Introduction

I. Divine Healing and Health is Not...

...healing and health by natural remedies, imagination, will power, demonology, mind over matter, denial of sin, sickness, disease, or healing my the means of modern medicine.

II. Divine Healing and Health Is…

…a definite act of God through faith in Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and the Blood of Jesus Christ, by which the human body is cured, healed, repaired, delivered from sickness and its power, made whole, sound, and healthy as it was before the attack.

III. Is Divine Healing and Health Scriptural?

There are six Hebrew words and eight Greek words that are found in the scriptures which teach healing in areas such as salvation, deliverance, preservation, soundness, healing, health, body, soul, and spirit

Besides bodily healing these same words are used to convey healing in other areas such as, the soul in Psalm 41: 4; a vessel in Jeremiah 19:11; land in II Chronicles 7:14; waters in Ezekiel 47:8-11; and backsliding in Jeremiah 3:22. It is logical reasoning then that when we take the word literal in these scriptures we should also take it literal when it is used in the context of bodily healing.

1. The Hebrew words are: Rapha, means and is translated cure (Jeremiah 33:6); to make whole (Job 5:18); heal (Numbers 12:13); be healed (Genesis 20:17); healeth (Exodus 15:26); thoroughly healed (Exodus 21:19); and physician in Genesis 50:2. Marpay, means and is translated healing (Jeremiah 14:19); health (Proverbs 4:22); remedy (II Chronicles 36:16); sound in health (Proverbs 14:30); and wholesome (Proverbs 15:4). Yeshuwah means and is translated health (Psalm 42:11); deliverance (Psalm 18:50); salvation (Psalm 91:16). Psalm 91 teaches healing and health physically. Arubah means to restore to sound health (Isaiah 58:8). Chabash means healer (Isaiah 3:7); and to bind up or heal (Job 5:18). Rifooth means health (Proverbs 3:8).

2. The Greek words are: Therapeuo which means and is translated heal (Matthew 8:7); healed (Luke 4:40); cure (Matthew 17:6); cured (John 5:10). Iama means healing or repairing (I Corinthians 12:9). Iaomai which means and is translated heal (John 12:40); healed (Mark 5:29); healing (Acts 10:38); whole (Acts 9:24). Iasis means healing and cure (Luke 13:32). Hugiano means sound health (III John 2). Hugies means healthy, sound and whole (Matthew 12:13). Sodzo means to save, deliver, protect, heal, preserve, and make whole. It is used 86 times in reference to saving the soul but in Matthew 9:21-22; Mark 5:29, 34; 6:56; 10:52; Luke 8:36, 48; 8:50; 17:19; Acts 4:9; 14:9 it refers to saving of the body and its sickness. Dia-sodzo means to save and to heal thoroughly , make perfectly whole and is used of the body being healed (Matthew 14:36; Luke 7:3).

IV. Old Testament Cases of Sickness and Healing

(Not Exhaustive, approx. 54 cases documented)

1. Barrenness of the Philistine woman: cause – divine intervention for Sarah (Genesis 20:1-7, 18); remedy – prayer (Genesis 20:7, 17); result – healing (Genesis 20:7).

2. All sickness of Israel: cause – misuse of the tongue and rebellion (Exodus 15:24-26); remedy – the Word of God, prayer and obedience (Exodus 15:26; Psalm 107:20); result – the whole nation made perfect in health (Psalm 105:37).

3. Jeroboam’s withered hand: cause – attempted violence to a man of God (I Kings 13:4); remedy – prayer; result – healing (I Kings 13:6).

4. Job’s boils: cause – Satan (Job 1:6-22; 2:1-10); remedy – prayer and humiliation (Job 42:6-17); result – healing and prosperity (Job 42:6-17; James 5:11).

5. David’s venereal disease: cause – sin (Psalm 38:3); remedy – prayer and confession of sin (Psalm 38:1-22); result – healed (Psalm 6:2; 30:2; 103:3).

