First Peter 2:24 says of Christ, "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."
One of the primary rules of biblical interpretation which must never be violated is context. What is the context in 1 Peter 2? Answer: salvation. There is no way to interpret it in any other sense. The verse is talking about Jesus on the cross dying for us, enduring punishment and bearing our sins, thereby providing salvation for us.
When certain people get hold of this passage, however, they change the context from salvation to physical healing. Every time such people see the word "heal" in the Bible they assume it refers to the miracle of divine healing for the physical body, regardless of whether the context indicates otherwise.
A number of times in Scripture the word healing has specific reference to spiritual healing. There are diseases of the soul that have to be healed -- and the primary disease of the soul is man's unregenerate state, which is rooted in sin. The good news is that God has provided healing for this disease of the soul. And that is what Peter is talking about in 1 Peter 2:24. He is not saying that physical healing of the body is guaranteed to every believer.
Certainly, healing for the body is a benefit of Christ's death on the cross, a benefit for the church as a result of His atoning sacrifice. However, it is not -- it has never been in the history of the church -- a guarantee that God has to heal your body; He doesn't have to!
God does say He will graciously entertain our prayers. He says that if we exercise faith, and if our request is in accordance with His will, He will hear us. But He never said that the mark of true spirituality is that you would never sneeze.
Some within the church will try to tell you, "God's perfect will is that you are never going to be sick." Well, I'll tell you something: there are certain lessons -- if you are honest -- that you'll admit you never would have learned unless the Lord flattened you out long enough to get your attention. Sometimes God teaches us things through our suffering.
Moreover, I must say that sometimes a person, after praying for a healing, may receive a no from God -- a benevolent no, a kindly no, a protective no maybe, but no nevertheless. Tragically, however, there are teachers -- in the Faith movement, for example -- who have the colossal gall to tell people that if they were more spiritual, if they had more faith, if they believed like they believed, they would be well. Such faulty teaching can crush whatever faith these poor people have.
Now, I believe you should go to the Lord and believe Him for healing, and trust Him for healing, and pursue Him for healing. And I believe you should search your soul to make certain there is nothing in your life standing in the way of healing. But you must come to Him and lay yourself out on His conditions. The Scripture says, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us" (1 John 5:14). If perhaps God intends to teach you something through an illness, He might not heal you immediately.
So don't think you are being neglected by the Holy Spirit if you don't get healed. Don't assume that the Lord is against you. Don't conclude that you necessarily have an absence of faith or secret sin.
Take a good look at 1 Peter 2:21: "Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." Circle the word example in this verse. Here we are told that Jesus suffered. And He left us an example. We are to follow in His steps.
And what is the meaning of Philippians 3:10, which refers to "the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings"? Let us be clear on this: suffering is an integral part of the fact of life, and is often used by God in the development and maturation of the Christian.
The apostle Paul had a greater standing with the Lord in terms of his ministry than I have or anybody else has ever had. According to 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 Paul requested healing from the Lord three times. And three times he got an answer back: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Translation: God said no to Paul's request for healing. And God had a purpose in saying no.
Did Paul have lack of faith? Rubbish! Was Paul suffering from some secret sin that he was carrying around? Do you see how utterly absurd this is? Do you see how it plays on people's emotions and lives? Do you see how it undermines faith in the absolute authority of Scripture and transfers it to a human being whose experience becomes the criteria?
This type of teaching eats like a cancer in the body of Christ and it must be resisted and opposed at every opportunity so that Christians will not have a cloud hanging over their heads all the time. Instead, they will realize that Jesus really does love them (despite their illness) and that any healing that may come is in His sovereign hands, not ours.
A special note of thanks to Bob and Pat Hunter for their help in the preparation of this ASCII file for BBS circulation.
Copyright 1994 by the Christian Research Institute.
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Psalm 103:2,3.... Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases.
The Biblical subject of Divine Healing has created much debate, confusion, and division among the Church today.
There are many wrong teachings regarding Divine Healing, which rob the Christians of their faith, and blessing provided by God in His Word.
The purpose of this article is to view some of these teachings and ideas, and to restore the Christian's faith in God's powerful Word. Then, and only then, will the Believer be able to appropriate the promises of God, by faith, therefore enabling him to obtain healing.
Because of God's Sovereignty, He has to allow every event to happen, or He would not be in control, or be "Sovereign."
God either allows events to occur out of His "Permissive Will," or out of His "Directive, or Perfect Will." God out of His mercy and love for mankind, has allowed Medical Science to progress to it's present level. Yes, God did give man the knowledge to accomplish this, but God did so out of His, "Permissive Will," not wanting mankind to suffer needlessly.
