Healing is a facet of God's plan. His plan for Abram was to "make you into a great nation" (Ge 12:2). In addition, God said "'To your offspring I will give this land'" (:7). The location was at Shechem and the Canaanites were there (:6). The Lord confirmed it by making a covenant with Abram (:18). "Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness" (:6). Many years later God said to Abram "'I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers'" (Ge 17:2). He even changed his name to Abraham (:5). God again promised to give Canaan to his descendants (:8). Furthermore he said "'my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you'" (:21).
Another part of God's plan unfolded when he brought "the Israelites out of Egypt" (Ex 12:51). Moses reminded them that Canaan was their destination because it was "'the land he swore to your forefathers to give you'" (13:15). After they crossed the Red Sea "the Lord made a decree and a law for them, and there he tested them" (15:25). Not only did he deliver them from Egypt but he became "'the Lord, who heals you'" (:26). However, their responsibility was to "'listen carefully . . . [and] pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees'" (:26). If they were disobedient he would not protect them against the diseases the Egyptians suffered (:26). Healing was one of God's provisions for the Israelites but it was conditional. "'Worship the Lord your God, and . . . I will take away sickness from you'" (Ex 23:25). "'The Lord will keep you free from every disease. He will not inflict on you the horrible diseases you knew in Egypt'" (Dt 7:15). "However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees . . . all these curses will come upon you" (Dt 28:15).
God's choosing and leading Israel is valuable history. "These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come" (1Co 10:11). Old Testament content is meaningful to Christians even though "Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant" (Heb 7:22). Are we permitted then to copy-and-paste only what we feel applies from the Old Testament to the New Testament? You can only be selective if the New Testament states that something has been superceded. We must realize that "I the Lord do not change" (Mal 3:6). "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Heb 13:8). Therefore, his desire to heal continues.
The Psalms confirm this. The Lord "forgives your sins and heals all your diseases" (Ps 103:3). Some ills are your own fault. They "became fools . . . and suffered affliction" (107:17). Then they called for help and "he sent forth his word and healed them" (:20). Was this physical or spiritual? It was partly the former since they "loathed all food and drew near the gates of death" (:18). Is it strange that God's word was involved in the healing? Not scripturally. God's words are "life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body" (Pr 4:22). If you follow the instructions you can be healed. Then you must profess the advice because "the tongue of the wise brings healing" (12:18). "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit" (8:21).
Is the healing manifested in the Old Testament in effect today? "Christ is the mediator of a new covenant . . . to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant" (Heb 9:15). How are the old and new connected? The new cites that he "healed all the sick . . . to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 'He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases'" (Mt 8:17). Isaiah 53 is quoted. The word "diseases" used by Matthew refers to Isaiah's "sorrows" (:4). That fulfillment occurred when "Jesus went throughout Galilee . . . healing every disease and sickness among the people" (Mt 4:23). "The punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed" (Isa 53:5). The meaning is that it applies currently. At the Last Supper regarding his crucifixion Jesus said "'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you'" (Lk 22:20). Those wounds cover our healing today.
Jesus "stood up [in the synagogue] to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him" (Lk 4:17). He read the prophetic message about the Messiah which includes "the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me" (Isa 61:1). It prophesied that "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power" (Ac 10:38). "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you" (1:8). "He went around doing good and healing all who were under power of the devil, because God was with him" (10:38). Jesus said, "'it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work'" (Jn 14:10). God's "power had gone out of him" (Mk 5:30). Jesus acknowledged "'the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees the Father doing'" (5:19).
Jesus also read, "'He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind'" (Lk 4:18). To Isaiah this was "release from darkness for the prisoners" (Isa 61:1). This happened literally since Jesus directed them to tell John "the blind receive sight'" (Mk 11:5). For others "'these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name . . . they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well'" (Mk 16:17,18). "'Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father'" (Jn 14:12). "The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people" (Ac 5:12). "People brought the sick into the streets . . . so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them" (:15). "Stephen . . . did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people" (6:8). "God did extraordinary miracles through Paul . . . and their illnesses were cured" (19:11).
