Divine Healing

Divine Healing

INTRODUCTION

Notes taken from: "Miraculous Healing," by H. W. Frost; T. T. Shields’ sermons of 1952; "Heresies Ancient and Modern," by 0, J, Sanders; "Asking and Receiving," by John R. Rice;

J. F. B. Commentary, and writings of Morris Cerullo, a faith healer.

Let us consider the passage 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

Here we have Paul the faith healer, praying three times for deliverance from sickness and it was denied him. In Acts 28:1-31, Paul performs two miracles. In Acts 28:3-6, the miracle of no harm from the viper bites, and in Acts 28:7-8, Paul healed Publius’ father of a fever.

Some sickness comes from the devil and some comes from the Lord.

It is thought that it was a chronic ophthalmia-an eye disease inducing weakness and a repulsive appearance. Galatians 4:15, "... ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me." Galatians 6:11, "Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand." That is, large writing due to failing eyesight.

The Bible is a supernatural book-a miracle book, and it tells the true stories of many miracles. The lepers were cleansed; the eyes of the blind were opened; the deaf could hear; the lame could walk; the demon possessed were delivered; the dead were raised The greatest miracle is the resurrection of our Saviour. All other miracles are inferior. Our God is a miracle working God. Jehovah Rophi (Exodus 15:26) is one of His names. Exodus 15:26, "I am the Lord that healeth thee."

See Psalms 103:3. Our God is the God of the impossible. Matthew 19:26, "... with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." Luke 18:27, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God" Could God have healed Paul? Yes, certainly. God could have healed him instantaneously. Why didn’t God heal Paul? It was not the Lord’s will. This is the important crucial question in a given case. Is it the will of the Lord?

Yes, He certainly does, if and when it is His will to do so.

Mrs. Douglas was healed of eclampsia in West China in February, 1951.

Dr. H. W. Frost, in his book, "Miraculous Healing," tells in detail of ten cases of sickness. Of the ten, five were miraculously healed One was healed of strep throat; another of seasickness and complications; heart attack; insanity; nervous prostration.

It is usually God’s will to heal. In a lifetime we are healed of many diseases. We only die of one sickness--the last one.

Healing is normal and generally to be expected Does God always heal? No. Paul was not healed If we were always healed, then we would never die.

The faith healers say that it is, and base their claims on Matthew 8:7, and Isaiah 53:5.

We understand this to mean soul sickness for bodily sickness is not mentioned by Peter referring to this passage in 1 Peter 2:24, "Who His own Self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we . . ." He didn’t mention physical healing, but soul healing from the ravages of sin.

If healing is in the atonement, then all sickness is of the devil.

Then sickness would be a sign of backsliding. But this is not true in the case of Job. This teaching would take all comfort away from the sick-bed.

Then medicines and doctors would be wrong. But God told Hezekiah to use figs as medicine, and Paul told Timothy to use wine as medicine for his stomach.

If healing is in the atonement, both salvation and healing would be eternal. But history proves that even the very best of saints have to die. The faith healer can11ot answer this question: If healing is in the atonement, why do Christians die?

This is a summary of the teachings of Dr. A. J. Gordon and Dr. A. B. Simpson, faith healers.

Observations: Both men experienced miraculous healing, personally and for others.

Both were overcome by sickness and died in spite of many contrary prayers.

Both fell under a spiritual cloud in sickness, concluding personal sin.

How much better to be resigned to the will of God and relax happily in the will of God.

James wrote as a Christian Jew to Christian Jews. The sick were to call for the elders, a set, elected board, consisting of men only. The elders are to pray over the sick and anoint him with oil. The elders are to pray the prayer of faith, like Elijah’s prayers that opened the heavens.

It is the faith of the elders, not necessarily of the sick one, that heals. See Mark 2:5, "When Jesus saw their faith, He said unto the sick of the palsy. . ."

James speaks of confessing faults one to another. "... IF he have committed sins. " It is possible to be sick without having committed sin. These sins will be forgiven.

There is no record of such a thing in the New Testament.

Long thirty-minute appeals for money that rob the churches of tithes and offerings.

Fake healings bring much shame on the Lord’s Name.

Many of the healings are mental, for the people were not physically sick at all.

75% of the sicknesses are recoverable without a doctor or medicine. To throw away medical advice after following it for years can be suicide.

Some in the excitement think they are healed, but later realize the truth. This leads to disappointment, disillusionment and sometimes to despondency and hardness.

Sometimes people demand that God perform a miracle against His will because of Luke 11:10. The wrong attitude to sickness is given. One ought not to struggle against Him, but yield to Him.

Job learned to know God better than ever before. The blind man had the miracle performed (John 9:1-38) showing forth the works of God. Lazarus was allowed to die but was resurrected for the glory of the Lord. John 11:4.

Sickness kept Paul from self-exaltation, 2 Corinthians 12:1-21; 2 Corinthians 7:1-16.

Sickness can be invaluable chastening which we all need (Hebrews 12:11) A deathbed scene with the saint relaxed and happy in the will of God is the great capstone of the race. Jesus promises, "My grace is sufficient." - even in sickness.

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