V. New Testament Cases of Sickness and Healing

(Not Exhaustive)

1. Many cases of healing by Christ (Matthew 4:23-24; 8:16-17; 9:35-36; 11:5; 12:15; 14:14, 33-36; 15:30-31; 19:2; 21:14; Mark 1:32-34, 39; 3:10-12; 6:5, 55-56; Luke 4:40-41; 6:17-19; 7:21-23; 9:11; John 2:23; 20:30-31; 21:25); cause – the devil and demons (Acts 10:38; I John 3:8; Mark 5; 16:17; Luke 13:14); remedy – faith and the anointing with the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2; 42:1-7; 61:1-2; Matthew 12:22-32; Acts 10:38); result – healing in every case (Acts 10:38; Matthew 4:23-24; 8:16-17; 9:35; 12:15; 14:14, 35-36; 15:30-31; 19:2; 21:14).

2. Many cases of healing by believers before Pentecost (Matthew 10:1-7; Mark 6:7-13; 9:38; Luke 9:1-6; 10:1-20); cause – the devil and demons (Matthew 10:1-7; Luke 10:1-20; Acts 10:38); remedy – faith and temporary enduement of power for the one mission representing Christ from city to city (Matthew 10:1-20; Luke 10:1-20); result – healing in every case while on this one mission (Mark 6:7-13; Luke 10:1-20). The failure (Lack of faith, prayer and fasting) in Matthew 17:14-21 was after they came back from this mission and before the permanent enduement of power at Pentecost.

3. Many cases of healing by believers after Pentecost (Mark 16:17-20; Acts 2:43; 5:12-16; 6:8; 8:7-13; 11:19-22; 14:3, 27; 15:4, 12; 19:11-12; 28:9; Romans 15:18-19, 29; I Corinthians 16:10; Hebrews 2:3-4); cause – the devil and demons (Mark 16:17; Acts 5:16; 8:6-7; 10:38; 19:11-12); remedy – faith and the anointing with the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; John 14:12-15; Acts 1:8; 3:6; 6:8; 19:12; I Corinthians 12:7-11, 28-31); result – healing in every case (John 14:12; Acts 5:12-16; 19:11-12; Hebrews 2:3-4; Mark 16:20).

4. Ten cases of demon possession healed by Jesus, Paul, and others: (1) Maniac of Gergesa (Matthew 8:28-34). (2) Maniac of Gadera (Mark 5:1-21; Luke 8:26-39). (3) Dumb man (Matthew 9:32-34). (4) Blind and dumb man (Matthew 12:22-32). (5) Epileptic girl (Matthew 15:21-28). (6) Epileptic boy (Mark 9:17-29). (7) A maniac (Mark 1:23-28; Luke 4:21). (8) Mary Magdalene (Luke 7:36-50; 8:2). (9) Infirm woman (Luke 13:16-17). (10) Fortune-teller (Acts 16:16-24).

5. Numerous cases of healing by Jesus, Peter, John, and Paul: (1) Leper (Matthew 8:1-4; Mark 1:20). (2) Centurian’s servant (Matthew 8:5-13). (3) Peter’s mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14). (4) A Woman ( Matthew 9: 18-26; Mark 5:22; (5) Two blind men (Matthew 20:29-34). (6) Withered hand (Matthew 12:9-14). (7) Deaf-dumb man (Mark 7: 31-37). (8) Blind man (Mark 8:22-26). (9) Man with dropsy (Luke 14:1-6). (10) Ten lepers (Luke 17: 11-19). (11) Nobleman’s son (John 4:46-54). (12) Infirm man (John 5: 1-15). (13) Blind man (John 9:1-38). (14) Lame man (Acts 3:1-4:22). (15) Paralyzed man (Acts 9:32-35). (16) Lame man (Acts 14:9-10). (17) Father of Publius (Acts 28:7-9).

6. Six cases of resurrection from the dead by Jesus, Peter, Paul, and others: (1) Jairus’ daughter (Matthew 9:18-26). (2) Widow’s son (Luke 7:11-18). (3) Lazarus (John 11:1-44). (4) Tabitha (Acts 9:36-42). (5) Paul (Acts 14:19-20). (6) Eutychus (Acts 20:7-12).

7. Paralyzed man: cause – sin; remedy – faith in Christ; result – healing (Matthew 9:1-12; Mark 2:3-12; Luke 5:18-26).

8. Malchus: cause – ear severed by Peters sword (John 18:10); remedy – power of Jesus; result – healed (Luke 22:50-51).

9. Sickness and death of Herod: cause – pride and self-exaltation; remedy – none, because of judgment; result eaten by worms (Acts 12:20-25).

10. Sickness of Epaphroditus: cause – overwork in the gospel; remedy – prayer and rest to regain strength; result – healing (Philippians 2:25-30).

