Healing Ministry
Gifts of healing (1 Corinthians 12:9 & 30)
- Usually works together with the gifts of Prophecy, discernment, Knowledge and wisdom.
- Mainly the healing of the sick is to draw people within the sound of the gospel (Matthew 4: 23-25, Mark 3:7-8, John 6:2, Acts 3, 4; 5:12-16, 8:6).
- Healing demonstrates the authenticity of the gospel (Mark 16:15-18, Acts 4:29-30
- Given and administered by the Holy Spirit
- Gift must be exercised in the name of Jesus
- Each individual case of sickness or illness may be healed differently, which suggests that each case may require a specific Spiritual gift of healing.
Why people get sick or ill
- We live in a wicked fallen world
- Sometimes we get sick or ill because of irresponsible behaviour
- Personal sin and disobedience to the word of god. (Deuteronomy 28:58-60, Numbers 12:10, 2 Kings 5:25-27
- Sometimes for the Power and glory of God to be manifested
- Sometimes, simply a way of departing this physical world to be with the Lord Jesus Christ (heaven or eternity).
- Sometimes as a result of the activity of Satan or evil spirits (Acts 10:38, Matthew 12:22, Mark 9:17&25, Luke 13:11 & 16).
Healing as part of the message of the Gospel (Mt 23, 9:35, 11:5, Lk 4:16, 7:22, 9:1-6)
- The prophecies have been fulfilled and the new age inaugurated by the coming of Christ
- Jesus Christ died according to the scriptures to deliver his people from this evil age.
- Jesus Christ was buried and raised on the third day, according to the scriptures
- He will come back again to judge the world and consummate his saving work
Healing the sick in the work of evangelism (Mk 16:15-18, Romans 15:17-19, Acts 8)
- Healing is performed in the Name of Jesus, (doing things with the authority of Jesus)
- The disciples did not pray for the sick, but they healed them in the authority given by Jesus
- Healing was one of the main sign given to confirm the message of the gospel
Practical steps:
- Lay hands on the sick , but it’s important to pay attention to the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit, because certain situations may not require you to lay your hands on the head, see point number 3 below.
- Healing can take place instantly, gradually over a period of time, i.e hours, days, weeks or months.
- Sometimes people need to be delivered from certain demonic forces or influences behind certain sicknesses or illnesses, therefore words like: Rebuke, Cast out, Command are to be used.
- Sometimes physical support can be given through faith, e.g help them to stand, walk, talk (Acts 3:6-7).
Possible reasons why healing may not occur immediately
- The sickness may have been caused by sin that needs to be confessed
- Lack of faith on both sides (one offering the prayer and the sick person)
- Lack of more earnest and persistent prayer and fasting
Why some are not healed?
- The Sovereignty of God
- Sometimes when physical sickness is for our spiritual good (Hebrews 12:10-11, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
- Lack of faith (Mark 16:17-18, James 1:6-7, 5:14-15, Mt 9:22, Mark 10:52, Luke 17:19
- Failure to detect the satanic origin of a sickness
- Refuse to confess that Jesus is Lord, King of Kings, Son of God , Rose from the dead and the only saviour who brought salvation to the world. (John 13:11,