the atonement and bodily healing
TRANSCRIPT
BodilyHealingAnd
TheAtonementby
Dr.T.J.McCrossan
ReeditedbyRoyH.Hicks,D.D.,
andKennethE.Hagin,D.D.
Unlessotherwiseindicated,ScripturequotationsinthisbookarefromtheKingJamesVersionorareDr.
McCrossan'sownliteraltranslationsfromtheoriginalGreek.SecondEditionThirdPrinting1989ISBN0-89276-505-4
TableOfContentsPrefaceForewordForewordIntroductoryRemarksDivisionIReasonIReasonIIReasonIIIReasonIVReasonVReasonVIDivisionIIDivisionIIIDivisionIVDivisionVAddendaNotes
Preface
Dr.T.J.McCrossan,notedpastor,author,Bibleteacher,andhighlyrespectedGreekandHebrewscholar,taughtGreekandHebrewlanguagesintheManitobaUniversity,Manitoba,Canada,beforeenteringtheministry.
For18yearshewastheExaminerinGreekforthePresbyteryofMinneapolis,Minnesota.Duringthisperiod,henotonlybuiltBethanyPresbyterianChurchofthatcity,butfor12yearspastoredthehistoricOliverPresbyterianChurchofMinneapolis.
ItwasduringtherevolutionaryministryofDr.CharlesS.PricethatDr.McCrossanembracedtheFullGospelmessage,receivingthebaptismoftheHolySpiritin1922.Thereafter,thesetwoservantsofGodlaboredsidebysideinmanyevangelisticefforts,eachcomplementingtheother'sministry.
—RoyH.Hicks
Foreword
KennethHaginhasstatedwhatagreatblessingthisbookhasbeentohim.Iechohisstatement.
NotbeingamasteroftheGreeklanguagecan,attimes,beabenefit.ItcanmakeonemoreopentotheworksofotherswhoareoutstandingGreekscholars.
Dr.T.J.McCrossandiscoveredbodilyhealingintheAtonementthroughreadinghisGreekNewTestament.LateronheteamedupwithDr.CharlesPrice,embracedtheFullGospelmessage,andreceivedthebaptismwiththeHolySpirit.HewasprofessorofGreekandHebrewlanguagesatManitobaUniversityinCanada.
Ihadtwohighlyrespectedmenofmyacquaintance,bothteachersofGreekincolleges,checkouttheGreekandtheinterpretationofitbyDr.McCrossan.Theybothassuremeitisexcellent.
Reader,oneoftheoutstandingreasonswhysomanyofGod'speoplearenothealedisbecausetheydonotfullyunderstandtheattitudeofGodtowardsickness.Somanypeoplewaverintheirfaithbecausetheyhaveheard,expoundedfromthepulpit,thatitisGod'swillforthemtobesick.
Maythereadingofthisbookforevererasealldoubtsyoumayhavehad.Mayyouknowandconfess(speakoutplainly)thatGodtookbothoursinsandoursickness,andplacedthemonourLordJesus,bywhosestripesyearehealed.
Partsoftheoriginalworkhavebeendeletedinordertoallowthistobeasmallerbook.Rev.HaginandIexpressourheartfeltthankstoDonMcCrossan,sonofDr.T.J.McCrossan,forgivingpermissiontoreprintthebook.
Foreword
FormanyyearsIhadacopyofT.J.McCrossan'sbookBodilyHealingandtheAtonementpublishedin1930.Errsomehow,likegoodbookshaveawayofdoing,itgotawayfromme.TheamazingenlightenmentitgavemeintotheScriptures,however,nevergotawayfromme.
Forinstance,regardingtheword"helpeth"inRomans8:26:"LikewisetheSpiritalsohelpethourinfirmities:forweknownotwhatweshouldprayforasweought:buttheSpirititselfmakethintercessionforuswithgroaningswhichcannotbeuttered."
Dr.McCrossanbringsoutthatthiswordmeans"takehold,togetherwith,against."HowmanytimesthepictureoftheHolySpirittakingholdtogetherwithmeagainstthepoweroftheenemyhasputmeoverinprevailingprayer.AsIteachothersonthesubjectofintercessoryprayer,IpaintthiswordpictureBrotherMcCrossanpaintedsoclearlyforme.
IlikewhathebringsoutonRomans8:11,too.Itgivesmesomethingtochewon,ifyouknowwhatImean.IteachquiteoftenontheGod-kindof"life"Jesuscametobringus(John10:10).Forthatlifeistheenlightenmentofmen(John1:4).TheGreekwordforthisGod-kindoflifeiszoe.
Dr.McCrossanshowsustheworkoftheHolySpiritinmanifestingthiszoelifeinourphysicalbodies.Romans8:11says,"ButiftheSpiritofhimthatraisedupJesusfromthedeaddwellinyou,hethatraisedupChristfromthedeadshallalsoquicken[zoopoiesei]yourmortalbodiesbyhisSpiritthatdwellethinyou."Hepointsout,"Thisverb'willquicken'iszoopoieseiandcomesfromzoe(life)andpoieo(Imake).ItistheworkoftheHolySpirittokeepmakinglifeinthesemortalbodiesofours."
FromanindepthstudyofIsaiah53andFirstPeter2:24,Dr.McCrossanclearlyprovesthattheoriginalmanuscriptsleavenoroomfordoubt—ChristdiedforoursicknessesasHediedforoursins.
IamnotaHebreworGreekscholar.ButIdoappreciatesomeonewithadeepunderstandingoftheoriginallanguagesoftheBiblewhoalsohasthekeeninsightonlytheHolySpiritcangive.I'veknowntwomenwhoespeciallypossessthesetwoqualities—Dr.P.C.NelsonandDr.T.J.McCrossan.
IbelieveitisthewilloftheLordthatDr.McCrossan'sbookagainisavailabletoloversofGod'sWord.Yousee,Rev.RoyHicksandIhadoftendiscusseditsinsightsandlamentedthatwedidnotstillpossessourowncopiesofit.Wetriedtofindit.
Justrecently,whileBrotherHickswaseatinginarestaurant,heoverheardpeoplediscussingBodilyHealingandtheAtonement.Hewalkedovertotheirtable,excusedhimself,andaskediftheycouldpossiblybediscussingDr.McCrossan'sbook.Theywere.Theyhadacopy.AndtheyknewDr.McCrossan'srelatives,whohavesincegiventheirpermissiontoreprintthisbook.
Iamgladtohaveapartinreprintingthisclassic.AndIamespeciallygladtorecommendittoyou.
—KennethEHagin
IntroductoryRemarks
Letusbeginbyaskingaveryimportantquestion:"Howdidsicknessenterthisworld?'1
OuranswerisfoundinRomans5:12,"Wherefore,asbyonemansinenteredintotheworld,anddeathbysin;andsodeathpasseduponallmen,forthatallhavesinned."
Thenphysicaldeathandallthatproducesitarethedirectresultsofsin.
Buthowcamemantosin?ReadGenesis2:17andGenesis3:1-19,andyouwillfindthatitwasSatanwhocausedourfirstparentstodisobeyGod.ThenSatanistherealoriginatorofsin,sickness,anddeath.
ManydenythisandsaythatGodHimselfistherealauthorofsicknessanddeathbecauseHesaidtoAdam(Gen.2:17),"Butofthetreeoftheknowledgeofgoodandevil,thoushaltnoteatofit:forinthedaythatthoueatestthereofthoushaltsurelydie."ButwhocausedAdamandEvetodisobeyGod'scommandandsobringsin,sickness,anddeathintothisworld?Satan.ThenSatan,andnotGod,istherealauthorofsin,sickness,anddeath.
ThisexplainswhyChristsaidtothemanwhomHecuredatthePoolofBethesda(John5:14),"Sinnomore,lestaworsethingcomeuponthee."Hissicknesshadcomeastheresultofsin.
ThisexplainsalsoChrist'swordsinMark2:9-11,"Whetheritiseasiertosaytothesickofthepalsy,Thysinsbeforgiventhee;ortosay,Arise,andtakeupthybed,andwalk?ButthatyemayknowthattheSonofmanhathpoweronearthtoforgivesins,(hesaithtothesickofthepalsy,)Isayuntothee,Arise,andtakeupthybed,andgothywayintothinehouse."
ThepeoplewouldnotbelievethatChristhadpowertoforgivethisman'ssins,soHesaystothem,ineffect,"IwillnowprovetoyouthatIhavethepowertoforgivesinsbycuringthispalsy,whichisoneoftheconsequencesofsin.WhenyouseethatIcancureortakeawaythissin-produceddisease,thenyouwillknowforacertaintythatIalsocantakeawaysinitself."
AgainweareabsolutelysureSatanistheauthorofsicknessaswellassin,becauseChristalwaysusesthesameharshword,epitimao,torebukesickness(Satan'swork)asHeusestorebukeevilspirits.
InLuke4:35weread,"AndJesusrebuked[epetimesen]him[theevilspiritinaman],saying,Holdthypeace,andcomeoutofhim."
InLuke4:39weread,"Andhestoodoverher[Simon'swife'smother],andrebuked[epetimesen,thesamewordasinLuke4:35]the[spiritof]fever;anditlefther."ChristusedthesameharshwordtorebukeallsicknessesasHeusedtorebukeallevilspirits,becauseallsicknessiscausedbySatan.Thisistheonlyexplanation.
Yes,everysickness,disease,anddeformitywhichChristcuredwhileonearthwastheresultofsin,Satan'swork.ReadActs10:38,"HowGodanointedJesusofNazarethwiththeHolyGhostandwithpower:whowentaboutdoinggood,andhealingallthatwereoppressedofthedevil;forGodwaswithhim."ThenallChristcured,whileonearth,wereoppressedofthedevil.ThisincludedalsoLazarus'sickness,eventhoughChristdeclares(John11:4),"Thissicknessis...forthegloryofGod."
