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Gifts of the Spirit

5. The Gifts of Healings

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

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.

Because there are so many Bible references, there will not be links to them from these pages, and the student is simply advised to copy and paste the page information into say Word and then study the materials from there.

 

Healing Definition:

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

 

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 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:

•  healings = removal of sickness or disease

 

•  miracle = a miracle is creative e.g. organ replaced

 

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.