Is there a method to follow for healing? There is usually a point of contact through which God's power flows. A woman in a large crowd thought "'If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed'" (Mk 5:28). Then "she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering" (:29). "She [had] heard about Jesus" (:27) and approached him from behind in the crowd. Others had heard also. "When the men of that place recognized Jesus . . . [people] begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed" (Mt 14:35,36). Also Paul's "handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured" (Ac 19:12). Did God impregnate the cloth with supernatural energy? That would be science fiction. God is omnipresent. In his omnipotence he knows when to personally manifest his power. "'I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled'" (Jer 1:12).
Another point of contact is touch. "Jesus put forth his hand and touched him . . . and immediately his leprosy was cleansed" (Mt 8:2,3). "He touched her hand and the fever left her" (Mt 8:14). He "put fingers into his ears . . . and touched his tongue" (Mk 7:33) and his "ears were opened . . . and he spoke plainly" (:35). "They brought a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him" (Mk 8:22).
You might say the official method for healing is "the foundation of . . . the laying on of hands" (Heb 6:1). People were aware of this because "they begged him to place his hand on the man" (Mk 7:32). Jairus "pleaded earnestly with him . . . come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live" (Mk 5:23). Laying on of hands is doctrine because it was part of the Old Covenant and used in the annual festivals. The priests were to "lay their hands on its head" (Ex 29:10). This transferred the sins of the people to the sacrifice which was a type of Christ.
"Jesus put his hands on the [blind] man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored" (Mk 8:25). In the synagogue where he was teaching Jesus saw a crippled woman. He said to her "'you are set free from your infirmity'" (Lk 13:12). "Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God" (:13). Then after the resurrection Jesus told them "'these signs will accompany those who believe'" (Mk 16:17). "'They will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well'" (:18). The father of the chief official of Malta was ill. On Paul's visit "after prayer, [he] placed his hands on him and healed him" (Ac 28:8). We can surmise that the miracles God did through the apostles (5:12), Stephen (6:8), and Paul (19:11) were accomplished by the laying on of hands.
Healing is a two-way street. It is available to everyone because Jesus "went around doing good and healing all" (Ac 10:38). "The people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all" (Lk 6:19). But you have to be open to accept the healing. You can't have a closed mind. For example, Jesus made a trip to the town where he was born and raised. The people remarked "Isn't this the carpenter?" (Mk 6:3). Then "they took offense at him" (:3). Consequently "he could not do any miracles there, except lay hands on a few sick people and heal them" (:5). It is more than just a lack of cooperation. "Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of the miracles had been performed, because they did not repent' (Mt 11:20). Few allowed miracles in Nazareth. Jesus was saying "it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you" (:22). He was "amazed at their lack of faith" (Mk 6:6) of the people in his hometown.
"For you who revere my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings" (Malachi 4:2). To revere means to worship or venerate as opposed to being "arrogant or an evildoer" (:1). Furthermore, the healing is accomplished by way of righteousness. Also, judgment destroys the evildoers but those who respect God are healed. For instance, the woman of Canaan was worshipful when she referred to Jesus as "'O Lord, Son of David!'" (Mt 15:22) and "worshipped Him, saying 'Lord, help me!'"(:25). You've heard "necessity is the mother of invention." If you are sick you have a motivation to become well. If there is hope for a cure you optimistically take advantage of the opportunity.
"A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "'Lord, if you are willing you can make me clean'" (Mt 8:2). A centurion asked for help saying, "'Lord, . . . my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering'" (:4). "A ruler came and knelt before him and said, "'My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live'" (9:18). "Two blind men followed him, calling out, 'Have mercy on us, Son of David!'" (:27). blind Bartimaeus appealed saying "'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!'" (Mk 10:47) and asked "'Lord, I want to see'" (:51). "Ten men who had leprosy met him . . . and called out in a loud voice, 'Jesus, Master, have pity on us!'" (Lk 17:!3). Notice that they all had confidence in who he was and that he was capable of healing them.Therefore, you would say they had a prayerfully respectful attitude to base their faith upon. Jesus said, "'If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer'" (Mt 21:22).
