PRIMARY WAY
The primary way a believer receives God's healing power is through faith. God's healing power is available to the believer through the grace of Jesus Christ. Grace is anything that Jesus atoned for a Calvary to provide for the believer [John 19:30, Romans 5:11]. Grace and truth is by Jesus Christ [John 1:17]. The scriptures states, "of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace [John 1:16].
A believer accesses the grace of Jesus Christ by faith [Romans 5:2]. The believer receives God's healing power through confidence in the grace provided by Jesus Christ [Matthew 9:28].
Jesus bore my sins in his body on the tree. He bore my sickness [nosos/diseases]. He took my infirmities [astheneia], my weakness, my symptoms caused by disease. I being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness, and with his stripes, I was healed at Calvary [1 Peter 2:24, Matthew 8:17, Isaiah 53:4, John 19:30]. Jesus Christ, was wounded [chalal] profaned, defiled, polluted, desecrated, for my transgression and rebellion. He was bruised[daka'], crushed, for my iniquities, perverseness, depravity, and guilt. He took my chastisement. My chastisement[muwcar], discipline, chastening, correction needful to obtain my peace and well-being was upon Him. This peace[shä·lome'] has given me completeness in number, soundness in body, welfare, health, safety, and prosperity. And with the stripes that wounded Him, I am healed and made whole [Isaiah 53:5, AMP, Acts 3:16].
But believers shouldn't require a sign or wonder to believe in Jesus' healing grace. Jesus got upset when people required signs and wonders to believe in his healing grace [John 4:48]. He praised people who received his healing grace by faith [Matthew 8:10,Luke 17:18-19, Matthew 9:27-30].
Too many believers can only be healed through the faith of someone else. They require "workers of miracles" or "gifts of healing" [1 Corinthians 12:29, 1 Corinthians 12:9]. They make excuses such as "I have no one to help me" or "someone gets down ahead of me" [John 5:6-7]. They are not Children of God who eat the healing bread of Jesus Christ off the Master's Table [Matthew 15:26-27, 1 Corinthians 11:23-24, Galatians 3:26-29]. They need someone else to drop them some crumbs of grace under the Master's Table [Mark 7:27-28].
Many persons are like Naaman in the Old Testament;
I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy [2 Kings 5:11].
The prophet commanded Naaman to go wash seven times in the Jordon. Like Naaman, many believers will not do what they are commanded to do in the Word of God. We will not confess what God says about our situation. We will not believe God's Word and confess God's Word over our sickness or disease till we are healed. We get furious and walk away like Naaman. We can't believe that simple obedience to God's Word is all that is required. But listen to what Naaman's servants said to him.
Sir, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, wouldn't you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply to go and wash and be cured!" [2 Kings 5:13].
Let's look at the difference between the woman with the issue of blood and Naaman. Jesus said to this woman your faith has healed you or made you whole [Mark 5:34, Luke 8:48]. Jesus didn't say to this woman, my miraculous dispensational healing power has made you whole. Jesus didn't say my "Gifts of the Spirit" has made you whole. But he said her faith, her confidence in his healing grace made her whole. We have to come to Jesus believing in his healing grace like this woman did in the fifth chapter of Mark. We have to believe that God is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. [Hebrews 11:6].
Humans have so much trouble just doing the simple things commanded by God. Believing and confessing God's Word is a commanded thing [Romans 10:9-10]. Faith is a fight [2 Timothy 4:7]. We want someone else to fight the "good fight of faith" for us [1 Timothy 6:12]. We begin to do the right thing with God's Word. We believe, we confess God's Word, but then we quit. We just don't do it long enough. We get discouraged, depressed, and quit too soon. If our symptoms come back, we get in doubt or unbelief and stop the fight of faith. We are not faithful. We are not fighting the "good fight of faith".
When we have a revelation of God's healing grace through Jesus Christ or a manifestation of healing through the gifts of the Spirit; we can't retain what we receive because we do not have the word planted deeply in our hearts [Matthew 13:21, Luke 8:13]. The NLT reads, "But like young plants in such soil, their roots don't go very deep" [Luke 8:13]. We do not have root in ourselves and only endure for awhile [Mark 4:17]. We have a superficial relationship with the Word of God. We are unwillingly or unable to open our mouth and use the "Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God" [Ephesians 6:17].
Jesus Christ wants you whole spiritually, mentally, and physically [1 Corinthians 1:18, Luke 6:9-10, Mark 10:53, Luke 7:47-50,Luke 9:56]. Jesus Christ suffered a horrible death to provide the atonement, propitiation, reconciliation, ransom, Redemption for our sins. Jesus Christ was bruised, wounded, and the to chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed [Isaiah 53:5].
Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands" [Matthew 26:67, Matthew 27:28]. "So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him, by whose stripes you were healed" [John 19:1,Mark 15:15, 1 Peter 2:24]. For the preaching of the cross is to them them perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved [sōzō] it is the power of God [1 Corinthians 1:18].
God has made many options available for you to receive the finished work of Jesus Christ [John 19:30]. The believer is encouraged to use any biblical method to receive their healing [see BIBLICAL METHODS].
SECONDARY WAY
The secondary way is to receive God's healing power through the faith of some other believer [Acts 19:11]. The other believer ministers the healing grace of Jesus Christ through God's Word or the Gifts of the Spirit. The secondary way is an easier way to receive. The believer only has to be receptive to receive.
Gifts of the Spirit and special ministries are wonderful and valuable. The believers should take advantage and promote the Gifts of the Spirit and special ministries of healing and miracles when they are available to the believer [1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 1 Corinthians 12:27-31]. The spiritual gifts or charisma, are part of the grace or charis of Jesus Christ [1 Corinthians 12:1, Romans 12:6, ]. The Apostle Paul states, "But the free gift (charisma) is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace (charis) of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many [Romans 5:15].
However there are several disadvantages. The believer is dependent on another believer's faith and special gifts. The Gifts of the Spirit and Special Ministries have to be available and in operation for the recipient to receive their healing [1 Corinthians 12:11].
But healing through faith or confidence in God's Word is always available to the believer. But it requires the believer to use active faith not passive faith. The believer must ask and continue to "believe that you receive" [Mark 11:24], until the physical manifestation of the healing is received.
BIBLICAL METHODS
When ever a believer publishes and proclaims the Word of God, signs will follow to confirm God's message. "They went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following" [Mark 16:20]. The scripture says, "the Lord working with them". God works with the believer by providing confirming signs of His Word.
"God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will" [Hebrews 2:4]. "It is the one and only Holy Spirit who distributes these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have" [1 Corinthians 12:11].
Paul told the church at Corinth that he didn't want their faith to rest or stand on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. "My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God" [1 Corinthians 2:4-5]. "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power" [1 Corinthians 4:20].
Laying on of Hands
"Laying on of Hands" is one of the routine methods that Jesus used to heal people. The scripture reads, "He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them" [Mark 6:5]. The scripture implies in Mark 6:5, that "laying on of hands" to heal the sick is not considered a might work [compare Luke 10:13, Matthew 11:23].
Jesus touched people to minister His Healing Power [Luke 4:40, Matthew 8:3, Matthew 8:15, Matthew 9:18, Matthew 9:29,Matthew 20:34, Mark 7:33, Luke 7:14, Luke 8:23, Luke 13:13, Luke 22:51, and Matthew 17:7]. People sought Jesus to come and "lay hands" on sick people or bless children [Matthew 9:18, Mark 5:23, Mark 7:32, Mark 8:22, Luke 18:15, Mark 10:13].
The recovery of the sick through the "Laying on of Hands" is one of the signs that will follow any believer of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. "They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" [Mark 16:18]. The recovery of the sick through the "Laying on of Hands" is one of the signs that the Lord uses to work with the believer and confirm the Word of God. "And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following" [Mark 16:20].
The truth is, any believer who believes in Jesus may do the same works Jesus did. Jesus laid hands on the sick, any believer may lay hands on the sick. Jesus healed the sick, any believer may heal the sick. In fact, Jesus said we would do greater works than he did, because he was going to the Father [John 14:12].
Brother Ananias, "laid hands" on Paul for healing in Acts 9:17. Paul on the Island of Melita prayed and laid his hands on the father of Publius and healed him [Acts 28:8]. Paul also ministered healing to all that were sick on the island [Acts 28:9].
Anointing with Oil and The Prayer of Faith
In James 5:14-15, the sick believer is instructed to call for the Elders.
"Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven".
This method requires the sick believer to call for the elders of the Church. It also requires the spiritual leadership of the church to have the ability to pray the "Prayer of Faith" [James 1:6 and James 5:15].
Anointing with oil is not a magical ritual. The oil is a point of contact with the power of God.
The disciples used this method in the area of healing and deliverance. "And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oilmany who were sick, and healed them" [Mark 6:13].
