Cure of Souls in The 21st Century

"And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda."  Acts 9:32

These words are from one of the earliest documents of church history called "Acts."  The title is most appropriate and cogently bears the compelling thesis of this document.  This book records the post-resurrection ministry of the Iesous through human agency.

God is not in the human repair business, He is in the business of giving new life.  The Greek word for life is 'zoe' and its meaning transcends any attempt to truncate it into some formulaic framework.

Zoe has to do with participation within the very life of Theos.  This is not pantheism nor is it panentheism or some kind of animistic naturalism.  Zoe is the very message that Peter took to the saints that dwelt at Lydda because it is what they collectively needed.

Aeneas, a poor man whose life was in decay because he had been 'sick' for eight years was to receive the zoe blessing through Peter.  Peter went down to visit Aeneas who dwelt in Lydda.  Of course this was not accidental or random on Peter's part.  The resurrected Iesous led him to Lydda.  But why, why did the Iesous lead Peter to such a place as Lydda?

The name Lydda means 'strife,' and this attitudinal aberration was embedded in Lydda.  Strife is a curious term that bespeaks bitterness, heated violent struggle, to fight, and/or conflict.  Peter stepped into a dangerous environment.  Hostile people dwelt in Lydda.

Aeneas lived within the belly of the beast.  Hostile environments create a host of related emotional disorders and spiritual malaise.  Aeneas "kept his bed" in Lydda, and he was weak in his body.  Eight years is a long time to be bed-ridden from an illness.

Peter is there to speak the word that transcends all other words to him.  The Word of God can go where we cannot go.  The word that Peter carried to Aeneas was charged with resurrection power or Zoe.  Peter knew that he stepped into a hotbed  of hostility.

Hostility can become a type of emotional drug but it destroys the soul and body of the individual.  Peter said to the beleaguered Aeneas, "Iesous, the Christos, maketh thee whole (iatai)."  This word, whole or iatai in the Greek means:  to effect, cure or make completely whole, and the removal of the controlling and destructive power of sin.

Aeneas stood up from his former condition and received new life through the powerful word. The powerful word was medicinal and unleashed the zoe that Aeneas needed.  The word compelled Aeneas to stand up and walk in newness of life.

Those who live in the 21st century need this powerful 1st century word too.  The zoe message of the Cure of Souls does not change.  The basic need of the human soul does not change. If you live in Lydda today there is One who offers you the opportunity to step out of the old life and into a new one filled with the presence of God.

The Word of God can heal the sin-sick soul.  The Word of God can make you whole or cure effectively.  This is the message that will change individual lives, homes, communities, and countries.

God is still changing lives through the power of the Spirit.  Do you need Him to change your life today?  Ask and you shall receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened.

Blessings to you.

For more information about Dr. Josiah Rich's teaching ministry, please follow this blog and visit his website.