What Old Testament healings parallel the healing in Acts 28:8? Acts 28:8 at a Glance • “Paul went in to see him and, after praying, placed his hands on him and healed him.” (Acts 28:8) • Key elements: prayer, physical touch, immediate recovery, a Gentile context. Core Features That Link to the Old Testament • A servant of God intercedes. • Physical action (hand, symbol, or substance) accompanies prayer. • God answers instantly and publicly. • The healing reaches beyond Israel, showcasing God’s mercy to the nations. Parallels in the Pentateuch • Genesis 20:17 – Abraham prays and “God healed Abimelech” (a Gentile household). • Numbers 12:13-15 – Moses pleads, “O God, please heal her!” and Miriam’s leprosy is removed. • Numbers 21:8-9 – The bronze serpent: when the bitten Israelites look, they live—intercession plus a visible act. Parallels in the Historical Books • 1 Kings 13:6 – A prophet prays for King Jeroboam; the withered hand is “restored…as it had been before.” • 1 Kings 17:17-24 – Elijah stretches himself over the widow’s son and cries out; life returns. • 2 Kings 4:32-37 – Elisha prays and lays hands-to-hands on the Shunammite’s son; the boy revives. • 2 Kings 5:14 – Naaman, a Syrian Gentile, obeys Elisha’s word, dips seven times, and “was clean.” • 2 Kings 20:5-7 – Isaiah tells Hezekiah, “I have heard your prayer… I will heal you,” then applies a fig poultice; the king recovers. Shared Threads Across the Testaments • God heals through chosen servants who trust His word. • Prayer is the decisive act; physical means simply express faith. • Healings often open doors for witness among Gentiles (Abimelech, Naaman, Publius’s islanders). • Each account reinforces Exodus 15:26—“I am the LORD who heals you.” |
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