Letushereexaminethisword"oppressed."TheGreekwordis
katadunasteuomenous,thepresentparticiplepassive,accusativepluralofkatadunasteuo.Thiscomesfromkata,downorunder,anddunasteuo,Iholdpowerorlordship.ThenthiswordkatadunasteuomenousinActs10:38reallymeans"thoseunderthedominationorlordshipofSatan."
Yes,everysickness,disease,anddeformityChristcuredwhileonearthwastheresultofSatan'swork,anditisthesametoday.
NotonlyisSatantheoriginatorofsickness,butheisthepropagatorofit,fortheBibleinformsusthathehasspecialevilspiritswhosechiefbusinessistomakepeoplesick.
InLuke13:11weread,"And,behold,therewasawomanwhichhadaspiritofinfirmityeighteenyears,andwasbowedtogether[bentdouble],andcouldinnowiseliftupherself."Luke13:16informsusthatthiswasSatan'swork:"Andoughtnotthiswoman,beingadaughterofAbraham,whomSatanhathbound,lo,theseeighteenyears,beloosedfromthisbondonthesabbathday?"
Noticenowthewords"whichhadaspiritofinfirmity."Thewordfor"infirmity"hereisastheneia,thecommonestwordintheGreeklanguagefor"sickness."Thenthispoorwomanhadbeendominatedforeighteenyearsbyanevilspirit,aspiritherecalled"aspiritofsickness."Yes,Satanreallyhas"spiritsofsickness"whoseonegreatworkinthisworldistopropagatesicknessanddisease.
InMark9:25wefindthatSatanalsohas"deafanddumb"spirits:"WhenJesussawthatthepeoplecamerunningtogether,herebukedthefoulspirit,sayinguntohim[Note,theseevilspiritsarepersons.],Thoudumbanddeafspirit,Ichargethee,comeoutofhim,andenternomoreintohim."Then,inadditionto"spiritsofsickness,"Satanalsohas"deafanddumb"spiritstoafflictmankind.
InMark1:23weread,"Andtherewasintheirsynagogueamanwithanunclean[unwashed,dirty,foul]spirit."ThenSatanalsohasspiritswhoarespecialistsinpollutingmen'smindsandimaginations,makingthemimmoral.
InActs16:16wereadofagirlwhowas"possessedwithaspiritofdivination"(literally,aspiritofPython).Thiswasanevilspiritwhichgavehertheabilitytoforetellthings.
Satan,then,hasallkindsofevilspirits,andthousandsofthesebelongtothatgroupdesignatedas"thespiritsofsickness."NowonderwereadinEphesians6:12,"Forwewrestlenotagainstfleshandblood,butagainstprincipalities,againstpowers,againsttherulersofthedarknessofthisworld,againstspiritualwickednessinhighplaces."
Yes,Satanisnotonlytheoriginatorofsicknessanddisease,butheisthepropagatorofthesamebymeansofthesemanyevilspiritswhoobeyhiseverycommand.
DivisionI
SixGreatBiblicalReasonsWhyAllChristiansShouldTake
ChristAsTheHealerOfTheirBodies
ReasonI
BecauseGodusedtohealthesick,andHeisanunchangeableGod.(a)InOldTestamenttimes,Godwasmen'sHealer.InExodus15:26weread,"Ifthouwiltdiligentlyhearkentothevoice
oftheLordthyGod,andwiltdothatwhichisrightinhissight,andwiltgiveeartohiscommandments,andkeepallhisstatutes,Iwillputnoneofthesediseasesuponthee,whichIhavebroughtupontheEgyptians:forIamtheLordthathealeththee."
InExodus23:25weread,"AndyeshallservetheLordyourGod...andIwilltakesicknessawayfromthemidstofthee."
Psalm103:3,"Whoforgivethallthineiniquities;whohealethallthydiseases."Godisstillforgivingsins,andHeisstillhealingdiseases,orelseHeisnotthesameGodHeusedtobe.
SomeBibleteacherstellusthePsalmistishereonlyspeakingofspiritualdiseases.TheseallquotePsalm103:4,"Whoredeemeththylifefromdestruction,"andthensay(ModernReligion—Healing,page139),"Presenttimehealingofasickbodydoesnotredeemitfromdestruction,buthealingthelifeorsoulofthesin,disease,death,doesredeembothbodyandsoulfromdestruction,throughtheresurrection."
Nowthesefriendsarewrongforthreereasons:(1)Becausethewordfor"disease"inPsalm103:3intheSeptuagint
isnosos.ThiswordisusedninetimesintheSeptuagintandtwelvetimesintheNewTestament,anditalwaysreferstophysicaldisease.
(2)Becausethewordfor"healeth"inPsalm103:3intheSeptuagintisiaomai.Thiswordisusedtwenty-eighttimesintheNewTestament,andalwaysofphysicalhealing.
(3)Becausetheexpression"whoredeemeth"(Septuagint)readstonlutroumenon,theoneconstantlyredeeming(thepresentparticiplemiddleoflutroo).TheuseofthepresentparticiplehereteachestheblessedtruththatGodisnowconstantlyemployedkeepinglifeinourbodies(keepingourheartsbeating—somethingwehavenothingwhatevertodowith).WeknowthisredemptionisgoingonnowanddoesnotrefertotheResurrection,becauseofwhatfollowsintheSeptuagint.Itliterallyreads,"Theoneredeemingthylifefromdestruction[decay],theonecrowningtheewithmercyandcompassion,theonesatisfyingthydesirewithgoodthings,"etc.
Theuseofthepresentparticiplehere,asallGreekscholarsknow,bringsouttheblessedthoughtthatGodisrightnowconstantlydoingallthesethingsmentioned.Theredemptionspokenof,therefore,inPsalm103:3hasnothingwhatsoevertodowiththeResurrectionofthefuture,buttellsusofsomethingtheLordisnowdoingonourbehalf.
Psalm105:37,"Hebroughtthemforthalsowithsilverandgold:andtherewasnotonefeeblepersonamongtheirtribes."Why?BecauseGodwastheirHealer.
Psalm107:20,"He[God]sent[forth]hisword,andhealedthem...."
(b)InNewTestamenttimes,Godwasman'sHealerthroughtheLordJesusChrist,Godintheflesh.
Matthew9:35,"AndJesuswentaboutallthecitiesandvillages,teaching...andpreachingthegospelofthekingdom,andhealingevery
sicknessandeverydiseaseamongthepeople."Note,Christpreachedandhealedpublicly.
ThenMark6:12informsusthatChrist,Godintheflesh,gavepowertoHisdisciplestohealthesick.Mark6:12,13says,"Andthey[thedisciples]wentout,andpreachedthatmenshouldrepent.Andtheycastoutmanydevils,andanointedwithoilmanythatweresick,andhealedthem."Note,thesedisciples,liketheirLord,alsoheldgreatpreachingandhealingcampaigns.
HasGodchanged,orisHetheverysameGodtodaythatHewasinOldandNewTestamenttimes?
InMalachi3:6weread,"ForIamtheLord,Ichangenot."InHebrews13:8weread,"JesusChristthesameyesterday,andto
day,andforever."TheGreekexpressionherefor"thesame"ishoautos,andmeanstheverysameidenticalpersonineveryrespect.
Again,Jamessays(James1:17),"Everygoodgift[includingthegiftofhealing]...isfromabove,andcomethdownfromtheFatheroflights,withwhomisnovariableness,neithershadowofturning."TheGreekwordherefor"variableness"isparallage.
Here,then,JamesdeclaresthatGoddoesnotchangeevenslightly.Now,Godusedtobe:
(1)Jehovah-shammah—"TheLordeverpresent."(2)Jehovah-jireh—"TheLordourprovider."(3)Jehovah-nissi—"TheLordourbanner."(4)Jehovah-shalom—"TheLordourpeace."(5)Jehovah-raah—"TheLordmyshepherd."(6)Jehovah-tsidkenu—"TheLordourrighteousness."(7)Jehovah-rapha—"TheLordthathealeth."(Exod.15:26)AlladmitthatGodisstill:Jehovah-shammah—"TheLordever
present."Jehovah-jireh—"TheLordourprovider."Jehovah-nissi—"TheLordourbanner."Jehovah-shalom—"TheLordourpeace."Jehovah-raah—"TheLordmyshepherd."Jehovah-tsidkenu—"TheLordourrighteousness."Then,beloved,HeisstillJehovah-rapha—theLordourHealer,forJames1:17declares,"With[Him]isnovariableness"(Hedoesnotchangeevenslightly);or,asHebrews13:8expressesit,"JesusChrist[God]thesameyesterday,andtoday,andforever."
SinceGod(Christ)isjustthesametodayasinthepast,weoughttoexpectHimtohavethesamehealingpower.
ReasonII
Again,allChristiansshouldexpectGodtohealtheirbodiestoday,becauseChristdiedtoatoneforoursicknessesaswellasforoursins.
LeadingopponentsofhealingintheAtonementwouldagreeonthefollowingstatements:"DidourLordJesusChristbyHisdeathonthecrossatoneforbodilysicknessanddisease?No!Never!"
Theywouldsay,"ThedoctrinethatourLordJesusChrist,whenHediedonthecross,madeanatonementforthesicknessesanddiseasesofthebodyisafalsedoctrine,adoctrinethatcannotbefoundfromoneendoftheHolyScripturetotheother."
Also,"TheteachingthatChristdiedforourdiseasesasHediedforoursinsisahumaninvention,andnotaBibledoctrine."
LetusnowlayasideallprejudiceandexaminetheBibleteachingonthismostimportantsubject.ThewriterisScotch-Canadian,andcannotpossiblybelieveanydoctrineuntilhehasfoundthebestpossiblescripturalreasonsforsodoing.
(1)Isaiahisourwitnesstothisgreattruth.InIsaiah53:4weread,"Surelyhe[Christ]hathborneourgriefs
[kholee,sicknesses],andcarriedoursorrows[makob,pains]."Kholee(sickness)isfromchalah,tobeweak,sick,orafflicted.In
Deuteronomy7:15weread,"TheLordwilltakeawayfromtheeallsickness[kholee]."Thiswordistranslated"sickness"inDeuteronomy28:61,FirstKings17:17,SecondKings1:2,SecondKings8:8,andotherplaces.