God does not need, per se, the medical science in order to heal. God's Spirit does not work through unregenerate men! One cannot possess or exercise the "Gifts of the Spirit," without being a Christian. If God needs to work through the doctors, then why do the doctors get most of the time the praise? Why doesn't God get the praise ALL the time? Doctors are not "gods," and they don't have the final answer.
Healing by the doctors through operations is known as, "healing by mutilation," while on the contrary "Divine Healing," is healing by restoration. God does not have to cut certain parts out of you to make you well, He simply restores what is wrong, or delivers us from the spirit which is causing the illness. All the spirits are subject to Him.
Luke 10:17, Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord even the demons are subject to us in your name."
While we are at this verse, I'd like to refute another false doctrine, which is being propagated today, that is, "The power to heal, do miracles, and cast out demons was only given to the "original twelve disciples," to get the Church started." This Scripture says "The seventy,".... had power over the demons! And if it was just the "original twelve," how did Paul heal and deliver people? Paul was not one of the original twelve! How come then that it still happens today?
Consider the lady with the flow of blood in Mark 5:25-34 "Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse."
Notice that the Bible says this lady "suffered many things from many physicians." "She spent all the money she had." And to top it off, "She was no better, but rather grew worse." This still occurs today. When someone is sick with a terminal illness like cancer, they go to the doctor, spend most or all of their life savings on medical treatments, and then most of the time are given up by the doctors to die, and get worse! Then, the ones who are Christians, turn to God for help!
Because they went to the arm of the flesh (man) first and when man cannot do any more to help, they turn to God. This is just opposite of what the Bible teaches us to do!
Let us consider what happened to King Asa of Israel, when he became diseased in his feet.
II Chronicles 16:12-13 "And in the thirty nineth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the Physicians.
So Asa rested with his fathers; he DIED in the forty first year of his reign." This is usually what happens when we put our trust, faith), in man instead of God. Only God can do the impossible!
Let us examine this Scripture. The Bible says: Asa did not seek the Lord, but the Physicians, and the end result was that HE DIED! What do you think would have happened if Asa would have sought the Lord for his healing?
Isaiah 38:2,3..."Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord and said, "Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly."
verse 5..."Go and tell Hezekiah, Thus says the Lord , the God of David your father:"I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will add to your days fifteen years."
By turning his face to the wall, Hezekiah closed himself off and only saw GOD. His fervent prayer, tears and faith made God change things around. Again we have the Scriptures admonishing us to trust The Lord for our healing.
If People Didn't Get Sick And Die, They Would Live Forever!
Any argument or "logical reasoning," will not hold water, because it is not based on the Word of God, but rather on "Man's Logic." The Devil, being the liar, thief, and murderer that he is, will instill ideas into the minds of Christians to rob them of their faith, and promises, ultimately killing them in the end, by robbing them of their healing!
John 8:44, "You are of the your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.
When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it."
Satan deceives many Christians with the thought, if there was no sickness in the world, then nobody would die. He will even quote the Word by bringing to mind this Scripture: Hebrew 9:27 "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." Let us examine this Scripture, does it say that man has to be sick to die?
No! The Bible simply states that it is appointed for men to die once, but does not say we are to die of disease!
Genesis 9:29 says, "So all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years; and he died." The Bible did not say Noah died from some disease, nor did it say that he didn't. Let us consider this one Scripture, which sets forth a "Universal Spiritual Principle."
In John 14:2, Jesus states, "In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."
Now we all agree that Jesus was telling the truth in this Scripture. Since Jesus is the "Word" (Logos), before His incarnation, as stated in John 1:1. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
Jesus in John 14:2 was revealing a profound truth which can be applied to all Scripture, by stating, "if it were not so, I would have told you." Regarding the subject of what caused Noah's death, I believe if Noah had died of disease, God would have stated that very fact. But because the Scriptures simply stated that Noah died, implies it was his appointed time to die, and not from disease!, "if it were not so, I would have told you."
Let us look at some of the other Saints and see what caused their deaths.
Genesis 25:8 "Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people." In the Greek, this verse states, "Then Abraham gave up the Ghost and died, in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people. The Greek says to give up the Ghost is to (expire). Not suffer from some disease, at the hands of the Devil!
The Greek also states that Abraham was "an old man and full of years." The "full of years" meaning, "satisfied," in the Greek. Not sick in some demon infested hospital, being tortured.
There are many other examples in the Word which show that one does not have to be sick to die. God sets the appointed time for us to die.
