The gift of healing

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Dave...

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The Gift of Healing.

Luke 4:40 When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.

Jesus healed them all.

Acts 5:12-16 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch. so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Peter healed them all.

Acts 28:9 So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.

Paul healed them all.

That's the biblical standard for the gift of healing.


The gift of healing was limited to Jesus, the Apostles, the seventy, and a few close associates like Phillip. It was never meant for the purpose that is wrongly being taught today. It was meant to confirm the message and the messenger. We now have the faith once for all delivered. People are quick to point out that healing and miracles are listed as gifts for the Church in some books from the Bible, but what they fail to realize is that apostles are among those listed as the gifted because they were part of God's plan at that time and therefore also part of His Church.

Of the whole history of man in scripture, miracles through human agency were performed in three brief periods of time, each being about one hundred years. You can confirm this in your Bible if you do a study about when the miracles were happening. With the exception of a very few miracles like Samson's, the rest of them are clustered together in three one hundred year periods. In each of those one hundred year periods God was speaking to His people and that always resulted in what He said being recorded (His written Word). But now we have the faith that was once for all delivered.

Many charismatics claim that Isaiah 53 is proof that there is healing in the atonement, and therefore that results in the gift of healing for today. Let's take a closer look at Isaiah 53 and see what God was saying. The correct context of that chapter must be considered.

Isaiah1:4-6 Alas, sinful nation, A people laden with iniquity, A brood of evildoers, Children who are corrupters! They have forsaken the Lord, They have provoked to anger The Holy One of Israel, They have turned away backward. Why should you be stricken again? You will revolt more and more. The whole head is sick, And the whole heart faints. From the sole of the foot even to the head, There is no soundness in it, But wounds and bruises and putrefying sores; They have not been closed or bound up, Or soothed with ointment.

In Isaiah 1, God was using physical sickness as a analogy for spiritual sickness from sin when speaking of Israel. Considering that context, Isaiah 53 makes perfect sense.

Isaiah 53:3-6 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

The right context doesn't allow modern charismatic interpretations of Isaiah 53.

Now...still not convinced?

1 Peter 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed.

The apostle Peter applies Isaiah 53:5 to salvation from sin.

Again, lets look further into the context,

1 Peter 2:25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

The expression healed (In 1 Peter 2:24) Means "to be forgiven." The phrase "but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." shows what Peter means by "healed" in verse 24.


Now, to the question "Is there healing in the atonement"?

There is a sense in which physical healing took place in the atoning work of Christ, but that healing waits to be realized in the future. The physical part of salvation (a physical wholeness) is something we look forward to, not something we possess today.

Rev. 21:4And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.

The healing ministry of Jesus...

Matthew 8:16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,

8:17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: "He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses."


Now, you say that this means we're to claim healing in the atonement, and in a sense that is correct. Other than the authentication of the message and the messenger, Jesus healed people to illustrate the healing in the glory to come. But that's not yet realized. If the healing of the atonement were fully realized now, no Christian would ever be sick or die. The atoning work of Christ spiritually transforms us now and will physically transform us in the future.

Note: This is not to say that God cannot and does not heal today, even miraculously if He so desires. What it does mean is that He heals according to His will in answer to faithful prayer and no longer heals through the gift of healing (through human agency). It is not God's purpose that all Christians live in perfect health and many times God has a purpose in sickness. Never the less, it is all from God.

Miracle in the Biblical sense of the word...."a miracle is an extraordinary work of God that involves His immediate and unmistakable intervention in the physical realm in a way that contravenes natural processes.

Providence....."Providence is Gods faithful, moment-by-moment control over everything He has made to ensure that everything He has created achieves the end He has chosen."

P.S. God mostly answers prayer by providence. :thm

Many people today confuse providence with miracles (In the Biblical sense of the word). I believe what is happening today is that people are being taught to see Him only in miracles, as a result, they are trying to make everything into a miracle. But God does not need for us to try to make everything into a miracle to be glorified. He did not create the universe and wind it up like a top just let go, occasionally intervening with a miracle here and there. He created the universe and governs it by His providence. He is intimately involved in every aspect of our lives. All of it. We will glorify God most if we see this. God is sovereign over all things, not just in miracles.

The gift of healing is not for today. The Bible, and the [lack of] evidences prove this overwhelmingly.

Dave
 
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Miracle in the Biblical sense of the word...."a miracle is an extraordinary work of God that involves His immediate and unmistakable intervention in the physical realm in a way that contravenes natural processes.
Have you in person seen any miracles from God take place ? Healing ?
 