Makobistranslated"pain"inJob33:19,"Heischastenedalsowithpain[makob]."InJeremiah51:8weread,"Takebalmforherpain[makob]."
ThenIsaiah53:4shouldread,"Surelyhe[Christ]hathborneoursicknesses,andcarriedourpains."EveryunprejudicedHebrewscholarmustadmitthatthisisthecorrecttranslation.
LetusnowexaminetheverbsinIsaiah53:4,"borne"(nasa)and"carried"(sabal).
(a)TheHebrewverbnasameanstobearinthesenseof"sufferingpunishmentforsomething."Leviticus5:1,"Andifasoulsin...thenheshallbear[nasa]hisiniquity."InIsaiah53:12wehavethetruemeaningofnasasetforth:"Andhe[Christ]wasnumberedwiththetransgressors;andhebare[nasa]thesinofmany."
NowhowdidChristbearoursins?Vicariously,asourSubstitute.ButthisisthesameverbusedinIsaiah53:4,"Surelyhe[Christ]hathborne[nasa]oursicknesses."
Wealladmitthatthisverb(nasa)inIsaiah53:12teachesusthatChristboreoursinsvicariously;soallunprejudicedmindsmustadmitthatthisverysameverb(nasa)inIsaiah53:4teachesusthatHe(Christ)boreoursicknessesvicariously.Yes,theverysameverb(nasa)isusedofbearingoursinsinIsaiah53:12asisusedinIsaiah53:4ofbearingoursicknesses.Theclearteaching,therefore,isthatChristboreoursicknessesintheverysamewaythatHeboreoursins.Therecanbenootherconclusion.
(b)"Andcarried[sabal]ourpains."Thisverbsabal(carried)alsomeans"tobearsomethingasapenaltyorchastisement."
Lamentations5:7,"Ourfathershavesinned...andwehaveborne
[sabal]theiriniquities."Isaiah53:11,"Heshallseeofthetravailofhissoul,andshallbesatisfied...forheshallbear[sabal]theiriniquities."
NowhowdidChristbearouriniquities?Vicariously,asourSubstitute.ThenHeboreorcarriedourpainsintheverysameway,forIsaiahdeclares(Isa.53:4),"Surelyhehathborne[nasa]oursicknesses,andcarried[sabal]ourpains."
Reader,whenyourememberthatthewordsinIsaiah53:4for"griefs"(kholee)and"sorrows"(makob)literallymean"sicknesses"and"pains";andwhenyourememberthattheverbsofIsaiah53:4,"borne"(nasa)and"carried"(sabal),arethesametwoverbsusedinIsaiah53:12andIsaiah53:11toexpressthetremendousfactthatChristborevicariouslyoursinsandouriniquities,howcanyouescapethelogicalconclusionthatChristdiedforoursicknessesintheverysamewaythatHediedforoursins?ForallunprejudicedHebrewscholarsthereisnootherconclusion.
HerelistentoYoung'stranslation(page452):"Surelyoursicknesseshehathborne,andourpainshehathcarriedthem"(Isa.53:4).Young,theauthorofYoung'sConcordance,wasagreatHebraist.
ListentoDr.IsaacLeeser'stranslationofIsaiah53:4:"Butonlyourdiseasedidhebearhimself,andourpainshecarried."
AgainlistentoAlexanderMcLaren,thatprinceofcommentators(VolumeonIsaiah,page98):"Itistobekeptinview,thatthegriefs,whichtheServant(Christ)isheredescribedasbearing,areliterallysicknesses,andthatsimilarly,thesorrowsmaybediseases.Matthewinhisquotationofthisverse(Matt.8:17)takesthewordstorefertobodilyailments—andthatinterpretationispartofthewholetruth,forHebrewthoughtdrewnosuchsharplineofdistinctionbetweendiseasesofthebodyandthoseofthesoul,asweareaccustomedtodraw.Allsicknesswastakentobetheconsequenceofsin.
"OfthesetwowordsexpressingtheServant'stakingtheirburdenonHisshoulders(nasaandsabal)theformerimpliesnotonlythetakingofit,butthebearingofitaway;andthelatteremphasizestheweightoftheload."
AndnowlistentoMatthew'scommentonIsaiah53:4.Matthew8:16,17,"Whentheevenwascome,theybroughtuntohimmanythatwerepossessedwithdevils:andhecastoutthespiritswithhisword,andhealedallthatweresick:ThatitmightbefulfilledwhichwasspokenbyEsaiastheprophet,saying,Himselftookourinfirmities,andbareoursicknesses."
Becauseofthis17thverse,"Thatitmightbefulfilled[plerothe,1stAoristpassive,subjunctive,3rdpersonsingularofpleroo]whichwasspokenbyEsaiastheprophet,saying,Himselftookourinfirmities,andbareoursicknesses,"onescholarasks:"WhendidourLordbearthesediseasesandcarrythesepains?...ItwasbeforeHecametothecrossandnotwhileHewasonthecrossthatthispredictionwasfulfilled."
OfMatthew8:17,"Thatitmightbefulfilled[plerothe]...,"otherscholarsargue,"ThenthisprophecyofIsaiahwasfulfilledinthedaywhenourLordJesusChristhealedthegreatmultitude.ItwasfulfilledaboutthreeyearsbeforetheLorddiedonthecross.TheprophecyofIsaiahwasfulfilledinHisdivineministryofhealing,andnotwhenHehungonthecross."
Most,ifnotall,opponentsofhealingintheAtonementtodaydeclarethatMatthew8:16wascompletelyfulfilledbeforeChristdiedonthecross,andwhileHewasyetalive;therefore,thispredictionhasnothing
whatevertodowithustoday.ItwasapredictiononlyforthepeopleofChrist'sownday.
Letusnowseeafewoftheawfulconclusionswewouldbecompelledtodrawifthisfoolishandunscholarlyreasoningwerecorrect.
Matthew12:14tellsofameetingoftheJewishCounciltodestroyourLord.TheMasterthenquietlywithdrewfromthecity,butgreatmultitudesfollowedHim,andHehealedthem.ThenMatthewtellsuswhyHewithdrewquietlyawayfromtheseangryPharisees.
Matthew12:17-21,"Thatitmightbefulfilled[pterothe,thesamewordasinMatthew8:17]whichwasspokenbyEsaiastheprophet,saying,Beholdmyservant,whomIhavechosen;mybeloved,inwhommysouliswellpleased:Iwillputmyspirituponhim,andheshallshew[apag-gelei,declare]judgmenttotheGentiles.Heshallnotstrive,norcry;neithershallanymanhearhisvoiceinthestreets.Abruisedreedshallhenotbreak,andsmokingflaxshallhenotquench,tillhesendforthjudgmentuntovictory.AndinhisnameshalltheGentilestrust."
ThiswonderfulpredictionisfoundinIsaiah42:1-4.Isaiahherepredicted,asMatthewasserts(Matt.12:17):(1)ThatGodwouldputHisSpirituponChrist.(2)ThatChristwouldthendeclarejudgment(krisis)totheGentiles.(3)ThatChristwouldbekind,patient,andlovingtowardtheveryweakestofmen,for"Abruisedreedshallhenotbreak,andsmokingflaxshallhenotquench."(4)ThatChristwillyethurlforth(ekbale)judgmentuntovictory.Thisrefers,ofcourse,tothehorrorsoftheTribulation,andtothetimewhenChristshallcomeforthtodestroyallHisenemiesandsetupHiskingdom.(5)"AndinhisnameshalltheGentileshope."
Here,then,isagreatpredictionfromIsaiahthatinthefuture,(1)theGentilenationswouldyetheartheGospelandfindhopeinChrist,and(2)thatChristwouldyethurlforthjudgmentuntovictory(referringtoHiscominginvengeancetodestroyallHisenemies);andyet—wonderfultonarrate—MatthewheredeclaresthatthisprophecyofIsaiahwasthenfulfilled,evenbeforetheGentileshadyetheardtheGospel;andheusestheverysamewordtoexpressthisfulfillmentthatheusesinMatthew8:17;viz.,pterothe,the1stAoristpassive,subjunctive,3rdpersonsingularoftheverbpleroo,Ifulfill.
MatthewassertsinMatthew12:17thatChristdidwhatHedidonthisoccasion,"Thatitmightbefulfilled[plerothe],whichwasspokenbyEsaiastheprophet,"andhehereusestheverysamewordfor"fulfilled"(pterothe)thatheusesinMatthew8:17regardingthefulfillmentofIsaiah53:4.
WhydidMatthewdeclareinMatthew12:17thatthisgreatprophecyofIsaiah42:1-4wasfulfilledatthistimewhenitwouldnotbefulfilleduntilJesussetsupHismillennialkingdom?Because,fromGod'sstandpoint,itwasreallyfulfilledjustassoonasChristwashereonearth,andbeganHissavingministry.
But,someoneasks,"IstheAoristtense,whichindicatesmomentarycompletedpastaction,everusedtoexpressfutureevents?"Yes.SeeJelf'sGreekGrammar,Vol.2,page65.Hereweread,"TheAorist,likethePerfect,isalsousedtoexpressfutureeventswhichmustcertainlyhappen."ThesepropheciesofIsaiah,Matthewknew,wouldmostassuredlybefulfilledbyGod,sohehereusestheAoristtense,thusbringingoutthegreattruththattheirfulfillmentwaseventhenassured.
AlthoughMatthewheredeclaresthatthispredictionofIsaiah42:1-4
hadbeenfulfilled,whoissofoolishastosaythatChristisnotstilldeclaringjudgmenttotheGentiles;thatHeisnotstillpatient,kind,loving,andforgivingtotheveryweakestofmen?HasChristyethurledforth(ekbale)judgmentuntovictory?No!ArealltheGentilenationsyettrustinginHisName?No!YetMatthewassertsthatthisgreatpredictionhadbeenfulfilledjustassoonasChristbeganHisblessedministrylookingtothisend,andusestheverysamewordfor"mightbefulfilled"(pterothe)thatheemploysinMatthew8:17.