It requires a commitment on the part of the recipient to receive healing. It had to be ascertained verbally or in some way spiritually substantiated. Jesus asked the blind man ""Do you believe that I am able to do this?'" (Mt 9:28). A Canaanite woman even had to provide proof by saying "'even the dogs eat crumbs that fall from their masters' table'" (15:27). Although Jesus said he'd go to the centurion's house to heal his servant, the centurion had confidence in orders and said, "I am a man under authority . . . [and] say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it" (8:9). Therefore he said to Jesus "'just say the word, and my servant will be healed" (:8).
The result of being healed was predicated on the petitioner's belief. When the blind men answered "'Yes, Lord'" (Mt 9:28) Jesus said, "'According to your faith will it be done' . . . and their sight was restored" (:29-30). To the Canaanite woman "Jesus answered, 'Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.' And her daughter was healed from that very hour" (15:28). In reply to the centurion Jesus said, "'I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith'" (8:10). Then he directed the centurion, "'Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.' And his servant was healed at that very hour" (:13).
Jesus is willing to heal, for when the leper asked, he said "'I am willing, . . . Be clean!'" (Mt 8:3). But you have to be ready to receive. When the blind man said he was ready Jesus replied, "'According to your faith will it be done to you'" (9:29). You have to have faith to believe. "It is with your heart that you believe" (Ro 10:10). "Faith comes from hearing" (:17) so you must have input. But it is with your inner self and not exclusively with your intellect that you believe in spiritual things. "'Everything is possible for him who believes'" (Mk 9:23).
Jesus said, "'Have faith in God'" (Mk 11:22). To believe is having faith. "'If you believe you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer'" (Mt 21:22). "'Therefore all things which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you'" (Mk 11:24). Verse 24 beginning with "therefore" is predicated on the preceding one. Jesus explained "'if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him'" (:23). The person commands something to happen and then believes he has already received it. Also he does not doubt it will be done. When Peter "saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink, cried out" (Mt 14:30). Jesus caught him saying, "'You of little faith . . . why did you doubt?'" (:31). Peter had the faith because Jesus said, "'Come'" (:29), but doubt cancelled faith.
The centurion knew that all Jesus had to do was "'just say the word'" (Mt 8:8). "He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick" (:16). Faith is released by words. "By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned" (12:37). "The tongue has the power of life and death" (Pr 18:21). "The tongue of the wise brings healing" (12:18). Jesus taught "'out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks'" (Mt 12:34). The faith you have is expressed in speech. "What he says will happen" (Mk 11:23). It works because of the characteristics of the communication. Jesus said "the words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life" (Jn 6:63). He also reveals "'I am in the Father . . . [and] the words I say to you are not just my own'" (14:10).
God gave Jesus "the name that is above every name" (Php 2:9). He had "the highest place" (:9). "At the name of Jesus every knee will bow" (Php 2:10). By this authority he commissioned the disciples to spread the Good News (Mk 16:15). They would manifest this power "'in My name'" (:17) and "'signs will accompany'" them (:17). Their efforts would be "'greater things . . . because I am going to the Father'" (Jn 14:12). This would "'bring glory to the Father'" (:13). Jesus said "'I will do whatever you ask'" (:13). He had said "'in that day you will no longer ask me anything'" (Jn 16:23). When he was with them their questions were posed to him. But with Jesus in heaven "'my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name'" (:23) "'so that your joy may be made full'" (:24).
Peter knew because he told the cripple "'what I have I give you'" (Ac 3:6). He had the faith because he understood that "by his wounds we are healed" (Isa 53:5). Peter got the man's attention by looking "straight at him" (Ac 3:4) and the man was "expecting to get something from them" (:5). Peter transmitted the faith because he gave (:6) it. It was a heavenly request because he expressed "'in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk'" (:6). The Father "will give you" (Jn 16:23) the response and Jesus "will do" (14:13) what you ask. So when Peter "helped him up . . . the man's feet and ankles became strong . . . and [he] began to walk" (Ac 3:7,8). The people "were filled with wonder and amazement" (:10).