Dave...

The gifts come through the Holy Spirit working through those who have been anointed by the Holy Spirit. These gifts are still active today given to all in whom the Holy Spirit wants to work through. What you are giving is the false teachings of Cessationism that comes against scripture.

1Co 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
1Co 12:2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
1Co 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
1Co 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1Co 12:5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
1Co 12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
1Co 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

1Co 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
1Co 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
1Co 12:10 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:
1Co 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
 
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Have you in person seen any miracles from God take place ? Healing ?

Hi Hawk

This point of contention is going to be about healing through human agency (I'll assume that into your question).

No I haven't. Not any miracles through human agency. For the record, none in answer to prayer, either, though I don't doubt that can happen.

I've had many prayers answered through providence.

Dave
 
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Dave...

The gifts come through the Holy Spirit working through those who have been anointed by the Holy Spirit. These gifts are still active today given to all in whom the Holy Spirit wants to work through. What you are giving is the false teachings of Cessationism that comes against scripture.

1Co 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
1Co 12:2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
1Co 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
1Co 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1Co 12:5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
1Co 12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
1Co 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

1Co 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
1Co 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
1Co 12:10 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:
1Co 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Hi For His glory

I believe that I addressed this in the OP.
 
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OK lets dig in. :)

Think about this for a moment. These sign gifts had a purpose. That purpose was not to prove the faith of the believer being healed. Hence "all were healed".

This I've seen with my own eyes. Todays modern faith healers put the burden on the believer in every way, removing it from themselves. That way, when they run short of the matter, the blame goes to the person who wanted the healing, and not the healer. I hear the stories of instantaneous miraculous healing through human agency. I don't think the evidence is backing up the claims. The waters between healing through human agency and other healings are being muddied for good reason. The bottom line is this, it's not happening. Walk into a hospital and heal everybody. That's what the gift of healing does.

BTW, cessation is speaking of the sign gifts only. Anything good that comes from us for the Church is an undeserved gift from God. Sweeping the front steps of your church, that's a gift from God. For what do you have that you did not receive?

http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/sg1857.htm
http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/sg1858.htm


2. THE HYPOCRISY OF MODERN HEALERS

The question I hear all the time is: "Well, how do you explain what goes on?" All right, let me ask you a question. Since none of the healers can heal with a word or a touch, instantaneously, totally, everybody, organic diseases, and raise the dead; since none of them have received the gift of healing from Jesus or the Apostles; since the Bible is complete, the revelation has ceased, and more signs are no longer necessary; since the Word needs no confirmation -- it is sufficient that the man of God might be perfect; since their healings are based on faulty theology of the atonement and salvation; since they disallow God His own purposes in having some people remain sick; since their personal lives are not known to manifest the fruit of the Spirit; since so many tricks, gimmicks, and special effects are often used; since the evidence is weak, unsupported, and so-called testimonies exaggerated; since they do not go to where the sick are, as Jesus did; since they cannot heal all who come to them; and since their healings can have other possible explanations rather than that God has acted supernaturally; let me ask you this question: "How do you explain it?" You can't explain it biblically -- it is fraud, they are deceived. Maybe they don't know they are deceived; maybe they are honestly deceived, but they are deceived.

3. THE HEALING OF GOD

You say, "Are you saying God doesn't heal?" No. God answers prayer. Second, God heals in answer to prayer. God heals miraculously in answer to prayer. God heals miraculously in answer to prayer where there is faith. God heals miraculously in answer to prayer where there is faith to manifest His own glory. Don't say I don't believe God heals. I've seen Him heal. I've seen Him heal miraculously. I've seen Him heal miraculously to manifest His glory. I've seen Him heal miraculously to manifest His glory in response to faithful prayer. God heals. But, God does not heal everybody and God no longer heals through the apostolic gift of healing. That gift has ceased." Macarthur


If you want to know where the faith healers go when they are sick you can read for yourself here....

http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/healthyself.html

Many of todays "faith healers" are from the name it and claim it crowd, like Smith Wigglesworth.

"He claimed that the Christian has the power to speak things into existence: "God declares, 'You have an anointing.' Believe God and you will see this happen. What you say will come to pass. Speak the word and the bound shall be free, the sick shall be healed" (Wigglesworth, "Power from on High," Pentecostal Evangel, May 27, 1944)."

That leads to the obvious question....Why would we need the "gift of healing" from those gifted in this way if all we needed to do was to claim it?