This,then,ispositiveprooftoeveryrealGreekscholarandtoallunprejudicedmindsthatMatthew8:16,17isapredictionwhichwillnotbecompletelyfulfilleduntiltheendofthisChurchAge.
Reader,whydoopponentsofhealingintheAtonementgiveonemeaningtothisverbplerothe(mightbefulfilled)inMatthew12:17andanothermeaningentirelytotheverysameword(plerothe)inMatthew8:17?Becausethewishisfathertothethought."Oconsistency,thouartajewel."
AgainletusexamineLuke4:17-21,"AndtherewasdelivereduntohimthebookoftheprophetEsaias.Andwhenhehadopenedthebook,hefoundtheplacewhereitwaswritten,TheSpiritoftheLordisuponme,becausehehathanointedmetopreachthegospeltothepoor;hehathsentmetohealthebrokenhearted,topreachdeliverancetothecaptives,andrecoveringofsighttotheblind,tosetatlibertythemthatarebruised,TopreachtheacceptableyearoftheLord."
Christthenclosedthebookandsaid,"Thisdayisthisscripturefulfilledinyourears."ThispredictionisfoundinIsaiah61:2.
Christdidnotgiveallofthisprophecy,forIsaiah61:2reads,"ToproclaimtheacceptableyearofourLord,andthedayofvengeanceofourGod."
ChriststoppedanddidnotgivethelastpartofthispredictionbecauseHehadnotthencomeinvengeance,andwouldnotsocomeuntilaftertheTribulation.
Here,then,isawonderfulpredictioncoveringthiswholeChurchAge.ChristisstillpreachingtheGospeltothepoorthroughHisdisciples.Heisstillpreachingdeliverancetothecaptives(thoseboundbySatan).Heisstillhealingthebrokenhearted.Heisstillgivingsighttotheblind;andHeisstillsettingatlibertythemthatarebruised,or,moreliterally,"themthathavebeenenfeebled
orbrokendown"(thesick,tethrausmenous,theperfectparticiplepassiveofthrauo,Ibreakdown).
AlthoughthispredictionwillnotbecompletelyfulfilledtillJesuscomes,yetChristdeclares(Luke4:21),"Thisdayisthisscripturefulfilledinyourears."Literallythisreads,"TodaythisScripturehasbeenfulfilled[peplerotai]inyourears."Pepterotaiistheperfectpassive,3rdsingularoftheverbpleroo,Ifulfill,theverysameverbwhichwefoundinMatthew8:17.
Whoisfoolishenoughtodeclare,becauseChristsaidthisprophecyhadbeenfulfilled,thatthereforeweneednotexpectHisGospeltobepreachedtothepooranymore;andweneednotexpectChristanylongertohealtheblindandthebrokenhearted,ordelivertheenfeebled,orproclaimlibertytothecaptives(ofSatan)?Thiswouldbenonsense.
NowthegreatpredictioninIsaiah53:4,"Surelyhe[Christ]hathborneoursicknessesandcarriedourpains"hasbeenfulfilledinexactlythesamewaythatIsaiah42:1-4andIsaiah61:1,2havebeenfulfilled,
anditwillholdgood,praiseGod,justaslongasthesegreatpropheciesholdgood;viz.,untilJesuscomes.
Andwhynot,sinceJesuspredicted(John14:12),"Hethatbelievethonme,theworksthatIdoshallhedoalso;andgreaterworksthantheseshallhedo;becauseIgountomyFather."WeshouldexpectChriststilltoperformHishealingministryorworks,becauseHesays(Matt.28:20),"...lo,Iamwithyoualway,evenuntotheendoftheworld."
WeknowthatChrist,astheSecondPersonoftheBlessedTrinity,isnowatGod'srighthand.(SeeActs7:56,Romans8:34,Ephesians1:20,Colossians3:1,Hebrews1:3,andHebrews10:12.)
PaulhasexplainedtoushowChristcannowbeattherighthandofGodandatthesametimebeherewithHisChurch.SecondCorinthians3:17,"NowtheLordistheSpirit"(literaltranslation).AgainwereadinSecondCorinthians3:18,"Butweall...arechangedintothesameimagefromglorytoglory,evenasbytheSpiritoftheLord"(literaltranslation).Yes,ChristisnowherewithHisChurchinthePersonoftheHolyGhost,theverysameHolyGhostwhoworkedallthemiraclesofChristasrecordedinMatthew8:16.
AfterChrist'sAscension,He,astheLord,bytheSpirit(2Cor.3:17,18),continuedtohealthesickforallHisdisciples.(SeenoteI,AddendaNotes.)
(a)HedidthisforPeter.InActs3:16,Peterexplainsthecureofthemanwhowasbornlamebysaying,"Andhis[Christ's]namethroughfaithinhisnamehathmadethismanstrong."
AgainPetersaysofthissamewonderfulcure(Acts4:9,10,literaltranslation):"Ifwethisdaybeexaminedofthegooddeeddonetothissickman,bywhatmeanshehasbeencured[sesostai,saved];Beitknownuntoyouall...thatbythenameofJesusChristofNazareth,whomyecrucified...evenbyhim[touto,bythisone]doesthismanstandherebeforeyouwhole."Byhereusingtouto,thedativecaseofthedemonstrativepronounhoutos(thedativeofinstrument),PeterdeclarestousthatthismiraclewasperformeddirectlybytheLord,bytheSpirit,justasallthemiraclesrecordedinMatthew8:16.
Remember,everymiracleChristperformedwhilehereinthefleshwasperformedbythepoweroftheSpirit(Acts10:38).
InActs9:34,PetersaystoAeneas,whohadbeeninbedeightyearswiththepalsy,"ChristJesusheals[iatai]thee."Yes,ChristJesusdidallofPeter'smiracles,justinthesamewayHedidthemiraclesrecordedinMatthew8:16.
(b)AgainChrist,bytheHolySpirit,performedallofPaul'smiracles.Romans15:18,19,"ForIwillnotdaretospeakofanyofthosethingswhichChristhathnotwroughtbyme,tomaketheGentilesobedient,bywordanddeed,Throughmightysignsandwonders,bythepoweroftheSpiritofGod."Note,PaulheredeclaresthattheLordJesusHimselfperformedallofhis(Paul's)miraclesbythepoweroftheHolyGhost.Remember,thisisthewayallthemiraclesrecordedinMatthew8:16wereperformed.SeeActs10:38.
InActs16:18,Paulsaystotheevilspiritinawoman,"IcommandtheeinthenameofJesusChristtocomeoutofher."Yes,Christ,bytheHolySpirit,didallofPaul'swonderfulmiracles.
(c)AgainweknowthatChrist,bytheSpirit,performed
allthemiraclesofallthedisciplesafterPentecost.Whenthreatenedwithdeath,iftheyagainpreachedtheGospel,thediscipleswenttoprayerandcriedtotheLord,saying(Acts4:29,30),"Andnow,Lord,beholdtheirthreatenings:andgrantuntothyservants,thatwithallboldnesstheymayspeakthyword,Bythyselfstretchingforththehandofthyselfforphysicalhealing[eisiasin]."Thisisanexactliteraltranslation,andclearlyprovesthatJesusChrist,theLord,bytheSpirit,continuedtohealthesickafterPentecost,justasHehaddonebeforeHediedonthecross.
Now,theLordJesus,bytheSpirit,isjustthesametoday.Romans8:11,"ButiftheSpiritofhimthatraisedupJesusfromthedeaddwellinyou,hethatraisedupChristfromthedeadshallalsoquickenyourmortalbodiesbyhisSpiritdwellinginyou"(presentparticiple).
SincewehavetodaytheverysameHolySpiritdwellinginus,(1)whoraisedChristfromthedead,(2)whodidallofChrist'smiracles(Acts10:38),(3)whodidallofPaul'smiracles,andallthemiraclesofPeterandtheotherdisciples,whynotexpectthissameJesus,theLord,bytheSpirit,tocontinueHismiraculouswork?
JusthereletusquotethewordsofDelitzschinhiswonderfulexpositionofIsaiah53:4.Delitzschwas,withoutexception,thegreatestHebrewscholarinGermany.HetaughtHebrewatRostock,Erlangen,andLeipzig.AsaHebraistthereisnoopponentofhealingintheAtonementtodaywhocanbegintocomparewithDelitzsch.BesidesbeingthegreatestofallHebraists,hewasalsoadeeplyspiritualman.
RegardingIsaiah53:4,Delitzschsays,"FreelybutfaithfullydoestheGospelofMatthewtranslatethistext,'Himselftookourinfirmitiesandcarriedoursicknesses.'ThehelpwhichJesusrenderedinallkindsofbodilysicknessistakeninMatthewtobeafulfillmentofwhatinIsaiahisprophesiedoftheServantofJehovah.TheHebrewverbsofthetext,whenusedofsin,signifytoassumeasaheavyburdenandbearawaytheguiltofsin,asone'sown;thatis,tobearsinmediatoriallyinordertoatoneforit.Buthere,wherenotoursins,butoursicknessesandpainsaretheobject,themediatorialsenseremainsthesame.
"ItisnotmeantthattheServantofJehovahmerelyenteredintothefellowshipofoursufferings,butthatHetookuponHimselfthesufferingsthatwehadtobear,anddeservedtobear;and,therefore,Henotonlyborethemaway,butalsoinHisownpersonenduredtheminordertodischargeusfromthem.Nowwhenonetakessufferingsuponhimselfwhichanotherhadtobear,anddoesthis,notmerelyinfellowshipwithhim,butinhisstead,wecallitSubstitution."
Here,then,Delitzsch,perhapsthegreatestofallmodernHebraists,declaresthatthebearingandremovingofoursicknessesandpains—soclearlytaughtinIsaiah53:4—isanintegralpartofChrist'sredeemingwork;or,inotherwords,thatbodilyhealingisintheAtonement.ThisagreeswiththefindingsofYoung,Leeser,andMcLarenalreadyquoted.
