Archive for the ‘Holy Spirit’ Category
Gifts of healing
So what about the gift of healing! The Bible doesn’t actually say the gift of healing; but ‘gifts’ the plural form, and it also omits the definitive word ‘the.’ This may be because healing is a temporary or occasional gift. In other words healing is a gift that can be exercised by any person, according to the will of the Holy Spirit. This gift is not necessarily permanent or completely successful with any one person in particular. The apostle Paul who healed many afflictions was unable to heal Epaphroditis (Philippians chapter 2 verses 25-30). It seems according to biblical narrative that only Jesus was able to heal every time.
Another way of looking at healing, is, that 1 Corinthians chapter 12 verse 9 talks of gifts of healing rather than gift of healing because there are different types of illness; physical, mental and spiritual two examples are as follows. The man crippled from birth and the young man who fell to his death:-
Acts chapter 3 verses 6-7 Then Peter said “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk” taking him by the right hand, he helped him up and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.
Acts chapter 20 verse 9b-12 he fell to the ground from the third storey and was picked up dead. Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” Then he went upstairs broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.
Therefore it could be said that there are different gifts of healing for different types of ailments.
It is also fair to say that faith in some form plays a role in healing in the New Testament. The faith of the person being healed was a factor in:-
Matthew chapter 9 verse 22 Jesus turned and saw her, “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment.
The faith of a family member and friends contributed in:-
Matthew chapter 15 verse 28 then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. And Mark chapter 2 verses 3-5 About the paralytic who was lowered through the roof to Jesus by his friends.
The faith of a person who prays for healing plays a part in:-
Mark chapter 9 verses 17-29. Also in James chapter 5 verse 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.
The laying on of hands is also referred to in order to bring about a healing (Acts chapter 28). However the healings occurred as recorded in Scripture the important thing to remember is that it’s God’s will as to whether or not He intervenes in anyone’s ailment and heals them.
Some Christian groups teach that Christians need not use the medical profession but have the faith that God can heal them. The Bible does not specifically make that claim. Luke the author of the book of Luke and Acts was a physician. He accompanied the apostle Paul who had a thorn in his flesh (2 Corinthians chapter 12 verses 7-10) and he preached through an infirmity in the flesh (Galatians chapter 4 verse 13). In fact 1 Timothy chapter 5 verse 23 advises to take wine for a poorly stomach and other ailments. The Bible appears to promote doctors and medicine as well as supernatural healing. People should always take their prescribed medication even if they think they have been supernaturally healed at least until their doctor confirms the healing.
Another school of thought contends that by walking in faith and not sinning a Christian will not get ill. As we have already seen in the previous paragraphs the apostle Paul had some sort of ailment. Scripture also records Epaphroditus (Philippians chapter 2 verses 25-27), Timothy (1 Timothy chapter 5 verse 23) and Trophimus (2 Timothy chapter 4 verse 20) all getting ill and not being supernaturally healed. They and especially Paul would have been walking in faith and most probably lived purer lives than most but it didn’t stop them being ill.
So, to sum up, the gifts of healing refer to supernatural healing without human aid; they are special gifts to enable different ailments to be cured. Not all Christians have the gifts neither are all people healed. It’s predominantly down to God’s will and grace as to who is healed.