PERFECT SOUNDNESS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST!
By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
“And His name through faith in His name hath made this man strong whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by Him hath given him this PERFECT SOUNDNESS in the presence of you all.” (Acts 3: 14-16).
Jesus of Nazareth had trained His disciples and apostles to preach the Gospel, heal the sick, deliver the afflicted and cast out devils. During his earthly Ministry our Saviour healed multitudes of sick and suffering people, an example to those who would follow Him. He stated: “As My Father has sent Me, so send I you.” (John 20:21).
He issued the Great Commission and promised to send the Blessed Holy Spirit to empower them for the great work of the Christian Ministry. He said: “And behold I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on High.” (Luke 24: 49);
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses both in all Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1: 8)
THE GOSPEL IN OPERATION!
Does Jesus keep His Word? Yes, He does and He always will. He is “The Way, the TRUTH and the Life...” (John 14:6); “He is the same yesterday and forever.” (Heb 13:8). Jesus stated: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away.” (Matt. 24:35). Our Savior stated that it would be easier for the heavens and earth to pass away than for His Word to fail!
The BIBLE says: “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a rushing, mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
“And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2: 1-4)
The Comforter had come, the Holy Ghost from Heaven; the Father's promise given. And the Church of Jesus Christ was born! Immediately, a miracle happened.
St. Peter delivered a powerful Pentecostal message under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, a multitude were deeply convicted and a great Awakening began: “Then they that gladly received God's Word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41)
THAT WAS A GREAT MIRACLE!
Three thousand souls were saved after hearing a Pentecostal message from Simon Peter, who had repented of the most terrible SIN of cursing, swearing and denying Jesus Christ. He had stated publicly that if he were not telling the truth about not knowing ‘that man’' Jesus of Nazareth, let a curse fall upon him!
How could such an impossible thing occur? Less than two weeks earlier, Peter had cursed the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and on three occasions that night disowned the One who had given him the power of God to preach the gospel and heal the sick?
The precious BLOOD that flowed from God’s Paschal Lamb had cleansed his spirit and purged his conscience. The Holy Spirit of God had changed a cursing coward into a powerful preacher of Christ’s Gospel. After Peter’s tragic renouncement of Christ, he was a backslider; no longer a disciple. He must have been living with great sorrow and condemnation!
After Christ’s resurrection, God’s angel spoke to the women who had come to the tomb of Jesus: “And he saith unto them Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: He is risen; He is not here: behold where they laid Him. But go your way, tell His disciples and Peter that He goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see Him, as He said unto you.” (Mark 16:6,7)
“And they rose the same hour and returned unto Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, Saying the Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.” (Luke 24: 34)
You may ask, “How could Simon Peter, less than two weeks after his lying denial of Jesus Christ, become a powerful preacher whom God used to heal the sick and raise the dead?” The answer is the power of the Holy Spirit!
Jesus had prayed for him that Satan wouldn’t have him, and he was baptized with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost! “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have thee, to sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail thee not; and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:31, 32)
JESUS promised: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1: 8)
SIMON PETER PREACHED JESUS!
Not only was Simon Peter converted and filled with the Holy Spirit, but His message was 'JESUS' whom he had earlier denied. There are four great truths that we all need to articulate and be fully consumed with, namely: The Blood of Jesus, the Name of Jesus, the Word of God and the Holy Spirit!
St. Peter declared: “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
“Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that He should be holden of it. Therefore, let the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye crucified, both Lord and Christ.
“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, What shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized, every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:22-24, 36-41)
A CRIPPLED MAN IS HEALED!
The Apostles were men of faith and prayer. Ten days of waiting on God in prayer and receiving the Holy Ghost and fire empowered the early Church. Three thousand men were converted which further stoked their desire to pray. Peter and John were on their way to a prayer meeting, when a miracle brought 5,000 men to Christ:
“And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes on him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
“Then Peter said: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, waking, and leaping, and praising God.
Peter accused them of murder: “And killed the Prince of Life, who God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And His Name through faith in His Name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know; yea, the faith which is by Him hath given Him this PERFECT SOUNDNESS in the presence of you all.” (Acts 3:1-18)
The lame man who was healed had been born with that condition. This brings us back to the Garden of Eden where God created Adam and declared everything that He had created was good. When Jesus healed the man born with an impediment in his body, He was restoring him to the original perfect physical condition of mankind. St. Peter called it this perfect soundness!
The Bible states: “God who at sundry times and in diverse manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds.” (Heb. 1: 1-2).