In the area of healing, the oil is symbolic of the power of God to remove burdens and destroy the yoke of the oppressor. "And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing" [Isaiah 10:27]. The disciples used this method in the area of healing and deliverance. "And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them" [Mark 6:13].
The Anointing
God's anointing is God's special tangible power to get a job or task done. Anointing with oil is symbolic of God's power and ability through the Holy Spirit to accomplish something. Priest [Exodus 28:41], Kings [1 Samuel 16:13], and Prophets [1 Kings 19:16] were anointed with oil to fulfill God's call on their life.
Jesus the Son of God, is the Christ [Χριστος Christos]. Jesus was the "anointed one" or the Christ. Jesus was anointed with [δύναμις dynamis] to complete the work which the Father had given him to do [John 17:4, John 4:34]. The Greek word dunamisis translated in English as mighty work, strength, miracle, might, or virtue. Zodhiates in Lexical Aids to the New Testament, defines dunamis as "power, especially inherent power. All the words derived from the stem duna-have the basic meaning of being able, and capable." Jesus was anointed with power to heal all sickness and disease [Matthew 4:23]. There has never been a claim made by any individual, group, or religion in history that they healed all sickness, disease, or infirmity. In the Gospels there are many scriptures that state that Jesus healed all [See Mass Healing].
Jesus was anointed with miracle working power [John 12:37, Miracles of Jesus Christ].
Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know [Acts 2:22].
People touched Jesus for a point of contact with the healing power of God [Matthew 14:36, Mark 3:10, Mark 6:55-66].
And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue [δύναμις dynamis] out of him, and healed them all [Luke 6:19].
Jesus was aware when someone put a demand on his healing power or healing virtue [Mark 5:30, luke 8:46]. The woman with the issue of blood was tenacious in making a point of contact with the anointing, "For she said, If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well" [Mark 5:27-30, Matthew 9:20-22, Luke 8:44].
Peter's shadow was a point of contact for God's healing power. "So that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them" [Acts 5:15]. Even the bones of the Prophet Elisha were a reservoir for the anointing. Elisha also used his staff as a point of contact [2 King 13:21, 2 Kings 4:32]. Both Elijah and Elisha used their bodies to raise the dead [2 Kings 4:34, 1 King 17:21].
Jesus quoted Isaiah 61:1-3, to announce his ministry to his home town of Nazareth;
"The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD" [Luke 4:18, Isaiah 61:1-3].
- The anointing is given to preach the gospel to the poor
- The anointing is given to heal and restore people
- The anointing is given to proclaim freedom to the captives
- The anointing is given to open blind eyes
- The anointing is given to set people free who are oppressed
- The anointing is given to proclaim the time of the Lord's favor
Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit to heal all that the were oppressed by the devil. We read in Acts 10:38 that, "God anointedJesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him [Acts 10:38]. We see that Jesus is the Healer and the devil is the oppressor. The devil uses sickness and disease to oppress people. But God's anointing power destroys Satan's oppression.
Jesus gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world and destroy the works of the devil [Galatians 1:4, 1 John 3:8]. In some cases demonic spirits may be responsible for some infirmities [Demonic Healings].If the believer doesn't see a manifestation of healing after a period of time, then the believer must consider that demonic resistance and oppression is at work.
And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? [Matthew 17:18-19, Mark 9:25].
In cases of demonic oppression that produces sickness or disease a believer must understand the authority given to us by Jesus Christ [see "Name of Jesus].
Christians
"Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed (chriō) us is God" [2 Corinthians 1:21].
"The followers of Jesus were first called Christians in Antioch" [Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, 1 Peter 4:16]. The word Christian comes from the word [ Χριστιανoς Christianos]. Christianos originates from the Greek word [ Χριστος Christos ]. Christos means the "anointed".
The JFB Commentary states that the word Christian/Christianos probably originates from the Roman community of Antioch because of the termination of the word [Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary, p.78]. The Latin suffix -ianos is generally defined as "related to, belong to". The Roman community was saying the followers of Jesus Christ were "related to, belong to" Jesus Christ. This was not a term of respect because the Latin termination -ianos, widely used throughout the empire, often designated the slaves of the one with whose name it was compounded.
The Jewish community called the followers of Jesus, "Nazarenes". Both names were terms of reproach [John 1:46, Acts 24:5]. But you could say the followers of Jesus were "related to, belong to" the Christos the "anointed".
