Healing provides opportunities to share the gospel with the unsaved. Before a person can respond to the gospel, we must first gain their attention. In this world of pain and heartache, healing secures one's attention and quickly establishes the validity of God's Word.

Miracle Following Resurrection
The first evangelistic meeting after the resurrection started with a healing. The miracle healing of the lame man at the gate Beautiful opened the door for 5,000 to be saved.

So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them…walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly amazed.
(Acts 3:8-11)

However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.
(Acts 4:4)

Let's look at the actions of Peter and John:

• They were doing a normal activity—the miracle happened outside the church.
• They took notice of the man and spoke to him. They took the initiative to offer healing.
• They weren't side-tracked by the initial need of money.
• They gave what they had—The Word of God and the power of the name of Jesus.
• They spoke with authority.

The Methods Haven't Changed!
The method of reaching the world hasn't changed.
Jesus ministered by:

• Teaching
• Preaching
• Healing

The twelve were sent out to:

• Preach
• Heal
• Cleanse
• Raise the dead
• Cast out demons

The seventy were sent out to:

• Heal the sick
• Tell them, "The kingdom of heaven has come."

We are commissioned to:

• Go and preach
• Cast out demons
• Speak with new tongues
• Lay hands on the sick

Healing is not only available to those who believe. Jesus wants us to minister healing to the unsaved so they will know the Word is true and be saved!

Source: God's Provision For Healing by Dr. A.L. and Joyce Gill.
Excerpt permission granted by Powerhouse Publishing