Chapter 4: What About Healing (part two)

I remember attending a healing event at the end of a service when I lived in Orlando, Florida. I had just decided to seek Jesus, having realized my need for a relationship with Christ. This was my first time in a charismatic church (or any church for a very long time). The pastor, theretofore unknown to me, was famous. He would later move his own ministry to California into what was then the largest television studio in the world. At this particular church service, those in need of healing lined up to receive the miracle of healing. The line was quite long. The pastor, who often identified himself as “God’s Annointed,” started down the line healing people.

At this service, those in need of healing lined up to receive the miracle of healing. The line was quite long. The pastor, who often identified himself as “God’s Annointed,” started down the line healing people. At his touch, people noticeably reacted to his touch and uniformly fell backward. As he approached a young lady, he shouted “No one touch her, she’s got a demon!” This caution elicited a reaction. As I was surprised and intrigued by this revelation, my eyes soon turned to the end of the line where sat a young girl in a wheelchair. Looking at her, I could see she was bald by either cancer or the necessary radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

As “God’s Annointed” worked his way down the line of those needed healing, he healed them of various maladies, spending time talking about each one. To my astonishment, as he neared this young girl, he seemed to become distracted. He talked on about the various promises of God. For to heal the young girl of her cancer, “God’s anointed ended the healing service. The service ended with people being healed of migraine headaches, stiff backs. None of these maladies could be “diagnosed” just by looking at the person. This was not true of the young cancer patient. New to the faith and more than a little naïve, I assumed he just forgot about her. Knowing what I know of him today, I know better.

Healing events, like the one described above, are the hallmark of today’s charismatic movement. Was this the face of “New Testament Era” healing that all believers should enjoy today? Many in the CM insist that the New Testament saints routinely healed the sick in the infant church. Therefore, not less than a few argue that Christians should do today just as the Apostles and other miracle workers did during New Testament Times. Some go as far to suggest that if you have enough faith you can be healed of any disease or heal others. Faith is the key. Men and women of this persuasion insist that God wants all people to be healed and healing is for today—just as it was during Jesus’ time and the time of the Apostles.

Indeed, many insist that we can claim healing as a right because as believers we are children of The King, children of God. Others go as far to conduct special healing services where they claim healing and seemingly heal at will, or at their own discretion (or “on demand”). Is this idea biblical? Is this idea supported by Scripture? What does the word of God indicate? We will look to the word of God to begin to answer these and other questions.

Let us leave the discussion of whether such gifts as “miraculous healing” is for today for another (perhaps later) time. Instead, let us focus on the Biblical evidence about healing. What does the Bible teach us about miraculous healing? Who determines when and how healing takes place (God or man)? Does failure to heal indicate a lack of living faith on the part of the man (or woman) who fails to heal? Should every solid, “Bible believing, true blue Christian” expect to be healed, be healed by others, heal themselves, or heal others?

Brothers and sisters, many good men and women differ on their understanding of healing. While not all of us understand completely everything there is to know about healing and or miracle working, we must ask and answer the question, “What can we be certain of by looking to the pages of Scripture?” Let us consider what the Bible clearly teaches about healing. Once again, let us ask and answer the question “What can we learn from the Bible about healing? What conclusions can we draw from the narratives, teachings, and lessons taught in the Scriptures? Let us pause a moment to review what we already learned from Scripture.

For one thing, we all must understand, as we already learned, that not everyone received the spiritual gift of being able to heal others. Therefore, no everyone should expect to be able to heal someone no matter how much faith they, or the person, has. In the Bible, the Holy Spirit put it this way, speaking through the apostle:

5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot says, "Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be (1Co 12:5-17)?

The Bible is plain. The Holy Spirit is clear. God gave to various people various gifts. No all people receive all gifts, or the same gifts. Therefore, not every Christian expected to receive the ability to heal people. God gave to each member as “He wills.” One receives one gift, another receives another gift. Let us return to the text and revisit what the Holy Spirit says through the pen of the apostle:

7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills…17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be (1Co 12:5-11, 17)?

This much should be clear: even in “New Testament Times” not all Christians expected to work miracles of healing, to heal others. Not every Christian who read Paul’s epistles to Corinth expected to speak in tongues. This may shock some readers but not even the Apostles were able to heal “at will” or at their “discretion.” Such abilities were distributed and employed as “He (God) wills (willed).” Consider the Apostle Paul’s inspired words:

19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus remained at Corinth, but Trophimus I left sick at Miletus (2Ti 4:19-20).

Ponder the implications and indications of “Trophimus I left sick at Miletus.” Paul had to leave behind a co-laborer at Miletus because the man was ill. One wonders and may ask the question, “Paul, why not heal Trophimus?” Did Paul lack faith? Did the “Apostle to the Gentiles” who spoke in tongues more than others, who performed all kinds of other miracles lack sufficient faith to heal this man? Perhaps Trophimus lacked faith? This is unlikely because Paul chose him as one who accompanied him on his missionary journeys (see Acts 20 and 21).

