Doctrine Of Healing

Doctrine of Healing 1. Though the sickness of Miriam was related to her opposition to Moses, the great leader of God’s people in matchless grace prayed for the healing of his sister.  Numbers 12:13 And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee. 2. The sovereignty of healing is declared to be reserved to God Himself.  Deuteronomy 32:39 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. 3. God expects His people to look to Him first for healing.  2 Chronicles 16:12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians. 13 And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign. 4. When King Hezekiah (BC 715 –686) prayed for divine healing the Lord was pleased to answer his prayer and extend his life by many years.  2 Kings 20:5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD. 5. The mercy of God to Hezekiah was not dependent upon the king’s faith for he dared to ask a sign that God would keep His word.  2 Kings 20:8 And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day? 6. One of the greatest promises made to any covenant nation is that if sin is forsaken healing will be part of the divine blessing.  2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 7. The prayers and the cry of the Psalmist should be the plea of every soul for salvation and for physical healing.  Psalms 6:2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

 Psalms 41:4 I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee. 8. God has ordained there is a time for sickness and there is a time for healing.  Ecclesiastes 3:3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 9. When God moves in judgment against a nation or an individual the divine intent is to induce the people to repent, pray and return to righteousness. 

Isaiah 19:22 And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them.

 Isaiah 57:18 I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.  Isaiah 57:19 I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him. 10. God pleads with backsliding individuals to return to Him so He can heal the soul of spiritual diseases. Lust is a spiritual disease. Irrational anger is a spiritual disease. Covetousness is a spiritual disease.  Jeremiah 3:22 Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God. 11. As David pleaded with the Lord for healing so did the prophet Jeremiah.  Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise. 12. Sometimes the Lord looks upon His people with divine pity when He considers the cruel comments of their enemies.  Jeremiah 30:17 For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after. 13. Sometimes the sins of the saints become excessive like the waters of the sea that God wonders as it were how He can heal them. Sin left unchallenged will metabolize.  Deuteronomy 28:27 The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.

 Deuteronomy 28:35 The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head.  Lamentations 2:13 What thing shall I take to witness for thee? What thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? What shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? For thy breach is great like the sea: who can heal thee? 14. It is good when the church remembers to return to the Lord believing in His power, grace and mercy to heal.  Hosea 6:1 Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. 15. God has promised to heal the spiritual sickness of backsliding.  Hosea 14:4 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him 16. When God does judge a nation He raises up leaders who do not care for the physical or spiritual needs of the people.  Ezekiel 34:4 The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.  Zechariah 11:16 For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces. 17. Some of the most precious words Jesus spoke is when He was asked to heal someone and He replied, “I will come and heal him.”  Matthew 8:7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. Does Jesus care when my heart is pained Too deeply for mirth or song, As the burdens press, and the cares distress And the way grows weary and long? Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief; When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.

Does Jesus care when my way is dark With a nameless dread and fear? As the daylight fades into deep night shades, Does He care enough to be near? Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed To resist some temptation strong; When for my deep grief there is no relief, Though my tears flow all the night long? Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye” To the dearest on earth to me, And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks, Is it aught to Him? Does He see?” ~*~ 18. The Lord is no less merciful when He sovereignly chooses not to honor a request of healing. In such cases the believer can “kiss the Hand that strikes the blow.” When the people of Capernaum tried to force Jesus into performing miracles He rebuked them for so doing.  Luke 4:23 And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. 19. Because the Lord had power to heal He could instill that power to others which He did by giving the Twelve Disciples authority and power to heal.  Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.  Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.  Mark 3:15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: 20. The enemies of the gospel do not care for individuals to be healed unless that healing takes place according to the rule of religion.  Matthew 12:10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? That they might accuse him.  Mark 3:2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.

21. When individuals do not repent of sin and turn from their evil ways then the basis for divine heal begins to be minimized.  Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 22. Jesus believed that part of His messianic responsibilities included healing not only spiritual and physical illnesses but ministering to broken hearts as well. Mental well-being is part of the grace of the gospel.  Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,  Luke 5:17 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.

These Also Were Healed 1. The prayers of the righteous for the healing of others might be honored as God answered the prayers of Abraham for Abimelech or Hezekiah prayed for the people of Israel.  Genesis 20:17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.  2 Chronicles 30:20 And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people. 2. According to the Law of Moses those who had been injured by someone were to receive compensation during the healing process.  Exodus 21:19 If he rise again, and walk abroad upon his staff, then shall he that smote him be quit: only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall cause him to be thoroughly healed. 3. Many dangerous and deadly diseases such as leprosy in biblical times or cancer in modern times can be cured by the grace of God through natural healing or through the use of medicine and advancement of science.  Leviticus 13:18 The flesh also, in which, even in the skin thereof, was a boil, and is healed,  Leviticus 13:37 But if the scall be in his sight at a stay, and that there is black hair grown up therein; the scall is healed, he is clean: and the priest shall pronounce him clean. 4. The priests were responsible for the physical health of the nation of Israel. So the church today should be involved in the healing process.  Leviticus 14:3 And the priest shall go forth out of the camp; and the priest shall look, and, behold, if the plague of leprosy be healed in the leper;  Leviticus 14:48 And if the priest shall come in, and look upon it, and, behold, the plague hath not spread in the house, after the house was plaistered: then the priest shall pronounce the house clean, because the plague is healed. 5. The Philistines were healed when they returned the Ark of the Covenant to Israel.  1 Samuel 6:3 And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not empty; but in any wise return him a trespass offering: then ye shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you.

