There are many people today who believe that there are still men who can perform miraculous healing. These “faith healers” attract large crowds and supposedly heal many people of their diseases and injuries. However, these “faith healers” are deceivers. If we compare their “miracles” with those recorded in the Bible, there is really no comparison.
Let us notice the example of Peter healing the lame man at the gate of the temple (Acts 3:1-10). Notice the facts about this miracle and how they differ from the “miracles” men supposedly perform today:
- This man had been lame from birth (Acts 3:3). In fact, he was more than forty years old (Acts 4:22) and had never been able to walk.
- He sat there everyday (Acts 3:2). People would recognize him. They would know of his condition.
- He was located in a prominent place (Acts 3:2). More than just the fact that people would recognize this man and know of his condition, a lot of people would have this knowledge about him. Regarding these first three facts, what do we know about those who are supposedly healed today? How do we know they are not actors planted in the audience by the “faith healer”? This question could not have even been raised with the case of the lame man at the gate.
- He was not expecting to be healed (Acts 3:3-5). This is significant. This man was expecting alms, not healing. What do people expect when they go to a “faith healing” service today? They expect to be healed! With this expectation, the preacher stirs up people’s emotions through his words and the music of the band. Their blood gets pumping, their adrenaline starts flowing, and they believe they get healed. But this is nothing more than a mind trick.
- He was healed immediately (Acts 3:7). It did not take days or weeks for this man to get better. He was healed immediately.
- He was healed completely (Acts 3:8). There was no recovery time, no need for physical therapy, and no need to learn how to walk in the first place (since he never would have learned as a child). He was healed to the point in which it appeared as if nothing had ever been wrong with him.
The so-called faith healers of today cannot do what Peter did by the power of Christ. They are frauds. Many people are deceived; but if we simply look at miraculous healing in the Bible, there is simply no comparison.
If these “faith healers” really want to prove they can perform miracles like the apostles, let them go down to the funeral home and try to raise someone from the dead (cf. Acts 9:36-41).
Do not be deceived “by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14).