As you ponder Paul’s leaving Trophimus sick at Miletus, consider the indications of Paul’s advice to Timothy: “No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. (1Ti 5:23).” Consider the implications of this verse. Apparently neither Timothy nor Paul could heal Timothy of his stomach ailments. Therefore, Paul advises Timothy to mix water with wine in order to help alleviate some of his difficulties. Did Timothy lack faith? It is unlikely that Timothy lacked sufficient faith at that time since Paul had entrusted him with the care of souls at the Ephesian church. Remember, Christian, it was Timothy whom the apostle dispatched to check on the church at Thessalonica. Timothy was a man of faith, great faith. 1 and 2 Timothy are composed to this man. Paul and Timothy were pastors (one was an Apostle). Paul described Timothy this way: “2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith…(1Ti 1:2).” This should call into question the notion that all Christians should be able to heal at any time, if one has enough faith. This also calls into question the notion that all Christians should be able to heal others at will like the apostles allegedly did. Neither Paul nor Timothy could heal Timothy of Timothy’s stomach problems. Apparently Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the commandment of God (1 Timothy 1:1) could not heal himself, or others, whenever he chose though it is unlikely his faith in Christ was not of sufficient intensity or scope.

Beloved, not only must we understand that not all believers receive all, or even the same, gifts, but not even the Apostles uniformly received and manifested the same gifts, or some gifts all the time. The Apostle Paul could not heal whenever he wanted! Therefore, second and third, we learn that God does not heal on demand and that those able to heal could not heal whenever they wished. It is all up to God. And if this was true then, it is true now. Some argue that Paul chose not to heal Timothy or Trophimus. Some argue that if Paul had wanted to claim healing for these men he could have; however, for some reason Paul chose not to do so. Two other occurrences contradict such a notion. Consider the testimony of Philippians 2:25-28:

25 But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need; 26 because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you (Phi 2:25-28).

Paul was heartsick over the illness of his dear friend, Epaphroditus. Providentially and mercifully, God healed him, as Paul put it, “so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.” God healed Epaphroditus as God willed. Paul did not heal Epaphroditus at his own discretion. The Bible, here in the book of Philippians, indicates Paul could not, or did not. Ephaphroditus’ situation greatly grieved Paul.

Indications are that Paul was unable to do so. Indeed, Ephaphroditus’ illness advanced until he was sick to the point of death. Why did not Paul heal him? Paul certainly did not lack the faith, nor did he lack the love or concern. Paul was not free to heal as he willed but only as God willed. Similarly, in the "New Testament Era," Christians were not empowered to heal whenever they chose, even as “children of the King.” The reality is that Paul could not even heal, or deliver himself. Consider the testimony of 2 Corinthians 12:7-9:

7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me-- to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me (2Co 12:7-9).

Paul, like Jesus, could do nothing on his own initiative. All healing and restoration depended on the sovereignty of the Father. Relief from his affliction was not the Father’s will. Therefore, Paul could not heal himself, nor would God remove the affliction.

Should every believer expect to be able to heal anyone, on demand? It would seem that the Bible’s answer is “no.” I doubt there are few, if any, of greater faith than an apostle chosen by Christ, by commandment of God. Is this not consistent with the testimony of Scripture? After all did the Lord Jesus not say: “I can do nothing on My own initiative?”

*30 "I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. (Joh 5:30)

*28 So Jesus said, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. (Joh 8:28)

*42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. (Joh 8:42)

*49 "For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. (Joh 12:49)

*13 "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. (Joh 16:13)


The Father in heaven decided what Jesus said and did. He decided what the Spirit did. He decided that Paul would not able to heal Trophimus, Timothy, Epaphroditus, or himself. Now some would argue that the gifts during the later part of Paul’s ministry were fading as the Scriptures were recorded and the infant church was established. We will not take up this conversation here. However, it is safe to say that the time, place, and means of healing is not up to men, rather it is up to God. He allows healing as He wills. Men seem neither to have the ability or liberty to heal on demand, according to their own will.

Let’s review the questions we asked at the beginning of our discussion and answer them.

1.Who determines when and how healing takes place, God or man?
2.Does failure to heal indicate a lack of living faith on the part of the man (or woman) who fails to heal?
3.Should every solid, “believing believer” expect to be healed, to heal themselves, or heal others?

Scripturally, the answers to questions one and three are “no.” No, man does not determine who is healed or when. No, believers should not expect to heal, or be healed by others. First, not everyone received the same gifts. Second, healing is determined according as He wills, not as we will. Paul was unable to heal as he willed. Jesus said all that He did was at the Father’s initiative. Should any other believer expect any different treatment than the Apostle Paul, or the Son of God?

Let us not forget that Job, the greatest of all the men of the East did not heal himself, could not heal himself (after all Job was a prophet). Let us also not forget that God allowed Job’s illness. Did Job lack faith? Let us return to question 2, “Does failure to heal indicate a lack of faith?” To answer this question we must asked a second question, “What does the Bible indicate?”