Some would say, "well, what about the Apostles who were martyred? What about them? They were not sick, they did not die of disease. Sure they died a violent death, but Jesus warned that this would happen.
See Luke 11:49; Matthew 23:34; John 15:20 & Acts 7:52. I do not see anywhere in the Word where Jesus said you will die of sickness!
Does God Puts Sickness On Us For His Glory?
First of all God is not the author of sickness & disease. Acts 10:38 "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and HEALING ALL who were OPPRESSED BY THE DEVIL, for God was with Him." Here we see that the author of oppression and sickness, is the Devil, not God! If God put sickness on people then why did Jesus go around healing them?
Now for the proponents of "man's reasoning", which state that God allows us to be sick for His glory, or that it may not be God's Will to heal the Believer, I have one question for them. Why, when they get sick, do they run to the doctor to try to get rid of their sickness or disease, and rob God of all that glory or to be out of His Will??? On the other hand, if God allows us a physical trial and we appropriate our faith in His Word, and receive Divine Healing, then God is truly glorified.
Is Divine Healing Provided For In The Atonement?
The non-charismatic Christians refuse to accept the "Full- Gospel," which the Bible clearly teaches. This is due to their rejection of "The Baptism in the Holy Spirit." If we do not have the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth, then we cannot see the Spiritual truth of Divine Healing.
See John 16:13. In fact the non-charismatic church rejects anything the Word of God has to say which deals with the "supernatural," except salvation. I am not saying that non-charismatic Christians do not have the "Work of the Holy Spirit," in their life "For Regeneration." This is a whole different matter from the "Baptism in the Holy Spirit." What I am saying is, one can be saved, without receiving the "Baptism in the Holy Spirit." Acts 19:1-7 is an excellent example.
The Word shows that Salvation and Divine Healing go hand and hand with each other.
Matthew 9:2 "Then behold, they brought to Him (Jesus) a paralytic lying on a bed. When He saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven you." In verse 5, Jesus replies to the scribes, For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise and walk.'?
This also shows the relation between sin and sickness. Sickness is a direct result of sin. This is not to imply that everyone who goes through a physical trial, has sinned. Example Job, he was a righteous man in all his ways, yet he went through a severe trial of his faith. Job was also healed by God and God restored all his possessions two-fold! Read the Book of Job.
We are told in Isaiah 53:4-5 "Surely he has borne our griefs and carried away 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 of our peace was upon Him, and by HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED." Here God states that Jesus was "wounded for our transgressions," (our sins), and by "His stripes we are healed," (Divine Healing).
So Divine Healing is provided in the Atonement of Christ, and was provided for us some 2,000 years ago! Also see, I Peter 2:24.Here Peter states, "by whose stripes you WERE healed." The "were," meaning, past-tense!
Is it Always God's Will To Heal Us?
Matthew 4:23b... preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.
vers 24b... and they brought to Him ALL sick people who were afflicted witn various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epilaptics and paralytics; and HE HEALED THEM.
Matthew 8:16... they brought to Him who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word and healed ALL who were sick.
LUKE 4: 40... 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.
Acts 10:38... How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing ALL who were oppressed by the devil (this includes sickness, because sickness is not of God, but of the devil), for God was with Him.
James 5:14-16..."Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sin, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed."
Now have a look at Hebrews 13:8... Jesus Christ is the SAME, yesterday, today and forever.
Conclusion ! Now you get 2+2=4
If The Lord meant that Divine Healing was not for all, as Salvation is meant for all, then there would have been an enclosure in His Word stating that healing was for some and may not be for others... But, that is nowhere to be found.
Neither did Jesus say to anyone who came to Him for Divine Healing, "uh... Let's see, perhaps you should keep that cancer, My grace is sufficient for you, go and glorify My Name".
Praise God, I am so happy Our Saviour never said that. He couldn't even say that, because He knew God's plan as revealed in Isaiah 53:4-5.
Faith in Action!
In the respect of making a confession or profession, one makes a statement of his beliefs, or simply "saying what one beliefs".
When you believe, you will ask or speak out.
Matthew 7:7-8... Ask, and it will be given to you...........For everyone who asks receives....
Matthew 7:11... If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in Heaven give good things to those who ASK Him!
Matthew 19:26... But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men this is impossible, but with God ALL things are possible."
Mark 9:23... ALL things are possible to them that believe!
Mark 10:52... Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well."
Mark 11:22... Jesus said to them, "Have faith in God."
Mark 11:24... Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ASK (confessing what you believe) when you pray, BELIEVE that you receive them and you WILL have them.