There is liberal permission for what to ask of God. "'Ask, and it will be given to you; . . . for everyone who asks receives'" (Mt 7:7,8). Your Father will "give good things to them that ask him: (:11). "In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" (Php 4:6). "You do not have because you do not ask" (Ja 4:2). "You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives" (:3). "'Your Father knows what you need before you ask him'" (Mt 6:8). Paul "implored the Lord three times that it might leave me" (2Co 12:8) but God said 'My grace is sufficient for you'" (:9). "If our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him" (1Jn 3:21-22).
Therefore "if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know we have the requests which we have asked from Him" (1Jn 5:14-15). Then do like Paul who said "I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told" (Ac 27:25). "We who have believed enter that rest" (Heb 4:3). "'Do not fear or be dismayed . . . for the battle is not yours but God's'" (2Ch 20:15). However we are to "fight the good fight of faith" (1Ti 6:12) because "for without faith it is impossible to please Him" (Heb 11:6). But to fight doesn't mean self-effort. "Are you now being perfected by the flesh?" (Gal 3:3). God works miracles among you by hearing with faith (:5).
Years ago a "name it and claim it" doctrine surfaced. It sounded like guarantying something on your gift list or getting money to miraculously materialize as in winning the lottery. "'Your heavenly Father knows that you need'" (Mt 6:32) provisions to eat, drink and wear (:31). If you seek God first "all these things will be added to you" (:33). The Bible says this and Jesus is "the Word" (Jn 1:14). He said "'if you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you'" (Jn 15:7). The deceptive doctrine says that you can speak anything into existence you wish. But it doesn't consider that it has to be in accordance with God's words "in you" (:7). The words are there if you meditate on the book of the law (Jos 1:8). They are there because "Your word I have treasured in my heart" (Ps 119:11). "Jesus answered, 'It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God''" (Mt 4:4). Being written is reiterated in verses 7 and 10. "If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isa 8:20).
God officially established healing in the church. "To each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good" (1Co 12:7). One is "gifts of healing" (:9). In this case the gift is a ministry through the one assigned. We know that you need faith to receive healing. "Faith by the same Spirit" (:9) is provided so you possess it to receive healing. You might say the gifts are interactive. Faith to operate and receive the gift of "miraculous powers" (:10) is necessary. "God has appointed . . . workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing" (:28). "Do all have gifts of healing?" (:30). "He gives them to each one, just as he determines" (:11).
In the church if anyone is sick he should call the elders (Ja 5:14). They should "pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord" (:14). It will heal him and "the Lord will raise him up" (:15). It is a collective endeavor to "pray for each other so that you may be healed" (:16). "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (:16). This is illustrated in the case of a fig tree (Mt 21:18-20). Jesus told them they could "'do what was done to the fig tree'" (:21). Furthermore "'if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer" (:22). "'Believe you have received it, and it will be yours'" (Mk 11:24). "By his wounds you have been healed" (1Pe 2:24). It has already been done and just needs to be manifested. Jesus instructed the centurion, "'Go! It will be done just as you believed it would'" (Mt 8:13). He told the woman, "'Go in peace and be freed from your suffering'" (Mk 5:34). Healing is the "'children's bread'" (Mt 15:27). Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.' And her daughter was healed from that very hour" (:28).
Your faith heals you (Mk 5:34). You have faith because "'My words abide in you'" (Jn 15:7). Paul said "the word is . . . in your heart" (Ro 10:8). "Let the word of Christ richly dwell in you" (Col 3:16). It "comes from hearing" (:17). Its "by the word of Christ" (:17). Its "the word of faith which we are preaching" (:8). Faith is confidence built on the trust that the word is "forever . . . settled in heaven" (Ps 119:89). Faith is inspiration because the "unfolding of Your words gives light" (:130). Therefore "walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light" (1Jo 1:7) and it will work out.