6. Elisha performed a miracle of healing by casing salt into a body of spring water.  2 Kings 2:21 And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land. 22 So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake. 7. The Psalmist declared that he was healed in answer to prayer.  Psalms 30:2 O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. 8. God heals by the power of His word.  Psalms 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. 9. The death of Christ becomes the basis for divine healing.  Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 10. There is a counterfeit healing ministry that must be recognized.  Jeremiah 6:14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.  Jeremiah 8:11 For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.  Revelation 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.  Revelation 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 11. The saint that cries out to the Lord for healing does so knowing that if God heals and if saves it is for His honor and His glory.  Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.

12. Through pain and suffering it is possible for heathen nations to be converted.  Jeremiah 51:8 Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so she may be healed. 13. Through pain and suffering it is possible for heathen nations to be judged by God.  Ezekiel 30:21 Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and, lo, it shall not be bound up to be healed, to put a roller to bind it, to make it strong to hold the sword. 14. As God heals individuals so He heals the source of disease such as polluted water supplies.  Ezekiel 47:8 Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed. 9 And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh. 15. There is a principle of cursing by association. Much poor health can be traced to association with nations under the judgment of God.  Hosea 7:1 When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they commit falsehood; and the thief cometh in, and the troop of robbers spoileth without. 16. The world stands amazed when divine healing takes place and the skeptics are silenced.  Acts 3:11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.  Acts 4:14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 17. The power and authority of the church to heal has not passed away with time.  Acts 5:16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. 18. Much physical sickness has its origin in the demonic world.  Acts 8:7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. 19. Sometimes faith is necessary in order for healing to take place.

 Acts 14:9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, 20. Sometimes faith is not necessary in order for healing to take place but only the power of God.  Acts 28:8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. 21. The grace of God in healing is indiscriminate.  Acts 28:9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed: 22. The church is commanded to pray for one another for healing.  James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Biblical Healing 1. When God moves to discipline His people He takes health from them while they wonder why. There is none to plead for mercy and health.  Jeremiah 14:19 Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? Hath thy soul lothed Zion? Why hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us? We looked for peace, and there is no good; and for the time of healing, and behold trouble!  Jeremiah 30:13 There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines. 2. When healing is taken from a people their enemies rejoice over them.  Nahum 3:19 There is no healing of thy bruise; thy wound is grievous: all that hear the bruit of thee shall clap the hands over thee: for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually? 3. Those who fear God are promised that the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings.  Malachi 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. 4. Jesus had the power and the desire to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.  Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.  Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.  Luke 9:11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing. 5. The power and willingness to heal was invested in the disciples.  Luke 9:6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere.  Acts 4:22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

6. The apostles who had witnessed the healing ministry of Christ others about His power.  Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus 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. 7. The gift of healing is an abiding gift given to individuals by the Holy Spirit.  1 Corinthians 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;  1 Corinthians 12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 8. Healing takes place in the name of Jesus and only in His name. 9. There is perfect health in heaven and in the new heaven and earth.  Revelation 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Types of Healing All kinds of sickness and all kinds of diseases Matthew 4:23 Luke 9:6

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. So they [the apostles] departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

Paralysis, blindness, Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, speech problems, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus' people who were crippled feet, and He healed them. So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the Matthew 15:30,31 blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel. Fever Matthew 8:14,15 Leprosy Matthew 8:2,3

Now when Jesus had come into Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother lying sick with a fever. So He touched her hand, and the fever left her . And she arose and served them. And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Jairus’ daughter was raised from the dead by Jesus (Luke 8:54-55) and He ordered them to tell no one (Luke 8:56) but the report concerning the incident went throughout the entire district (Matt. 9:26 - though perhaps we can be excused for seeing the people behind this as being the mourners rather than Jairus).

Blood disorders Matthew 9:20-22

And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, "If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well." But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, "Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well." And the woman was made well from that hour.

Lameness Acts 3:1-10

Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us." So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then 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." And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them -- walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Principle of Biblical Healing 1. Miracles of healing or the lack of the same are related to the sovereignty of God who works all things after the counsel of His will.  Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 2. Christians are to seek for the will of God to be done on earth as it is done in heaven.  Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 3. Jesus performed miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Matthew 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. 4. When a healing miracle takes place the kingdom of God is revealed to be in the midst of a people.  Luke 10:9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 5. As miracles demonstrate the power of God and the presence of the Kingdom of Heaven so miracles are designed to lead people to faith. The writer to the Hebrews insists that the message of the Gospel was attested to by miracles.  Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?  Matthew 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. 6. As the Lord heals so He afflicts in order to conform us into the image of Christ.  Psalm 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. While waiting on the pathology report to see if there was cancer in my body Mike Marshall from New Zealand sent the following except from a letter.

