Gifts of Healings

Ecclesiology – Spiritual Gifts in the Bible – Gifts of Healings

Table of Contents

Overview – Gifts of Healing in the Bible

The subject of healing in the Bible is an immense study. To fully understand the gifts of healing, much of the Biblical context concerning the larger subject of healing has to be explored. This is due to the nature of the subject itself, and the necessity to understand so much of the context that surrounds this entire subject matter.

This subject of Biblical healing includes healing from God, supernatural and natural healing; physical, psychological emotional, and spiritual healing. The purpose of this article is to focus on the spiritual gifts of healing as referenced in 1 Corinthians 12; however it will be necessary at times to reference other types or instances of healing, and the larger subject of healing in the Bible.

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit … gifts of healing by the one Spirit,  11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

– 1 Corinthians 12.7-11

Definitions & Etymology – Definitions of Healing

In Hebrew the word for healing is ‘Rapha’; meaning to heal, cure, repair, restore, or make whole.

In Hebrew the word for cure is ‘Marpe’; meaning cure, medicine, or deliverance.

In Greek, the word for healing in 1 Corinthians 12 is ‘Iama’, which means a cure or effect of a cure or healing. It is a means of healing, remedy, medicine, or healing. This word comes from the Greek word ‘Iaomai’, which means to cure (figuratively or literally) to heal, or make whole.

A healing can be further defined, as a restoration of a person or to make a person whole or restore them to the condition God made them to be in (1 Thess 5.23). This is why healing sometimes encompasses or is referred to as not only a restoration of wounds or cures and removal of diseases, but also the deliverance or removal of evil spirits.

God is our Healer – Jehovah Rapha

God is our healer and the restorer of our being, as He tells us throughout His word. God calls Himself Jehovah Rapha, which means Jehovah is Healer; first mentioned in Exodus 15.26 (Is further mentioned in Jeremiah 30.17, Isaiah 30.26, and Ps 103.3).

God tells His children if they pay attention to His commandments, He will not bring onto them the diseases of the Egyptians because He is the healer.

God said, “If you listen carefully to 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.” – Exodus 15.26

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise – Jeremiah 17.14

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases. – Psalms 103.3

Psalms 103 teaches us that all healing, physical, and spiritual, in any form or fashion is from God. All diseases that are healed are healed by God.

Consequences for Not Trusting God

A full account of King Asa is written in The Chronicles of the Kings of Judah. In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa came down with a severe foot infection. He didn’t ask GOD for help but went instead to the doctors. Then Asa died and was buried.

When Asa had been king for 39 years, he had a disease in his feet. He became very ill, but he did not ask the Lord to help him. Instead, he asked doctors to make him better. 13 Asa died when he had been king for 41 years. – 2 Chronicles 16.11-13

This account teaches us that we are to come to God first for healing, and trust that all healing comes from Him, not matter what manner it may come in. God may heal us through various means, but all healing is from God.

By His Wounds We Are Healed

One of God’s great plans in His redemptive work was to restore mankind to its original state, free from sin and its consequences.

For mankind to be restored and regenerated, someone would have to bear our punishment and wounds for our sins. This is what Jesus did, He bore all our sins and their consequences upon Himself, as prophesied in Isaiah and fulfilled in Matthew and reiterated in 2 Peter.

He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

– Isaiah 53.5

They brought to Jesus many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” 

– Matt 8.16-17

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

– 2 Peter 2.24

This does not mean that every Christian will be free from every disease or injury in this life. For various reasons, we will still suffer in this life in the flesh (2 Corin 5.4). Jesus took our punishment for our sins, the injuries and diseases we deserve.

Some erroneously teach this verse means we will not suffer disease as Christians in this life at all, if that is their interpretation of this verse, they would have to teach we would not get physically injured either or ever experience any pain at all, as it says in Isa 53.4 – ‘He has born our Makob’ (word for pain in the Hebrew).

