A Series that considers the Gifts given by the Holy Spirit to Believers

1. Introduction

This page is one of a number that seeks to provide basic study material for the Christian who wishes to see what the Bible says about the gifts of the Spirit.

Healing Definition: a supernatural intervention of God's power over sickness, disease and brokenness, to bring restoration without or beyond natural means.

2. Variety of Healings:

•  It is Gifts of healing i.e. there are as many sorts as there are possibilities of things being wrong.

•  The Lord often seems to use different people for dealing with different sorts of sickness or infirmity, e.g. may be:

  •  diseases (longer term) e.g. leprosy
  •  infections e.g. ear infection
  •  to relieve pain or stress e.g. headache
  •  to rapidly restore that which is broken e.g. bones, nerves, ligaments etc.
  •  physical or emotional (psychological, spiritual)

  

•  Often involves the removal of something e.g. pain, infection etc.

•  Often involves the bringing of something e.g. peace, strength, cleansing, restoring.

In the N.T. the Greek words are:

• "therapeuo" = to heal or cure (Mt 4:23,24, 8:7) - the most common

• "iaomai" = to restore (Mt 8:13 , Lk 4:18 )

• "hygiaino = to make well again, made whole (Mt 12:13, 15:31, Jn 5:6,9)

•  "sozo" = to rescue, to save, to make whole (Mk 5:23, Acts 14:9)

 Some distinguish between healings and miracles as follows:

3. The Gift of Healings

Examples of healing in the O.T.:

•  God who is a healer  Ex 15:26

•  Promises of healing   Ex 23:25,26,   Psa 41:1,3

•  Naaman healed: simple instruction    2 Kings 5:14

•  Hezekiah healed : prayer & prophecy    Isa 38:1-5

•  Abimelech: prayer by Abraham     Gen 20:17

What we can learn from these:

•  Healing often came by prayer

•  Healing often came with word of wisdom or prophecy

Examples in Jesus' Ministry :

Examples in Matthew (which ones were miracles?) :

•  Leper healed 8:1-3

•  Centurion's servant 8:5-13

•  Peter's mother in law 8:14,15

•  Paralytic 9:1-8

•  Jairus's daughter 9:18-26

•  Two blind men 9:27-31

•  Mute given a voice 9:32,33

Instructions about healing:

•  To the 12 (Mt 10:1,5,8)

•  To the 72 (Lk 10:1,9)

•  Jesus' healing as prophetic fulfilment (Mt 8:17 ). NB. It is NOT automatic to be claimed of right, but may be expected as Jesus leads. God delights to heal.

•  To all Mt 28:17-20 / Mk 16:17,18 / Jn 14:12

Examples of healings in Acts:

• Cripples healed 3:1-10, 14:8-10 

•  Generally 5:16,   8:7,   19:11,12,   28:9

•  Bedridden paralytic 9:32-34

•  Dorcas from dead 9:36-41

Suggested Guidance for healings:

•  Fill your heart with the Scriptures to believe.

•  Be sensitive to the Spirit's leading, for people before you.

•  Be full of love & compassion for people before you.

•  Expect words of knowledge to initiate & proceed.

•  Find out what is wrong (at least on the surface).

•  Ask God how to pray.

•  Pray with the faith God gives you.

•  Check out progress and be prepared to continue praying.

•  Recognise healing may be instantaneous, or gradual.

•  Recognise healing may be partial or problem reoccur if the Lord links it with other unresolved issues there.

•  Yet expect God to move in grace and power.