Dear Stan, "God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness" (Heb. 12:10). God does not afflict His children willingly. He takes no delight in seeing our tears--or hearing our groans. But He does take delight in . . . doing us good, making us holy, conforming us to His own image, and fitting us to dwell in His own presence. God treats us as the sculptor does the marble under his hand, which from a rough unsightly mass, he intends to carve into a splendid statue--a glorious work of art. Every application of the chisel, every blow of the mallet, is to strike off some bit of the stone, which must be removed to bring out the figure in perfection, which he designs to form. In our case, how much is necessary to be struck off from our corrupt nature, before we can be brought into that form and beauty which it is the intention of the divine Craftsman that we should bear. How much . . . pride, vanity, carnality, worldly-mindedness, self-sufficiency, independence, creature-love, earthly dependence; must be removed by each blow of the mallet, and each cut of the chisel, before the beauties of . . . holiness, humility, meekness, heavenly-mindedness; and all the graceful proportions and features of His own image, can be exhibited in us.” 7. Whether in healing or in sickness the heart is to give thanks to the Lord and trust in the sufficiency of the Savior.  1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.  2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Various Ways God will Heal  Sometimes healing will take place through natural law. God has given the body great recuperative powers which is one reason David said, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well” (Psalms 139:14).  Sometimes healing will take place by using natural means such as maintaining a good diet, exercise and weight control. Exodus 15:26 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 that healeth thee.  Sometimes healing will take place through the use of scientific knowledge. Luke was a physician as well as a historian and gospel writer. His profession is an honorable one. God has given much knowledge to the scientific community which must not be dismissed. The usage of surgery and medication is wise not wicked unless these gifts of God are abused or misused by vanity or overmedication.  Sometimes healing will take place through auto suggestion. The mind has a tremendous influence on the health and well fare of the body which is why the Scriptures advocate spiritual self talk and memorization. Psalms 42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Sometimes healing will take place through the gift of healing being exercised within the body of Christ. Acts 3:11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. Acts 5:16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. 1 Corinthians 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

 Sometimes healing will take place through an anointing with oil and prayer. James 5:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.  Sometimes healing will take place through anguish of soul and pleading with God. 2 Kings 20:5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.  Sometimes healing will take place as God is pleased to honor faith expressed. Matthew 9:22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.  Sometimes healing will take place through the faith of another being superimposed on the sick. Acts 3:2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; 3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. 4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none ; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.  Sometimes healing will take place through divine mercy and direct intervention based on the principle of pity and grace. Jeremiah 30:17 For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.  Sometimes healing will take place when a demonic spirit is cast out through prayer and fasting. Matthew 17:14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. 16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. 18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. 19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily

I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Some Words of Warning  Sometimes healing can take place through hypnotism or mesmerism. The mesmerism technique was introduced by the Austrian physician Franz Anton Mesmer (1733-1815). It was stated to be a healing technique. There seems to be objective evidence that the power of suggestion does having therapeutic value. Some faith healers do use the techniques associated with hypnotism and that should be an area of concern for the Lord does not want His people to suspend their minds. Therein lies great danger.  It is possible for a healing miracle to take place when a demon comes out of a person within the context of lying signs and wonders being performed. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders , 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.  Because there is a counterfeit healing that can take place within the body of Christ the spirits must be tested. 1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.  It is possible that where the Lord is pleased to visit His people in a healing service the Evil One will also attempt to infiltrate the meeting and take over. Evidence of an attempted hostile spiritual takeover might include one or all of the following.  Order gives way to disorder. 1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order. There is no need for people to be slain in the Spirit, shout and scream and go into trance like states calling undue attention to themselves.  A multitude of voices speaking simultaneously. 1 Corinthians 14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

 Irrational behavior. When individuals begin to act like animals and not like men there is an unclean spirit present for God invites His people to reason together not to do the chicken walk, bark like dogs or oink like pigs. Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 1 Corinthians 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.  Immodesty and immorality is manifested. Exodus 32:15 And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written. 16 And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables. 17 And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp. 18 And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear. 19 And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf , and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.  Potential for physical harm. When catchers are needed to protect people from being crushed, hurting themselves or others then an evil spirit is present. None of the healing miracles of the Bible ever caused harm to self or others.  Concerning those who are conducting the healing service care should be taken.  Some sincerely believe they have the gift of healing and God is pleased to use them with power and a special anointment. When Katherine Kuhlman said, “I believe in miracles” she probably truly believed. He faith in a miracle working God was authentic and so the Lord was pleased to use her to help others.  Some faith healers are charlatans. They know it and in time others do as well. When Burroughs A. Waltrip, the “Louisiana Pulpiteer” divorced his wife and left his two sons in Austin, Texas to marry Katherine Kuhlman he began to expose his true nature. He eventually died in a prison in California having defrauded a woman of money.