VI. Causes of Sickness and Disease

The cause of sickness and disease are: (1) Fall of man. (2) Sin. (3) Work of Satan and demons. (4) Execution of the law of sowing and reaping.

1. God the law maker. God has set all things in motion by His law. He expects us to follow the Ten Commandments as guidelines to show us what is sin and what is not sin. We now have the Atonement of Christ to accept as payment for sin instead of rigorously following customs that are not our own, such as “Day of Atonement” and offering animals as a sacrifice. Christ did away with this in His death on the cross so that all might be redeemed by His precious blood. We all are one in Christ (Romans 10 –11).

God has abundant provision for us (John 10:10). However the law of sowing and reaping applies to us all. Job 4:8 states that if you sow wickedness you will “reap the same.”

In the year of jubilee there is no sowing or reaping (Leviticus 25:11). What the Israelites had sown in the previous year or years is what sustained them. How powerful, the principle of sowing and reaping. If you sow corruption you will reap corruption. If you sow anger you will reap anger.

Guess what happens if you sow the LOVE OF JESUS. I John 4:18 says that “perfect love casteth out fear.” When you walk in the love of Jesus you will be able to say good-bye to the afflictions, sickness and diseases. This is the root of real “NO FEAR.”

Through the Atonement of Jesus your sin is covered. The sin of Adam is the root of all sickness and disease. If you have accepted Jesus as your savior, sickness, disease, and anything that would cause fear to come over you is conquered by His Blood! John 10:10 says that He came that you might have life and have it more abundantly! “Sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14). By that same grace you can experience healing!

2. Satan the law-executor. Satan is the executor of sin, sickness, disease and death. The scriptures clearly point this out. He comes “...but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10). (See also Matthew 12:22-28; Luke 13:14; Acts 10:38; Romans 8:2; Ephesians 2:1-3; Hebrews 2:14-15; I John 3:8.)

3. Man the law-breaker. This goes all the way back to Adam. Man’s sin is the root of sickness. God’s law was broken and we must reap what was sown. If go against what God has written in His word we will suffer.

Every person’s sickness is not necessarily a result of sin (John 9:1-4; 11:4). However, the sickness is a result of man’s sin. This gave Satan the prime opportunity to attack man. The sovereign protection of God had been removed. Now man would have to make an atonement for his sin. Thank God for the Blood! No more sacrifices, Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice.

Jesus and His apostles dealt with sickness as they would with sin (Matthew 9:1-12; Mark 2:1-11; John 5:14; James 5:14-16). They cast out devils that caused sickness (Matthew 10:1-8; Mark 6:7-13; 16:17-20; Acts 10:38).

In science there is no cure for the root bacteria or germs that cause sickness. Germs, bacteria, and diseases are drug smart. Over a period of time they become immune to the drugs used against them. Only the blood of Jesus can heal completely sickness and disease. God’s method is to eradicate while man’s method is to cover up. Jesus Christ died that all might saved , healed, and delivered (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17; I Peter 2:24; James 5:14-16).

1. Health was natural before sin entered (Genesis 1:26-31).

2. Death entered through sin as a part of the curse (Romans 5:12-21).

3. The first prophecy and promise of redemption included healing for the body through Jesus Christ (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 8:16-17; I Peter 2:24).

4. Sickness originated with Satan and is still worked by him and his demons (Job 2:6-7; Matthew 4:23-24; 15:22; 17:14-21; John 10:10; Acts 10:38).

5. First recorded healing was by prayer (Genesis 20:7; 17).

6. God made a covenant with His people to heal them (Exodus 15:26; 23:23; Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 7:15; 28:1-65; Matthew 8:16-17; James 5:14-16).

7. God kept His part of the covenant (Psalm 105:37; 107:20).

8. God, to bring sinners to repentance, does permit Satan to afflict them (Job 33:12-30; I Corinthians 5:1-5; II Corinthians 2:6-11).

9. God always healed when the lessons were learned and men came to repentance (Genesis 20:17; Numbers 11:2; 12:13-16; 21:1-9; Job 33:12-30; 42:1-12; Psalm 103:3).

10. Christ came to redeem from both sin and sickness (Isaiah 53; 61:1-2; Matthew 8:16-17; 9:1-10; Galatians 3:13; Romans 8:11; Acts 10:38; I Peter 2:24; I John 3:8).

