Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/alphon_1/7845/h-spirit.015

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                         THE HOLY SPIRIT               Study No.15.

XV.  The Gifts of Healing.

A.   Definition.

     The gift of healing is the God-given ability to impart healing
     to the physical body at specific times.  It is accompanied by
     a measure of the gift of faith and, often, the gift of
     knowledge.  It involves the impartation of that faith to one
     who needs healing, lifting him out of the realm of doubt and
     unbelief, and taking appropriate steps toward healing.  It is
     a "manifestation of the Spirit" through a person and not just
     his own soulish powers of persuasion.

B.   Why is it the "gifts of healing" (plural), instead of the"gift
     of healing" (singular):

     We notice that in each case where healing is referred to as a
     gift of the Spirit in body ministry, it is always in the
     plural form.

     --l Corinthians 12:9 "Gifts of healing...."

     --l Corinthians 12:28 Gifts of healings..."

     --l Corinthians 12:30 "Gifts of healing... "

     It is a matter of observation that in the Body of Christ one
     person may be used to bring healing in a specialised area.
     For example, one person may have faith for the healing of
     blindness, another deafness, another cancer, etc.

C.   What levels of healings do we see in the Scriptures?

     1.   Instantaneous - Some healings are of a simple physical
          nature and the necessary wack of the Holy Spirit can be
          done immediately.

          --Matthew 8:3 - "And Jesus put forth His hand, and
          touched him, saying "I.will, be thou clean," And
          immediately, his leprosy was cleansed."

          --Mark 1:31 - Speaking of Peter's mother-in-law: "And He
          came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and
          immediately the fever left,her, and she ministered unto
          them."

     2.   Gradual - It might be said that man has three main areas
          which need healing or divine health and soundness: the
          spirit, the soul, and the body.

          There may be cases where the body is sick because of
          inner sickness of the soul or spirit.  The Lord may
          choose to heal by healing the attitude of the heart, with
          physical healing becoming gradually evident as the inner
          problem is solved.  Therefore, it may often be necessary
          for a person with a gift of healing to also have the
          gifts of discernment and knowledge in order to understand
          the dealings of God in each life.

          James 5:14-16 - implies that there may be a connection
          between sin and sickness; that a part of healing is to
          confess these faults.

          3 John 2 also shows this correlation: "I wish above all
          things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as
          thy soul prospereth."

          (See also Isaiah 1:5; Jeremiah 8:22; Mark 2:17; Psalm
          41:4; Isaiah 53:5; Luke 4:18)

     D.    Through what method did healing operate in the
          Scripture?

     1.   Calling of the elders and anointing with oil.
          James 5:14-15; Mark 6:13.

     2.   The communion - 1-Corinthians 11:27-34 - The clear
          implication is that there is a level of healing in the
          proper discernment of the Body of Christ which is not
          available from any other source.  As believers enter into
          harmony and unity, love and proper Relationship with each
          other.

     3.   Laying on of hands and prayer by believers in general.
          Mark 16:16-18; Matthew 19:19 - God has not limited His
          provisions to one means or through only certain people.
          He will use whomsoever is available and will believe
          Him. All believers have as their prerogative to believe
          God's Word and pray for the sick.

     4.   By the spoken word - Luke 7:1-10 - The greatest faith,
          according to Jesus, rests solely in the "Word".  There
          were three kinds of people that came to Jesus for
          healing.

          a.   Those who came for healing personally.
          b.   Those who brought someone else for healing.
          c.   Those who came for someone else, and sought only
               the word of Jesus stating they would be healed:
               they saw no barrier in time and space.

          Jesus said that this third level was the greatest level
          of faith.  This does not mean, however, that the other
          methods are not valid.  There is a real ministry in
          "bringing the sick" to those who have faith, and at
          times, there may be a real need to "call for the elders."
          One should seek to grow in faith while not boasting of
          things "without his measure."

     5.   Jesus's garments; Peter's shadow - Mark 6:56 - "As many
          as touched Him were made whole.- Acts 5:15-16.

          These formed a "point of contact" for the one in need.
          Jesus even used the principle of a "point of contact," or
          required from the sick person sore "act of appropriation"
          in order to express his faith and receive.  "Take up thy
          bed and walk." "Go wash in the pool of Siloam.

          Such pressing in to touch Jesus and the apostles would
          indicate faith on the part of the sick.  It is on the
          basis of faith that all are healed.  Faith underlies the
          entire truth of healing.  Faith is required from the one
          in need and the one praying and even from those who bring
          the sick person. ("Seeing their faith..." Matthew 9:2.)