Techniques Used to Enhance the Manifestation of a Miracle  Raising the level of expectation. This can be done by voice manipulation such as breathless excitement and by time delay creating a sense of tension as people are forced to wait.  Moving individuals to an altered state of conscientiousness. This can be done in part by repetition of music or prayers.  Creating a prayer line.  Laying on of hands.  Testimonials.  Suggesting through a spirit of discernment present and someone is going to be healed who has a particular illness.  Pointing to a section of the audience and pronouncing that someone with a particular type of illness is being healed. Now they should come forward and share.  Finding out ahead of time who is sick and with what ailment and then manipulating those individuals. The manipulation can be claiming something that has not happened or, in the moment of hope and excitement convincing the individuals something has happened and they are cured.

Conclusion. In each of these techniques there is the potential for abuse. Therefore the heart must be kept pure, the motives honest and faith must remain intact. The flesh is ever present to challenge and usurp whatever God might be pleased to do. Rather than abandon a healing ministry in the church let faithful ministers find fresh faith to say, “I believe in miracles. I believe in a wonder working God. I believe the church has a ministry to the sick. I believe God will visit His people with blessings and healing. I will pray for the sick. I will believe God to heal according to His sovereign choice and will. I believe in miracles.”

What is to be Said to those Not Healed?  An honest answer. “I do not know. And I am afraid of those who claim they do know. For only God knows, and who can fathom the mind of God?” (Katherine Kuhlman on why not everyone is healed).  A delay is not a denial. Matthew 15:22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.  God’s grace is sufficient in suffering. 2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh , the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.  There is a double cure in the atonement if not in time in eternity. Matthew 8:15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. 16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: 17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

What Should Never be Said to those Not Healed  You do not have enough faith to be healed. This is neither fair nor just. Even a grain of mustard seed type of faith can remove mountains according to Jesus.  You did not name it and claim it and so you lost it. This is just another way of inducing guilt and shifting responsibility from the healing message and minister back to the individual not being healed.

How to Try the Spirits A.W. Tozer These are the times that try men's souls. The Spirit has spoken expressly that in the latter times some should depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron. Those days are upon us and we cannot escape them; we must triumph in the midst of them, for such is the will of God concerning us. Strange as it may seem, the danger today is greater for the fervent Christian than for the lukewarm and the self-satisfied. The seeker after God's best things is eager to hear anyone who offers a way by which he can obtain them. He longs for some new experience, some elevated view of truth, some operation of the Spirit that will raise him above the dead level of religious mediocrity he sees all around him, and for this reason he is ready to give a sympathetic ear to the new and the wonderful in religion, particularly if it is presented by someone with an attractive personality and a reputation for superior godliness. Now our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, has not left His flock to the mercy of the wolves. He has given us the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit and natural powers of observation, and He expects us to avail ourselves of their help constantly. "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good," said Paul (1 Thess. 5:21). "Beloved, believe not every spirit," wrote John, "but try the spirits whether

they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1). "Beware of false prophets," our Lord warned, "which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matt 7:15). Then He added the word by which they may be tested, "Ye shall know them by their fruits." From this it is plain not only that there shall be false spirits abroad, endangering our Christian lives, but that they may be identified and known for what they are. And of course once we become aware of their identity and learn their tricks, their power to harm us is gone. "Surely in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird" (Prov. 1:17). It is my intention to set forth here a method by which me may test the spirits and prove all things religious and moral that come to us or are brought or offered to us by anyone. And while dealing with these matters we should keep in mind that not all religious vagaries are the work of Satan. The human mind is capable of plenty of mischief without any help from the devil. Some persons have a positive genius for getting confused, and will mistake illusion for reality in broad daylight with the Bible open before them. Peter had such in mind when he wrote, "Our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable

wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto to their own destruction" (2 Pet. 3:15-16). It is unlikely that the confirmed apostles of confusion will read what is written here or that they would profit much if they did; but there are many sensible Christians who have been led astray but are humble enough to admit their mistakes and are now ready to return unto the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls. These may be rescued from false paths. More important still, there are undoubtedly large numbers of persons who have not left the true way but who want a rule wby which they can test everything and by which they may prove the quality of Christian teaching and experience as they come in contact with them day after day throughout their busy lives. For such as these I make available here a little secret by which I have tested my own spiritual experiences and religious impulses for many years. Briefly stated the test is this: This new doctrine, this new religious habit, this new view of truth, this new spiritual experience, “How has it affected my attitude toward and my relation to God, Christ, the Holy Scriptures, self, other Christians, the world and sin?” By this sevenfold test we may prove everything religious and know beyond a doubt whether it is of God or not. By the fruit of the tree we know the kind of tree it is. So we have but to ask about any doctrine or

