Jesus Christ came from heaven, suffered, died and rose again, not just to save us from the penalty and power of sin, but also from the effects of sin.<\/p>\n
A great portion of Christ\u2019s earthly ministry was dedicated to healing the sick. He healed all kinds of people of all kinds of diseases: the blind, the paralyzed, the lame, the deaf, lepers, those who had fevers, and many with chronic illnesses. We find no record in the Gospels of Jesus turning anyone away who came to Him for healing, nor do we find that any disease was too difficult for Him to heal. He even raised the dead.<\/p>\n
At the beginning of Jesus\u2019 ministry, He announced what He had come to do. In the synagogue in Nazareth, where He had grown up, He read from Isaiah 61: The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord\u2019s favor.<\/em><\/p>\n He concluded His reading by saying, Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing<\/em> (Luke 4:18-21 NIV). Healing was part of what He came to do.<\/p>\n Matthew\u2019s Gospel describes many incidents of Jesus\u2019 healing ministry. In one particular passage he says: When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: \u201cHe took up our infirmities and carried our diseases\u201d<\/em> (Matthew 8:16-17 NIV).<\/p>\n The passage that Matthew quotes is from Isaiah 53:3-5, which describes the atoning ministry of the Suffering Servant, God\u2019s Anointed One: \u201cHe was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; The punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.<\/em>\u201d (NIV)<\/p>\n This passage tells us that Christ\u2019s atoning work is not only to bear our iniquities and transgressions, but also our \u201cinfirmities\u201d (which some versions translate as \u201csicknesses\u201d) and our \u201csorrows\u201d (which can be translated as \u201cdiseases\u201d). Some have spiritualized this passage to interpret this as referring to spiritual maladies, not physical ones; but Matthew applies it to physical healing.<\/p>\n The apostle Peter quotes this passage, not only citing Christ\u2019s saving ministry, but His healing ministry as well. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed<\/em> (1 Peter 2:24 NIV). Healing is part of Christ\u2019s atoning work.<\/p>\n To understand the relationship between salvation and healing, we need to look at the relationship of sin and illness. God created mankind in His own image and likeness (Genesis 1:27). After creating mankind, God saw all that he had made, and it was very good<\/em> (Genesis 1:31 NIV). What God created, including mankind, was perfect. Adam and Eve were placed in a perfect environment to enjoy perfect fellowship with their Creator, while they served in a fulfilling occupation by taking care of God\u2019s creation. It is reasonable to believe that they also enjoyed perfect health.<\/p>\n However, mankind\u2019s disobedience, as recorded in Genesis 3, changed all that. Mankind lost their perfect environment and their perfect fellowship because they sinned. Taking care of creation became a chore, not a joy. Death, both physical and spiritual, entered the human race as a consequence of their disobedience. Part of the \u201cdeath sentence\u201d must also be illness, which can lead to physical death. After the Fall, people began to get sick and die.<\/p>\n Though not every individual illness is the direct result of an act of sin, the ultimate source of illness is a consequence of mankind\u2019s sin. Jesus came not only to save us from the penalty of our sin, but also from the effects of our sins\u2014illness.<\/p>\n Throughout the Old Testament we see the Lord as the Healer, as well as the Savior of His people. To the Israelites, even before the Law was given, God revealed Himself as I am the Lord, who heals you<\/em> (Exodus 15:26 (NIV). Abraham prayed for the healing of Abimelech and his household (Genesis 20:17). Moses prayed for the healing of his sister, Miriam (Numbers 12:13). Elijah and Elisha were instruments of God to heal people (1 Kings 17:20-23; 2 Kings 4:32-37; 5:1-15). King Hezekiah was deathly ill. He prayed for healing, and his health was restored, and fifteen years were added to his life (2 Kings 20:1-11). The ministry of healing is not just a New Testament phenomenon, nor is it limited to the Covenant of the Law. One of the last promises in the Old Testament is one of healing: But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings<\/em> (Malachi 4:2 NIV).<\/p>\n Jesus not only had the power to heal, but He also gave His disciples authority to heal in His name (Matthew 10:1). Some think that this authority was given only to the Twelve. Luke records that Jesus also authorized seventy-two unnamed disciples to preach and heal as well (Luke 10:1, 9). Healing is part of the commission that Jesus gave His disciples before His ascension, as recorded in Mark 16:15-18.<\/p>\n The apostles, as they began their ministry after they were filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, began healing people in Jesus\u2019 name (Acts 3:1-10; 5:12, 15-16; 9:32-43). The apostles were careful to proclaim that Jesus Christ is the healer and not take the credit themselves (Acts 4:8-12; 9:34).