It should be understood that even if someone was perfectly healed physically, they are still in a body that will eventually physically die, no matter how much health the Lord grants a body.

The truth of the matter is, that it is the spirit that counts, not the physical. Jesus teaches us to always be on the lookout for things eternal and spiritual and not let our eyes get focused on the physical, temporary world (Matt 6.19-21, 6.25-33, John 6.63-71, 2 Corin 4.18, ).

The purpose of this verse is the more important message of salvation and the eventuality of restoration in eternal life (2 Peter 2.24). Here is 2 Peter, it is not speaking about some temporary healing of the physical body but the overarching importance of eternal healing from sin into righteousness.

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

– 2 Peter 2.24

Again in Hebrews, we see a message concerning healing but it is about our primary concern of spiritual healing and making our paths straight in our lives

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

– Hebrews 12.12-13

God does at times use the power of Christ to heal the sick and injured as He wills physically in this life as a testimony in signs and wonders; however, it is on eternal things we should focus on. To understand God uses believers to heal the sick and raise the dead each time the gospel is understood and believed by faith in a person (Matt 10.7-8 with John 5.24, 11.25, Col 2.12-15, Eph 2.4-6, 1 John 3.14). A person is raised from the dead to life when they believe and are healed eternally, whether or not anything physical has occurred.

Jesus said “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die 26. and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die …”

– John 11.25

… even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved 6. and raised us up with him …

– Eph 2.5-6a

God Heals Through Natural and Medicinal Means

There are various instances throughout the Bible in which God heals through medicinal and natural means.

Hezekiah’s Boil Healed with Herbs

Isaiah received a message from God to tell King Hezekiah to put his house in order because he was going to die from a foot infection. Hezekiah wept before the Lord and God had pity on him, giving him an extra 15 years. Isaiah told Hezekiah’s servants to make a cake of figs and put it on the boil to heal it.

Isaiah had said, “Prepare a poultice of figs and apply it to the boil, and he will recover.”

– Isaiah 38.21

Naaman Leprosy Healed with Jordan Waters

He (Naaman) went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.

– 2 Kings 5.14

Healing Waters of Bethesda

For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.

– John 5.4

God Delights in Working through His Creation

Why does God use natural means to heal? God delights in working through and is constantly working in His creation. Creation is provided for by God; animals have their food because God feeds them (Job 38.39), and animals have their place in creation because God gives it to them (Job 39.6). God tells us He is constantly at work throughout all His creation, and He delights in working through His creation (Ps 104.31).

The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: The LORD shall rejoice in his works.  – Psalms 104.31

It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. – Phil 2.13

When God healed Hezekiah, Isaiah used a medicinal process (herbs or a fig cake), but God says it was He who healed the King (2 Kings 20.5). The Bible makes it clear that this is one of the ways in which God chooses to heal people.

Since all healing is from God, and healing is one of the gifts of the Spirit, we can easily see that one of the gifts of healing is using natural methods, which God works, to heal the sick. This does not negate the fact God heals supernaturally but is meant to point out that one of the gifts of healing God gives is to heal naturally since all healing is from Him (Ps 103.3).

Perhaps God does this because He delights in helping and healing even those who do not believe in Him (Matt 5.45).

Gifts of Healings

Throughout the Bible, we see the examples of various types or kinds of healings and gifts of healings and miracles. We see that it is God who heals, and when He heals through us it is the manifestation or work of the Holy Spirit (1 Corin 12.7).

Most scholars agree this was written to the Church of Corinthians about 50+ a.d. or almost 20 years after Jesus’ resurrection, meaning this ministry still had a prominent position in the Church.  Apostle Paul makes a point about the importance of this gift and its placement in the ministry, and they are subject right after teachers in the Church (1 Corin 12.28).

