Testimonies
“When my wife and I learned that my brother was terribly ill because of kidney failure, we visited him and prayed sincerely for his healing. He wasn't healed. Later, my brother and my parents were converted before we underwent kidney transplant. My brother received my right kidney. It was a successful surgical operation, giving him additional five years of his life. He joined a group of young Pentecostal believers that encouraged him not to take maintenance medicine anymore as a show of faith that God would completely heal him. In a short period, he passed away when his body rejected the transplanted kidney, an aftermath upon skipping the medication” (narrated by an OAF contributor).
“While driving around the town plaza, I met a group of Mangyans (lately, I found out that they belonged to the Tawbuid tribe). My natural approach was to befriend them and to find a way of discussing anything about God. When I mentioned that our God was a healing God, the Mangyan was amazed. Without hesitation, he brought me his son, having high fever and stomach trouble. I was put into immediate claim to the message that delivered. The simplicity of the Mangyan had shattered all barriers of getting the message across. Hence, I laid my hand to the boy and prayed for a miracle. Suddenly, the boy changed his physical appearance from signs of weakness to being lively. Surprisingly, his father commented that my God was a very powerful one.” (Excerpt from “Reaching Out Mindoro”)
“It was immediately after we landed in that city and settled in our first missions headquarter when my daughter had fever and stomach ache in eight day. Any missionary could relate how the situation in the field was modest and financially incapacitated. We relied on praying to God for healing. At the end of eight days, we consulted the nearby doctor. We found out that our daughter suffered Dengue and she was already at her healing or recovery stage. This was how God supported us through the power of His healing” (narrated by an OAF contributor).
“Severino (not his real name) was admitted to a hospital ICU after consultation because of shortness of breath and dizziness. The hospital doctor diagnosed heart attack according to his ECG. The oxygen in his blood was normal but heart rate was low (52 bpm when confined). He was given oxygen, dextrose, and medicine to increase his heart rate. When he experienced shortness of breath with presence of phlegm, the hospital administered tranquilizer to calm his panicking. His hallucination under the influence of tranquilized worsen his panicking reaction to hardness or breathing, causing him more restlessness until he became very weak. Afterwards, the hospital doctor declared heart failure and instructed his staff to prepare the final vials of medication and machine to recover the dying patient, just in case. The family decided not to administer those medications and procedures, and transferred him to another hospital. At the time of this writing, Severino recovers his health and he is ready to be taken home with maintenance medicine. Is it a miracle or a medical malpractice of the first doctor?” (narrated by an OAF contributor)
After hearing these testimonies or narrated stories, I began reviewing the chapter on “Healing” from the book, “Spiritual Gifts”, by David K. Bernard, a practical teaching and inspirational accounts of God’s supernatural gifts to His church, Chapter 9, pp. 137-157. It's an enlightening book about the spiritual gifts and this article contains excerpts from it on healing. If you would like to have a copy of this book, visit the Pentecostal Publishing House.
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Healing
I Corinthians 12, however, speaks of specific instances of healing that are given to certain individuals but not to everyone. The reference is to healing of physical and mental conditions beyond the spiritual and emotional restoration that all Christians can and should receive as part of their new life in Christ. The examples of healing in the Gospels and Acts correspond to this meaning.
This gift is the only one listed in the plural form; actually there are many gifts of healing. The plural indicates that there are various kinds of healing—both different conditions that are healed and different ways in which healing takes place. With these points in mind, we can define the gifts of healing as various forms of supernatural cure or restoration from illnesses, diseases, injuries, and other impairments.
There are numerous accounts of healing in the New Testament church, including that of a lame man at the Temple; multitudes in Jerusalem; many paralyzed and lame people in Samaria; Saul of Tarsus, who was healed of blindness; and a bedridden man named Aeneas in Lydda.
“And on the same day Peter and John went up into the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man, who was lame from his mother's womb, was being carried. And they laid him daily at that temple gate which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered into the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And fastening his eyes on him, Peter with John said, Look on us! And he paid heed to them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, Silver and gold have I none, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk! And taking him by the right hand, he lifted him up. And immediately his feet and ankle-bones received strength. And leaping up, he stood and walked and entered with them into the temple, walking and leaping and praising God” (Acts 3:1-8).
