Those who “boast in appearance and not in heart” are the false preachers (see 2 Cor 2 :17) who were concerned only about getting ahead in this world. They were preaching the gospel for money and popularity, while Paul and his companions were preaching out of concern for eternity. You can identify false preachers by finding out what really motivates them, if they are more concerned about themselves than about Christ, avoid them and their message. Their “god is their belly,” (Phil 3:19). They are greedy and self-indulgent. They satisfy their own desires before even thinking about the needs of others. They corrupt the gospel by immoral lives and false teachings — “whose glory is their shame.” Their end is destruction. (Phil 3:18,19)
• Further Notes On Healing
The church’s responsibility concerning healing
“Then Peter said: “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. 16: And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all,” (Acts 3:6, 16).
“In the name of Jesus…walk.” The healing of the crippled beggar was done by the power of Christ working through His apostles. Jesus said to His followers concerning those who would believe in Him: “In My name…they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover,” Mark 16:17-18. The church continued Jesus’ healing ministry in obedience to His will. The miracle was accomplished through faith “in the name of Jesus Christ” and “gifts of healing” operating through Peter (1 Cor. 12:1,9)
Peter stated that he had no silver or gold, but would give the crippled beggar something much more valuable. Churches that possess a fair degree of material prosperity should ponder these words of Peter. Many churches today can no longer say, “silver and gold have I none,” nor do they seem capable of saying, “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”
“And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16: Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much,” Jas 5:14,15,16.
“Prayer of faith shall save the sick.” We may deal with physical, mental or emotional illness by asking for the prayers of the elders or leaders of the church. (1) Pastors and leaders of the church are to pray for the sick and to anoint them with oil.
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