When Jesus healed the sick and afflicted, He was doing what He had done in Eden. He was bringing them back to physical perfection!
God created Adam, a masterpiece without sin, sickness, fear or death! In all of God’s creation, there was nothing to compare with Adam. He was the chief of God’s creation upon the earth and was given authority and dominion over the various plant, mineral and animal kingdoms. He was in perfect relationship with His Creator and God.
FATHER GOD SURPRISED ADAM!
Adam walked and talked with His Father and God in the cool of the day. There was total joy, peace and tranquility in the Garden of Eden. Then one day, God surprised Adam with a special gift. He caused a deep sleep to come upon Adam and God performed surgery and removed a rib from his body; and from it formed a woman.
“And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh: She shall be called woman because she was taken out of man. Therefore, shall a man leave his mother and father and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” (Gen. 2: 22-24)
Amazingly, Adam knew that God had taken from him a rib to create Eve and that they would be one flesh! This Scripture gives us a wonderful comparison of Christ and His Church:
“For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and He is the saviour of the body. Therefore, as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be unto their own husbands in everything. Husbands love your wives even as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.” (Eph. 5: 22-25, 30)
An old Jewish, Babylonian Talmud states: “Woman was made from man. Not from his head to rule over him, nor from his feet to be trampled upon by him. But from his side to walk with him, under his arm to be protected by him and near his heart to be loved by him.”
WE ARE BONE OF HIS BONES!
As God performed surgery on Adam and his blood was shed to give him Eve, his bride, so Christ's side was riven and His blood was shed to give Him His bride, the Church!
This is one of the greatest truths found in the Bible: We are bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh and our bodies are temples of the Holy Ghost! The Holy Spirit lives in us and we are members of His Body. Bone of His bones and flesh of His flesh! We are not our own. We have been purchased with a price and we belong to Jesus Christ. The Mystery that was hid for ages and dispensations and finally revealed by St. Paul lays bare the whole story of our relationship with Jesus Christ!
St. Paul reveals the great MYSTERY that our Heavenly Father had kept secret for ages and dispensations. Only God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit knew the awesome plan of Redemption which He revealed to St. Paul. He did not reveal this Mystery to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Daniel or David.
What was this great Mystery? “Even the Mystery which hath been hid from ages and generations, but now is made manifest to His saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this Mystery among the Gentles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Col. 1: 26, 27)
“That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full understanding, to the acknowledgment of the Mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ: in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col.1:2,3)
During Earlier Times, God came upon the prophets by His Holy Spirit. The Redemption of Christ, however, would be different! His only begotten Son would be incarnated through His virgin birth. He would fulfill all the prophecies that had gone on before Him, including His vicarious death on the cross and His glorious resurrection from the dead and ascension to the Father’s right hand.
THE HOLY SPIRIT ENTERS BELIEVERS!
What was this Hidden Mystery that was revealed to St. Paul by our Lord? God would pour His Holy Spirit into His followers in an upper room in Jerusalem and the Church would be born. The Blessed Holy Spirit would dwell in His Church and both Jews and Gentiles would receive His Holy Spirit!
The Bible says: “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from HEAVEN as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
“And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like unto fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all FILLED with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2: 1-4)
St. Paul stated: “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our PEACE, who had made both (Jews and Gentiles) one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances, for to make in Himself of twain ONE New Man, so making peace,
“And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the CROSS, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you who were afar off (Gentiles) and to them that were nigh (Jews). For through Him (Jesus Christ) we both (Jews and Gentiles) have access by one Spirit (Holy Spirit) unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.
“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief, CORNER STONE, in Whom all the building fitly famed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
MYSTERY OF CHRIST & THE CHURCH!
St. Paul expounds: “How that by revelation He made known to me the Mystery (as I wrote before in few words) whereby when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the Mystery of Christ, which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now REVEALED unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
“That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel: whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given not me by the effectual working of His power. Unto me, who am less than, than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
“And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the MYSTERY which from the beginning of the world hath been HID IN GOD, who created all things by Christ:
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the CHURCH the manifold wisdom of God. According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him.” (Eph.2: 13-22; 3: 3-12)
St. John warned: “…Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist...”
What does that mean? Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is True God from eternity, was incarnated (God in human flesh) and became True man through His virgin birth, is of God! Every spirit that denies the deity of Jesus Christ is a lying spirit!
“Ye are of God, little children and have overcome them: Because Greater is He (Holy Spirit) that is in you, than he (Satan) that is in the world.” (1 John 4: 4)
WE MUST GLORIFY GOD IN OUR BODIES!
