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A
partial list of special gifts of the the Spirits are found
in 1 Cor 12th chapter. One such gift is that of divine
healing. The purpose of these divine gifts are to qualify
individuals for their specific duty or position in the
church. Before we explain the Bible definition
of the word church and the church that we read about in
the Bible, let us look at the subject of DIVINE HEALING.
Physical healing can result thru "mind over
matter", use of various remedies, and of course the
body itself has a certain "built-in" natural
sense of healing. According to the scriptures however,
"divine healing" is physical healing by divine
power directly manifested in answer to prayer and faith.
Both Old and New Testament record instances of
supernatural healings. Now even though we will not receive
our "new body" until the resurrection, there is
provision in the great plan of redemption for deliverance
from physical ailments in these present life.
Divine healing is one of the
benefits of the atonement of Christ and was prophesied of
many places in the Old Testament. Isaiah is speaking
Christ and says in Isaiah 53:5--But he was wounded for our
transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the
chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his
stripes we are healed. David says in Psa 103:3--Who
forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy
diseases.
In fulfil lment
of all the Old Testament prophecies, Jesus healed
"all manner of sicknesses and all manner of disease
among the people"
(Matt 4:23). He healed
Peter's mother-in-law of a fever
(Matt 8:14-15), the
withered hand( Matt
12:10), the blind, the lame and on various ocassions vast
multitudes came to him and "he healed them all"
(Matt
8:16). Granted, one purpose of this was to establish that
he was truly the son of God, but compassion was also
another reason. Mark 1:41 says, And Jesus, moved with
compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith
unto him, I wilt; be thou clean.
GOD STILL HEALS
It is God's will that the sick be
healed. Divine healing did not end with Christ's earthly
ministry, for after the crucifixion of Christ there were
still many wonderful healings performed. For example,
Peter healed the lame man at the gate of the temple
(Acts 3:2) and Paul
did likewise in Acts 14:10. Nor did divine healing end
with the disciples, for Stephen and Philipp (the
evangelist) were not apostles, but were instrumental in
very wonderful healings
(see
Acts 6:8 and 8:7).
Divine healing is still taking
place yet today where the truth of God's word is upheld
and preached in its entirety. Many today teach or believe
the days of miracles are past. However, we would simply
quote Rom 3:3-4--For what if some did not believe? Shall
their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God
forbid. Yea, let God be true, but every man a liar.
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