experience, “What is this doing to me?” And we know immediately whether it is from above or from below. Attitude toward and Relation to God One vital test of all religious experience is how it affects our relation to God, our concept of God and out attitude toward Him. God being who He is must always be the supreme arbiter of all things religious. The universe came into existence as a medium through which the Creator might show forth His perfections to all moral and intellectual beings: "I am the Lord; that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another" (Isaiah 42:8). "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created" (Rev. 4:11). The health and balance of the universe require that God should be magnified in all things. "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable." God acts only for His glory and whatever comes from him must be to His own high honor. Any doctrine, any experience that serves to magnify Him is likely to be inspired by Him. Conversely, anything that veils His glory or makes Him appear less wonderful is sure to be of the flesh or of the devil. The heart of man is like a musical instrument and may be played upon by the Holy Spirit, by an evil spirit or by the spirit of man himself. Religious emotions are very much the same, no matter who the player may be. Many enjoyable feeling

may be aroused within the soul by low or even idolatrous worship. The nun who kneels "breathless with adoration" before an image of the Virgin is having a genuine religious experience. She feels love, awe and reverence, all enjoyable emotions, as certainly as if she were adoring God. The mystical experiences of Hindus and Sufis cannot be brushed aside as mere pretense. Neither dare we dismiss the high religious flights of spiritists and other occultists imagination. These may have and sometimes do have genuine encounters with something or someone beyond themselves. In the same manner Christians are sometimes led into personal experiences that are beyond their power to comprehend. I have met such and they have inquired eagerly whether or not their experience was of God. The big test is, “What has this done to my relationship to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ?” If this new view of truth - this new encounter with spiritual things - has made me love God more, if it has magnified Him in my eyes, if is has purified my concept of His being and caused Him to appear more wonderful than before, then I may conclude that I have not wandered astray into the pleasant but dangerous and forbidden paths or error. Attitude toward Jesus Christ The next test is, “How has this new experience affected my attitude toward the Lord Jesus Christ?” Whatever place present-day religion may give to Christ, God gives Him top place in earth and in heaven. "This is my beloved Son, in whom

I am well pleased," spoke the voice of God from heaven concerning our Lord Jesus. Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, declared: "God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36). Jesus said of Himself, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Again, Peter said of Him, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). The whole book of Hebrews is devoted to the idea that Christ is above all others. He is shown to be above Aaron and Moses, and even the angels are called to fall down and worship Him. Paul says that He is the image of the invisible God, that in Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily and that in all things He must have the preeminence. But time would fail me to tell of the glory accorded Him by prophets, patriarchs, apostles, saints, elders, psalmists, kings and seraphim. He is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. He is our hope, our life, our all and all, now and forevermore. All this being true, it is clear that He must stand at the center of all true doctrine, all acceptable practice, all genuine Christian experience. Anything that makes Him less that God has declared Him to be is delusion pure and simple and must be rejected, no matter how delightful or satisfying it may for the time seem to be.

Christ-less Christianity sounds contradictory but it exists as a real phenomenon in our day. Much that is being done in Christ's name is false to Christ in that it is conceived by the flesh, incorporates fleshly methods, and seeks fleshly ends. Christ is mentioned from time to time in the same way and from the same reason that s self-seeking politician mentions Lincoln and the flag, to provide a sacred front for carnal activities and to deceive the simple-hearted listeners. The giveaway is that Christ is not central: he is not all and in all. Again, there are psychic experiences that thrill the seeker and lead him to believe that he has indeed met the Lord and been carried to the third heaven; but the true nature of the phenomenon is discovered later when the face of Christ begins to fade from the victim's consciousness and he comes to depend more and more upon emotion jags as a proof of his spirituality. If on the other hand the new experience tends to make Christ indispensable, if it takes our interest off our feeling and places it with Christ, we are on the right track. Whatever makes Christ dear to us is pretty sure to be from God. Attitude toward the Holy Scriptures Another revealing test of the soundness of religious experience is, “How does it affect my attitude toward the Holy Scriptures?” “Did this new experience, this new view of truth, spring out of the Word of God itself or was it the result of some stimulus that lay outside the Bible?”

Tenderhearted Christians often become victims of strong psychological pressure applied intentionally or innocently by someone's personal testimony, or by a colorful story told by a fervent preacher who may speak with prophetic finality but who has not checked his story with the facts nor tested the soundness of his conclusions by the Word of God. Whatever originates outside the Scriptures should for that very reason be suspect until it can be shown to be in accord with them. If it should be found to be contrary to the Word of revealed truth, no true Christian will accept it as being from God. However high the emotional content, no experience can be proved to be genuine unless we can find chapter and verse authority for it in the Scriptures. "To the word and to the testimony" must always be the last and final proof. Whatever is new or singular should also be viewed with a lot of caution until it can furnish scriptural proof of its validity. Over the last half-century quite a number of unscriptural notions have gained acceptance among Christians by claiming that they were among the truths that were to be revealed in the last days. To be sure, say the advocates of this latter-daylight theory, Augustine did not know, Luther did not know, John Knox, Finney and Spurgeon did not understand this; but greater light has now shined upon God's people and we of these last days have the advantage of fuller revelation. We should not question the new doctrine nor draw back from this advanced experience. The Lord is getting His Bride ready