<\/p>\n But it wasn\u2019t just the twelve apostles who had a healing ministry, but other believers as well: Stephen (Acts 6:8) and Philip (Acts 8:5-8) were table servers (deacons); Ananias, a believer in Damascus (Acts 9:17-19). Paul, Barnabas, Silas, and others were also instruments of Christ\u2019s healing power (Acts 14:8-10; 16:16-18; 19:11-12; 20:7-12; 28:7-10).<\/p>\n It should be pointed out that the New Testament seems to indicate two types of healings: miraculous healings, and the quiet ministry of healing within the church body. Miraculous healings draw attention to the gospel message, resulting in numbers of people believing in Christ. The healing of the lame man (Acts 3:1-10) brought a crowd of people to whom Peter preached, resulting in the congregation growing to 5000 (Acts 4:4). Healings in Philip\u2019s ministry in Samaria made people pay attention to his message (Acts 8:4-8). The extraordinary miracles and healings in Paul\u2019s ministry in Ephesus (Acts 19:11-12) resulted in word of the Lord spreading widely in that region (Acts 19:17-20). Miraculous healings are still occurring today, many times in parts of the world where the gospel is being preached for the first time. It is a demonstration of God\u2019s great power to unbelieving people.<\/p>\n The ministry of healing within the local congregation is what A. B. Simpson used to call the \u201cLord for the Body,\u201d whose purpose is to build up the believers. The Holy Spirit gives gifts of healing (1 Corinthians 12:9, 28) for this type of ministry. The purpose of all spiritual gifts is to edify, strengthen, and comfort the Church (1 Corinthians 14:3, 5, 12, 26). The use of the gifts of healing should contribute to the building up of the Church.<\/p>\n James gives the following instructions for the healing ministry in the local congregation: Is any of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 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. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective<\/em> (James 5:14-16 NIV).<\/p>\n The elders of the church should oversee the ministry of healing in the local body. They are usually the most mature believers in the congregation. There is nothing \u201cmagical\u201d in anointing with oil. It is simply a symbol of the Holy Spirit, who applies the work of Christ in the life of the believer.<\/p>\n Prayer and faith in Christ our Healer must be exercised together, both by the person seeking healing and the elders who are administering it. James also says that confession of sin is necessary when ministering healing, because harboring sin will keep a person from experiencing God\u2019s blessing of healing. Obedience to God is one of the conditions for healing.<\/p>\n If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord who heals you<\/em> (Exodus 15:26 NIV).<\/p>\n Does Christ still heal today?<\/strong> Yes. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever<\/em> (Hebrews 13:8 NIV). His power to heal has never decreased.<\/p>\n Is everyone healed who follows James\u2019 instructions?<\/strong> No, not everyone, but many are. Healing may come gradually, or it can come instantly. The believer needs to learn to draw on Christ\u2019s healing strength day-by-day, and to use his\/her new strength to serve the Lord. Christ does not heal so that we will feel good, but so that He will be glorified (John 9:3; 11:4).<\/p>\n Why are godly people not always healed?<\/strong> Healing, like any other work of God, is a sovereign, supernatural act of His grace. God does not exist to fulfill our demands or requests, but rather we need to discern God\u2019s will and pray according to what we believe that He wants to do (1 John 5:14-15).<\/p>\n Is it wrong to take medication or seek medical help?<\/strong> No. God has given men and women great understanding of the human body, diseases, and cures of various kinds. However, the ultimate question is, in what are you trusting? Are you trusting in medical science and the skill of physicians, or are you trusting in Christ as your Healer?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Jesus\u2019 Healing Ministry Jesus Christ came from heaven, suffered, died and rose again, not just to save us from the penalty and power of sin, but also from the effects of sin. A great portion of Christ\u2019s earthly ministry was dedicated to healing the sick. He healed all kinds of people of all kinds of diseases: the blind, the paralyzed, the lame, the deaf, lepers, those who had fevers, and many with chronic illnesses. We find no record in the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":23,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/width-medium.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-56","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","ctfw-no-image"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P9vaGn-U","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":23,"url":"https:\/\/bethelcma.org\/bethel\/beliefs\/","url_meta":{"origin":56,"position":0},"title":"Beliefs","author":"Garry Gardner","date":"September 18, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Who Is Jesus Christ? The person and work of Jesus Christ is summed up in a name given to Him before birth: ...Immanuel which means \u201cGod with us\u201d (Matthew 1:23). As God, He has \u201clife in himself,\u201d with neither beginning nor ending, eternally the same, with all power and authority\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bethelcma.org\/bethel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/CMA_Logo_red-300x292.