Acts 28:9

Sunday, 9 June 2024

So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. Acts 28:9

More exactingly, it reads, “This, therefore, having occurred, also the others having infirmities in the island approached and were healed” (CG).

In the previous verse, Paul went into the sick father of Publius, prayed, and laid hands on him. With that, he was healed. Because of this, Luke continues, beginning with, “This, therefore, having occurred.”

He is showing a consequence based on an action. Because of Paul’s healing of the sick man, the word got out. This was the father of the leading citizen of the island and what occurred could not be hidden from the ears of the people. Once they realized Paul had the gift of healing, therefore, it next says, “also the others having infirmities in the island approached.”

The article before others is necessary for the intent of what is being said. Some translations simply say, “others also.” The inclusion of the article gives the sense that there was a rush upon Paul once the word had gotten out. In their coming to Paul with their infirmities, it then says, “and were healed.”

This is, therefore, a tie back to Luke 5 where the word went out about Jesus’ miracles to the point that everyone came to Him to be healed –

“Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ Immediately the leprosy left him. 14 And He charged him to tell no one, ‘But go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as a testimony to them, just as Moses commanded.’
15 However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. 16 So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” Luke 5:13-16

Luke is making a direct connection between the healing powers of Jesus and those of Paul, demonstrating that the same power that was upon Jesus now rested upon Paul. The Spirit of God was confirming the message of Jesus to those on the island of Malta.

Of the words of this verse, the Geneva Bible says, “Although Paul was a captive, yet the power of God was not captive.”

Life application: The people of Malta came to Paul for healing of their physical bodies. But the point of such healing is to lead people to understand their need for spiritual healing. Paul and Luke would have made this perfectly clear to those on the island. This is the point of having such healing powers.

Today, those miracles are recorded in the Bible. There is no longer a need for such demonstrable proofs. The New Testament tells believers to trust in what the word says, having faith that the message about Jesus contained there is true.

Of all of the writings throughout the world, the Bible alone tells the complete message of how we got into the mess we are in, what God has been doing to get us out of it, and what He will do for those who accept that message.

It is written in such a way that it is self-validating and can be trusted. And so, why do we need miracles, signs, and wonders to choose or reject Jesus? We don’t! This doesn’t mean God cannot or will not heal people today, but such healing will come as He chooses, without the explicit nature of miracles that were needed before the Bible was complete.

To expect such things actually demonstrates a lack of faith, not the other way around. As it says, for example, in Romans 10:17, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

We are expected to pick up the word, read it, test it to see if it is what it claims to be and then have faith in what it says. Don’t be captivated by those who claim to do miraculous things. They are a distraction from what God expects of His people. Evidence of this is that there are such supposed healers in other religions as well.

Is God working through them? No, He isn’t. Be careful what you believe and what you will accept. The word is reliable. Check it out and have faith in what it proclaims. Everything else is unnecessary eyewash.

Lord God, may we not be led down wayward paths by false teachers. Help us to be attentive to Your word, ready to test what we are exposed to, and to reject those things that have no basis in what You would intend for us in our walk before You. May Your Spirit rest upon us and guide us. Yes, Lord, may it be so. Amen.