Christians belong to and are related to the anointing-[Χριστος Christos]. Jesus Christ told the disciples to stay in Jerusalem, "until you are endued with power from on high" [Luke 24:49]. A disciple must be endued or clothed in power to do what Jesus has called us to do. The Greek word for the English word power is δυναμις dunamis. A believer must have power to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ [Luke 24:47, Matthew 28:18]. Jesus instructed the Seventy, "heal the sick there, and say to them, the kingdom of God has come near to you" [Luke 10:9]. Jesus also said, Jesus said, "he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also" [John 14:12, Supernatural Acts of the Disciples]. "You shall receive dunamis power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" [Acts 1:8].
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you [Luke 10:17-19].
Handkerchiefs and Aprons, and Other Points of Contact With the Anointing
Handkerchiefs or aprons are not magic charms or amulets, but a reservoir for the anointing to be transported to provided a point of contact with the Power of God.
So that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. [Acts 19:12].
Note that the scripture didn't say they were healed but that the diseases left them. Some diseases are the product of demonic activity [see Demonic Healings]. The anointing will drive out demonic induced diseases and evil spirits.
Even the bones of the Prophet Elisha were a reservoir for the anointing [2 King 13:21]. Elisha also used his staff as a point of contact [2 Kings 4:32]. Both Elijah and Elisha used their bodies to raise the dead [2 Kings 4:34, 1 King 17:21].
During the great move of God recorded in Acts 5, the Healing Anointing was so intense on Peter that his shadow could be a point of contact to receive God's Healing Power.
"So that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them" [Acts 5:15, Acts 5:15].
Special anointing are present at certain times or special events to heal. "Who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem; and the power (dunames) of the Lord was present to heal them" [Luke 5:17].
The anointing can be transferred to other people. "Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands" [2 Timothy 1:6, Acts 6:6].
But the anointing which you have received of him abides in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, you shall abide in him [1 John 2:27].
The Name of Jesus
Peter used "The Name of Jesus" on two major healing events. The first occasion was the lame man at the Gate Beautiful in Acts 3. "Peter said, Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk" [Acts 3:6 and Acts 3:1-9]. The second occasion was with Aeneas who had been paralyzed for eight years. "And Peter said to him, Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed. Then he arose immediately." [Acts 9:34, Acts 9:33-34]. InMark 16:17, Jesus says, "In My Name you shall cast out devils."
Peter said that the lame man was healed by the Name of Jesus and putting faith or confidence in His Name.
And His Name through faith in His Name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yes, the faith which is by him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. [Acts 3:16].
Jesus has been given "a name which is above every name" [Philippians 2:9-11]. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth" [Philippians 2:9-11]. Jesus' Name represents his exalted position and authority in Heaven and Earth [ Matthew 28:18, Matthew 26:64, Matthew 11:27, John 3:35, John 17:2, Romans 14:9,Colossians 2:9-10, 1 Peter 3:22, Romans 14:11].
Jesus is seated in Heaven "far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named" [Ephesians 1:21]. Jesus has "a name which is above every name", even the name of cancer or HIV. Every knee has to bow to Jesus [Philippians 2:9-10]. All things have been put under his feet that includes sickness, disease, poverty, oppression, and evil [Ephesians 1:19-23].
You can't use Jesus' authority if you aren't personally submitted to His authority. A person using Jesus' Name must have a personal relationship with Jesus and know Jesus' exalted name and position in Heaven to successfully use "The Name" [Philippians 2:9-11]. Many people know about Jesus but don't have a personal relationship with Jesus as the "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" [Revelation 19:11-16]. In fact in can be dangerous to your health to use Jesus' Name without a relationship with Him [See seven sons of Sceva in Acts 19:13-18].
The Spoken Word
See "Speak to The Mountain", and "Speak to The Fig Tree". We can only speak to things that we have authority over.
"But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it. When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!" [Matthew 8:7-11, Luke 7:7]
"Then he said to the man, Reach out your hand. The man reached out his hand, and it became normal, just like the other one" [Matthew 12:13].
"I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house. Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, We never saw anything like this![Mark 2:11-12].
"Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up" [Acts 9:36-41].
"Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, Stand up straight on your feet!, And he leaped and walked" [Acts 14:8-10 and Acts 14:8-10].
Gifts of the Spirit and Special Ministries
Here is a list of some of the MINISTRIES that God has placed in the body of Christ:
God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, thengifts of healings [1 Corinthians 12:27-31].
Every believer receives a spiritual gift or gifts to contribute to the common good of the entire church. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good or profit of the Body of Jesus Christ [1 Corinthians 12:7]. It is the one and only Holy Spirit who distributes these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have [1 Corinthians 12:11].
To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles [1 Corinthians 12:7-11].
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