Thesametwoverbs"borne"(nasa)and"carried"(sabal)ofIsaiah53:4—wherewearetold,"Christboreoursicknessesandcarriedourpains"—aretheverysametwoverbsusedinIsaiah53:11,12toexpressthegreattruththatChristborevicariouslyoursinsandouriniquities.
Inthefaceofsuchastupendousfact,howutterlyunscholarlytosaythathealingintheAtonementisanunscripturaldoctrine;"amerehumaninvention."
LetushereagainquoteMatthew8:16,17,"Whentheevenwascome,theybroughtuntohimmanythatwerepossessedwithdevils:andhecastoutthespiritswithhisword,andhealedallthatweresick:ThatitmightbefulfilledwhichwasspokenbyEsaiastheprophet,saying,Himselftookourinfirmities,andbareoursicknesses."
AgainweareabsolutelysurethispredictionisforthisChurchAge,becauseofthisword"our"inbothIsaiah53:4and5.InIsaiah53:4weread,"Surelyhehathbornevicariously[raasa]oursicknesses,andcarriedvicariously[sabal]ourpains."Inverse5weread,"Hewaswoundedforourtransgressions,hewasbruisedforouriniquities."
Thewordfor"our"inIsaiah53:5(referringtooursins)isexpressedintheHebrewbythesamesuffixthatexpressesthissamewordinIsaiah53:4,whereitreferstooursicknesses.Itthereforereferstotheverysamepersons,andwechallengeanyHebrewscholartoproveotherwise.Sinceweareincludedinthe"our"ofIsaiah53:5,"Hewaswoundedforourtransgressions,"wealsomustbeincludedinthe"our"ofIsaiah53:4,"Surelyhehathborneoursicknessesandcarriedourpains."
Againweareverysurethatthe"our"ofIsaiah53:4andMatthew8:17includesustoday,becauseofthewayMatthewexpresseshimselfintheGreek:"Himselftookourinfirmities.""Ourinfirmities"readsinGreek,tasastheneiashemon(thesicknessesofus).
TurnnowtoFirstCorinthians15:3andyouread,"Christdiedforoursins.""Foroursins"readsintheGreekupertonhamartibnhemon(forthesinsofus).InFirstPeter2:24,thesamewordfor"our"(hemon)isused:"Whohisownselfbareoursinsinhisownbodyonthetree.""Oursins"herereadsintheGreektashamartiashemon(thesinsofus).JohngivesusthesameblessedtruthinFirstJohn4:10,"...andsenthisSontobethepropitiationforoursins.""Foroursins"readsintheGreekperitonhamartionhemon(forthesinsofus).
NowsinceMatthewdeclares(Matt.8:17),"Himself[Christ]tookourinfirmities[theinfirmitiesofus],andbareoursicknesses[thesicknessesofus],"andusestheverysamewordfor"us"(hemon)thatPaul,PeterandJohnemploywhentellingusthatChristdiedforoursins;viz.,hemon,wecanonlyconcludethattheuseofthesameGreekwordfor"us"(hemon)inMatthew8:17,FirstCorinthians15:3,FirstPeter2:24,andFirstJohn4:10mustmeanthatChristtooktheinfirmitiesandsicknessesoftheverysamepersonsforwhosesinsHedied.AnyotherconclusionismostunscholarlyandgivesafalsemeaningentirelytotheGreektext.Greekissuchanexactlanguagethatifdifferentpersonswereheremeant,thisfactwouldmostassuredlyhavebeenindicatedbysomewordorphraseofdifferentiation.
TryingtomakeIsaiah53:4andMatthew8:17referonlytothepeopleofChrist'sowndayandnottousisjustasabsurdandunscholarlyastryingtopersuadeusthattheBookofJamesisnotforthisChurchAge,butonlyforthetwelvescatteredtribes,ortheJewsoftheTribulationperiod.Weshallrevealtheutternonsenseofthisteachinglater.
TosubstantiateourconclusionsfromIsaiah53:4andMatthew8:17,letusherequotethewordsofthreegreatSpirit-filledBiblescholars.
(a)A.J.Gordon(MinistryofHealing,pages16,17),"TheyokeofHiscrossbywhichHeliftedouriniquities,tookholdalsoofourdiseases;—Hewhoenteredintomysterioussympathywithourpain—whichisthefruitofsin—alsoputHimselfunderneathourpain,whichis
thepenaltyofsin.InotherwordsthepassageseemstoteachthatChristenduredvicariouslyourdiseases,aswellasouriniquities."ThisagreesexactlywiththeconclusionofDelitzsch,thegreatHebraist.
(b)ListentoAndrewMurray(DivineHealing,pages99and119):"ItisnotsaidonlythattheLord'srighteousServanthadborneoursins,butalsothatHehasborneoursicknesses.ThusHisbearingoursicknessesformsanintegralpartoftheRedeemer'swork,aswellasbearingoursins.—ThebodyandthesoulhavebeencreatedtoservetogetherasahabitationofGod:thesicklyconditionofthebodyis—aswellasthatofthesoul—aconsequenceofsin,andthatiswhatJesusiscometobear,toexpiateandtoconquer."
(c)ListenalsotoA.B.Simpson{TheGospelofHealing,page17):"ThereforeasHehathborneoursins,JesusChristhasalsoborneaway,andcarriedoffoursicknesses;yea,andevenourpains,sothatabidinginHim,wemaybefullydeliveredfrombothsicknessandpain.ThusbyHisstripeswearehealed.BlessedandgloriousBurden-Bearer.''
(2)AgainPeterisourwitnesstothisgreatfactthatbodilyhealingisintheAtonement.
InFirstPeter2:24wereadtheblessedwords,"Whohisownselfbareoursinsinhisownbodyonthetree...bywhosestripes[molopi,bruise]yewerehealed."
Peterherestates(1)thatChristboreoursinsonthecross,and(2)thatbyHisstripes(literallybruise)yewerehealed.
ThisagreesexactlywithIsaiah53:5,whichreadsintheSeptuagint(GreekversionoftheOldTestament),"Buthewaswoundedonaccountofoursins,andwasbruisedbecauseofouriniquities:thechastisementofourpeacewasuponhim;andbyhisbruise[tomolopiautou,bythebruiseofHim]wearehealed."
Herenotetwofacts:(1)Thatthewordfor"healed"here,bothintheSeptuagintandtheGreekNewTestament,isiaomai,averbthatalwaysspeaksofphysicalhealingintheNewTestament.Itisused28timesintheNewTestament,andalwaysinconnectionwithphysicalhealing.TheGreekwordfor"physician"isiatros,anounderivedfromthissameverbiaomai.Wecan,therefore,befullyassuredthatwhenPeterdeclares,"By...[His]stripes[bruise]yewerehealed,"heisreferringtoourbodilyhealing,andnottoanyspiritualhealing.(2)NotesecondlyherethatbothIsaiahandPeterusethesingularword"bruise"or"stripe"(molopi)andnot"bruises"or"stripes."Why?
InMatthew27:26wereadregardingPilate,"...andwhenhehadscourgedJesus,hedeliveredhimtobecrucified."Thisliterallyreads,"andhavingscourgedJesus,hedeliveredhimtobecrucified."Mark15:15givesusthesameinformation.
NowwhydoIsaiah(intheSeptuagint)andPeterusethewordmolopi(dativesingularofmolops),andnotmolopsi(bruises,dativeplural)?
Thewordmolopsmeans"themarkofablow"or"abruise."IfChristhadbeensoscourgedthatthemarkofeachblowcouldplainlyhavebeenseenonHisback,thentheruleofGreekgrammarwouldhavedemandedheretheuseofmolopsi(bruises),andnotthesingularmolopi(bruise).
Theuseofthedativesingularhere,molopi(thedativeofinstrument),tellsus,asclearlyaslanguagecanexpressit,thatourdearSavior'sbackhadbeensoterriblyscourgedthatnooneblowcouldpossiblybedistinguishedfromtheother.EveryspotonHisbackwassobruisedand
laceratedthatitwasjustlikeonegreatbruise.Hadtherebeenonequarterinchofspacebetweenanytwoofthebruises,theGreekheremustthenhavereadmolopsi(bruises)andnotmolopi(bruise).
TheJewshadalawthatnopersonshouldbegivenmorethan40stripeswhenflogged,buttheRomanshadnosuchlaw,sotheyoftenscourgedtheirvictimuntilhebledtodeath.
ButbesidesscourgingChristonthebackuntilHiswholebackwasjustonegreatbruise,thecruelRomanspluckedoutHiswhiskersbytherootsandspatuponHim.ReadIsaiah50:6,"Igavemybacktothesmiters,andmycheekstothemthatpluckedoffthehair:Ihidnotmyfacefromshameandspitting."
JusthereletusquotefromGeikie'sLifeofChrist,ashedescribesChrist'sscourging:"Victimscondemnedtothecrossfirstunderwentthehideoustortureofthescourge,andthiswasimmediatelyinflictedonJesus.Hewasnowseizedbysomeofthesoldiersstandingnear,andafterbeingstrippedtothewaist,wasboundinastoopingposture,HishandsbeingbehindHisback,toapost,orablock,nearthetribunal.Hewasthenbeatenatthepleasureofthesoldiers,withknotsofrope,orplaitedleathernthongs,armedattheendswithacornshapeddropsoflead,orsmallsharppointedbones.Inmanycasesnotonlywasthebackofthepersonscourgedcutopeninalldirections,buteventheeyes,theface,andthebreastweretorn,andteethnotseldomknockedout.Underthefuryofthecountlessstripes,thevictimssometimessank—amidstscreams,convulsiveleaps,anddistortions—intoasenselessheap;sometimesdiedonthespot;sometimesweretakenaway,anunrecognizablemassofbleedingflesh,tofinddeliveranceindeath,fromtheinflammationandfever,sicknessandshame.