11. Healing is in the fulfillment of prophecy (Isaiah 35; 61:1-2; Matthew 8:16-17; I Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:4-5).

12. Jesus proved His claims to be God’s Son by healing (Matthew 4:23-24; 11:3-6; Luke 4:18-25; 13:32, 33; Acts 10:38; I John 3:8).

13. Jesus authorized the twelve apostles to heal as they preached (Matthew 10).

14. Jesus authorized the seventy to heal as they preached (Luke 10).

15. All disciples are commanded to observe and do all that Christ commanded the early disciples to do (Matthew 28:20; Acts 1:1-3).

16. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to carry out the healing ministry on earth that He started (Acts 1:1-8; 2:33-34; I Corinthians 12:7-11; Hebrews 2:3-4).

17. Healing is in the Atonement (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17; I Peter 2:24; I Corinthians 11:23-32; John 3:14; James 5:14-16; III John 2).

18. Healing is a part of the children’s bread and their right through the redeeming blood of Jesus (Matthew 7:7-11; 15:22-28; Mark 7:29; Luke 13:16; John 3:14-16; 14:12-15; 15:7, 16; 16:23-26; I John 3:8; 20-22; 5:14-15; III John 2).

19. Failure to appropriate healing by faith in the broken body and shed blood of Jesus frequently resulted in death (I Corinthians 11:23-32).

20. God has provided all necessary weapons to defeat sin, sickness, and all the works of Satan (Mark 16:15-20; John 14:12-15; 15:7, 16; Romans 8:1-39; II Corinthians 10:4-5; Galatians 5:16-22; Ephesians 6:10-18).

21. It is not God’s will for you to be sick or broke (John 10:10; III John 2).

VIII. Bodily Healing is in the Atonement

1. There was many cases in the Old Testament of sickness and healing by prayer as we have discussed. Now we can pray and ask God to heal in the name of Jesus. No one should expect an answer to prayer apart from atonement and forgiveness of sins which bring us into the right relationship with God causing Him to be gracious.

2. Isaiah and Peter both clarify that by the stripes of Jesus we are healed (Isaiah 53:5; I Peter 2:24).

3. Sickness came as a result of sin, and sin is removed by the atonement of Jesus Christ, or it has no remedy (Isaiah 53; Matthew 8:16-17; I Peter 2:24).

4. Forgiveness of sins and the healing of the body work hand in hand. Both were provided at the same time by the same means (Isaiah 6:10; 53:1-12; Matthew 9:1-8; James 5:14).

5. God made covenants to heal (Exodus 15: 26; 23:25; Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28; Matthew 8:16-17; James 5:14; Hebrews 8:6). All covenants were ratified by atonement (Exodus 24:5-8; Hebrews 9:11-22).

6. Through the brazen serpent many were healed (Numbers 21:7-9). This was a type of Christ who came to give the same benefits of forgiveness and healing by hanging on a tree to make full atonement for all the curse (John 3:14).

7. Sickness is declared to be the work of Satan (Job 2:6-7; Luke 13:16; John 10:10; Acts 10:38; Romans 5:12-21). Christ came to destroy the works of Satan through the His atoning work, therefore healing must be in the atonement (I John 3:8).

8. The only way to receive the benefit of the Old Testament covenant was by the blood of animal sacrifice, and the New Testament covenant by the blood of Jesus (Exodus 24:5-8; Hebrews 9:11-22).

9. Healing was to accompany conversion and redemption by the atonement (Isaiah 6:10; Matthew 9:5; 13:14-15; John 3:14; 10:10; James 5:14-16).

10. Healing and answers to prayer are promised by the gospel; and no benefit of the gospel can be given apart from atonement, which makes the promises effective (Matthew 6:10; 7:7-11; 17:20; 21:22; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; John 14:12-15; 15:7, 16; 16:23-26; Hebrews 11:6; James 1:4-8; 5:14-16; John 3:21-22; 5:14-15).

IX. It is God’s Will to Heal

(1) God is no respecter of persons (Romans 2:11). If anyone has a respect of persons or shows partiality he has sinned (James 2:9).

(2) God would not have made plain His will concerning healing, if it had not been His will to always heal those who meet His conditions of healing (Matthew 8:17; I Peter 2:24).

