Healing did not end when Jesus ascended into heaven. The book of Acts records the risen Christ continuing His work through the Holy Spirit and His church. The letters that follow explain how believers prayed for the sick, received gifts of healing, and looked to Jesus as the source of life and wholeness.
These New Testament healing scriptures begin after the four Gospels. Together they show that the apostles never claimed healing power as their own. They ministered in the name of Jesus, depended on the Holy Spirit, and gave God the glory.
"And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all."
-- Acts 3:16 (KJV)
Healing Through the Name of Jesus in Acts
Acts is the story of what Jesus continued to do after His resurrection. The people ministering changed, but the healer did not. Peter, John, Philip, and Paul acted in the authority of Jesus' name, and the gospel was confirmed with compassion, healing, and changed lives.
The Lame Man at the Beautiful Gate
"Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God."
-- Acts 3:6-8 (KJV)
This man had been unable to walk from birth. Peter did not offer him a theory about healing. He gave what he had received and spoke in the name of Jesus Christ. The result was immediate strength, public praise, and an opportunity to preach Jesus.
"And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all."
-- Acts 3:16 (KJV)
Peter refused to let the crowd credit his own power or holiness. He directed their attention to Jesus. Biblical healing ministry should do the same.
The Church Prayed for God to Heal
"And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus."
-- Acts 4:29-30 (KJV)
When opposition came, the believers did not ask for an easier assignment. They asked for boldness to preach while God stretched out His hand to heal. Proclaiming the Word and ministering to suffering people belonged together in their prayer.
Many Were Healed in Jerusalem
"Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one."
-- Acts 5:15-16 (KJV)
The need spread beyond one person and one moment. People came from the cities surrounding Jerusalem, and Acts says they were healed. The ministry of Jesus was still reaching bodies, minds, and families through His church.
Healing Brought Joy to Samaria
"Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city."
-- Acts 8:5-8 (KJV)
Philip was not one of the twelve apostles, yet the Holy Spirit worked through him as he preached Christ. Healing served the message, and the result was not fascination with a man. It was great joy throughout the city.
Aeneas Made Whole
"And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately."
-- Acts 9:33-34 (KJV)
Peter's words keep the focus clear: "Jesus Christ maketh thee whole." Eight years of sickness did not place Aeneas beyond the reach of Christ.
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"And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked."
-- Acts 14:8-10 (KJV)
As Paul preached, faith rose in a man who had never walked. The command to stand was met with action, and the man leaped and walked. As in Acts 3, a lifelong condition yielded to the name and power of Jesus.
Special Miracles Through Paul
"And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them."
-- Acts 19:11-12 (KJV)
The wording matters: God wrought the miracles. The objects had no independent power, and Paul was not the source. God used an unusual point of contact to meet people in faith.
The Sick Healed on Malta
"And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:"
-- Acts 28:8-9 (KJV)
Near the end of Acts, the pattern remains: Paul prayed, laid hands on the sick, and healing opened a door to serve others. From Jerusalem to Samaria, Asia Minor, and Malta, Jesus continued making people whole.
Resurrection Life and Healing in Romans
"But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."
-- Romans 8:11 (KJV)
The same Holy Spirit who raised Jesus lives in the believer. In context, Paul is pointing toward resurrection and the Spirit-governed life. The verse also gives profound hope for the body: God's life is stronger than death, and our final redemption includes the body, not only the soul.
"For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ."
-- Romans 15:18-19 (KJV)
Paul described signs and wonders as things Christ had done through him by the Spirit's power. The gospel was announced in words and demonstrated in deeds, always pointing people to Christ.
Gifts of Healing in 1 Corinthians
"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."
-- 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (KJV)
Healing appears among the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. These gifts are given "to profit withal," meaning for the good of others. They are not badges of importance or rewards for spiritual performance. The Spirit distributes them according to His will.
"And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues."
