Healing
- Thread starter Glenn
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So.... What do you define as "Faith" - and does faith necessarily include Obedience or not? Whose "Faith" is required?
If the Power was within YOU - why would ANYONE ever have to learn "My grace is sufficient for you"...
You need to reread several times what I wrote and meditate on the word of God given. You have everything you need. Here's your answer as to the definition of faith.
Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
I think the passage in Isaiah 53 speaks mostly to the healing of spiritual sickness (our iniquities, transgressions, and chastized shalom). Does anyone else see that?
Of course Jesus had faith. And scripture says the people lacked faith. If you don't want the gift and lack faith that is on you.
Why would Jesus (who is God) require faith?
Jesus was also human. I was responding to someone who asked if Jesus lacked faith. Jesus didn't lack any faith. And sorry Asuk won't get pulled into one of your debates on a word.
It is not so much as seeing it Paul.........IMO that is exactly what is says.
John.....I would point out that the Apostles had the same abilities as did Jesus. Jesus commissioned them in Marl 16:17-18
"And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Many miracles were performed by the apostles (2:43). Peter healed the lame man at the Temple (3:7-11). God answered Peter in a miraculous earthquake (4:31). Ananias and Sapphira were slain by the Lord (5:5-10). Signs and wonders continued to be done by the apostles (5:12). Peter healed many from various cities (5:12-16). The prison doors were opened by an angel (5:19). Stephen wrought great wonders and signs (6:8). In Samaria, Philip did great miracles and signs (8:6,7,13).
To Christians:
1. It teaches that we walk in His provision Isa 33:15-16
2. It teaches that some of us may be sick if we in sin 1 Cor 11:30.
3. It teaches that faith is needed to pray for sickness James 5:15.
To the unGodly:
1. God does not listen to their prayers John 9:31. They can have the ebola virus and beg for God to help them and He will not hear them.
The big annoyance with the discussion on healing is that Christians get entangled on the subject of faith. Suggesting it is on par with positive thinking.
We are given a measure of faith when we get saved Rom 12:3. This measure is clearly from the Holy Spirit and sufficient to call Jesus Lord 1 Cor 12:3. So now, we have solid faith (like gravity) in believing a man who died 2000 years ago rose from the dead and is God. Let's say it is $1million faith. Now faith of a mustard seed can move a mountain. A mustard seed is 2-3 millimeters in diameter. God's example clearly had a sarcastic motive. He wants us to grasp that faith needed to move a mountain is not even $1 faith. Now faith needed for healing? Less then a mountain surely? and far less then our $1million dollar faith already given. We have another example of God's faith related sarcasm in Matt 6:26.
Conclusion: A Christian lives at a very high level of faith. Prayer for healing is far beneath them. That is why elders should be called. It is not always a simple matter. There could be sin. It could be God's will.
Other facts to consider:
1. Sinners are sick. Christians are not sinners. We have sin, but are not 'sinners'.
Mark 2:17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.
2. Elders have qualifications. You and I are not elders.
James 5:14-15 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.
3. Age = inevitable sickness for Christians too.
2 Cor 4:16-17 This is the reason we never lose heart. The outward man does indeed suffer wear and tear, but every day the inward man receives fresh strength. These little troubles (which are really so transitory) are winning for us a permanent, glorious and solid reward out of all proportion to our pain.
4. Lay hands on no man suddenly 1 Tim 5:22. If a demon is causing someone's sickness and we cast it out. They return with seven times more Luke 11:24-26. So basically someone healing someone of the flu (chasing out a demon) could be giving them the ebola in a weeks time
.5. We walk in God's full provision as children of God. Does a kid need to ask a father for a bandage? Does a kid need to speak confidently to get a bandage? Does a kid need to memorize words (by His stripes we are healed) to get a bandage? Will a good father not help the nervous (appearance of no faith)/ dumb (can't read scripture in the first place) / retarded / stupid / stuttering / young / illiterate child first?
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KingJ, though I loved your exposition I would like to point out that two words are usually used to refer to physical healing in the NT...one is iaomai (to heal, to cure), and the other is therapeuo (from which we get "therapy", to work towards a cure, to make the unsettled condition right so as to promote healing)...but in James 5 the prayer of faith could be the sick persons confession of Christ and before God, and as for the "shall save the sick" is not the same as to "cure their disease", but sozo or "save"....IMO this could be (not is) to assure their place in Christ's promised resurrection (Christ in you the hope of Glory)...as this is the NT common usage for the term being "raised up"...otherwise why finish the statement with the forgiveness of their sins...I admit this is something somewhat speculative...so what do you brothers and sisters think?
I agree with you. I would say James 5:14-15 contains both scenario's.
My opinion is that God heals anyone He chooses whenever He chooses!
That same opinion then says that a man or woman does not have that ability today whether they be a pastor, teacher, evangelist or whatever. The healing power of of God's Holy Spirit is NOT a "force" which an individule can call down or upon and demand He do what we ask of Him simple because we faith in God. That to me is blasphemous.
I liked your post because the point you brought is very valid.. Healing is a gift from God to the person being healed.. I can absolutely agree with that.. If a pastor prays for a person and he is healed, then the gift is received by the person who is healed.. But God uses certain people as vessels.. It does not make them "healers". Or God does not call evangelists to host healing crusades (only place to expect healings!!!) As Major rightly said, God choose when, where and through whom healing will come. He can use a person or not use a person..
As a believer, we are called to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.. That is what Lord wants us.. When we are sick, we cry to Lord "Heal me Lord!!". We are to do the same thing when we see someone else who needs healing.. We are to have the same burden.. That is the key point for me to look at gifts of the spirit.. What is our attitude towards those gifts.. It is for edification of the Church.. Love is top among all the gifts.. In fact, love is the essence of the gifts.. Praying for someone to be healed without a love for them - don't think it works that way.. That is why I believe in calling my pastor when I am in trouble than a popular healing evangelist.. I used to do that many years ago.. But as I study scripture more, I understand without love these gifts do not make any sense..
Not that I disagree with you, but your post had me thinking. Mainly the verse you mention where it says "Heal the sick, raise the dead." My question would be who actually needs to have the faith, the one healing, or the one being healed? Does it have to be one or the other? Could it be both? If not, then are we saying the dead that was raised, had faith? Or did the one raising the dead have faith? Great thought provoking post!
Great question. Raising the dead only the person raising the dead has to have faith. The reason two have to have faith is because lack of faith will hinder the healing. A dead person is dead therefore no lack of faith is in play. If a person goes around saying it is Gods will Im sick then they will continue or maybe take longer to be sick.
Would this be just for healing, or would this apply to all miracles being performed?
I just thought of something..
Let's say there is a family. There is a mother who is in a coma. She has two sons. One of the sons has great faith, and believes God will heal his mother. The other son listens to the doctor, and doubts his mother will be healed. Will the son with doubt affect the other son's faith, and hinder the mother being healed through faith?
All miracles. One thing to consider is some people don't see alot of miracles is because they are walking in the blessing of God. I would rather be blessed than see miracles throughout my life