for the marriage supper of the Lamb. We should all yield to this new movement of the Spirit. So they tell us. The truth is that the Bible does not teach that there will be new light and advanced spiritual experiences in the latter days: it teaches the exact opposite. Nothing in Daniel or the New Testament epistles can be tortured into advocating the idea that we of the end of the Christians era shall enjoy light that was not known at its beginning. Beware of any man who claims to be wiser than the apostles or holier than the martyrs of the Early Church. The best way to deal with him is to rise and leave his presence. You cannot help him and he surely cannot help you. Granted, however, that the Scriptures may not always be clear and that there are differences of interpretation among equally sincere men, this test will furnish all the proof needed of anything religious, viz., What does it do to my love for and appreciation of the Scriptures? While true power lies not in the letter of the text but in the Spirit that inspired it, we should never underestimate the value of the letter. The text of truth has the same relation to the truth as the honeycomb has to honey. One serves as a receptacle for the other. But there the analogy ends. The honey can be removed from the comb, but the Spirit of truth cannot and does not operate apart from the letter of the Holy Scriptures. For this reason a growing acquaintance with the Holy

Spirit will always mean an increasing love for the Bible. The Scriptures are in print what Christ is in person. The inspired Word is like a faithful portrait of Christ. But again the figure breaks down. Christ is in the Bible as no one can be in a mere portrait, for the Bible is a book of holy ideas and the eternal Word of the Father can and does dwell in the thought He has Himself inspired. Thoughts are things and the thoughts of the Holy Scriptures from a lofty temple for the dwelling place of God. From this it follows naturally that a true lover of God will also be a true lover of His Word. Anything that comes to use from the God of the Word will deepen out love for the Word of God. This follows logically, but we have confirmation by a witness far more trustworthy than logic, viz., the concerted testimony of a great army of witnesses living and dead. These declare with one voice that their love for the Scriptures intensified as their faith mounted and their obedience became consistent and joyous. If the new doctrine, the influence of that new teacher, the new emotional experience fills my heart with an avid hunger to meditate in the Scriptures day and night, I have every reason to believe that God has spoken to my soul and that my experience is genuine. Conversely, if my love for the Scriptures has cooled even a little, if my eagerness to eat and drink of the inspired Word has abated by as much

as one degree, I should humbly admit that I have missed God's signal somewhere and frankly backtrack until I find the true way once more. Effect on the Self-life Again, we can prove the quality of religious experience by its effect on the self-life. The Holy Spirit and the fallen human self are diametrically opposed to each other. "The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would" (Gal. 5:17). "They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit... Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be" (Romans 8:5,7). Before the Spirit of God can work creatively in our hearts he must condemn and slay the "flesh" within us; that is, He must have our full consent to displace our natural self with the Person of Christ. This displacement is carefully explained in Romans 6, 7, and 8. When the seeking Christian has gone through the crucifying experience described in chapters 6 and 7, he enters into the broad, free regions of chapter 8. There, self is dethroned and Christ is enthroned forever. In the light of this it is not hard to see why the Christian's attitude toward self is such an excellent test of the validity of his religious experience. Most of the great masters of the deeper life, such as Fenelon, Molinos, John of the Cross,

Madame Guyon and a host of others, have warned against pseudo-religious experiences that provide much carnal enjoyment but feed the flesh and puff up the heart with self-love. A good rule is this: if this experience has served to humble me and make me little and vile in my own eyes, it is of God; but if it has given me a feeling of selfsatisfaction, it is false and should be dismissed as emanating from self or the devil. Nothing that comes from God will minister to my pride or self-congratulation. If I am tempted to be complacent and to feel superior because I have had a remarkable vision or an advanced spiritual experience, I should go at once to my knees and repent of the whole thing. I have fallen victim to the enemy. Attitude toward Fellow Christian Our relation to and our attitude toward our fellow Christians is another accurate test of religious experience. Sometimes and earnest Christian will, after some remarkable spiritual experience, withdraw himself from his fellow believers and develop a spirit of faultfinding. He may be convinced that his experience is superior, that he is now in an advanced state of grace, and that the hoi polloi in the church where he attends are but a mixed multitude and he alone is a true son of Israel. He may struggle to be patient with these religious worldliness, but his soft language and condescending smile reveal his true opinion of them - and of himself. This is a dangerous state of mind, and the more dangerous because if can be

justified by the facts. The brother has had a remarkable experience; he has received some wonderful light on the Scriptures, he has entered into a joyous land unknown to him before. And it may easily be true that the professed Christians with whom he is acquainted are worldly and dull and without spiritual enthusiasm. it is not that he is mistaken in his facts that proves him to be in error, but that his reaction to the facts is of the flesh. His new spirituality has made him less charitable. The lady Julian tells us in her quaint English how true Christian grace affects our attitude toward others: "For of all things the beholding and loving of the Maker maketh the soul to seem less in his own sight, and most filleth him with reverent dread and true meekness; with plenty of charity to his fellow Christians." Any religious experience that fails to deepen our love for our fellow Christians may safely be written off as spurious. The apostle John makes love for our fellow Christians to be a test of true faith. "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him" (1 John 3:18-19). Again he says, "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love" (1 John 4:7-8).