“And more believing ones were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women; so as to carry out the sick into the streets and place them on cots and mattresses, so that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. And also a multitude came from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing sick ones, and those being tormented by unclean spirits, who were all healed” (Acts 5:14-16).
“For out of those having unclean spirits, many came out, crying with loud voice. And many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed (Acts 8:7).
“And Ananias went and entered into the house. And putting his hands on him, he said, Brother Saul, the Lord, Jesus, who appeared to you in the way in which you came, has sent me to you that you might see and be filled with the Holy Spirit. And instantly scales as it were fell from his eyes, and he instantly saw again. And rising up, he was baptized” (Acts 9:17-18).
“And it happened, passing through all, Peter also came down to the saints who lived at Lydda. And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had lain eight years on a mattress, paralyzed. And Peter said to him, Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you; rise up and spread for yourself! And he arose immediately” (Acts 9:32-34).
Healing in the Atonement
- It is more visible.
- It ministers more directly to urgent human needs.
- It is particularly effective in evangelism.
It is closely associated with God’s plan of salvation, which He designed to reverse all the consequences of sin. He created us as both physical and spiritual beings, and His ultimate purpose is to redeem us physically and spiritually.
Many people argue that this healing is exclusively spiritual, but God’s salvation is for the whole person. Matthew 8:16-17 explains that physical healing is a fulfillment of Isaiah 53:5: “When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: ‘He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.’”
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). What He did for the early church, He will do for the church today. He promised, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:12-14).
When we say that healing is part of the Atonement, we mean that Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection is the basis for our healing as well as our salvation. It does not mean that if we have faith to be saved then we will automatically be healed, or that if someone is not healed then he is not saved. We must realize that some of the benefits of the Atonement are immediate, while others are future.
Now is the day of salvation, in the sense of receiving forgiveness of sins and the new birth, and everyone can enjoy these benefits immediately. But other aspects of our salvation are yet to come. We are still awaiting the redemption of the body in the ultimate sense of glorification. (See Romans 8:23; Philippians 3:20-21.) While some healing is available in this life, complete healing will come in the resurrection. Whatever we do not receive now, we will receive then. But Christ’s sacrifice is the basis for all that we receive, both now and in eternity.
“And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the firstfruit of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, awaiting adoption, the redemption of our body” (Romans 8:23).
“For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which also we are looking for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our body of humiliation so that it may be fashioned like His glorious body, according to the working of His power, even to subdue all things to Himself” (Philippians 3:20-21).
Progressive Healing
Most scriptural accounts of healing describe instantaneous healing, for these cases are the most notable, and we certainly should expect such occurrences. Nevertheless, even in the Bible some healings were gradual. When ten lepers asked Jesus for mercy, He told them to show themselves to the priests, and as they went they were healed (Luke 17:12-14). While their healing came quickly, it was not evident when they asked or while they were with Jesus, but it became evident later.
“And as He entered into a certain village, ten leprous men met Him, who stood afar off. And they lifted voice and said, Jesus, Master, pity us! And seeing them, He said to them, Go show yourselves to the priests. And it happened, as they went, that they were cleansed” (Luke 17:12-14).
“And He came to Bethsaida. And they brought a blind man to Him and begged Him to touch him. And He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spat on his eyes and had put His hands on him, He asked Him if he saw anything. And he looked up and said, I see men as trees, walking. And after that He put His hands again on his eyes and made him look up. And he was restored and saw all clearly” (Mark 8:22-25).
Finally, another minister, Timothy, had chronic illnesses due to a weak constitution. Paul advised him, “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities” (I Timothy 5:23). Apparently, Paul recommended that he drink nutritious grape juice instead of merely water, which could have been unsanitary. In any case, he showed that, while Christians always trust God for healing and strength, they should follow principles of good nutrition and health care.