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1 Cor. 6: 19, 20)
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He that calleth you.” (1 Th. 5:23, 24)
“Therefore if any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.
“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For He hath made Him to be sin (sin offering) for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Cor. 5:17-21)
“I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20)
JESUS spoke of His grand mission of saving a lost world: “Even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life as a RANSOM for many.” (Matt. 20: 28).
The truth of the matter is that we are God’s properly, purchased by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Since we belong to God and our bodies are the temples of God, we should keep our body are clean as possible and our spirits and minds pure!
The Bible says: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” (1 Cor. 3: 16, 17)
THE CHURCH HAS FAILED IN MINISTRY TO THE SICK!
The Bible says: "Is any sick among among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them PRAY over him, anointing him with oil in the Name of the Lord: And the Prayer of Faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." (James 5:14, 15)
For years we have been told that we should not smoke, drink alcohol or do drugs and cut down on fatty foods, eat more fish and exercise more. That is all good and well, but have you ever read in the Bible that there is divine healing promised for believers in Christ? Have you evaluated your standing in God’s Kingdom and the benefits available for spiritually weak, fearful and physically sick and diseased persons? There are answers in the Holy Scripture outlining what we must do to receive help from our Heavenly Father in Jesus’ Name!
Should we not oppose spirits of infirmity, sickness and disease? Is it not time to study the Holy Scriptures that declare God’s promise to heal the sick and suffering in Jesus’ name? Is it not irresponsible to reject the great power of the Holy Spirit to bring deliverance to suffering believers? And what about unsaved relatives and neighbours who will receive Jesus Christ as Saviour when He performs a miracle for them!
Why do we allow cancer, heart disease, arthritis, infection and other diseases destroy our organs when provision has been made for our healing through the Christian Faith? If it is a sin to defile the human body through lustful habits, it is also a sin to allow Satan to destroy us with his sickness, disease and infirmity! It is a sin to defile the human body or allow someone else to do so, without defending against him through the blood of Jesus the Word of God and the Name of Jesus Christ!
Let us all rise up in the power of the Holy Spirit and according to God’s precious Word, command Satan to desist in his evil work and leave forthwith in Jesus’ all-powerful Name, for the glory of God! AMEN!
GOD PERFORMS MIRACLES TODAY!
God’s Healing Covenant:
“And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord your God, and wilt do that which is sight in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put NONE of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that health thee.” (Ex. 15: 26)
“Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, or do after their work... And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and He shall bless thy bread and water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.” (Ex. 23: 24, 25)
Christ’s Atonement Scriptures:
“Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and with His stripes we are healed.” (Is. 53: 4,5)
“Who His own bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: By whose stripes ye are healed.” (1 Peter 2: 24);
“When the even was come, they brought unto Him maty that were possessed with devils; and He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all that were sick: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, HIMSELF TOOK OUR INFRMITIES, AND BEAR OUR SICKNESSES.” (Matt. 8: 16,17)
Prophet David’s Benefits Confession!
“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy Name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who Healeth all thy diseases; who Redeemeth thy life from destruction;
“Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies: who satisfieh thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is Renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.” (Ps.103: 1-6)
“He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.” (Ps. 105:37); “He hath sent His Word, and Healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” (Ps. 107: 20)
Jesus Christ’s Healing Ministry!
“When the even was come, they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils; and He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all that were sick: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bear our sicknesses.” (Matt. 8: 16,17)
“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and HEALNG every sickness and every disease among the people.
“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with Compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then said He unto His disciples, the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.” (Matt. 9: 35-37)
“Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by Miracles and Wonders and Signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
“Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that He should be holden of it.” (Acts 2:22-24)
“How God anointed Jesus Christ of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil: for God was with Him.” (Acts 10: 38);
“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8)
THE TWELVE DISCIPLES SENT OUT!
“And when He had called His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to HEAL all manner of SICKNESS and all manner of DISEASE. And as ye go preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” (Matt. 10: 1, 7, 8)
SEVENTY DISCIPLES SENT OUT!
“After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place, whither He Himself would come. And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things that are set before you: And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The Kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
“And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord even the devils are subject unto us through Thy Name. And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from Heaven. Behold, I give unto you POWER to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:1, 17-19)
JESUS' GREAT COMMISSION TO THE CHURCH!
“And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
“And these SIGNS shall follow them that believe: In My Name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay their hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mark 16: 15-18)
“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into Heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord Working with them, and CONFIRMING the Word with signs following.” Mark 16: 19, 20). Amen