"ThescourgingofJesuswasoftheseverest,forthesoldiersonlytoogladlyventedonanyJewthegrudgetheyborethatnation,andtheywould,doubtless,tryiftheycouldnotforceouttheconfessionwhichHissilencehaddeniedtothegovernor.Besides,Hewastobecrucified,andtheharderthescourging,thelesslifetherewouldbelefttodetainthemafterwardsonguardatthecross."
Eusebius,theEarlyChurchhistorian,describesaRomanscourgingofsomemartyrsthus:"Allaroundwerehorrifiedtoseethemsotornwiththescourgesthattheirveryveinswerelaidbare,andtheinnermusclesandsinews,andeventheirverybowelswereexposed."
OnChrist'spoor,bruisedbacktheynowlaidtheheavycross(John9:17).
Reader,nowyouunderstandwhyPeterassertswithIsaiah,that"byhisbruise[notbruises],yewerehealed,"referring,aswehaveclearlyprovenfromtheuseofthisverb"healed"(iaomai),tobodilyhealing.MuchofHispreciousbloodwasdoubtlessshedwhilereceivingthatawfulbruiseforourphysicalhealing,buttherestofHispreciousbloodwasreservedtobeshedonthecrossforoursins.
Yes,Peterhere(1Peter2:24)clearlyteachesthatChristnotonlysuffered,bled,anddiedforoursins,butalsoforourphysicalhealing.
(3)AgainPaul,aswellasIsaiahandPeter,isourwitnesstothissamegreatfactthatbodilyhealingisintheAtonement.
InFirstCorinthians6:19Paulsays,"What!knowyenotthatyourbodyisthetempleoftheHolyGhostwhichisinyou,whichyehaveofGod,andyearenotyourown?Foryearebought[egorasthete]withaprice:thereforeglorifyGodinyourbody,andinyourspirit,whichare
God's."Note,ourbodyisGod'saswellasourspirit.TheGreekconstructionherereadshatinaestintoutheou(whichare
oftheGod).Hatinaisthenominativeplural,neuteroftherelativepronounhostis,andsoincludesbothbodyandspirit.Theouisthegenitivesingularoftheos(God),thegenitiveofsourceororigin,andsobringsoutthegracioustruththatourbodiesareGod'sfortheverysamereasonthatourspiritsareHis;viz.,becausebothoriginatedfromHim.Thisbeingtrue,wearenotsurprisedheretoreadthatbothhavebeenboughtwithaprice.Whatwasthepricepaidtothuspurchaseourbodyandourspirit?ThebloodoftheLordJesusChrist.Howcanwebeabsolutelycertainofthis?
Thewordfor"bought"heregivesustheclue.Thiswordisegorasthete,the1stAoristpassive,2ndpluralofagorazo,Ibuyorredeem.TurnnowtoRevelation5:9,"Andtheysunganewsong,saying,Thouartworthytotakethebook,andtoopenthesealsthereof:forthouwastslain,andhastredeemed[egorasas]ustoGodbythyblood."
Theword"redeemed"hereisegorasas,the1stAorist,2ndpersonsingularofagorazo,Ibuy,theverysamewordthatPaulusesinFirstCorinthians6:20,whereheassertsthatbothourbodyandspiritwereboughtorredeemedwithaprice.Peteralsousesthissameword(agorazo)toexpressChrist'sredemptivework(2Peter2:1).
NowJohnasserts(Rev.5:9)thatChristredeemedustoGod(orboughtus)withHisblood.Paulasserts(1Cor.6:19,20)thatthe"us"ofRevelation5:9includesourbodiesaswellasourspirits,andusestheverysamewordfor"bought"or"redeemed"thatJohnuses.
Thenthesetwopassagestogetherteachmostclearlytheblessedtruththat,whenChristshedHisbloodattheawfulscourgingandonthecross,HeredeemedbothourbodiesandourspiritsbyHisblood,thepricepaid.NounprejudicedGreekscholarcanpossiblydrawanyotherconclusionashecloselystudiesFirstCorinthians6:19,20andRevelation5:9.Yes,praiseGod,PaulclearlyteachesinFirstCorinthians6:19,20thatbodilyhealingisintheAtonement.
"But,"someonesays,"ifPaulhereteachesthatChristdiedtoredeemourbodyaswellasoursoul,whydoeshesayinRomans8:23,'...weourselvesgroanwithinourselves,waitingfortheadoption,...theredemptionofourbody'?DoesnotPaulhereteachthatourbodyhasnotyetbeenredeemed?"
SeeScofield'sBiblenoteonRomans3:24.HehereshowsthemeaningofthethreeverbsintheNewTestamenttranslated"redeemed";viz.,agorazo,exagorazo,andlutroo.
InRomans8:23,Paulusesthewordapolutrosis.Thisisderivedfromapo,from,andlutroo,"Isetfreeafteraransomhasbeenpaid."Thenapolutrosis(redemption)inRomans8:23means"asettingfreeofwhathasbeenalreadyransomed."
InFirstCorinthians6:19,20Pauldeclareswehavenowbeen"redeemed"(agorazo),bodyandspirit,byhavingthepricepaidforus.InGalatians3:13heassertswehavebeen"redeemed,"or"boughtoutfromunder"(exagorazo)thecurseoflaw;but,asyet,wehavenotexperienced"redemption"(apolutrosis,Rom.8:23)inthesensethatwearenowentirelyfreedfromalltheevilresultsofourformerbondagetoSatan.Ourbodiesarestillsubjecttopain,sickness,anddeath,andwillbeuntilwereceiveourglorifiedbodies—theredemptionwhichPaulcallsapolutrosis(Rom.8:23).
RememberPaulhereasserts(1Cor.6:20)thatwehavebeenbought,bodyandspirit,withaprice,andusestheverysameverbfor"bought"(agorazo)asistranslated"redeemed"inRevelation5:9,wherewearetoldthepricepaidwas"thebloodofChrist."
Note,PaulusestheAoristtenseofthisverbinFirstCorinthians6:20;viz.,egorasthete,whichtellsus,asplainlyaswordscanexpressit,thattheredemptionofspiritandbodywasthensomethingalreadyaccomplished.
But,althoughthepriceofourredemptionalreadyhadbeenpaid,PaulsaysinEphesians4:30,"AndgrievenottheHolySpiritofGodbywhichyehavebeensealed[literalreading]untothedayofredemption[apolutrosisofRom.8:23]."Thisispositiveproof,therefore,thatthis"redemption"ofRomans8:23(apolutrosis)referstosomethingwhichtakesplacesubsequenttothatredemptionwhichsavesoursouls,whenweacceptChristasourSavior,astheOnewhoshedHisbloodtoredeemusbodyandsoul.
Ourspiritsalso,likeourbodies,arestillawaitingthissame''redemption"(apolutrosis),forPaulsays(Rom.8:23,"...weourselves[hemeisautoi]groanwithinourselves.""Weourselves"herereferstoourspirits,whichinhabitandcontrolourbodies.Weareabsolutelysureofthis,becausethepronoun"we"(hemeis)istheverysamewordthatwefindinRevelation1:5,"...andwashedus[hemas,Accusativeofhemeis]fromoursinsinhisownblood."Thenourredeemedspirits,whichhavebeenwashedfromsin,aswellasourredeemedbodies,cannowgroanandsufferpain.Theword"groan"(stenazo)meanstosighdeeply,ormoanwithpainandanguish,whethermentalorphysical.
Yes,ourspirits,aswellasourbodies,cannowsuffersorrow,pain,andanguish.Allwillbechanged,however,whenthisredemption,calledapolutrosis(thesettingfreefrom),takesplace.Whenthis"redemption,"apolutrosis(Rom.8:23),doestakeplace,thenbothourspiritsandourbodieswillbecompletelyfreefromsorrow,pain,weeping,andalltheconsequencesofthesinbondagefromwhichChristhasalreadyredeemedusbyHisawfulscourginganddeath.SeeRevelation21:4.(SeenoteII,AddendaNotes.)
AgainPaulteachesthissamegreattruth,thatChristdiedforoursicknessesaswellasforoursins,inGalatians3:13,"Christhathredeemedusfromthecurseofthelaw,beingmadeacurseforus."
TheGreekwordherefor"redeem"isnotagorazo,butexagorazo,andmeans"topurchaseorredeemoutfromorawayfrom."Thewordfor"curse"hereiskatara.Notethisword.
TurnnowtoDeuteronomy28:15-47,andyouwillfindthateverykindofsicknessanddiseaseisincludedinthecurseofthelaw.InDeuteronomy28:1weread,"Anditshallcometopass,ifthoushalthearkendiligentlyuntothevoiceoftheLordthyGod,toobserveandtodoallhiscommandmentswhichIcommandtheethisday,thattheLordthyGodwillsettheeonhighaboveallthenationsoftheearth."Verses2to14thensetforththewonderfulblessingsofGod,ifonlytheywillobeyHiscommands.
NowreadDeuteronomy28:15,21,22,27,28,"Butitshallcometopass,ifthouwiltnothearkenuntothevoiceoftheLordthyGod,toobservetodoallhiscommandmentsandhisstatuteswhichIcommandtheethisday;thatallthesecurses[katarai]shallcomeuponthee,andovertakethee...TheLordshallmakethepestilencecleaveuntothee...
TheLordshallsmitetheewithaconsumption,andwithafever,andwithaninflammation...withthebotchofEgypt,andwithemerods,andwiththescab,andwiththeitch...TheLordshallsmitetheewithmadness,andblindness,andastonishmentofheart
RememberthatDeuteronomy28:15callsallthesesicknesseswhichwouldfollowdisobediencetoGod'slaw,"curses"(kataraiintheSeptuagint).NowthisisthenominativepluraloftheverywordPauluseswhenhesays(Gal.3:13),"Christhathredeemedusfromthecurse[katara]ofthelaw,beingmade[genomenos,havingbecome]acurse[katara]forus."
Sincesicknesswasoneofthecurses(katara)ofthelaw,andChristdiedtoredeemusfromthecurse(katara)ofthelaw,bybecomingacurse(katara)forus(substitutionaryAtonement);therefore,accordingtoPaul'steaching,bodilyhealingisintheAtonement.InthelightofIsaiah53:4andIsaiah53:11and12,thisiswhatwewouldexpectPaultoteach.