These passages do not blame sick believers for their illnesses but demonstrate that it is not unusual for Christians to become sick. We still have a mortal body and live in a fallen world, and we are not immune from the diseases, trials, and tribulations of everyday life. We should not view sickness as a defeat but as an opportunity for healing. Whether we receive instant or gradual healing, we give God the glory. If we suffer for a time before recovery, then we learn patience, trust, and other lessons from God. If we die in faith, as everyone will one day (unless the Rapture occurs first), we still have our eternal reward.
The Role of Doctors and Medicine
Doctors perform many valuable services. They educate us in principles of good health such as proper diet, exercise, and hygiene in order to prevent illnesses and epidemics. They alert us to dangers and problems, and when the body fails to function properly, they help put it back on the course God intended. Their knowledge and skill ultimately come from God, and the medicines they use have their origin in herbs, vitamins, minerals, and other substances that God created for our use. Often, medication simply substitutes for something that the body normally provides. In time of sickness we should pray for healing, but if complete healing does not come immediately, there is nothing wrong with using various aids to help the body, including doctors, medication, casts, crutches, and wheelchairs.
Of course, we must evaluate all medical treatments carefully, seeking the will and wisdom of God in everything. Our society overuses medication; the tendency is to think there is a pill for every problem. But we need to be aware of the limitations, side effects, and dangers of various medications and procedures. Moreover, some treatments may not be appropriate for the child of God. A doctor once recommended that a mother undergo hypnosis for pain, but she rejected that option, feeling it would subject her mind to an unwarranted degree of control by an unbeliever.
Sometimes people feel that God has healed them and they no longer need medical treatment. If God has spoken to them, they should stand on His promise. Moreover, if God has healed them, they will be able to obtain verification from the doctors. They should accept healing from God, but they should not discontinue medical treatment as a means of proving their faith and thereby “requiring” God to heal them.
Faith When Deliverance or Healing Does not Come
Sometimes God delivers us miraculously from a trial, but sometimes He allows us to go through a trial. For example, King Herod arrested two apostles, Peter and James. God miraculously delivered Peter from prison, but He did not stop James from being beheaded. The same church prayed for both men. We cannot blame the church or James for lack of faith, but we must recognize that both men lived and died in faith and in the will of God.
When Paul was arrested in Jerusalem, he did not obtain a miraculous deliverance like that of Peter, so he availed himself of all legal protections and appeals. He could have become bitter because God did not deliver him, or he could have given up all attempts to extricate himself on the theory that he should not fight against the apparent will of God. Both choices would have been wrong, however. It was God’s will for him to endure patiently, continuing to pray, work for release, and do whatever he could to further the gospel. In the end, Paul was executed, but in the meantime he was able to witness to various governmental leaders, including the Roman emperor, and he was able to write letters that are part of the New Testament today. God had a purpose in Paul’s trials that was greater than Paul could realize at the time; he simply had to live by faith.
Paul also battled “a thorn in the flesh,” which was “a messenger of Satan to buffet me.” It was the satanic opposition he encountered everywhere he went to preach the gospel. Some think it involved a physical problem; in any case it was not of God. Three times Paul prayed for deliverance, but God did not answer the prayer as he wished. Instead, God told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
“And by the surpassing revelations, lest I be made haughty, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be made haughty. For this thing I besought the Lord three times, that it might depart from me. And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may overshadow me” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).
Faith is not only manifested in miraculous deliverance; faith can be equally seen in patient endurance through trials. Hebrews 11 lists many heroes of faith: some received miracles through faith while others died in faith without receiving a miracle. All obtained the commendation of God and serve as role models for us. The three young Hebrews in Babylon fully expected a miraculous deliverance, but if God did not deliver them they were still committed to serving Him. They told Nebuchadnezzar, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up” (Daniel 3:17-18).
Some people erroneously teach that divine healing will inevitably come if only people have enough faith, make the correct confession, or follow a certain procedure. But God is sovereign; we cannot comprehend Him much less manipulate or dictate to Him. By definition, faith always retains an element of mystery, of the unknown, of trust despite a lack of understanding. We can never reduce it to a simplistic, ironclad formula.