Miraculous Healings

The Old Testament had a number of healings from God, however most examples of miraculous healings came from Jesus and His Apostles. This was primarily due to the fact that the gifts of healing and miraculous workings were a sign of God’s approval of the ministry and the Word of God (Acts 2.22).

Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.

– Acts 2.22

Jesus said healing would follow those who believe when He commissioned His disciples before returning to heaven. This verse does not say that every time a believer lays hands on the sick they would recover, but rather, this is one of the many signs that follow those who believe. Keep in mind that a sign is something from God who chooses to do something to reveal He is the one at work.

 … they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.

– Mark 16.18

Healings from Church Elders

The Bible teaches us to call for the elders of the Church for healing. This shows one of the many ways that God would heal His people in the Church.

Is any 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 man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins he will be forgiven.

– James 5.14

Fervent Prayers of the Saints

God tells us plainly how simple healing is, confess your faults to each other, and pray that you may be healed. The fervent or hot prayer of a righteous person is what avails.

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much – James 5.16

Church Punishment in Sickness and Death

God disciplines His people, and sometimes sickness is punishment for acting inappropriately within the Church. Even death came as a means of God punishing His people so they do not become corrupt and condemned by the world (i.e. Like with Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5.5)

For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. – 1 Corinthians 11.30-34

Hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord. – 1 Corin 5.5

God Doesn’t Always Heal Physically

We find throughout scripture there are various times that God does not heal, and He does this for various reasons. God reveals some of the reasons why He chooses not to heal, other times He does not. It is important for us to search the scriptures to understand the meaning of how God works in this regard (Acts 17.10).

In the same way, sometimes God answers our prayers, other times He does not, and this is true concerning healing and other issues. We need to retain our faith in Him and know His will and ways are greater than our own (Isa 55.8), and that He has a purpose and plan for everything that occurs (Rom 8.28).

There were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha,” Jesus announced, “and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian – Luke 4.27

Jesus Didn’t Heal Every Person

Jesus healed many people, but we have some instances to show that He didn’t always heal every sick person He encountered. At the pool of Bethesda, the place was filled with sick people. Jesus chose to heal only one man, even though verse 5 tells us that this place was filled with many blind, lame and paralyzed.

Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. 5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” 10 and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.” – John 5.4-6, 10

The Apostles/ Church Didn’t Heal Every Time

There are multiple instances throughout the New Testament in which the Apostles left believers ill or sick, or they themselves were ill. This continues to show us the nature of healing and the complete dependency on God for the work.

Do Obedient Christians Experience Perfect Healing

Some groups believe that God heals all believers, perfectly, every time, and instantly. It is not wise to stand on experience as God’s word is truth, so what does God’s word say about this idea? We have many examples in the New Testament of Christian brothers experiencing sickness or ailments.

A woman who was a follower lived in the city of Joppa. Her name was Tabitha, or Dorcas. She did many good things and many acts of kindness. 37. One day she became sick and died. … 39b. All the women whose husbands had died were standing around crying.

– Acts 9.36-39

(Epaphroditus) For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. – Phil 2.27

 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. – 2 Tim 4.20

Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. – 1 Tim 5.23

 Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. – 2 Corin 12.7

It was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, 14 and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead … I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.  – Gal 4.13-15

Faith to be Healed

Acts 14.9 tells us that Paul identified a man who had faith to be healed. We do find the lack of faith hinders the work of God, as Jesus was limited by what He could do for those who did not believe and rejected His works (Matt 13.58). How did Paul identify the man in Acts 14 had faith to be healed? It was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit (John 14.26).

Faith is not always a requirement, how much faith do you think Lazarus had, who was dead, when Jesus resurrected him (John 11)?!

It Is the Lord Who Heals

The Bible makes it clear that it is the Lord who heals. As is already made evident in the verses throughout this article, it is the power of God by the will of God that the healing from God is performed. We see this confirmed in multiple other verses.