"The Charismatic movement gained credence and initial acceptance by claiming their gifts were the same as those in Acts. For most people that is why they are credible today." That is, because most people believe the Charismatic movement offers the promise of the same gifts described in the New Testament. "Yet," he says, "Now, when challenged by the obvious fact that their gifts don't meet Biblical standards, one of their primary defenses is to claim that their gifts are not the same as those gifts in the New Testament. Faced with the facts, they have had to revoke the very foundation of their original reason for existence." (Thomas Edgar )That's a pretty devastating admission, really. But many Charismatics have had to come to grips with it and have admitted it."

Dave
 
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When it was a believer who was sick, then the sign to authenticate the message and the messenger was not needed as we see in the following verses.

2 Tim 4:20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.

(to Timothy who was sick)
1 Tim 5:23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.
 
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From God. :thm

Dave
Bingo ! So I have seen my daughter healed miraculously it was after she was gathered around at church and prayed for . Doctor said surgery was the only cure , boy was he surprised ! The question is did one of Christians praying for her have the gift of healing ?
 
Bingo ! So I have seen my daughter healed miraculously it was after she was gathered around at church and prayed for . Doctor said surgery was the only cure , boy was he surprised ! The question is did one of Christians praying for her have the gift of healing ?
Hi Hawk

My answer would be no based on what I have posted already. The gift of healing had specific purposes. Do we agree on that much? I would like to hear what you think God's purpose is/was for the gift of healing. If you can, please try to keep it separate from God answering someone's prayer. I believe that there is a distinction between the two. Thanks

Dave
 
BTW, cessation is speaking of the sign gifts only.
So , you would separate the gifts of the Holy Spirit into categories ? Sign gifts and just what is the other categorie(s) ?
Cessation always seems to make up it's own rules , oddly enough .
I don't see the bible making a distinction , it just says gifts of the Holy Spirit in 1Cor12 . I don't see the word sign .

4Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

6And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10To 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:

11But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.


The one and selfsame Spirit , how about that no division even offered at all . One category , Gifts of the Holy Spirit .

Wow , Dave... did you get that part , "severally as he will " ! You can take that to the bank my friend .
 
Hi For His glory

I believe that I addressed this in the OP.
Let me ask you this question. If the gift of healing no longer exist then why is the Holy Spirit still working through those who are still exercising this gift today?
 
Dave...

Nothing of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, given only through the Holy Spirit, can come by human agencies. Humans can do nothing of themselves just like the Apostles unless they are anointed by the Holy Spirit who works through humans who are Spiritually born again and indwelled with the Holy Spirit. We are the disciples of Christ here on earth in whom God works in and through.

John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
 
Let me ask you this question. If the gift of healing no longer exist then why is the Holy Spirit still working through those who are still exercising this gift today?
Hi For His Glory

Can you give us a name? We can then tell everyone on this forum who is sick to fly to this persons town and get healed, right?

Dave...

Nothing of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, given only through the Holy Spirit, can come by human agencies. Humans can do nothing of themselves just like the Apostles unless they are anointed by the Holy Spirit who works through humans who are Spiritually born again and indwelled with the Holy Spirit. We are the disciples of Christ here on earth in whom God works in and through.

John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

I've given examples in the OP. By God, through human agency. That's what the Biblical gift of healing is.

I've never seen one person who today who even comes close to it.

If God wanted to heal someone, He doesn't need human agency to do it. The gift of healing, which is always through human agency had a purpose. That purpose no longer exists.

Dave
 
Hi For His Glory

Can you give us a name? We can then tell everyone on this forum who is sick to fly to this persons town and get healed, right?



I've given examples in the OP. By God, through human agency. That's what the Biblical gift of healing is.

I've never seen one person who today who even comes close to it.

If God wanted to heal someone, He doesn't need human agency to do it. The gift of healing, which is always through human agency had a purpose. That purpose no longer exists.

Dave
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Mar 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Mar 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

All who have been Spiritually born again and indwelled with the Holy Spirit are God's disciples He works in and through them. One can only be healed if they have pure faith in God and believe in their healing. Plus, God also uses doctors for our healing as He works through them.
 
For His Glory

Hey. :)

Notice it doesn't say some, or the ones with enough faith. Aside from the fact that there is serious questions as to whether that part of the book of Mark was even part of the original text or added later. I'll roll with it, ok? :thumb

Here's an example. Act 3:6-8 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." And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God.