(4)AgainweknowthathealingisintheAtonementbecauseofcertaintypesfoundintheOldTestament.
(a)Thecleansingoftheleper.InLeviticus14:1-7wefindthatwhenGoddesiredtocleansealeper,
Hecommandedthepriesttotaketwobirdsalive.Hekilledoneofthesebirdsoverrunningwaterandcaughtitsbloodinanearthenvessel.Thelivebirdwasdippedintothebloodoftheslainbird.Afterthepriestsprinkledthepoorleperseventimeswiththebloodofthedeadbird,hesetthelivebird,whichhadbeendippedintothebloodofthedeadbird,free,anditflewawaytowardheaven.
ThismostassuredlywasatypeofbodilycleansingandhealingthroughthedeathandresurrectionofourLord.ThedeadbirdwasatypeofthecrucifiedChrist;thelivebirdatypeoftheresurrectedChrist.Nootherexplanationseemsadequate.
(b)AnothertypeofbodilyhealingintheAtonementisfoundinthePassoverlamb.
InExodus12:7,13,weread,"Andtheyshalltakeoftheblood,andstrikeitonthetwosidepostsandontheupperdoorpostsofthehouses...andwhenIseetheblood,Iwillpassoveryou."
Butwhatdidtheydowiththefleshofthatslainlambonthatsacredoccasion?
Exodus12:8informsus,"Andtheyshalleatthefleshinthatnight,roastwithfire,andunleavenedbread."
Theblood,then,wastobesprinkledonthedoorpoststosavethemfromthewrathofGod,butthefleshofthatfirstPassoverlambwastobeeatenfortheirphysicalbenefits.
ReadnowFirstCorinthians5:7,"ForevenChristourpassoverissacrificedforus."ThenthePassoverlambwasatypeofthecrucifiedChrist,theLambofGod.
SinceChristisourPassoverlamb,wemustconclude:(1)ThatHisblood—likethebloodofthePassoverlamb—wasshedtosaveusfromthewrathofGod;and(2)thatHisflesh—likethefleshofthefirstPassoverlamb—wasbrokenforourphysicalbenefits;or,asPeterputsit,(1Peter2:24)"...bythebruiseofwhomyewerehealed[healedphysically,iaomai]."
InNumbers9:12wereadthatnotonesingleboneofthePassoverlambcouldbebroken,andJohn19:36informsusthat,becauseofthisprediction,notoneofChrist'sboneswasbroken.
Reader,whenGodwassoparticularthatChrist,ourPassoverlamb,shouldthusfulfill"type"intheminutestdetail,andsincethefleshofeveryPassoverlambwasalwaysusedtoblessmenphysically,havewenotaperfectrighttoconclude(asFirstPeter2:24clearlyasserts),thatthefleshofChrist,ourPassoverlamb,wasbrokenforourphysicalbenefits,andthatbodilyhealingthereforeisintheAtonement?
ReasonIII
Again,allsaintsshouldexpectGodtohealtheirsicknessestoday,becauseallsicknessistheresultofSatan'swork,whenheintroducedsinintothisworld,andChristwasmanifestedtodestroySatan'swork.
Acts10:38provestousconclusivelythatallthediseasesChristcuredwhileonearthhadbeencausedbySatan.Acts10:38,"GodanointedJesusofNazarethwiththeHolyGhostandwithpower:whowentaboutdoinggood,andhealingallthatwereoppressedofthedevil;forGodwaswithhim."
Thewordherefor"oppressed"iskatadunasteuomenous,thepresentparticiple,passiveofkatadunasteuo,Idominateorexerciselordshipover.
ThenallwhomChristhealedwhileonearthwerediseasedorafflictedbecauseSatanhadgottenthelordship,eitheroverthemortheirancestors.Yes,everyphysicalillChristcured,Peterhereassuresus,wastheresultofSatan'swork.
ButJesuscame,diedonthecross,androseagainthatHemightdestroytheworksofthedevil.
Hebrews2:14,"Forasmuchthenasthechildrenarepartakersoffleshandblood,healsohimselflikewisetookpartofthesame;thatthroughdeathhemightdestroyhimthathadthepowerofdeath,thatis,thedevil."ThenChristdiedtodestroySatan'spoweroverdeath.IsnotsicknessonemethodbywhichSatancausesdeath?ThenChristdiedtodestroy(annulthepowerof)sickness.
JohnrevealsthesametruthinFirstJohn3:8,"ForthispurposetheSonofGodwasmanifested,thathemightdestroytheworksofthedevil."Issicknesstheresultofthedevil'swork?Yes!ThenChristdiedandroseagaintodestroy(annulthepowerof)sickness.
ReasonIV
AfourthreasonwhyallChristiansshouldexpectGodtohealtheirsickbodiestodayisbecausetheverysameHolySpiritwhodidallofChrist'smiraclesandraisedHimfromthedeadisstillintheChurch,andhasallHisold-time,life-givingpower.
InJohn14:16,ChristdeclaresemphaticallythattheHolyGhostwouldabidewithusforever.Then,inFirstThessalonians1:5,Paulasserts,"Forourgospelcamenotuntoyouinwordonly,butalsoinpower[dunamis],andintheHolyGhost."Nowthiswordfor"power"(dunamis)istheHolyGhostpowerofLuke24:49andActs1:8.AgainPauldeclares(2Tim.1:7),"ForGodhathnotgivenus[themembersofHistrueChurch]thespiritoffear;butofpower[dunamis,HolyGhostpower]...."
ThentheHolyGhost,whoisnowabidinginus,istheHolyGhostwithpower(dunamis),theverysameHolyGhostwhocontrolledallofChrist'sactionswhileonearth.Luke4:14,"AndJesusreturnedinthepower[dunamis]oftheSpiritintoGalilee."ThissameHolySpirit,whoisnowintheChurch,wasHewhoanointedChristandgaveHimthepowertoworkallHismiracles.Acts10:38,"GodanointedJesusofNazarethwiththeHolyGhostandwithpower[dunamis]:whowentaboutdoinggood,andhealingallthatwereoppressedofthedevil."Remember,ChristdidallHismiraclesinthepoweroftheHolyGhost,andnotinHisownpowerastheSecondPersonoftheBlessedTrinity.
Reader,ChristhasassuredusthatthissameHolyGhostpower,calleddunamis,isforeachofHissaintstoday.Acts1:8,"Butyeshallreceivepower[dunamis]afterthattheHolyGhostiscomeuponyou."
Paul,too,hasassuredusinSecondTimothy1:7andelsewherethatGodhasgiventoHisChurch"theHolySpiritofpower"(dunamis),theverysameHolySpiritwhocontrolledChrist'slife(Luke4:14)andwroughtallHismiracles(Acts10:38),andtheverysameHolySpiritwhoworkedallofPaul'smiracles.Romans15:18,19,"ForIwillnotdaretospeakofanyofthosethingswhichChristhathnotwroughtbyme...Throughmightysignsandwonders,bythepower[dunamis]oftheSpiritofGod."
SincetheverysameHolySpiritwhodidallofChrist'smiraclesandallofPaul'smiraclesisintheChurchtodaywithallHisold-timepower(dunamis),whyshouldwenotexpectHimtohealthesicktoday?
NowonderPauldeclares(Rom.8:26),"TheSpiritalsohelpethourinfirmities[astheneiais]."ThisGreekwordastheneiaisisthedativepluralofastheneia,thecommonestwordintheGreeklanguagefor"sickness."Butnotewellthewordheretranslated"helpeth"(sunantilam-banetai).Thisisthepresenttense,3rdpersonsingularofthedeponentverbsunantilambanomai,andcomesfromsun,togetherwith;anti,against;andlambano,Itakeholdof.Thisword,therefore,means"totakeholdagainsttogetherwith."
Thus,inRomans8:26wearetoldthattheHolyGhosttakesholdagainstoursicknessestogetherwithsomeone.Withwhom?Why,withourselves,wheneverwemeettheneedfulconditions,theconditionssetforthinJohn15:7,"Ifyeabideinme,andmywordsabideinyou,yeshallaskwhatyewill,anditshallbedoneuntoyou."
Fes,Romans8:26teachesusthatitisjustasmuchtheworkofthe
HolySpirittoday"totakeholdagainstoursicknesses"asitistoconvictsinnersoftheirsin.
ListennowtoRomans8:11,"ButiftheSpiritofhimthatraisedupJesusfromthedeaddwellinyou,hethatraisedupChristfromthedeadshallalsoquicken[zoopoiesei]yourmortal[thneta]bodiesbyhisSpiritthatdwellethinyou."
Thisverb"willquicken"iszoopoiesei,thefuture,3rdpersonsingularofzoopoieo,andcomesfromzoe,life,andpoieo,Imake.
Dr.Gaebelein(TheHealingQuestion,page78)saysofthisverse(Rom.8:11),"Thequickeningofthebeliever'sbodyisnotapresentfact,butawaitsfuturerealization.Theword'quicken'meanstomakealivethatwhichisdead.Thequickeningtakesplaceinresurrection,whenthebeliever'sbodywillbemadelikeuntoHisowngloriousbody."
Dr.Gaebeleinsays,"Theword'quicken'heremeanstomakealivethatwhichisdead."Thisistruewhenthiswordisusedwithnekrous,asinRomans4:17,"...evenGodwhoquickeneththedead.""Quickeneth"hereiszoopoiountos,thepresentparticiple,genitive,masculineofzoopoieo,andsoliterallyreads,"Godgivinglifetoorquickeningthedead(nekrous)."Nekrousistheaccusativepluralofnekros,adeadhumanbody.
ThewriterhasstudiedcloselyagreatmanyGreekauthors,butneverhashefoundasingleinstancewherethewordthnetosmeansadeadbody.Thnetos(mortal)isanadjectivederivedfromthneskb,Idied,andalwaysmeans"liableto,orsubjecttodeath,"incontrastwithathanatos,immortal.TheGreekwordforadeadhumanbodyisnekros,butneverthnetos,whichalwaysreferstosomething"subjecttodeath,"butnever,nevertoadeadbody.