Why Healing Sometimes Does not Come
1. Lack of faith. As we have discussed, many people who have faith are not healed. Nevertheless, faith is a key to receiving healing from God. When we seek healing, we must focus our faith on the Lord and His promises. Probably the greatest reason we do not see more miraculous healings from God in our world today is lack of faith. Although Jesus was a great healer and miracle worker, when He returned to Nazareth for a visit most people did not accept His ministry because they thought they knew Him and His family so well. Consequently, “He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief” (Matthew 13:58).
2. Our own actions. When healing does not come, we should not only examine our faith but we should examine our lifestyle, actions, and environment. Many times, sickness results from our own inadvertent or deliberate actions.
Sometimes, but not always, sickness is the result of sin. After healing a bedridden man at the Pool of Bethesda, Jesus told him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you” (John 5:14). Paul explained that irreverence for the Lord’s Supper could have serious physical consequences: “He who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep” (I Corinthians 11:29-30). God may allow chastisement to come to us in the form of sickness because of a wrong we have committed against someone else, and in such cases we need to repent and confess that wrong in order to be healed.
“Confess faults to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous one avails much” (James 5:16).
Sickness can also result from an unhealthy diet, poor hygiene, lack of exercise, stress, lack of rest, and environmental causes. While we can seek God’s help in these situations, it would be presumptuous to pray for divine healing without attempting to correct the factors that lie in our control. We cannot blame God if we become sick due to our own actions, nor can we say God has failed if He does not heal us instantly in such cases.
We should not judge others who are sick, but we should examine ourselves to see if God is trying to chasten or teach us through an illness. Our violation of a physical or spiritual law could be the cause, and if so we need to correct our ways. If, after examining ourselves prayerfully, we do not see such a cause, we should not live in guilt and condemnation but should continue to walk by faith.
3. The general versus specific will of God. While the Bible gives a general promise of healing to the church, it may not be the will of God to heal instantly in a specific case. All prayers must be subject to the will of God. Jesus taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). He Himself prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Father, if it is Your will, remove this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). God promises to hear and grant “whatever we ask,” but this promise is predicated upon our asking “according to His will” (I John 5:14-15).
James 5:14-16 instructs us to pray for the sick; thus it is always God will for us to do so. We should pray for a sick person’s healing, and we have assurance that God will hear and answer this prayer—but in His manner and time, not necessarily ours. He may heal instantly, He may begin a gradual process of healing, He may use what we consider “natural” means, He may heal later, He may give grace through a time of sickness, or He may allow the person to die in faith and receive the answer in the resurrection.
There can be many reasons why God does not heal instantly; some we can discern, while others are known only to the sovereign mind of God. For instance, instead of relieving our temporary symptoms by a miraculous healing, the Lord may allow us to remain sick for a time so that we will correct the root causes of our sickness. Pain is important in this regard. While none of us likes pain, it is important to listen to our bodies when we have pain. Instead of ignoring a chronic ache, we should seek to understand the cause. People with leprosy gradually lose feeling in their extremities. They do not feel pain when they injure a foot or finger, for instance, and will go for hours or days without correcting a serious problem. As a result, their bodies gradually suffer irreparable damage. Thus it can be a blessing for God not to remove pain immediately but to allow it to help us.
Sometimes God may use an illness to accomplish a specific purpose in our lives or the lives of others. The blind man in John 9 lived with his condition for many years until God’s time for a miracle, and Jesus explained that it was God’s purpose to reveal His works through this man. Many times Jesus must have passed the lame man who sat at the Temple gate for years, but he was not healed until Peter and John prayed for him in Acts 3.
Finally, Ecclesiastes 3:2 tells us there is “a time to die.” At some point, God does not heal miraculously but allows us to pass from this life to the next. Even in cases where life seems to be cut short unfairly, we must trust God’s judgment. Only He knows what could have happened had the person lived longer, and only He knows what will happen as a result of the person’s death.
From the perspective of eternity, we will see all things clearly. The sufferings of this life will seem light, and all earthly lives will seem but a moment.
In conclusion, we should pray for healing unless God impresses us otherwise. We should not use any of the factors just discussed as an excuse not to believe God’s promises of healing. We must pray in faith and live in faith. When we do, we will observe and experience God’s miraculous healing power on a regular basis. Most of all, we will realize that God does not always act as we wish or expect but works all things together for our good.