If we strip away tradition, denominational arguments, and modern assumptions... none of which were an issue back then... a few things stand out from Scripture.
First, the disciples seemed to have a level of confidence and expectation that many Christians today do not. When Jesus sent out the Twelve, He didn't merely tell them to pray for the sick. He told them: "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons." (Matthew 10:8 NIV)
When He sent the seventy-two: "Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'" (Luke 10:9 NIV)
Notice the language. It is not, "Ask Me if I might heal them." It is a direct commission. Almost like a military deployment.
The disciples understood something fundamental:
Jesus had authority. All authority.
Jesus delegated authority.
They were expected to act in faith.
When the lame man sat at the temple gate, Peter didn't say, "Let's all pray and see what God wants to do."
He said: "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." -Acts 3:6
That doesn't mean Peter healed the man through his own power. In fact, Peter later clarified: "Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?" -Acts 3:12. He knew, and we know, that as a man... he had none.
Peter understood he was a vessel operating under delegated authority of the very Creator of all these things.
Another thing that appears obvious in Scripture is that the disciples believed Jesus meant what He said.
Jesus said: "Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these." -John 14:12
The early church seems to have read that and thought, "Ok, then let's just go do it." And they did!
Many modern believers read it and immediately explain why it doesn't apply.
A third observation is that they were deeply dependent on the Holy Spirit.
Before Pentecost, the disciples were frightened and ineffective. After Pentecost, they became bold. Jesus told them: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you." -Acts 1:8
The word "power" is dynamis: miraculous power, ability, strength.
The book of Acts repeatedly connects signs, wonders, healings, and deliverance to the work of the Holy Spirit. But there is another element that often gets overlooked.
Obedience.
Jesus told them where to go. They went.
Jesus told them what to say. They said it.
Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem. They waited.
Many believers want the power of Acts while ignoring the obedience of Acts. But here’s the thing... power and surrender traveled together.
Finally, there is something that may be the biggest difference: the disciples had an unshakable conviction that Jesus was alive!
Not merely alive in spirit. Not merely alive in memory. Alive, alive.
Physically resurrected... reigning... present.... active.
When Peter spoke to the crippled man, he wasn't invoking a historical figure. He believed he was acting under the authority of a living King who was actively governing His Church.
But wait, because now, a caution.
The disciples did not assume every sick person would be healed every time. Even in Acts, there are complexities. Paul left Trophimus sick in Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20). Timothy had recurring stomach ailments (1 Timothy 5:23). Paul himself endured a "thorn in the flesh."
So the biblical pattern is not: "If I have enough faith, everyone gets healed."
The biblical pattern is:
Obey Jesus.
Be filled with the Spirit.
Exercise faith.
Use the authority of His name.
Leave the outcome to God.
If I had to summarize what seems most obvious in the New Testament that is often missing today, it would be this:
The disciples expected Jesus to work through them because they genuinely believed He had commanded them to go, He had given them authority, and He was still alive and present to act.
They weren't trying to generate power. They were cooperating with Someone they believed was already there. That's why before seeking methods, formulas, or deliverance techniques, the New Testament emphasis is always the same:
Abide in Christ.
Be filled with the Spirit.
Walk in obedience.
Love people.
Step out in faith when He leads.
This is the formula for accessing supernatural power, available to the obedient, surrendered Christians, by Jesus alone, by the enabling of the Holy Spirit.
Friends, it’s time that we stepped into our power. Not of our own, but that which has been promised.
It’s time we actually followed the commission Jesus gave us and stopped going to church and BECOME the church.
Let this day be the one that put an entire new path into motion in your life... the very one that God intended. Cry out to Him. Surrender yourself completely, no matter how much “you don’t want to do something.” Be obedient, and it will be made so.
~ Devin
Devin Osborne
The Early Church