-- 1 Corinthians 12:28 (KJV)
God placed gifts of healings within the church alongside teaching, service, leadership, and other ministries. Healing was not presented as a private curiosity. It was part of God's provision for His people, exercised in love and under the lordship of Jesus.
The Prayer of Faith in James
"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him."
-- James 5:14-15 (KJV)
James gives sick believers a clear response: call for the elders, receive prayer, and be anointed with oil in the Lord's name. The confidence of the passage rests in the Lord, who raises up the sick. The church is called to surround suffering people with faithful prayer, not leave them isolated.
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
-- James 5:16 (KJV)
Healing prayer belongs within honest, caring Christian community. James connects confession, mutual prayer, and healing. Every believer can take part in the simple command to "pray one for another." For a fuller guide, read how to pray for physical healing according to the Bible.
By His Stripes Ye Were Healed
"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."
-- 1 Peter 2:24 (KJV)
Peter brings healing to the cross. Jesus bore our sins so that we could die to sin and live unto righteousness. Peter's words echo Isaiah 53 and place every form of restoration in Christ's suffering and finished work. We do not look to our goodness, intensity, or worthiness. We look to Jesus.
If you do not yet know Him, here is a simple guide to giving your life to Jesus. He is not only the giver of a promise. He is the Savior at the center of every promise.
A Prayer for Health and Wholeness
"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."
-- 3 John 1:2 (KJV)
John's greeting shows loving concern for the whole person. He desired that Gaius prosper and be in health as his soul prospered. Scripture does not teach us to ignore the body. It teaches us to bring body, soul, and spirit under the loving care of God.
A Prayer Based on These New Testament Scriptures
Father, thank You that Jesus Christ is the same risen Lord who healed in Acts. I look to His name and not to my own strength. Let the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead bring life to my mortal body. Lead me into the prayer, help, and loving community You provide through Your church. I receive Your Word with faith, and I ask You to stretch forth Your hand to heal. May my life give glory to Jesus. In His name, amen.
How to Use These New Testament Healing Scriptures
- Read each passage in context. Notice who is speaking, who is being addressed, and how Jesus is glorified.
- Return to the verses daily. Read them aloud and allow their words to shape your expectation of God.
- Pray according to Scripture. Ask in Jesus' name, invite trusted believers to pray, and follow the instruction in James 5.
- Keep your attention on Jesus. Acts repeatedly identifies Him, not a human minister, as the source of healing.
- Let compassion guide you. These passages invite the church to care for sick people with faith, humility, and love.
For healing promises from before the ministry of Jesus, read our collection of Old Testament healing scriptures. You can also visit the complete Healing Scriptures guide to explore the entire collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main healing scriptures in the New Testament after the Gospels?
Key passages include Acts 3:6-8, Acts 4:29-30, Acts 5:15-16, Romans 8:11, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, James 5:14-16, 1 Peter 2:24, and 3 John 1:2. Together they show healing through the name of Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit, the gifts of healing, and the prayer of faith.
Did healing continue after Jesus ascended to heaven?
Yes. Acts records healing through Peter, John, Philip, Paul, and the gathered church after Jesus ascended. Acts 5:16 says the sick who came to Jerusalem "were healed every one." The apostles made clear that the power was not their own. Jesus Christ was the healer.
What are the gifts of healing in 1 Corinthians 12?
The gifts of healing are manifestations of the Holy Spirit given for the good of others. First Corinthians 12:9 names "the gifts of healing by the same Spirit," and verse 11 says the Spirit distributes His manifestations "to every man severally as he will."
What does James 5 say to do when someone is sick?
James 5:14 says, "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church." The elders are to pray over the sick person and anoint with oil in the name of the Lord. Verses 15 and 16 emphasize the prayer of faith, forgiveness, confession, and prayer for one another.
What does "by whose stripes ye were healed" mean in 1 Peter 2:24?
First Peter 2:24 points to Jesus bearing our sins on the cross and echoes Isaiah 53. Peter writes that Christ bore our sins "that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." Healing is rooted in Jesus and His finished work, never in human power or merit.