Peter's Commission to Heal Through Jesus Christ in Acts

Peter's commission to heal through Jesus Christ is a pivotal theme in the Acts of the Apostles. In Acts 3:1-11, Peter and John heal a lame man at the temple gate, demonstrating the power of Jesus Christ ^[2]. This event is significant as it showcases the apostles' ability to perform miracles in Jesus' name, fulfilling Jesus' promise that his disciples would do greater works than he had done (John 14:12) ^[5].

The healing of the lame man is attributed to "the faith that comes through" Jesus Christ, emphasizing the role of faith in the healing process ^[2]. Peter's statement, "Jesus Christ maketh thee whole," indicates that the healing is a direct result of Jesus' power and authority ^[6]. This event is not an isolated incident, as Peter's ministry is characterized by numerous healings and miracles, demonstrating the continuation of Jesus' ministry through his apostles ^[5].

Peter's commission to heal is also linked to his role as a witness to Jesus Christ. In Acts 1:8, Jesus commands the apostles to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Peter's healing ministry is an integral part of this witness, as it demonstrates the power and authority of Jesus Christ ^[4].

The early Christian community understood healing as a manifestation of God's power and love. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, God heals to exhibit his mercy, power, and love ^[3]. The healing of the lame man is seen as a demonstration of Jesus' power and a call to repentance, as Peter exhorts the crowd to "repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins" ^[1].

The significance of Peter's commission to heal is further highlighted by the various traditions represented in the early Christian community. The Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, as represented by Matthew Henry, emphasizes Peter's role as an itinerant visitor to the churches, confirming the doctrine of inferior preachers and conferring the Holy Ghost on those who believed ^[7]. The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as represented by Adam Clarke, highlights the importance of faith in the healing process, noting that Peter and John "probably felt themselves suddenly drawn by the Holy Spirit to pronounce the healing name" ^[8].

The connection between suffering and healing is also relevant, as Peter's own writings emphasize the importance of suffering with Christ (1 Peter 4:1) ^[9]. This theme is echoed in the Acts narrative, where the apostles face persecution and suffering, yet continue to minister in the power of Jesus Christ.

The early Christian understanding of healing as a manifestation of God's power and love continues to be reflected in the various Christian traditions represented in the sources. The Protestant academic tradition, as represented by Tyndale House, notes that the healing of the lame man is a demonstration of Jesus' power and a fulfillment of his promise that his disciples would do greater works than he had done ^[5].

Sources

Acts “Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. -- Acts 2:38”
Acts “Acts 3:16 (BSB) — By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know has been made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has given him this complete healing in your presence.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sickness — Sent by God -- De 28:59-61; 32:39; 2Sa 12:15; Ac 12:23. The devil sometimes permitted to inflict -- Job 2:6,7; Lu 9:39; 13:16. Often brought on by intemperance -- Ho 7:5. Often sent as a punishment of sin -- Le 26:14-16; 2Ch 21:12-15; 1Co 11:30. One of God's four sore judgments on a guilty land -- Eze 14:19-21. God Promises to heal. -- Ex 23:25; 2Ki 20:5. Heals. -- De 32:39; Ps 103:3; Isa 38:5,9. Exhibits his mercy in healing. -- Php 2:27. Exhibits his power in healing. -- Lu 5:17. Exhibits his love in healing. -- Isa 38:17. Often manifests saving grace to”
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “1 Peter 5:1 cross-references: Psalms 73:24, Luke 24:48, John 15:26, Acts 1:8, Acts 1:22, Acts 2:32, Acts 3:15, Acts 5:30, Acts 10:39, Acts 11:30, Acts 14:23, Acts 15:4, Acts 15:6, Acts 15:22, Acts 20:17, Acts 20:28, Acts 21:18, Romans 8:17, 2 Corinthians 5:1, 2 Corinthians 5:8, Philippians 1:19, Philippians 1:21, Colossians 3:3, 1 Timothy 5:1, 1 Timothy 5:19, 2 Timothy 4:8, Titus 1:5, Philemon 1:9, 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 1:7, 1 Peter 1:12, 1 Peter 5:4, 1 John 3:2, 2 John 1:1, Revelation 1:9”
Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 3:1: 3:1-11 Jesus’ promise that his disciples would do even greater works than he had done (John 14:12; see Mark 16:20) was fulfilled in the signs, wonders, and mighty works of the apostles (Acts 2:43; 5:12; 8:4-8). Here, Peter clearly exercised the power to heal in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene (3:6, 16). The cure was instant and undeniable (3:8), resulting in the man’s praising God (3:8-9; cp. 2:47; 16:25; Luke 2:20; 17:15-18; 18:43; 19:37; 24:53). This is the first of many demonstrations of divine power given to disciples in Acts (Acts 4:24-31; 5:12; 6:8; 8:6; ”
Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 9:33: And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, &c. He called him by his name, which he might without divine revelation know, though he was a stranger to him, by the people of the house, where he was: Jesus Christ maketh thee whole; Peter knew, by some secret impulse upon his mind, that Christ would cure this man by him as an instrument at this time, and therefore said these words; not as a prayer, as some render them, "may Jesus Christ heal thee", though was it so, it was a prayer of faith; but as a promise that he would, or rather as a declaration of the then present exertion of h”
Acts (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Acts 9:32: Here we have, I. The visit Peter made to the churches that were newly planted by the dispersed preachers, Act 9:32. 1. He passed through all quarters. As an apostle, he was not to be the resident pastor of any one church, but the itinerant visitor of many churches, to confirm the doctrine of inferior preachers, to confer the Holy Ghost on those that believed, and to ordain ministers. He passed dia pantōn - among them all, who pertained to the churches of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, mentioned in the foregoing chapter. He was, like his Master, always upon the remove”
Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 3:4: Look on us - He wished to excite and engage his attention that he might see what was done to produce his miraculous cure, and, it is likely, took this occasion to direct his faith to Jesus Christ. See note on Act 3:16 (note). Peter and John probably felt themselves suddenly drawn by the Holy Spirit to pronounce the healing name in behalf of this poor man.”
1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 4:1: 4:1-6 Peter urges Christians to decisively turn their backs on the former sinful way of life from which Christ in his suffering delivered us. 4:1 since Christ suffered physical pain: Peter introduced this idea in 3:18; he now indicates its significance in Christian experience. In our own physical sufferings, we are to imitate Christ’s attitude (see 2:21-24). Our suffering with Christ shows that we have identified with him (see Rom 8:17). Those who identify with Christ experience the victory over the power of sin that he won on the cross (Rom 6:1-10).”

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