What role does faith play in the healing described in Acts 4:9? The Setting: A Healing on Trial • Acts 4:9 opens in the courtroom of the Sanhedrin. Peter and John are on trial because a man “lame from birth” now walks (see Acts 3:1-10). • The council asks, “How was he healed?”—a question that sets the stage for Peter to explain the indispensable role of faith in Jesus. Faith Spotlighted in the Narrative • Peter’s answer (Acts 4:10) ties the miracle directly to “the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.” • Acts 3:16 clarifies the mechanism: “By faith in His name… it is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has given him this complete healing”. • Faith, then, is the channel through which Christ’s power flows; His name is the source, and faith is the hand that reaches out to receive. Whose Faith? • The apostles’ faith – Peter looked at the beggar “expecting to receive something” (Acts 3:4-6) and confidently commanded him to walk. • The lame man’s faith – He responded, leapt up, and “entered the temple… praising God” (Acts 3:8). His immediate obedience showed trust in Christ’s authority. • Ultimately, faith itself is “the faith that comes through Him” (Acts 3:16), meaning Jesus both provides and rewards the belief necessary for healing (cf. Hebrews 12:2). Faith as Channel, Not Cause • Faith does not create power; it positions us to receive God’s power. • Other biblical parallels underline this: – Mark 5:34: “Daughter, your faith has healed you.” – Acts 14:9-10: Paul “saw that he had faith to be healed” and spoke the word. – James 5:14-15: “The prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick.” Faith, the Name of Jesus, and Healing Today • The object of faith remains the same—Jesus’ risen, authoritative name (Acts 4:10-12). • God still heals, yet faith rests in His sovereign will, not in a guaranteed outcome (cf. 1 John 5:14). • Practical application: – Pray boldly in Jesus’ name, trusting His power. – Cultivate faith through Scripture (Romans 10:17). – Submit to God’s purposes, whether He heals immediately, gradually, or ultimately in eternity (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). Key Takeaways • Faith is the divinely appointed means through which Christ’s healing power is received. • The focus is not on the quantity of faith but on its object—Jesus. • Acts 4:9 reminds believers that whenever God heals, He does so to spotlight His Son and call witnesses to saving faith. |
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