(3) If it were not God’s will for all to be healed scripture would not state that it is the devil who comes to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10), It would all be God’s fault. According to scripture the devil is a liar and the father of it (John 8:44). Satan would like for you to believe that it is God’s will for you to be sick, that is simply not true.

(4) God desires that you be healthy and prosper (III John 2).

(5) It is God’s will to heal or Jesus would not have healed ALL that were oppressed of the devil (Acts 10:38). He gave the early church power to carry on the work He did and taught (Acts 1:1-8; Matthew 29:19-20; Mark 16:15-20; John 14:12-15).

(6) If sickness is God’s will, then sin would be God’s will. We know that this is not true. Sin and sickness are dealt with on the same basis (Matthew 9:1-12; James 5:14-16; Matthew 13:15). God desires us to have liberty in Christ.

(7) Hospitals being full is the work of the devil. How can God get the glory out of someone wheezing, coughing, losing bodily control and having their mind confused with drugs. When anyone argues that it is God’s will for them or anyone to be sick he is in co-operation with Satan and not God (Acts 10:38; I John 3:8; John 10:10).

(8) Jesus would not have died to heal men of sickness and disease if it is the will of God for them to be sick, and if He wanted men to bear it (Matthew 8:16-17; John 10:10; 12:14-15; Acts 10:38; I Peter 2:24).

(9) Every time men asked Jesus to heal He did it and repeatedly He said, “I will” (Matthew 8:2, 7; John 5:6). He spoke only as God gave Him words, so He expressed the will of God when He said “I will” (John 12:49).

(10) Some people will say (using the Lord’s prayer) “if it be thy will” when they asked to be healed or for someone else to be healed. If it is God’s will for men to be saved by the atonement of Christ’s blood, and we have seen in scripture that the same blood covenant that saves is the same blood covenant that heals, then we must come to the conclusion that IT IS GOD’S WILL FOR ALL TO BE HEALED AS IT IS FOR ALL TO BE SAVED!

(11) When we are sick and our faith is starting to waver we should then ask God to forgive our unbelief and claim the Lord’s prayer: “Thy will be done on earth AS IT IS IN HEAVEN” (Matthew 6:10). Is heaven full of sick people? Of course not! Claim good health and prosperity in Jesus’ name!

(12) Sickness is an enemy and death is an enemy, so why should it be God’s will that His enemies should be the victor in the lives of His people? (I Corinthians 15:24-28; Hebrews 2:14-15).

(13) It is impossible for God to communicate disease as it is for Him to communicate and propagate sin and rebellion. Neither sin or sickness comes from God for they do not belong to Him. They belong to a fallen world of sinful creatures (James 3:11-12).

(14) From the standpoint of the promises of God it is clear that it is always God’s will to heal the bodies of men and do anything and all things and whatsoever anyone asks (Matthew 7:7-11; 21:21-22; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; John 14:12-15; 15:7, 16; 16:23-26; II Corinthians 1:20).

(15) Healing is the children’s bread (Matthew 15:21-28). It is our right as a child of God to receive healing in our body.

X. Excuses People Use to not Receive Their Healing

1. Some Claim human remedies were used in the Bible days instead of spiritual and divine means to heal sickness. Hezekiah’s poultice is used by some to prove God commanded human remedies, but a casual reading of Isaiah 38 will show that his life already was prolonged fifteen years before the poultice was applied. And it was used for cleansing only, just as you would use peroxide on a wound. God did the healing, not the poultice. If God had not added the years to Hezekiah’s life all the poultices in the world would not have healed him.

2. Some people use Paul’s thorn in the flesh to say that God does not heal all people. His thorn was an angel of Satan, for the Greek word for messenger in II Corinthians 12:7 means angel not disease.

3. Some claim that all were not healed in the Bible, so you can’t expect God to heal all today. I partly agree. If some are in sin, have no faith or disobeying God, they will not receive the healing they desire. Follow God’s plan to be healed by the many scriptures in God’s word and you will be healed. Trust in Jesus.

5. Some will say that God does the afflicting so why ask Him to take it away? This is a lie. God allows us to be afflicted, Satan does the afflicting (John 10:10).

6. Some will say that they are sick for God’s glory. How in the world does God receive the glory for such a thing. He receives the glory when you are healed, set free, and delivered in Jesus name! Remember Jesus came that you might have life and have it more abundantly! PRAISE GOD!