"God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power who went about doing good and healing all" (Ac 10:38). People came to him for healing and one woman "when she heard about Jesus came behind Him in the crowd" (Mk 5:27). She wanted her health back, and afterwards explained to them "the whole truth" (:33). She had "had a flow of blood for twelve years" (:25) and "from many physicians had spent all that she had" (:26) and had "grown worse" (:26). In her weakened condition it seems that she might have given up by then. But she said, "'If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well'" (:28). She did so and "immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt she was healed" (:29). Jesus responded, "'Who touched My clothes?'" (:30). God's "power had gone out of him" (:30). Jesus had said, "'It is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work" (Jn 14:10). He had also said "'the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees the Father doing'" (Mk 5:19). He was faced away from her and "turned around in the crowd" (5:30) so it was not a deliberate confrontation. Consequently he hold her, "'Your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction'" (:34). Was the faith based upon her perseverance or the strength of her belief? In one crowded meeting "the power of the Lord was present to heal them" (Lk 5:17) but no one was healed except a paralyzed man.
Bartimaeus was a blind man who, in order to survive daily at all times of the year, sat "by the roadside begging" (Mk 10:46). He was dependent upon others because he couldn't see and perform normal tasks. Then he heard from around him that Jesus and his disciples were coming by. Undoubtedly he had also heard about Jesus' healing ministry. He himself wanted to be healed so he "began to shout" (Mk 10:47) "'have mercy on me'" (:47). It was not a face-to-face visual contact but rather an audible communication. Jesus heard and replied, "'Call him here'" (:49). "Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more" (:48). Then when he was called, the crowd reversed themselves saying, "'Take courage'" (:49). Next Jesus asked, "'What do you want Me to do for you?'" (:51). The answer would necessitate boldness. He replied, "'Rabbi, I want to regain my sight!'" (:51). It was not just that he needed a warmer cloak for the winter. He spoke what was really on his heart that was most important to him. Jesus' response was, "'Go, your faith has made you well.'" (:52). "Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road" (:52). What was the source of his faith? Was it his confident shouting for help? Or was it his unashamed belief in being able to receive his sight? Jesus didn't itemize the qualifications and Bartimaeus didn't complete a checklist. Faith comes from in-heart believing.
People encountered Jesus and his disciples on their journey. It wasn't low-key where they were collecting petitions of prayer requests wherein "'you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer'" (Mt 21:22). Some confronted Jesus aggressively. The Syrophoenician woman "came out and began to cry out" (15:22) and the disciples asked Jesus to "'send her away, because she keeps shouting at us'" (:23). Bartimaeus "began to cry out" (Mk 12:47), and after being told to be quiet, "kept crying out all the more" (:48). Jesus then asked the blind man, "'What do you want Me to do for you?'" (:51). Therefore Jesus said, "'Go; your faith has made you well'" (:52). Jesus accomplished it but it was the man's faith that enabled it. Also, in the woman's case Jesus delivered the lady's daughter saying "'it shall be done'" (Mt 15:28) but attributed it to that "'your faith is great'" (:28). He did not say rather to give credit exclusively to his father, but instead acknowledged their faith as having activated the healing. However we know that it is, "'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit'" (Zec 4:6). Their determination and perseverance was demonstrated via their personality though was not just mental. Faith is having conviction from God but can be built up. Her faith was "great" (Mt 15:28) but the disciples failed "'because of the littleness of your faith'" (17:20). Jesus observed their determination as well as the maturity of their faith. We are to "hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful" (Heb 10:23).
"One day He was teaching; and there were some . . . sitting there [in a house] . . . and the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing" (Lk 5:17). God had anointed Jesus "with the Holy Spirit and power" (Ac 10:38) and He went about "healing all" (:38). "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you" (1:8). "He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you" (Ro 8:11).