John 15:7... If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ASK (confessing what you believe) and it SHALL be done to you.
John 14:14... You may ask me for ANYTHING in My name, and I will do it.
James 2:20 says that, "Faith without works is dead." Faith is not produced by works to be sure, but on the contrary, "True faith will produce corresponding actions."
This is true of the woman with the issue of blood for she said to herself, "If I only touch His garment, I shall be made well." This was her faith acting, by touching Jesus' garment. Her faith got her healed. For Jesus said to her, "daughter be of good cheer, your faith has made thee well." See Matthew 9:21-22.
Again, all these scriptures in combination with Hebrews 13:8...(Jesus Christ is the SAME)provides us with enough security that God will answer and heal.
We also come to the conclusion, that it is of utmost importancy for the believer in Jesus Christ, to know, understand, obey and believe His Word; the scriptures.
Why Don't Christians Always Get Healed?
If we do not obtain healing, it is not God's fault, we must examine our end and find out where we missed God! How do we know God's Will? God's Will is His Word! Whatever God says in His Word is His, "Revealed Will."
If it was not God's Will to always heal us, God would not have included Divine healing in the Atonement for one thing, and He would not have put His promises for Divine Healing in His Word.
You ask, "Why then do so many Christians suffer and die from sickness and disease?"
1 Cor 11:27-30...."For this reason many are weak and sick, and many sleep (die)." It certainly is not God's fault! He clearly states His position on the matter.
It has to be man's fault! There are a number of reasons why Christians do not get healed.
Here are some of them:
1. Disobedience to His Word, unconfessed and hidden sins; bad habits, unforgiveness etc.
2. Wrong teaching, as to pray with the doubting "if it be Thy will". Praying in doubt, questioning God's Will to heal them, when God has clearly stated in His Word, that it is His Will to heal! God's Word is His Revealed Will!
Christians which hold to this negative, faith destroying "if," cite the following Scripture to back up their doubt.
Mark 14:36 & Luke 22:42, where Jesus is praying and wrestling with the "Cross" which he knows is soon to come, and He states, "if it is Your will take this cup from me." But Jesus being God, turned right around and stated, "nevertheless not my will, but Yours, be done." This shows Jesus' obedience to the Father, and that He knew what the Father's Will was, but He was agonizing over the Cross. Jesus was not praying according to a promise which God had provided, through His sacrifice at Calvary.
3. Rejection of the "Baptism in the Holy spirit", with the evidence of Speaking in Tongues, resulting in blinding to the "Spiritual Truth of Divine Healing" as clearly taught and provided by God in His Word.
4. Lack of teaching on faith, resulting in "lack of faith." If we do not know what faith is, or how to obtain faith, or appropriate it to the promises of God, we will never receive healing. Everything we receive from God is by FAITH, starting with Salvation on! "By Grace ye are saved through Faith!
5. Wrong methods of prayer. If we do not know how to pray the "prayer of faith," we will receive nothing from God. Faith is really the most important element to obtaining anything from God, from Salvation, to Divine Healing, to entering the Kingdom of God for eternity! The Word states: "without faith it is impossible to please God," Hebrews 11:6. Also, "what ever is not of faith is sin," Romans 14:23.
6. Praying in the incorrect name! We must always pray in the Name of Jesus.(John 14:13)
7. Unbelief in having received the answer when they prayed, but merely hoping!
Mark 11:24 "Therefore I say unto you, whatever things you ask when you pray, BELIEVE THAT YOU RECEIVE THEM, and you will have them." One must be exercising faith, and not merely hoping!
8. Not maintaining positive Biblical Thinking, which results in the expression of negative confession. "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh." Matthew 12:34 & Luke 6:45.
9. Not professing positive Biblical Confession. Not having enough of God's Word in your heart to keep faith from wavering. Hebrew 20:23.
10. Not acting on their faith, therefore showing that they do not really believe that they received their petition, when they prayed. Mark 11:24 & Luke 17:14 states that the lepers were "healed as they went to show themselves to the priests." The lepers didn't refuse to leave Jesus' presence, until their healing manifested! No they walked away before they saw that they were healed!, then their healing manifested while they were on the way! They acted on their faith.
There are many reasons why Christians miss God and do not obtain Divine Healing, but let's not blame God for our shortcomings! It is our responsibility to study God's Word, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Tim. 3:16.
"Be diligent to present yourselves approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Tim. 2:15.
May you be encouraged and experience that which is impossible with man is possible with God. (Matthew 19:26)
Servant of the Most High,
Bischop Dr. Trudy Veerman
http://achristiancounselor.com
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