When the Apostle Peter healed the lame man by the Gate called Beautiful in Jerusalem (Acts Ch. 2) He confessed at this time it was not by his own power or godliness, but faith in the name of Jesus and the power of God.

When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? … 16. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

– Acts 3.12, 16

We are used by God to be instruments or vessels, as God uses us in this world. Suppose the Lord chooses to use us for physical healing that is glory to Him. Most important is the perfect healing we preach about that comes with salvation, that one day all the elect will experience.

Healing is Done According to the Will of God

The Bible teaches us that God does all things, and all things are done for the glory of the Lord! All power belongs to the Lord (Ps 62.11) however God uses us, our faith and obedience to work through. All things must be done according to the will of God, and whatever was asked, according to His will, will be done (1 John 5.14). The Holy Spirit leads us and guides us as we do His works (Phil 2.13).

“The Lord brings death and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and raises up. 7 The Lord sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts.

– 1 Sam 2.6-7

A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.

– Matt 8.2-3

God did extraordinary miracles through Paul.

– Acts 19.11

Instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so…

– Heb 6.2-3

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

We know that God does not hear sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and does his will, him he hears.

– John 9.31

“…For who has resisted His will…”

– Romans 9.19

[you who say we will do this or that] you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.

– James 4.15

• See Article – Will of God

Nothing Happens Apart from God’s Will

God tells us that nothing happens apart from His will because He is sovereign over all creation continuously. Jesus teaches us of the fact that nothing happens apart from God’s will in the gospels.

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

– Matt 10.29

Jesus only did what He saw the Father doing, in the same way that we as His disciples should only act according to the will of the Father. We are to align or submit our will with His (Ps 40.8, 143.10, Matt 6.10, 12.50, Eph 6.6, Heb 13.21, 1 John 2.17)

Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing on his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise

– John 5.19

The Apostles understood this principle, as even Paul says he will not return unless God will on his missions. It is taught to us in by James in his epistle.

… I will return again to you, God willing. And he sailed from Ephesus

– Acts 18.21

You who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” 14. Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. What is your life? For you are a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”

– James 4.15

Believers can do nothing apart from Christ (John 15.5), therefore Jesus taught us to abide in Him so that fruit may come. The Son only does what the Father is doing (John 5.19), and says He can do nothing by Himself. We see how everything depends on God’s will.

Even Jesus prayed that the cup would depart from Him in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matt 26.36 – “Not what I will, but what Thy will”), and God’s will was for Him to drink the cup. The God who wills for the mountain to move also will not remove the cup, Faith is trusting God’s desire to restore or to permit suffering, and to see what God is doing.

 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good

– 1 Peter 4.19

They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.

– 2 Corin 8.5

Purpose in Suffering

What is God’s purpose, one thing God teaches us is in our weakness He is strong. So what should our attitude be? If God is more glorified in my weakness, then we should delight in our own weaknesses, trials, and hard times.

 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Corinthians 12.8

We see that believers in the New Testament suffered for Christ’s sake and participated in His sufferings. Even refusing to be released from hard times and suffering for a better resurrection. It is important to understand these concepts, because if we do not understand the focus is to be on eternal things, we will not use the gift God properly. Understanding God has a purpose for everything, even when we don’t see it.

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death – Phil 3.10

There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection – Heb 11.25

Types of Healings

The Bible describes various types of ailments and healings that occurred for those various types of ailments.

List of Healings in the Bible

The following is a list of different types of healings found through the Bible:

• Healing or cure from Disease – Matt 4.23
• Healed from Wounds and Injury – Ps 147.3
• Healed from Amputations – Luke 22.50-51
• Healing of Bleeding and Hemorrhage Conditions – Luke 8.43
• Healing of Birth Defects – John 9.1-12
• Healing from Blindness – John 9.6
• Healing from Deafness – Mark 7.31-37
• Healing the Lame – Acts 3.9
• Healing cripples – Luke 13.10
• Healing from Lunacy or Moon Struck – Matt 4.24, 17.14-18
• Healing from Seizures or Epilepsy – Mark 9.17-27; Matt 17.14-18; Luke 9.37-43
• Healing or Deliverance from Evil Spirits – Luke 6.17-19
• Healing of Leprosy – Luke 17.12-19

Is Deliverance a Type of Healing

We have textual evidence that healing included deliverance from evil spirits, and that deliverance from evil spirit and their effects/ influences are a type of healing. Luke 8.2 says people were healed of evil spirits.

