What role does faith play in the healing described in Acts 28:8? Setting the Scene on Malta • Paul, shipwrecked yet under God’s providence, is welcomed by Publius (Acts 28:7). • Publius’s father is “suffering from fever and dysentery” (Acts 28:8). • Luke records: “Paul went in to see him and, after praying, placed his hands on him and healed him” (Acts 28:8). Observing the Elements of Faith in the Narrative • Prayer comes first—Paul turns instantly to the Lord, signaling confidence that God alone heals. • Laying on of hands follows prayer—an outward act expressing inward trust in Christ’s power (cf. Mark 16:18). • No bargaining or rituals—just straightforward reliance on Jesus’ authority working through His servant. Whose Faith Is in View? 1. Paul’s faith – He believes God will act; that confidence motivates prayer and the physical act of touch. – His history of Spirit-empowered healings (Acts 19:11-12) strengthens present faith. 2. Implicit faith of the household – Though not stated, they allow Paul to minister, indicating at least a receptive openness (compare Acts 14:9-10, where a crippled man had “faith to be healed”). 3. Ultimate focus: God’s faithfulness – Scripture consistently presents healing as resting on the Lord’s character, not human ability (Psalm 103:2-3). How the Passage Mirrors Broader Biblical Teaching • James 5:14-15—“the prayer of faith will restore the one who is sick”; Paul practices exactly that. • Acts 3:16—Peter credits a lame man’s healing to “faith in His name.” • Matthew 8:13—Jesus tells the centurion, “Let it be done for you as you have believed.” • These parallels show a pattern: God heals; faith is the appointed means by which His power is received. What the Text Does and Does Not Say • It does say Paul prayed in faith and healing happened. • It does not insist the sick man first professed faith; God may heal to spark faith afterward (Acts 28:9-10 shows many islanders then seek Paul). • Therefore, the spotlight remains on God’s sovereign grace, yet faith is the divinely chosen conduit. Practical Takeaways • Pray first, act second—faith looks upward before it reaches outward. • Expect God to use ordinary means (hands, common hospitality) for extraordinary results. • Healing, whether immediate or eventual, serves Gospel advance (Acts 28:10). • Our role: trust Christ, obey promptly; God’s role: manifest His power in His timing. Summary Faith in Acts 28:8 is chiefly Paul’s confident reliance on Jesus to heal. That faith, expressed through prayer and touch, becomes the channel for God’s curative power. The episode affirms a consistent biblical truth: healing flows from the Lord, and faith—whether in the healer, the afflicted, or emerging afterward—is the God-ordained link that connects human need to divine compassion. |
    |