Updated:2020-04-19
The Healing of Publius’ Father
While on Melita, Publius’ father experienced the healing of a deadly disease through Apostle Paul. But what could this teach us about our wholesomeness?
So, as we continue with Apostle Paul on his fourth missionary journey, we will explore how Believers should handle healing.
“In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously” (Acts 28:7).
Publius in the Bible – Who was Publius?
According to Doctor Luke, Publius was the wealthiest man of Melita. He was kind, generous, and a fantastic host to 276 shipwrecked passengers.
But his father was sick.
“And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him” (Acts 28:8).
Many Christians and more unbelievers read the verse-of-scripture immediately above and come away with the wrong idea concerning healing.
But if we understand this one thing about the healing of sickness and disease we shall be ahead of the pack.
Did Apostle Paul Pray for the Healing of Publius’ Father?
What did the Bible say that he did? Did he pray for Publius’ dad? No!!
He didn’t.
It’s a tradition with Believers never to do anything until we have prayed.
Let’s look at Jesus, Peter, and the Church to see this in motion.
And this prayer usually occurs before a miracle or a major decision.
Jesus, before the miracle of multiplying a meal for one person to feed more than five thousand people, prayed (John 6:9-10).
Andrew informs Jesus, “There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?” (John 6:9).
He Makes a Prayer of Thanks Giving – Not a Prayer of Healing
“And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand” (John 6:10).
Observe that Jesus didn’t pray for the people. He didn’t pray for the food either.
“Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; … likewise of the fishes as much as they would” (John6:11).
In fact, he makes a prayer-of-thanks-giving.
This is when someone prays, but the bulk of the prayer is just giving thanks to the Lord God.
Next, let’s see what Apostle Peter did before he performs a major miracle.
Tabitha (Dorcas) had died. However, before Peter raised her from the dead he prayed.
He didn’t pray for the dead. And he didn’t make any intercessions for her.
“But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up” (Acts 9:40).
Did Paul Heal Anyone?
Instead, he honors the traditions of Believers by making supplications to the Lord God before major decisions or actions.
“And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive” (Acts 9:41).
Finally, let’s examine what the early apostles (The Church) did before a major decision.
Who Did They Pray For?
“Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul” (Acts 13:1).
Saul, seen here, is the same person as Apostle Paul. He was called Saul or Saul of Tarsus before his name changed to Paul.
While the leaders of the early church were executing a Christian fast, the Lord God spoke to them.
“As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them” (Acts 13:2).
Before and After Fasting
Thus, Doctor Luke compares their experiences during and after fasting.
“And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away” (Acts 13:3).
He was explaining what happened after they fasted, prayed, and laid hands on these two apostles.
The Apostles didn’t fast for them because they were already fasting when the Holy Ghost spoke to them (Acts 13:2).
Similarly, they didn’t pray for them because there was no need.
Why would they pray about something that the Holy Ghost explicitly told them about?
Nevertheless, they and us usually make a “general-prayer” before all major acts or decisions.
That’s why the Holy Bible says they “prayed”.
And this is in keeping with what Jesus, Peter, and The Church did before anything major.
They prayed!
“So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus” (Acts 13:4).
Do This and the Healing of the Sick Always Happens
Consequently, Apostle Paul was adhering to that tradition in the case of Publius’ dad.
He wasn’t praying for the healing of the man. And we shouldn’t either.
Instead, we should speak to the sickness. Declare healing!
And do all this in the name: Jesus Christ.
Never pray for the healing of yourself or others. If you do, healing will never happen.
Because the Lord God does not reward ignorance and disobedience of His Word with goodness.
Finally, the Bible and Jesus never told us to pray for the healing of anyone. So, don’t!
Heal the sick! Not pray for them and we do this by commanding their welliness in the name of Jesus Christ.
“So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:” (Acts 28:9).
“Who also [honored] us with many [honors]; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary” (Acts 28:10).