As we grow in grace we grow in love toward all God's people. "Everyone that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him" (1 John 5:1). This means simply that if we love God we will love His children. All true Christian experience will deepen our love for other Christians. Therefore we conclude that whatever tends to separate us in person or in heart from our fellow Christians is not of God, but is of the flesh or of the devil. And conversely, whatever causes us to love the children of God is likely to be of God. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if you have love one to another" (John 13:35). Relation to and Attitude toward the World Another certain test of the source of religious experience is this: Note how it affects our relation to and our attitude toward the world. By "the world" I do not mean, of course, the beautiful order of nature which God has created for the enjoyment of mankind. Neither do I mean the world of lost men in the sense used by our Lord when He said, "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever beleiveth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world though him might be saved" (John 3:16-17). Certainly, any true touch of God in the soul will deepen our appreciation of the beauties of nature and intensify our love for the lost. I refer here to something else altogether.

Let an apostle say it for us: "All that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever" (1 John 2:16-17). This is the world by which we may test the spirits. It is the world of carnal enjoyments, of godless pleasures, of the pursuit of earthly riches and reputation and sinful happiness. It carries on without Christ, following the counsel of the ungodly and being animated by the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that works in the children of disobedience (Eph. 2:2). Its religion is a form of godliness, without power, which has a name to live but is dead. It is, in short, unregenerate human society romping on its way to hell, the exact opposite of the true Church of God, which is a society of regenerate souls going soberly but joyfully on their way to heaven. Any real work of God in our hearts will tend to untie us for the world's fellowship. "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15). "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?" (2 Cor. 6:14). It may be stated unequivocally that any spirit that permits compromise with the world is a false spirit. Any religious movement that imitates the world in any of

its manifestations is false to the cross of Christ and on the side of the devil - and this regardless of how much purring the leaders may do about "accecpting Christ" or "letting God run your business." Attitude toward Sin The last test of genuineness of Christian experience is what it does to our attitude toward sin. The operation of grace within the heart of a believing man will turn that heart away from sin and toward holiness. "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:11-13). I do not see how it could be plainer. The same grace that saves, teaches, and its teaching is both negative and positive. Negatively it teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. Positively, it teaches us to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. The man of honest heart will find no difficulty here. He has but to check his own bent to discover whether he is concerned about sin in his life more or less since the supposed work of grace was done. Anything that weakens his hatred of sin may be identified immediately as false to the Scriptures, to the Saviour and to his own soul. Whatever makes holiness more attractive and sin more intolerable

may be accepted as genuine. "For thou are not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity" (Psalm 5:4-5). Jesus warned, "There shall arise false Christ’s, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they should deceive the very elect." These words describe our day too well to be coincidental. In the hope the "elect" may profit by them I have set forth these tests. The result is in the hand of God. This article is part of A.W. Tozer's book Man: The Dwelling Place of God. ~*~ Aiden Wilson Tozer was born in Pennsylvania, in 1897. In 1919 he began pastoring the Alliance Church in Nutter Fort, West Virginia. He also pastored churches in Morgantown, West Virginia; Toledo, Ohio, Indianapolis, Indiana; and in 1928 came to the Southside Alliance Church in Chicago. Here he ministered until November 1959, when he became pastor of the Avenue Road Church in Toronto. A sudden heart attack in 1963 ended his ministry.

~*~

Sermons Passage to Preach on for Healing  Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  Matthew 8:16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: 17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.  Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus 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.  Exodus 23:25 And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.  Proverbs 4:20-22 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.  James 5:14-15 Is any sick among you? 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: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.  3 John 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.  Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.  John 14:12-14 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.  John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.  John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

 1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.  Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 .They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.  Mark 6:4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. 5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.  James 1:6-8 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Principles of Divine Healing 1. Many healings.  Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.  Principle 1. The healing ministry of Christ was never divorced from the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom.

2. Healing of a leper.  Matthew 8:1 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.  Principle 2. Leprosy was a terrible disease in biblical times and yet the worse of sicknesses could be cured by Christ. The healing of the leper was rooted in the sovereignty of Christ who said, “I will; be thou clean.” The touching of the leper by Christ indicated the Lord’s identification with the man in his plight. 3. Healing of a Roman Centurion’s servant.  Matthew 8:5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

 Principle 3. Christ rejoices to honor great faith. “And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.”

4. Healing of Peter’s mother-in-law.  Matthew 8: 14 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. 15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.  Principle 4. Touching the afflicted can be part of the healing process. In many of the healing miracles Jesus touched the person He ministered to. 5. Healing of the wild man of Gadara.  Matthew 8:28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. 29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time? 30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. 31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. 32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters. 33 And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils. 34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.  Principle 5. Christ is sovereign not only of organic illnesses such as leprosy and fevers but mental and emotional afflictions as well. 6. Healing of a lame man.  Matthew 9:1 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. 2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. 3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. 4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? 5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? 6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. 7 And he arose, and departed to his house. 8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

 Principle 6. More important than physical healing is the healing of the heart resulting in the forgiveness of sins. Let every person long to hear Christ say first and foremost “be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.” 7. Healing of a woman with a hemorrhage.  Matthew 9:20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.  Principle 7. A person’s own faith in the person and work of Christ pleases the Lord in such a way that such personal faith is honored leading to healing. “Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.” 8. Raising of Jairus’ daughter.  Matthew 9: 23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, 24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. 25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.  Principle 8. 9. Healing of two blind men.  Matthew 9:27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us. 28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. 29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. 30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. 31 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.  Principle 9. According to one’s personal faith health can be restored or granted. The test of genuine faith is a measure of surprise when a prayer is offered and the believed results do not happen. 10. Healing of a demon possessed man.  Matthew 9:32 As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil. 33 And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. 34 But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.