     6.   Handkerchiefs and aprons from Paul-Acts 19:11 - 12.
          "And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
          so that from his body were brought unto the sick
          handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from
          them, and the evil spirits went out of them."

          Notice, that these are called "special Miracles."
          Incidents of this type have happened even in modern days,
          but they are not the norm.  They were done this way
          because there was no other way for Paul to contact them,

E.   How does a person know it he or she has the gifts of healing?

     1.   By the inner witness of the Spirit.  Our gifts and
          calling become as our second nature:

     2.   By the ability to believe God for Physical healing.  Paul
          taught in Romans 12:3-8 that we each have different
          spiritual abilities and grace levels given us by the
          Lord, With each function comes a proportionate "measure
          of faith" (vs. 3) to see God accomplish His work.

          This can also be seen in 1 Corinthians 12:27-31.  The
          very fact that we have a variety fo functions indicates
          we have varying faith channelled in various direction.

     3.   Through great compassion for the sick and afflicted.
          They will be a constant and deep concern on one's heart.
          And not only a concern, but a desire also to 'do
          something about it.  There will be a mobility and a
          strength of faith behind this compassion.

          --Matthew 20:34 - compassion on two blind men.

          --Mark 1:41 - compassion on the leper.

          --Luke 7:12-14 - compassion on the widow; raised her dead
          son.

     4.   By results.  The test of any ministry or gift is the
          fruit it bears.  If one has the gifts of healing, then
          people will be healed.  Of course, the results will
          develop and increase with the spiritual growth of the
          person having the gift.

F.     What is the purpose of the gifts of healing?

     1.   God loves His people and wants them to be in good health,
          referring to total health: body soul, and spirit.  God so
          loved that He "gave".  There is no end to what God
          desires to give us as an inheritance in the Kingdom. (3
          John 2:4)

     2.   Divine health and healing are aspects of the rectifying
          of the curse of the,law.

          --l John 3:8 - "For this purpose the Son of God was
          manifested, that He might destroy the works of the
          Devil".

          --Galatians 3:13 - "Christ hath redeemed us from the
          curse of the law, being made a curse for us, for it is
          written, curse is everyone that hangeth on a tree."

          Redemption involves bringing man totally out of the
          effects of the curses involved in the law, which included
          sickness and disease.  Man should not have to bear
          sickness if he accepts all the provision made for him in
          the New Covenant.  It is an integral part of the New
          Covenant blessing.

     3.   It was designed to confirm our message with signs and
          wonders. (Hebrews 2:3-4) It was a part of the great
          commission. (Mark 16:15-20)

          --John 5:36 - "...the same works that I do, bear witness
          of me, that the Father hath sent me."

 G.  On what basis are believers healed?

     1.   Redemption - That physical healing, as well as spiritual
          healing, was included in the atoning work of Christ is
          brought out constantly by both Old Testament and New
          Testament Scripture.  Note these statements in regard to
          the deliverance of Israel from Egypt:

          --Exodus 15:25-26 - "There He made for them a statue and
          an ordinance, and there He proved them, and said, if thou
          wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God,
          and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt
          give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes,
          I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have
          brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord thy God
          which healeth thee".

          This Was an actual part of  God's  covenant  with
          Israel. Sickness belonged to the Egyptians  (sinners),
          not to God's people who knew His delivering power and
          walked in covenant with Him.

          --Psalms 105.37 - "He brought them forth also with silver
          and gold and there was not on feeble person among their
          tribes."

          --Psalms 103:2-3  "...forgiveth all thine iniquities, who
          healeth all thy disease."

          --Isaiah 53:4-5 - "Surely He hath borne our sickness and
          carried our sorrows ..."

          --Matthew 8:16-17 - "He healed all that were sick: that
          it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the
          prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities and bare
          our sicknesses."

          --3 John 2 -"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou
          mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul
          prospereth."

     2.   Faith - Jesus ministered to people according to their
          faith.  He often said, "According to thy faith so be it
          unto thee," or some similar statement.

          --2 Corinthians 5:7 - "We walk by faith, not by sight."

          This means we agree with the Word, accept it unto our
          personal lives, and act upon it.

          --Mark 11:24 - "Therefore I say unto you, what things
          soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive
          them, and ye shall have them."

          (See also Hebrews 10: 23; Psalms 89:34, Isaiah 55:11;
          Revelation 12;11; Matthew 4:4-11)