| Prior to Pentecost, the disciples performed healing | | | | way. They had learned that the source of all healing |
| miracles even though they did not understand Jesus' | | | | is God, and they were to be instruments through |
| words about his coming death and resurrection. | | | | which God would then manifest wholeness and |
| When the pouring out of the Spirit came at | | | | healing. In his letter to the early Church, James stated |
| Pentecost, it was an event of great power and fire. | | | | that Christian healing is not a special gift only for a |
| All four Gospels relate that the coming of the Spirit | | | | few but a gift freely given to the whole community, |
| was like the sound of wind-actually, the sound of an | | | | which means it is entirely within our capabilities. In this |
| immense amount of energy. The Spirit descended in | | | | letter we see clearly that the early Church practiced |
| the form of flames (powerful energy) and then it | | | | healing that included prayer, hands-on healing and |
| transformed all those present. Immediately, they | | | | anointing. For them, this was one single act. |
| went out to preach to those they had been afraid of | | | | The same Spirit who empowered Jesus in his healing |
| just the day before. We are told that "awe came | | | | ministry was now acting and working through the |
| upon every one" -they were powerfully transformed | | | | ministry of Peter, Stephen, Paul, and the entire |
| by this experience and strengthened to carry out | | | | Christian community. The apostles and disciples were |
| Jesus' mission. | | | | healing just as Jesus did according to the Book of |
| The Work of the Early Church was that of Healing | | | | Acts. Jesus was filled with God's Spirit, and the early |
| As the little community of followers increased, the | | | | Christians who were healing in his name were likewise |
| Christian leaders in turn empowered others to act | | | | filled with the very same Spirit. Those first Christians |
| with compassion to those who were suffering in any | | | | were intoxicated with the fire of the Spirit. |