That man wasn't told "if you have enough faith". He wasn't even asking to be healed or expecting it. Peter didn't ask God to answer his prayer. He proclaimed it, it happened. It always happened. None were turned away because they didn't have enough faith. Nobody asked for this in prayer. This is the healing through human agency. Peter had that authority. Please show me the person producing those results. All were healed (OP).


Mark 16:15-20 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. [/b]And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.[/b]

Do you know who did this? The ones mentioned in the OP. Do you know who didn't do this. Not one today. Not one.

That's why they are called the signs of the Apostles.

1 Corinthians 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.

Hebrews 2:3-4 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

Even Jesus was confirmed by these same things

Acts 2:22 "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know--

The signs confirmed the word and the person speaking it. No new revelation today. We have the faith once for all delivered. It seems very odd to me, to have to debate something that's not happening. But here we are.

Dave
 
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For His Glory

Hey. :)

Notice it doesn't say some, or the ones with enough faith. Aside from the fact that there is serious questions as to whether that part of the book of Mark was even part of the original text or added later. I'll roll with it, ok? :thumb

Here's an example. Act 3:6-8 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." And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God.

That man wasn't told "if you have enough faith". He wasn't even asking to be healed or expecting it. Peter didn't ask God to answer his prayer. He proclaimed it, it happened. It always happened. None were turned away because they didn't have enough faith. Nobody asked for this in prayer. This is the healing through human agency. Peter had that authority. Please show me the person producing those results. All were healed (OP).


Mark 16:15-20 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. [/b]And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.[/b]

Do you know who did this? The ones mentioned in the OP. Do you know who didn't do this. Not one today. Not one.

That's why they are called the signs of the Apostles.

1 Corinthians 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.

Hebrews 2:3-4 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

Even Jesus was confirmed by these same things

Acts 2:22 "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know--

The signs confirmed the word and the person speaking it. No new revelation today. We have the faith once for all delivered. It seems very odd to me, to have to debate something that's not happening. But here we are.

Dave
You can dispute the gift of healing, but it has never ceased like all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. If you are doubting parts of the Bible as being true then you might as well not believe anything written within it. You either believe all of God's written word or none of His word. Time for me to move on and you have a great day.
 
You can dispute the gift of healing, but it has never ceased like all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. If you are doubting parts of the Bible as being true then you might as well not believe anything written within it. You either believe all of God's written word or none of His word. Time for me to move on and you have a great day.

Hi for his glory.

Everything that I've been saying is written right there in the passage that you provided. You stopped at verse nineteen, I went to verse twenty. It's all there, everything. Look at the parts in bold.

Mark 17-20 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

1)they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

This is the definition that you gave from scripture of the gift of healing, and I agree. It's the Biblical definition. Lay hands on the sick, and the sick are healed. I even gave an example by Peter in Acts 3:6-8. But this Biblical definition does not match the other part you are claiming about a pure faith. I don't see that in this scripture. In fact, the eleven that Jesus was directly speaking to in that passage were rebuked for their unbelief in verse 14.

2) signs

This gift of healing was categorized by God as a sign gift. This was the primary purpose of all those things listed above.

3) the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.

This is the purpose of that sign.

Glory, consider that your idea of having a pure faith to be healed, which is not what that passage teaches, you would also need to come to one of two conclusions. Either one, everyone, and I mean ever single one of them who had a 'pure faith' and was healed, then ran short of the matter in old age, because we all get old, get sick and pass on. Or two, the purpose of the gift of healing was meant primarily for a sign, as that passage states. When the need for the sign had passed, then all the benefits that flowed from that gift passed with it.

I went to a Pentecostal church for years. This Idea that is you just have to have enough faith is extremely destructive. It's not even the gift of healing. While people are plowing forward to do great things for God, they never look back at the wake of destruction left behind. I seen lives and faith destroyed from that doctrine. It makes promises that God never made. A man in my church was diagnosed with cancer. Him and his wife prayed fervently both day and night for two years believing. After two years her husband died. She walked. Not just from that church, but from everything. It left her with only conclusion possible by that false doctrine, that her and her husbands faith wasn't good/pure enough. Unfortunately, this is not unique, but is actually the norm.

Jesus said that we only need the faith of a mustard seed to move mountains. That's strange because in Charismatic and Pentecostal churches, they say the opposite.

The gift of healing was a sign. It was a sign to confirm the those mentioned in the OP and their message. It healed everybody all the time. The only qualification one needed to be healed was to be sick.

I'll read about it in the papers when it happens.

Dave
 
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