet, Barnabas vouched for him, shared how Saul had met Jesus, and how he preached fearlessly about Jesus to the Jews in Damascus. 

Though Saul could move about freely, the Greek speaking Jews also tried to kill him. Then, they sent him to Casaerea. The church enjoyed a time of peace, was strengthened, and continued to grow in numbers. Notice when evil abounds (persecution), God's grace abounds all the more.  

Aeneas and Dorcas

Now the story turns back to the apostle Peter, who left Jerusalem and traveled 35 miles to get to Lydda, which is just outside of modern day Tel Aviv. Peter met a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for 8 years. Peter simply says, "Jesus heals you", and the man got up and walked. It had such an effect on the people there it says, 

 "All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord."

That is pretty significant! Signs, miracles, and wonders which accompany the preaching of the gospel results in conversion to Christ. The gospels comes powerfully in both word and deed. It is a fantastic combination. 

Then Peter went to Joppa, which was about 8 miles from Lydda, which is no small distance by foot. This was a dire situation because a woman named Dorcas, who was known for her good deeds, had died. Peter's reputation of healing power had spread quickly, so they sent two men to Peter and urged him to come. When Peter got there, all the widows were crowded around Dorcas, and they showed Peter the clothes she had made for the poor. They wanted to prove to Peter that she was worthy of the trip he made to visit her. 

Peter asked all of the women to leave the room. This time he got on his knees to pray for Dorcas, who was also named Tabitha. Peter told her to get up, and she was revived, sat up, and looked at Peter. Peter invited the believers, including the woman, back into the room. The news of this miraculous healing, raising Dorcas from the dead, spread quickly throughout Joppa, and many came to believe in the Lord. 

We see now have seen three major occurences of Peter healing people who were sick, including raising Dorcas from the dead. Jesus had told Peter three times to "feed my sheep". Peter was not only feeding them with God's Word but also by healing them of their bodily diseases. 

Do you think we pray boldly enough today for people to be physically healed? Why or why not? Do you think the Lord is any less likely or powerful to heal through the Holy Spirit working in us? If yes, why? 

Keep praying for those who are sick in Jesus' name. Why they not be immediately healed, you can be sure they will feel the love you are sharing with them and the presence of the Holy Spirit. When we pray for everyone, some get healed. When we pray for no one, no one gets healed!!!