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Chapter 9—Teaching and Healing
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When Christ sent out the twelve disciples on their first missionary
tour, He bade them, “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.”
Matthew 10:7,
8
.
To the Seventy sent forth later He said: “Into whatsoever city
ye enter, ... heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The
kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.”
Luke 10:8, 9
. The presence
and power of Christ was with them, “and the Seventy returned again
with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through
Thy name.”
Verse 17
.
After Christ’s ascension the same work was continued. The
scenes of His own ministry were repeated. “Out of the cities round
about” there came a multitude “unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks,
and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were
healed every one.”
Acts 5:16
.
And the disciples “went forth, and preached everywhere, the
Lord working with them.” “Philip went down to the city of Samaria,
and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave
heed unto those things which Philip spake.... For unclean spirits ...
came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken
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with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great
joy in that city.”
Mark 16:20
;
Acts 8:5-8
.
Work of the Disciples
Luke, the writer of the Gospel that bears his name, was a medical
missionary. In the Scriptures he is called “the beloved physician.”
Colossians 4:14
. The apostle Paul heard of his skill as a physician,
and sought him out as one to whom the Lord had entrusted a special
work. He secured his co-operation, and for some time Luke accom-
panied him in his travels from place to place. After a time, Paul
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