 Principle 10. Demon possession is very real. Nevertheless, inordinate power must not be given to Satan or his demons for both are subject to the sovereignty of Christ. 11. General healing of every disease.  Matthew 9: 35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.  Principle 11. One motive for divine healing is compassion. But when he [Jesus] saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, 12. Healing of a man with a withered hand.  Matthew 12:10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath days? that they might accuse him. 11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? 12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days. 13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. 14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.  Principle 12. A spirit of legalism can and will try to stop the grace and power of God from being manifested. 13. Healing of the Syrophenician’s daughter.  Matthew 15:21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.  Principle 13. In the matter of healing no one can control, manipulate or force the hand of Christ who will always act in a sovereign manner. Effective, prevailing petitioning of Christ might be honored but He will remain Lord.

14. General healing of the lame, blind, dumb and maimed.  Matthew 15: 29 And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. 30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:  Principle 14. A spirit of humility must accompany those who would know divine healing. A demanding, controlling spirit of the Eternal Son of God is shameful. Let creatures cast themselves before the feet of the One who is King of kings and Lord of lords. 15. Healing of an epileptic boy.  Matthew 17:14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. 16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him hither to me. 18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. 19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.  Principle 15. The plea for mercy is an effective petition in the matter of healing with intercessory prayer. 16. Healing of two blind men at Jericho.  Matthew 20:30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. 31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. 32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? 33 They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. 34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.  Principle 16. A spirit of insistences that will not be denied until an answer is given is part of the healing process. Though rebuked and told the be silent two blind men once “cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.”

17. Healing of a man with an unclean spirit.  Mark 1:23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. 25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. 26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. 28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.  Principle 17. The principle of spiritual authority or the right to command undergirds the healing ministry. 18. Healing of a deaf, speechless man.  Mark 7:31 And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. 32 And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. 33 And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; 34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. 35 And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.  Principle 18. Touching the afflicted area in need of healing is not inappropriate as prayer is directed to the Creator for a change in an afflicted creature. 19. Healing of a blind man at Bethesda.  Mark 8:22 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. 24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. 25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.  Principle 19. Sometimes a second touch is needed for complete healing to take place.

20. Healing of blind Bartimaeus.  Mark 10:46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. 50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. 52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.  Principle 20. Sometimes the Lord will ask, “What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?” The purpose of this inquiry is to discern the depth of personal faith and desire to be healed. 21. Raising a widow’s son.  Luke 7:11 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. 12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.  Principle 21. Though the greatest enemy of health is death Christ is sovereign over the grave. 22. Healing of a stooped woman.  Luke 13:11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. 12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. 13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. 14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. 15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? 16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? 17 And when he had

said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.  Principle 22. Satan is said to be the source of some forms of physical infirmities but undue power must not be given to the Enemy. His power has boundaries and can be broken by Christ. 23. Healing of a man with the dropsy.  Luke 14:1 And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him. 2 And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy. 3 And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day? 4 And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go.  Principle 23. Sometimes, in order for a healing ministry to take place all those who would oppose the process must be silenced. The most effective way to silence one’s enemies is through knowledge of biblical truths and principles. There is no substitute for Bible doctrine in the soul. 24. Healing of ten lepers.  Luke 17:11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.  Principle 24. An attitude of gratitude should accompany divine healing. 25. Healing of Malchus’ ear.  Luke 22:50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. 51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.  Principle 25. The hacking and hurting of others in the name of Christ and to defend His name is prohibited. Those who would have a ministry of healing must not hurt others.

26. Healing of a royal official’s son.  John 4:46 So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. 48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. 49 The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. 50 Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.  Principle 26. While beliefs in signs and wonders can enhance faith Jesus does not encourage that approach to divine healing. Rather, the Lord honors intrinsic faith in Himself regardless of signs and wonders elsewhere. 27. Healing of a lame man at Bethesda.  John 5:1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath.  Principle 27. Sometimes God is pleased to leave a person in a weak and sick condition. While healing may come there is to be a patient waiting on the Lord. 28. Healing of a blind man.  John 9:1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, 7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. 8 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?

 Principle 28. Not all sickness is to be attributed to sin or Satan. Sometimes the need for healing is based on the desire of God to manifest His own mercy and power. 29. Raising of Lazarus.  John 11:38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. 39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. 40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.  Principle 29. There is to be no divine healing apart from faith, prayer and holiness of life.