During and after my time in the CM, I heard it said, “If the healing doesn’t take, or take place, it’s because you don’t have enough faith.” I have seen desperately ill boys and girls hoping (faithing) for a miracle, only to be disappointed. Rather than ascribing failure to the healer, or to misinterpretation of God’s word, the sick person is left with this, “You don’t believe enough… you lack faith.” Is this so? Can this be so? What does the Bible teach us about such a notion? John chapter 9 provides us with the narrative of the man, blind from birth, that Jesus healed. Certainly, the man “did not see Jesus coming.” Nor did the man believe and worship Christ until after Christ identified Himself as the Son of man. Read and reflect upon the text:

As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?" 3 Jesus answered, "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 "We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. 5 "While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world." 6 When He had said this, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes, 7 and said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam " (which is translated, Sent). So he went away and washed, and came back seeing…35 Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him, He said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" 36 He answered, "Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?" 37 Jesus said to him, "You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you." 38 And he said, "Lord, I believe." And he worshiped Him (Joh 9:1-7; 35-38).

The blind man correctly put his faith in Christ after the healing miracle. The Father had caused the man to be born blind so that He could have Jesus demonstrate His glory. The blind man’s healing was not contingent upon the blind man having enough faith. Another example of the recipient of healing lacking in faith is found in the Old Testament, in the account of the healing of Naaman the Syrian. He was an idolater and an enemy of the people of Israel. He suffered from leprosy and out of desperation turned to a Jewish seer, Elisha. As for having enough faith to receive healing, the narrative speaks for itself.

9 So Naaman came with his horses and his chariots and stood at the doorway of the house of Elisha. 10 Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored to you and you will be clean." 11 But Naaman was furious and went away and said, "Behold, I thought, 'He will surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper.' 12 "Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?" So he turned and went away in a rage. 13 Then his servants came near and spoke to him and said, "My father, had the prophet told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, 'Wash, and be clean '?" 14 So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child and he was clean. 15 When he returned to the man of God with all his company, and came and stood before him, he said, "Behold now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel; so please take a present from your servant now (2Ki 5:9-15).”

Naaman, upon hearing the prophet’s instructions, went away in a rage. He saw Israel and it’s rivers as inferior. Ultimately, submitting to the prophet’s instructions disgusted him. Providentially, at the entreaties of his own servants, Naaman complied, again out of desperation. Despite his skepticism, not because of his great faith, the Lord healed Naaman. Naaman’s reaction is telling:

15 When he returned to the man of God with all his company, and came and stood before him, he said, "Behold now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel; so please take a present from your servant now (2Ki 5:9-15).”

Naaman’s healing led to Naaman’s faith in God. His faith in God did not lead to His healing. Naaman became a believer that day. God healed, as always, according as He wills. Let us conclude that the success or failure of “a healing” does not depend on the sick person “having enough faith.” It depends on the will of God, who heals according as He wills. Thus, the notion that many have about healing---“You can be healed if you have enough faith”—is false. The notion that if you have enough faith you will be healed is a sad one indeed. I remember one leader in the CM movement commenting on Joni Eareckson Tada’s quadriplegia, noting that if she had enough faith, God would heal her. She writes of having received phone calls exhorting her to “just believe” and she would receive full healing and restoration. If anyone has “great faith” it is Joni Eareckson Tada. The suggestion that her life of quadriplegia is in someway connected with the quality or quantify of her faith is worrisome, to say the least.

In light of what God has spoken through the Scriptures we have considered, pause now, asking and answering these questions in your own mind and heart.

ONE: As I child of God should I expect healing? Should I expect healing because I am a Christian? Should I expect that everyone receives the same gifts from God, given that the Bible says just the opposite?

TWO: Does God heal everyone who wants to be healed if they have “enough faith?” How does Job’s affliction square with his great faith? How is it that Timothy, the Apostle’s assistant, did not receive healing given his great faith? Paul, a man of great faith, was unable to heal Epaphroditus and despaired Epaphroditus’ death? Did Paul lack sufficient faith? Did Epaphroditus? Should I reconsider my belief that if a person has enough faith, then he or she can be healed?

THREE: Does God heal those who do not have “great faith,” or “enough faith?” The man born blind did not come to faith, or demonstrate faith until after he was healed. Naaman did not come to faith until after he was healed. Naaman loathed the prophet’s instructions. Given these biblical realities, do I need to reconsider my belief that if a person has enough faith, then he can be healed?

FOUR: Many healing services act as if God heals in response to human demand? The Bible indicates otherwise. Indeed, Jesus said He could do nothing apart from the Father’s initiative. What does this tell us about pastors and churches who teach in contradiction to what the Bible clearly shows? Did God heal in response to Paul’s entreaty that the thorn in his flesh be removed? Is it time to re-evaluate your understanding in light of what the Bible says, instead of the traditions of men you have received with regard to healing?

FIVE: Glance at any one of Joni Eareckson Tada books. Consider her life of faith and service. Do you really believe she would be walking right now if she “just had enough faith?” What changes do you need to make in your thinking?

SIX: Prayerfully examine your, your pastor's, and your church's views and positions and practices when it comes to healing. Do they line up with what the Bible teaches?

PS: We will post again on or before September 2

Next we will consider "What healing looks like."