Some men had carried a paralyzed man to the meeting to be healed, but it was too crowded, so they made an opening in the roof and lowered him which would have been risky. On TV there is a series where rescue vehicles recover wrecked trucks. There is a rotator truck where straps have to be strategically placed and other trucks' winching has to be exactly coordinated. The stretcher was lowered "into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus" (Lk 5:19). Jesus saw "their faith" (:20) and said "'your sins are forgiven'" (:20). He didn't say their faith had healed him but used forgiveness to demonstrate his authority. Also, he had essentially observed the faith of those who had helped the paralyzed man. Jesus said to him, "'I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home'" (:24). "Immediately he got up . . . and went home glorifying God" (:25).
"'He who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also" (Jn 14;12). "Their anointing will qualify them for a perpetual priesthood" (Ex 40:15). "He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God" (Rev 1:6).
After the resurrection Jesus appeared to two disciples on the way to Emmaus. He chided them of being "'Slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!'" (Lk 24:25). "He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the scriptures" (:27). Peter cites "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross . . . for by His wounds you were healed" (1Pe 2:24). "His appearance was marred more than any man and his form more than the sons of men" (Isa 52:14). Peter explains that by this you were healed. It is past tense meaning that it is already done. Colloquially speaking it is as a precedent set as if legislatively aproved and legally followed as a rule of law. The wounds are evidence. This precedent contains the authority to be appropriated today. But it was asked that don't you realize "that faith without works is useless?" (Ja 2:20). The man with leprosy cautiously implored, "'Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean'" (Lk 5:12). Jesus then "stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, 'I am willing, be cleansed'" (:13). "Immediately the leprosy left him" (:13) Jesus told Bartimaeus, "'Go; your faith has made you well'" (Mk 10:52). The obligation was then to "'Get up, pick up your bed and go home'" (Mt 9:6). Furthermore, when Peter said to Aeneas, "'Jesus Christ heals you'" (Ac 9:34) he also directed him to "'get up and make your bed'" (:34). He had been "bedridden eight years" (:33) and maybe hardly remembered how to walk. But "immediately he got up" (:34). By faith you activate healing. Your faith is "more precious than gold" (1Pe 1:7). Do not negate the provision of the wounds of Jesus because their seriousness lays the foundation of healing for today.
The gospel is "the power of God for salvation to every one who believes" (Ro 1:16) "written that you may believe" (Jn 20:31). It is "the word of truth" (Ja 5:18), "message of truth" (Eph 1:13) and "living and enduring word of God" (1Pe 1:23). "Your word is settled in heaven" (Ps 119:89) because "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Heb 13:8). "'For I, the Lord, do not change'" (Mal 3:6). Consequently Isaiah prophesied our redemption saying Jesus was persecuted for "our transgressions [sins] . . . and iniquities" (53:5). Matthew then quotes "'He Himself took our infirmities and carried away our diseases'" (Mt 8:17). Jesus set the precedent when he told Israel, "'I, the Lord, am your healer'" (Ex 15:26). Healing and salvation are synonymous. He "pardons all your iniquities [and] heals all your diseases" (Ps 103:3). Peter says "He Himself bore our sins" (1Pe 2:24) and "by His wounds you were healed" (:24). Jesus spoke once when healing saying "'Your sins are forgiven you'" (Lk 5:20). This was accomplished by Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. It is a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises" (Heb 8:6). Therefore "'pray and ask [and] believe that you have received them'" (Mk 11:24). But make sure your request is "united by faith" (Heb 4:2).
The references explain that the anointing oil was smeared, rubbed or poured. The recipient is chosen as when "Jesus summoned His twelve disciples" (Mt 10:1) or "the Lord appointed seventy other" (Lk 10:1). Next "He gave them authority . . . to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness" (Mt 10:1). He also instructed to "heal those in it who were sick and say to them, The kingdom of God has come near to you" (Lk 10:9). They then were to "'Go into all the world'" (Mk 16:15) and "'In My name they will cast out demons'" (:17) and "'will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover'" (:18). It is said that this was Jesus commissioning them, which meaningfully applies to all believers. Consequently "many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles" (Ac 2:43) and they "were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them" (Mk 6:13). Jesus had prophesied "'The works that I do, he will do also'" (Jn 14:12). But he emphasized it would be done "'in My name'" (Mk 16:17). Peter's command accordingly was "'In the name of Jesus Christ'" (Ac 3:6) but he cooperated by "seizing him by the right hand [and] raised him up" (:7). Additionally "'greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father'" (Jn 14:12).
