Connect Acts 3:16 with another scripture emphasizing faith's power in healing. Setting the Scene - Early in Acts, Peter and John have just witnessed God heal a lame man at the temple gate. - Onlookers are astonished, assuming the apostles possess special power. - Peter redirects attention to Jesus, underscoring that faith—not human ability—released God’s healing power. Anchor Verse—Acts 3:16 “By faith in His name, this man whom you see and know has been made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has given him this complete healing in your presence.” Companion Verse—Mark 5:34 “Then He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free of your affliction.’” Shared Themes - Faith’s Object: • Acts 3:16—faith in the name of Jesus. • Mark 5:34—faith directed toward Jesus Himself. - Complete Restoration: • Acts—“complete healing.” • Mark—“free of your affliction,” signifying total deliverance. - Public Testimony: • The healed man walks before the crowd. • The woman publicly confesses her touch, hearing Jesus affirm her. How Faith Functions in Healing 1. Recognizes Christ’s Authority - Both passages attribute healing solely to Jesus’ power (cf. Matthew 28:18). 2. Draws Near Boldly - The woman presses through the crowd; the lame man receives Peter’s command to rise (cf. Hebrews 4:16). 3. Receives Grace, Not Earned Merit - Neither recipient performs a ritual; faith simply trusts the Lord’s willingness (cf. Ephesians 2:8). 4. Produces Visible Transformation - Walking, leaping, and restored health display God’s tangible intervention (cf. Psalm 103:2-3). Living It Out - Speak Jesus’ name with confidence, knowing that authority still rests there. - Cultivate faith through Scripture; “faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). - When praying for the sick, anchor requests in Christ’s finished work, not in personal worthiness. - Share testimonies of God’s healing to strengthen others’ faith, just as these passages did for first-century believers. |
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