Author’s Note: Over the past few years I have witnessed literally hundreds of healings. I contend that healing is just as much a part of the Gospel as forgiveness of sin. In fact, if I thought God was unwilling to heal as he did in times past, I would not preach the Gospel. I do not represent a merely historical religious figure, but a living Christ.
My experience has taught me that those who do not receive healing are generally not convinced that God will heal them. Because they are not fully persuaded of God’s will on the matter, they cannot pray the prayer of faith that is able to heal the sick. They can only pray prayers of doubt and uncertainty, and often die as a result.
The articles written in this series, Biblical Bodily Healing is solely written from the perspective cited in the previous statements. They represent my own perspective, and not necessarily the editors of Zeal for Truth. This series will represent what I believe to be the biblical truth that healing belongs to all of God’s children, that in every instance where healing is sought it may be obtained – not on the basis of personal or religious merit, but only as a gift freely given and paid for by the stripes on the back of Jesus. I wholeheartedly believe that the information contained in these articles has all the necessary biblical foundation to build faith for healing, and those needing healing should approach the material with an open heart and mind.
Origin of Sickness and Disease
From the Genesis account of creation, we know that everything God created was good. Genesis 1:27 tells us that the first man and the first woman were created in the very image of God. In the midst of the garden God had created for them to live in, there was only one thing they were prohibited from doing. They were told not to eat the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Along with this prohibition, God warned them of the consequence of such an action.
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die (Genesis 2:17).
We know that following their disobedience, they did not immediately die physically. Most Christian theologians agree that they died spiritually, meaning their sin caused them to be separated from God. Most Christian theologians also agree that physical death is the result of spiritual death. This makes complete sense when we consider First Corinthians 15:25-27:
For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
Paul says that physical death is an enemy, and will one day be done away with. Just as Satan is an enemy, so is death – both physical and spiritual .We must conclude that this passage is speaking of physical death, because it is the only kind of death that has yet to be completely eradicated.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away (Revelation 21:4).
Sickness is Nascent Death
It is no secret to us that sickness and disease are the beginnings of death. Some of the more serious diseases – heart disease, AIDS, cancer, etc. – are often considered to be potentially fatal. However, many of what are considered minor illnesses can be fatal under certain circumstances. Even in the United States people still die from influenza, for example. In some developing nations, it is not uncommon for people to die of dysentery.
Sickness of Satanic Origin
Because we know that it was Satan who tempted Adam and Eve to sin, we know that sin originates with him – a fact confirmed by First John 3:8, when it states, “He that sinneth is of the devil. For the devil sinneth from the beginning.” This is also made clearer by Ezekiel 28, where the prophet makes mention of Lucifer in his pre-satanic state. Since death is the result of sin, and sickness and disease are attributes of death, it stands to reason that sickness and disease are of satanic origin.
The New Testament gives us more clarification of this fact. Jesus himself referred to disease as satanic bondage (Luke 13:16). We know that Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit to remove such bondage (Luke 4:18; Isaiah 61:1; Acts 10:38). We know that Jesus identified a demonic spirit in connection with a case of physical disease (Luke 13:11).
Speaking of Jesus ministry to the sick, Peter made this statement in Acts 10:37, 38:
That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Rather than saying “oppressed of the devil”, the New International Version says, “under the power of the devil.” Sickness, therefore, is a work of the devil. And we know that the Son of God was manifested to destroy the works of the devil (I John 3:8).
Jesus’ Authority Over Sickness and Disease
Most Christians know that Jesus rebuked evil spirits and exercised authority over them. But how many Christians understand that Jesus used that same authority over sickness and disease? In Luke 4:34-36 we read an account when Jesus was met by a demon possessed man. Jesus rebuked the spirit and commanded it to leave. When we get to verse 38 in the same chapter, we read about how Peter’s Mother-in-Law had a great fever. How did Jesus bring healing to this woman? He rebuked the fever, just as he rebuked the spirit a few verses earlier. This is further evidence of the satanic origin of sickness and disease.
Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick (Luke 9:1, 2).
Contrary to what many have believed, Jesus did not limit this authority to his twelve disciples. There were 70 other disciples to whom Christ conferred the same authority (Luke 10:1, 9, 19).
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you (Luke 10:19).
In this verse, serpents and scorpions refer to demonic spirits. The phrase, “all the power of the enemy” is much broader and would include illness. This is very clear when all of chapter 10 is read in context, but even if it had not been so clear, we could come to the same conclusion based on Acts 10:38.
What about Isaiah 45:7?
Invariably when the concept of biblical healing is brought up, many tend to rehash their pre-conceived ideas about sovereignty. Some will argue that God is in control of everything, and because Satan is a created being, ultimately everything evil originated with the Creator. However, we must keep in mind that sin is not a creation, sickness is not a creation, and death is not a creation. These things only exist in the absence of the intended order of creation; they are perversions of the original intention of God. Nevertheless, many will site Isaiah 45:7 to argue the point that even evil is the creation of God.
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
First of all, the King James Version of the Bible translates five separate Hebrew words into the English word “evil.” The New International Version gives us a more clear interpretation of what Isaiah actually said:
I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things.
Even still, some will argue that sickness and disease could be disastrous, and therefore the creation of God. This is why context is so important. We must ask the question, “When God said he creates disaster, what did he mean?” To get the answer, we will have to back up to verses one through three.
Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.
By reading the preceding text, we know that he was speaking in reference to Israel’s deliverance in military battle. The calamity that is mentioned refers to Israel’s enemies, and should not be interpreted as to presume God’s creation of evil in the moral sense.
