Ordinary Christianity

Ordinary Christianity

Acts 28:1-10 (NASB95)  ¹ When they had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta. ² The natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all. ³ But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. ⁴ When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” ⁵ However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. ⁶ But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.

 ⁷ Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. ⁸ And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him. ⁹ After this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and getting cured. ¹⁰ They also honored us with many marks of respect; and when we were setting sail, they supplied us with all we needed.

            Every so often, life gives you a pop quiz.  You remember pop quizzes, don’t you?  Usually when you had a test coming in school, the teacher would tell you ahead of time when it was and what would be covered on the test, so you could prepare for it.  But sometimes the teacher would give a pop quiz.  Suddenly, without warning or a chance to prepare, you were given a test to see what you have learned up to that point.

            Life does that too at times.  You will encounter a situation suddenly and either you have only moments to decide what to do and act or in that split second, your reaction tells volumes about who you are.

            You or someone in your presence drops something, messy, valuable, or just plain disruptive.  How did you respond?  Were you angry, upset, or did you just take it in stride? No big deal. 

            You are driving somewhere, and you see someone in need.  You have only seconds to respond.  What do you do?  Do you stop, or do you hesitate until it is too late to respond? 

            The story at the top describes some events from the life of Paul, an early Christian.  He suddenly found that he had been bitten by a poisonous snake.  How did he respond?  It doesn’t say that he yawned, but it could have. 

            We know from the rest of the story that Paul’s friend Luke was there.  Luke was a physician.  Paul didn’t ask for Luke’s help.  He didn’t even think it important to mention it to Luke.  Shortly after, the passage mentions that Paul prayed for someone else regarding a matter, but there is no mention here that he prayed for himself.  He treated the whole matter of a poisonous snake bite with indifference. 

            Now I am sure that most adults reading this passage would say: “Now, kiddies, don’t go and try this at home.  This story was done on a closed course with trained professionals.”

            This is a picture of Paul when the cameras are turned off, and everybody has gone home.  This is Paul with his guard down, and no script to read from.  To Paul, this is basic Christianity.  Healing was such a part of Paul’s life and experience, that he never wondered how God would respond if Paul ever needed it. 

            When you sit in your car and turn the key, you expect the engine to start and the car to run.  For Paul, when the body needs fixing, God’s power is immediate and sufficient.  For Paul, this was basic Christianity.  Yes, you get to go to heaven when you die, but God has so much for you now while you are alive.

            I am guessing that you might have a lot of questions about Christianity, God, heaven, or healing.  Feel free to write Theresa or me about anything.  I have written a book on healing called The Importance of Healing.  There is simply too much information about healing to say much in a short article.  God bless you!