This makes sense as we understand the broader meaning of healing is to make a person whole, or restore them to the state they are supposed to be in.

“And a great multitude of people…who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.” -Luke 6:17-19

“And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.” -Luke 7:21

“And certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons” -Luke 8:2

A multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

– Acts 5.16

God gave Jesus of Nazareth the Holy Spirit and power. He went around doing good and healing all who were troubled by the devil because God was with Him.

– Acts 10.38

Jesus healed a disabled woman who He said was bound by Satan for 18 years in this condition. Was this a deliverance, a healing or both?

Then should not this daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be released from her bondage on the Sabbath day? – Luke 13.16

Early Church Fathers on Healings

The following are recordings from the early Church Fathers who wrote about experiencing healing. Augustine was critical of healing which makes his account that much more credible.

“A miracle that happened at Milan while I was there, when a blind man had his sight restored…I have been concerned that such accounts should be published because I saw that signs of divine power like those of the older days were frequently occurring in modern times too…many miracles have occurred there (at Hippo) and to my certain knowledge many miracles have occurred there which are not recorded in the published documents and nearly 70 of these documents have been produced at the time of writing “

– Augustine of Hippo, City of God, 22.8

46. “And there are still preserved among Christians traces of that Holy Spirit which appeared in the form of a dove. They expel evil spirits, and perform many cures, and foresee certain events, according to the will of the Logos. And although Celsus, or the Jew whom he has introduced, may treat with mockery what I am going to say, I shall say it nevertheless

— that many have been converted to Christianity as if against their will, some sort of spirit having suddenly transformed their minds from a hatred of the doctrine to a readiness to die in its defense, and having appeared to them either in a waking vision or a dream of the night.”

67. “And the name of Jesus can still remove distractions from the minds of men, and expel demons, and also take away diseases;”

– Origen , Against Celsus 1.46, 67

“The clerk of one of them who was liable to be thrown upon the ground by an evil spirit, was set free from his affliction; as was also the relative of another, and the little boy of a third. How many men of rank (to say nothing of common people) have been delivered from devils, and healed of diseases!”

– Tertullian, Scapulam, 4

“And so far are they from being able to raise the dead, as the Lord raised them, and the apostles did by means of prayer, and as has been frequently done in the brotherhood on account of some necessity—the entire Church in that particular locality entreating [the boon] with much fasting and prayer, the spirit of the dead man has returned, and he has been bestowed in answer to the prayers of the saints.” – 2.31.2

“Wherefore, also, those who are in truth His disciples, receiving grace from Him, do in His name perform [miracles], so as to promote the welfare of other men, according to the gift which each one has received from Him. For some do certainly and truly drive out devils, so that those who have thus been cleansed from evil spirits frequently both believe [in Christ], and join themselves to the Church.

Others have foreknowledge of things to come: they see visions, and utter prophetic expressions. Others still, heal the sick by laying their hands upon them, and they are made whole. Yea, moreover, as I have said, the dead even have been raised up, and remained among us for many years. And what shall I more say? It is not possible to name the number of the gifts which the Church, [scattered] throughout the whole world, has received from God, in the name of Jesus Christ” – 2.32.4-5

– Irenaeus Against Heresies, 2.31-32

References

https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/god-heals-all-our-diseases-really

https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-pleasure-of-god-in-ordinary-work

https://www.gotquestions.org/healing-Bible.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/gift-of-healing.html