Next: Biblical Bodily Healing Part II: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
We know that Jesus identified a demonic spirit in connection with a case of physical disease… Rather than saying “oppressed of the devil”, the New International Version says, “under the power of the devil.” Sickness, therefore, is a work of the devil.”
While sickness may very well be “of the devil,” I don’t think you make a good case for it here. Luke 13:11 reads there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” Now, Jesus doesn’t appear to address a demon like He usually did when tossing out evil spirits. Furthermore, we have to consider the context of the society at the time. They considered all sickness to have spiritual roots, as they had little concept of diseases, infections, or basic scientific explanations for bad health. So to say that a woman had a “disabling spirit” is to use the terminology of the day, much like an African tribesman might even today refer to a broken leg as a bad spirit.
As for “healing all who were under the power of the devil,” this could easily be refering to ONLY those who were demonically possessed and required “healing.”
Just a thought on that particular point…
Darius,
look at Luke 13:11 in context, paying special attention to what Jesus said in verse 16.
11And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
12And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
13And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
14And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
15The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
16And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
17And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
I missed verse 16… okay, that’s probably more clear. I’m not saying that health doesn’t have spiritual roots, just that I didn’t find those couple verses terribly convincing. Thank you for clarifying that verse.
I am looking forward to this series. Currently I do believe that supernatural healing is possible and does happen. However, I am quite uninformed and skeptical regarding the causes and “rules” governing its use. I am going to read this series with an open, but critical eye.
How many of the people you have seen healed would you expect will never die? Physical death in ALL forms is the result of a lack of healing, since “healing” can recover any wound, any illness, any disorder. To consistently hold your position that God guarantees healing REQUIRES that you believe God guarantees physical immortality to all believers.
That this is untrue can be validated simply by looking at the history of the church. There has not been a single report of any person in Scripture or otherwise since Elijah who did not eventually die a physical death. Scripture seems to indicate that the NEXT time this will happen is during the rapture. Have you known anyone who you would agree “fully trusted in God” that then died? If so, how did this person die, and why didn’t God heal them? Was it solely do to their lack of faith?
I fully agree that illness and death are the result of sin in the world. I also fully agree that Jesus has authority over them, just as He had the authority to tell the water to become wine. I won’t even argue that God does not impart physical miracles of healing today, or that we should not pray to God for healing. What I WILL deny is that God guarantees to heal all our physical ailments, to always provide food and shelter, or to make us wealthy and happy in this life. For a believer, we live in a fallen world in which we are subject to the damages of sin. Most men will one day die a physical death, whether they believe in Christ or not, and when they do Christ will have broken no promise to heal all ailments and give us a “wonderful life”.
Since Chris hasn’t completed this series, I will withhold much commenting on it and give him the benefit of the doubt (though I know I will likely disagree strongly with him in the end :). That said, I agree completely with Atanamis’ comment.
The problem with the premise is that it is trivially falsifiable by observation of reality. One might as well claim that a true believer in Christ will be entirely sinless! No believer in history has ever demonstrated the claimed quality, and if they HAD done so it would be unimaginably noteworthy. The Bible might guarantee certain kinds of healing of which I am unaware, but it is absolutely impossible for it to guarantee ALL types of healing. My question isn’t why this kind of healing isn’t more common, but rather why has this type of healing never occurred in the history of the Christian church. Once that question is answered, we can move on to others.
“To consistently hold your position that God guarantees healing REQUIRES that you believe God guarantees physical immortality to all believers.”
Atanamis,
I will address this later in the series.
“My question isn’t why this kind of healing isn’t more common, but rather why has this type of healing never occurred in the history of the Christian church. Once that question is answered, we can move on to others.”
Why do you assume this type of healing never occurred in the history of the church? Indeed, it did. It is still occurring because Jesus is still alive.
Yes, after having first dying and leaving a corpse. I realize that Christ’s death was an exceptional case (since he HAD to “die” to defeat death), but then I also fully agree that all believers will receive a bodily resurrection which will result in an “incorruptible” body that will not get sick and will not die. My point was that only two people in history have done this without first leaving a corpse. Those two people are Enoch and Elijah. I also believe this will happen again in the Rapture. Now either every other believer is history simply had too little faith, or God does NOT guarantee unlimited health to His followers. I assume you are taking the first option, that only Enoch and Elijah had the needed faith to avoid all illness in this body?
Note, I understand that this series is incomplete, but I wanted to lay down the essential first problem of your claim. If you can satisfactorily address this issue, you will have earned the right for me to consider your other claims.
Oh, Okay. I misunderstood. Sorry.
I agree wuth the fact that Chris is making a FALSE claim. Many of the great Christians and saints have had illnesss and diseases and eventually died. To claim that all illnesses are due to lack of faith is ridiculous. To say that all illnesses are also cause by the devil or demons is as well ridiculous. Somehow the first sin was brought about by a TEMPTATION, but sin is caused by MAN, it was the free will of the man who said YES to SIN, the devil did not force Adam and Eve to sin. Therefore the cause of sin lies primarily in human beings who are free agents and they could have said no. The cause of Illness is certainly sin. And indirectly we can say that the devil was an indirect agent of it. But we cannot blame the devil for everything either, give me a break. If a rocks fall on my head I may get a terrible headache and get sick, lack of circulation to my brain, etc. We cannot say that the devil caused the rock to fall on my head and therefore the fact that I am in the hospital has been caused by sin, that is ridiculous again. Yes, perhaps in paradise we were protected from acccidents somehow, but we cannot say that the devil causes every single malady or illness, GIVE ME A BREAK! Just look at reality, sometimes a reality check helps, just look around, perhaps it would help the author to visit a hospital and let me know if allthose people are there because teh devil is keeping them there. GOD LOVES TRUTH, GOD LOVES REALITY!