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":66,"url":"https:\/\/bethelcma.org\/bethel\/beliefs\/spiritual-gifts\/","url_meta":{"origin":56,"position":1},"title":"Spiritual Gifts","author":"Garry Gardner","date":"September 19, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"What are spiritual gifts? Spiritual gifts are supernatural empowerments given by the Holy Spirit to the followers of Christ so that Jesus can continue His ministry through us. Luke affirms in Acts 1:1\u20132 that his gospel account of Jesus\u2019 life was simply about all that Jesus began to do and\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":62,"url":"https:\/\/bethelcma.org\/bethel\/beliefs\/evangelizing-the-lost\/","url_meta":{"origin":56,"position":2},"title":"Evangelizing the Lost","author":"Garry Gardner","date":"September 19, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Evangelism and discipleship are inseparable. Both involve intentional process. Evangelism begins as a relationship and is initiated and cultivated for the purpose of influencing others and communicating the gospel of Jesus Christ and the new life He offers. This life is available for now and for all eternity to anyone\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":18,"url":"https:\/\/bethelcma.org\/bethel\/core-values\/","url_meta":{"origin":56,"position":3},"title":"Core Values","author":"Garry Gardner","date":"September 18, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Who we are We are followers of Jesus Christ, who are being made whole & wholly committed. Why we exist Bethel church exists in the heart of Iowa to... Proclaim the Gospel Help people grow in their faith and Connect Jesus' followers to the worldwide kingdom of God in fellowship\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bethelcma.org\/bethel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Logomrk_wrdmrk-hrz-color.jpg?fit=1200%2C400&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bethelcma.org\/bethel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Logomrk_wrdmrk-hrz-color.jpg?fit=1200%2C400&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bethelcma.org\/bethel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Logomrk_wrdmrk-hrz-color.jpg?fit=1200%2C400&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bethelcma.org\/bethel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Logomrk_wrdmrk-hrz-color.jpg?fit=1200%2C400&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bethelcma.org\/bethel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Logomrk_wrdmrk-hrz-color.jpg?fit=1200%2C400&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":53,"url":"https:\/\/bethelcma.org\/bethel\/beliefs\/sanctification\/","url_meta":{"origin":56,"position":4},"title":"Sanctification","author":"Garry Gardner","date":"September 19, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"This outline study is offered to help clarify and personalize the work of the Spirit of God in our lives. It is intended to provide an initial listing of scriptures that will help define the mysterious work of the Spirit of God at work in our life. It is not\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":59,"url":"https:\/\/bethelcma.org\/bethel\/beliefs\/water-baptism\/","url_meta":{"origin":56,"position":5},"title":"Water Baptism","author":"Garry Gardner","date":"September 19, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Water baptism was established by Christ in connection with His Great Commission to the apostles (Matthew 28:19). He said that new disciples were to be baptized in the name of the Triune God. The Christian and Missionary Alliance believes Jesus meant this to be a permanent practice called an ordinance.\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelcma.org\/bethel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/56","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelcma.org\/bethel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelcma.org\/bethel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bethelcma.org\/bethel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bethelcma.org\/bethel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bethelcma.org\/bethel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/56\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":57,"href":"https:\/\/bethelcma.org\/bethel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/56\/revisions\/57"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bethelcma.org\/bethel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bethelcma.org\/bethel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}The Relationship of Salvation and Healing<\/h2>\n
Healing in the Old Testament<\/h2>\n
The Healing Ministry of Jesus\u2019 Followers<\/h2>\n
Two Kinds of Healing<\/h2>\n
The Ministry of Healing in the Local Congregation<\/h2>\n
Frequently Asked Questions about Healing<\/h2>\n