And they [Paul and Barnabas] were preaching the gospel there. And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked. (Acts 14:7-10)

This man was not healed because Paul was an apostle. He was not healed through Paul’s faith. The man was not healed by some power that Paul had. The man himself had the faith to be healed.

Paul did three things here:

1. He preached the gospel (v. 7).
2. He perceived that the man had faith to be healed (v. 9).
3. He told the man to stand up and walk (v. 10).

The man did three things:

1. He heard Paul preach (v. 9).
2. He had faith to be healed (v. 9).
3. He leaped and walked (v. 10).

How did the man get the faith to be healed? By hearing Paul speak. What did Paul speak? He preached a Gospel of salvation and healing: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16).

Paul preached a full Gospel; not just a part of it. He didn’t preach salvation alone, he also preached healing and deliverance. The Greek and Hebrew words for salvation imply deliverance, safety, preservation, healing, and soundness. Therefore, Paul was saying, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. It is the power of God unto deliverance, safety, preservation, healing and soundness.”

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city. (Acts 8:5-8)

The great miracles recorded in the above verses came about as the result of Philip’s preaching Christ. The New Testament knows no Christ without Christ the Healer. Physical healing is part of the Gospel. If there is no Gospel of healing today, then neither is there a Gospel of salvation. The same Jesus who saves is the same Jesus who heals today.

We read in Mark 5:34 where Jesus spoke to the woman with the issue of blood, saying, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” Jesus didn’t say His power had made her well; He said, “Daughter, YOUR FAITH has made you well…” Your faith can make you well. Just remember: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).  Hear the Gospel—the Good News—today.