In looking at the entire NT, we intend to suggest the general direction and overall scope of the teaching and insights of the NT for a theology of health, sickness, and healing. First, sickness is a reality of human life after the fall (Gen. 3), and death eventually take place for everyone. Second, poor health…
While the gospels and Acts give accounts of historical healings in the life of Christ and His apostles with a few comments and reactions concerning them, the epistles approach the topic of healing as a spiritual gift (I Cor. 12) by Paul. In addition, we have James’ prescription of prayer and anointing for the one…
The apostle John had to confront the false teaching regarding the nature of Christ. He begins in a similar way he begins his gospel that Jesus was fully human and God (1 J n. 1.1-3; 4.2; 5.6; 2 J n. 7). However, a short statement in the third epistle gives us some information about our…
The reason 1 Peter has some relevance to the topic of healing is his emphasis on suffering. He wants his readers to know that suffering is unusual for a disciple of Christ (1 Peter 4:12). This in no way means that we should create suffering for ourselves or that God takes pleasure in our suffering. …
Regarding health, sickness, and healing in the Epistle of James, two passages occur that add to the subjects. James 4.14 reads, “What is your life? You are a mist that appears a little while and then vanishes.” James’ point is that we need to recognize our dependence on God and His sovereign plan. Sickness or…
All of the apostles, including Paul had the power of healing, but not merely for the sake of healing. Paul also included the gift of healing in the lists of spiritual gifts he outlined for the saints in Corinth (1 Cor. 12.9, 28, 30). However, the healing was performed for the purpose of confirming the…
Matthew’s reference to the healings performed by Jesus has more commentary than Mark8:16 reads, “When evening came. many who were demon-possessed were brought to him. and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took our infirmities and…
When we come to the Gospels, we are looking at Jesus as a healer. All four gospels give examples of Jesus as a healer, 33). r and show that His disciples were to practice the same. However, we will note each gospel separately to bring out some distinctions. Mark averages one healing per chapter in…
While our focus should be and will be on the New Testament teaching on sickness and healing, I want to start with the Old Testament foundation for the New Testament teaching. The N.T. writers were committed to their sacred Scriptures. Their theology and knowledge of God was shaped by them. Their knowledge was then further…
It is preached that the authority through Christ over all sickness and disease is not just applicable to the apostles who were eyewitnesses of Christ and to whom Jesus spoke but to all Christians of all time. It is taught that all Christians have this power. But what is the power, and from where does…