References explain anointing as a ceremony. One explained that shepherds rubbed oil on a sheep's head to protect it from insects. In the Bible it was considered a symbol of protection. When someone was anointed he was empowered for a task and needed defenses to carry it out. It is a choosing. "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power" (Ac 10:38). "It is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put His seal on us and given us His Spirit as a guarantee" (2Co 1:21-22). But why would Jesus require the anointing when he was already God? "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach . . . [and] to heal" (Lk 4:18). When you believe "'you will receive power when His Holy Spirit has come upon you'" (Ac 1:8). "You were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise" (Eph 1:13). Documents were made official when a wax seal by a stamp was applied to them. You do not undergo a chemical change in your body when you become a "new creature" (2Co 5:17). But you do receive the "Spirit in our hearts as a pledge" (1:21). In Jesus' situation "God was with Him" (Ac 10:38).
Peter said to the lame man "'in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene--walk!'" (Ac 3:6). "On the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus" (:16) that healed. It is "the faith that comes through Him" (:16) . . . according to Jesus' authority by means of the method of faith. Peter stated "by this name the man stands here" (4:10). The rulers had asked, "'By what power, or in what name, have you done this?'" (:7). Remember that Jesus had said ""Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do'" (Jn 14:13). Peter then said, "'What I do have I give to you'" (Ac 3:6). It was a "'noteworthy miracle'" (4:16).
The rulers wanted to know by what power or name the man had been healed. "God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power" (Ac 10:38). To the "twelve disciples he gave authority . . . to heal every kind of disease" (Mt 10:1). "God was with Him" (Ac 10:38). Peter said, "'Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you'" (9:34). "Immediately he got up" (:34) "Immediately the man became well" (Jn 5:9). "It is God who is at work in you" (Php 2:13) by the "Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" (Ro 8:2) that "dwells in you" (:11). You are "the temple of God" (1Co 3:16) and "He who raised up Jesus Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you" (Ro 8:11).
In English class they teach about past, present and future verb tenses. Figuratively speaking you can learn from past experience to apply what has been learned to present circumstances which points to future applications. Occasionally you see in the news what smaller percent of people actually plan adequately for the future. Many don't want to confront the reality of when "you will come to the grave" (Job 5:26). There is the reality that "the honor of old men is their gray hair" (Pr 20:29). When a person confronts this he may request "Do not cast me off in the time of old age" (Ps 71:9) or "Even when I am old and gray, O God, do not foresake me" (7:18). He will ask "Do not forsake me when my strength fails" (71:9). Of course we know it is "'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit'" (Zec 4:6). Then he will ask to postpone a decision "'until I declare Your strength to this generation'" (Ps 71:18). However, we do know "You have made my days as handbreaths . . . surely every man at his best is a mere breath" (Ps 39:5). At least we can inquire "'Lord, make me to know my days; let me know how transient I am'" (:4).
People are encouraged when they read "with long life I will satisfy him and let him see My salvation" (Ps 91:16). It's also okay to ask because "he will call on me and I will answer him" (:15). "Even to your old age I will be the same . . . I will carry you" (Isa 46:4). How does this happen? "To see good days . . . [you] must turn away from evil and do good" (1Pe 3:11). "Wisdom is with aged men, with long life is understanding. With him are wisdom and might; to Him belong counsel and understanding " (Job 12:12-13). "The fear of the Lord prolongs life" (Pr 10:27). If you walk in My ways, keeping My commandments . . . then I will prolong your days" (1Ki3:14). "You shall walk in all the way which the Lord your God has commanded you . . . that you may prolong your days in the land" (Dt 5:33). "Keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged" (6:2). "Let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you" (Pr 3:1-2). "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you" (9:10-11).