LetPaulexplainwhathemeansbythewordthnetos,mortal.Romans6:12,"Letnotsinreigninyourmortal[thnetos,thesamewordasinRomans8:11]body,"etc.HadPaulsaid,"Letnotsinreigninyourdeadbody,"itwouldhavebeenutternonsense.
AgainPaulgivesusthetruemeaningofthnetosinSecondCorinthians4:11,"ForwewhichlivearealwaysdelivereduntodeathforJesus'sake,thatthelifealsoofJesusmightbemademanifestinourmortalflesh."If"ourmortal[thnetos]flesh"heremeant"ourdeadflesh,"howcouldwe,afterourbodiesweredead,manifestforththelifeofChrist?No!WearenowtomanifestforththelifeofJesusChristinthesebodieswhicharesubjecttodeath,fortheword"mortal"(thnetos)never,nevermeansadeadbody,butalwayssomethingwhichissubjecttodeath,butnotyetdead.
JohnCalvin,thatsuperbGreekscholar,isthereforecorrectwhenhesaysofRomans8:11,"Thequickeningofthemortalbodyherecannotrefertotheresurrectionofthesaints,butmustmeanagivingoflifetotheirbodies,whilehereuponearth,throughtheSpirit."NorealGreekscholar—oneskilledinGreekgrammar—canpossiblycometoanyotherconclusion.
LetusnowreadagainRomans8:11,"IftheSpiritofhimthatraisedupJesusfromthedeaddwellinyou,hethatraisedupChristfromthedeadshallalsoquickenyourmortalbodies[thesebodiessubjecttodeath,butnotdead]byhisSpiritthatdwellethinyou."
Thewordfor"quicken"hereiszoopoiesei.Thiswordcomesfromzoe,life,andpoieo,Imake.ThenitistheworkoftheSpirit"tomakelife."SecondCorinthians3:6says,"...fortheletterkilleth,butthespirit
givethlife[zoopoiei]."SinceitistheworkoftheHolySpirit,asPaulassuresus,tokeep
makinglifeinthesemortalbodiesofours,nowonderthisapostleasserts(Rom.8:26),"TheSpirittakesholdagainstoursicknessestogetherwith."
Thisverseprovesthat,whileitistheworkoftheSpirittokeepmakinglifeinourmortalbodies(bodiessubjecttosicknessanddeath),yetHewillnotdothisblessedworkunlesswe,God'ssaints,doourpart,andtakeholdtogetherwithHim.
Whatisourpart?John15:7givestheexplanation,"Ifyeabideinme,andmywordsabideinyou,yeshallaskwhatyewill,anditshallbedoneuntoyou."Inotherwords,wemustlettheHolySpiritcontrolusinthought,word,anddeed,andthenHe"willtakeholdagainstoursicknessestogetherwith"ourselves(literalreadingofRomans8:26).TheresultwillbethatHe(theHolySpirit)willkeepmakinglife(theexactmeaningofzoopoieo)inthesemortalbodiesofours.
Yes,praiseGod,allChristiansshouldexpectGodtohealtheirbodiestoday,becausetheverysameHolySpiritwhodidallofChrist'smiracles(Acts10:38)andallofPaul'smiracles(Rom.15:19)isstillintheChurchas"themakeroflife"(zoopoieo),andHeishere"totakeholdagainstoursicknessestogetherwith"ourselves,asRomans8:26asserts.HALLELUJAH!
ReasonV
Again,allChristiansshouldbelieveindivinehealingtodaybecauseof:(a)Christ'slastGreatCommission,and(b)God'sdirectcommandinJames5:14.
(a)ExaminehereChrist'slastCommissiontoHisdisciplesinMark16:17,18:"Andthesesignsshallfollowthemthatbelieve[literally"tothosebelieving"];Inmynameshalltheycastoutdevils;theyshallspeakwithnewtongues;Theyshalltakeupserpents[asPauldid,Acts28:3-5];andiftheydrinkanydeadlything,itshallnothurtthem;theyshalllayhandsonthesick,andtheyshallrecover."
Here,then,isadirectcommandfromChristthatHisfollowersshouldprayforthesickandexpectHimtohealthem.
AfewscholarshavedeniedtheauthenticityoftheseversesinMark16,butIrenaeusquotestheseversesasapartofMark'sGospel,and,remember,hewasapupilofPolycarp,whointurnwasapupilofJohntheApostle.Thisispositiveproofthatthesewordsaregenuine.(SeeMorrison'sCommentaryonMarkforafulldiscussiononthissubject.)
(b)HerelistentoJames5:14,15,"Isanysickamongyou?lethimcallfortheeldersofthechurch;andletthemprayoverhim,anointinghimwithoilinthenameoftheLord:Andtheprayeroffaithshallsavethesick,andtheLordshallraisehimup."
Theword"call"hereisproskalesastho,the1stAorist,imperative,middle,3rdsingularoiproskaleo,Icallorsummon.ItisthereforeadirectcommandfromGod,acommandthatmostsaintshaveneveryetobeyed.ButlookatGod'spromise,ifonlywewillobeythiscommand.James5:15,"Theprayeroffaithshallsavethesick,andtheLordshallraisehimup;andifhehavecommittedsins,theyshallbeforgivenhim."IsthisapartofGod'sWord?Yes.Then,letusobeyitandseehowmarvelouslyGodfulfillsHispromises.
OneopponentofdivinehealingquotesJames5:14,15andthensays,"NotethatJamessays,'save'notcureorheal.Nowthisword'save'wouldcertainlyleadustobelievethatJameswasspeakingaboutsinandthesinsicksoul,ratherthanbodilysickness."
WeknowJameswasherespeakingofphysicalsicknessbecause:(1)Thewordfor"save"hereissosei,thefuture,3rd
singularofsozo,theverywordusedbyChristeverytimeHesaidtoasickperson,"Thyfaithhathmadetheewhole."SeeMatthew9:22,Mark6:56,Mark10:52,Luke8:48,Luke17:19,etc.
(2)BecauseofthewordJamesusesfor"thesick,"asintheScripture"theprayeroffaithshallsavethesick"(tonkamnonta).Kamnontaisthepresentparticiple,masculineaccusativeofkamno,tobetired,exhausted,sick,orill,andliterallyreads,"theonebeingsickorexhausted."ThisisthewordusedtoexpressJob'sphysicalsickness.SeeSeptuagint(Job17:2).
(3)Againtheword"raise"(egerei)herespeaksofphysicalillness.Itisthefutureofegeiro,Iraiseorliftup,theveryword
usedinMark1:31,whereChrist"liftedup"Simon'smother-in-law,whowassickofafever.
(4)AgainweareabsolutelysurethatthissicknessofJames5:14referstophysicalsicknessandnotspiritual,becausethisepistlewaswrittentoChurchsaints.James1:19speaksof"mybelovedbrethren,"wordswhichalwaysandonlyrefertoChurchsaints.SeeDivisionIII,whereweprovemostconclusivelythatJameswrotehisepistletoChurchsaints.Thisbeingso,thentheirsinsalreadywereforgiven—theyweresaved.Butifhe(thesickone)mayhavecommitted(thesubjunctivemoodwiththeperfectparticiple)sins,theyshallbeforgivenhim,Jamesdeclares.IfJameshadbeenherewritingtoapeoplewhowerespirituallysickorunsaved,wouldhehaveusedthesubjunctivemood,andsaid,"Andifhemayhavecommittedsins"?Never.Iftheyhadbeenspirituallysickorunsaved,therewouldhavebeenno"if"aboutit;theywouldallhaveneededforgiveness.
ForthesefourreasonsweareabsolutelysureJames5:14,15isGod'scommandtoHisphysicallysicksaints,acommand,however,whichcomparativelyfewobey.
Butwhatisheremeantby"theprayeroffaithshallsavethesick"(James5:15)?Manysayitrefersonlytothefaithoftheelderswhooffertheprayer,andnottothefaithofthesickpersons.Thisisnotcorrect,forMark9:17-27tellsusofapoorfatherwhobroughthisdemon-possessedsontotheLordandsaid,"Ifthoucanstdoanything,havecompassiononus,andhelpus."Jesusreplied,"Ifthoucanstbelieve,allthingsarepossibletohimthatbelieveth[tohimbelieving]."
Christsaysineffecttothisfather,"Man,the'ifdoesnotliewithmeatall;ofcourseIcanhealyourson,butyoumustexerciseanexpectantfaith."
InMatthew13:58weread,"Andhe[Christ]didnotmanymightyworkstherebecauseoftheirunbelief."Unbelief,then,eitheroftheelderorofthesickperson,willmakeitimpossibleforGodtoanswerprayer.WhenunbeliefkeptChristfromhealingthesickonearth,itwillsurelydosotoday.
InMark2:1-5wehavethestoryofthepalsiedmanwhowasbroughttoChristbyfourfriendsandwasletdownbeforeHimthroughtheroof.Inverse5weread,"WhenJesussawtheirfaith,hesaiduntothesickofthepalsy,Son,thysinsbeforgiventhee."Thisreadsliterally,"Jesus,seeingthefaithofthem"(auton),meaningthefaithofthesickmanaswellastheotherfour.
But,youask,"Howcanwebesurethatthispronounauton,ofthemortheir,includesthesickmanaswellasthefourwhocarriedhim?"Becauseofthepronounauton,thegenitivepluralofautos,heorhimself.IfChristhadbeenherespeakingofthefaithofthesefourmenonly,andnotofthesickman,Hewouldhaveusedthedemonstrativepronountouton,thegenitivepluralofhoutos,whichwouldhavetoldusthatChristwasreferringtothefaith"ofthepersons"nearesttothesickman(thefour),butnottothesickmanhimself.
TherearetwodemonstrativepronounsinGreek;viz.,houtosandekeinos.Houtos,thisoneorthese,woulddesignatethepersonorpersonsnearesttous,whileekeinos,thatoneorthose,woulddesignatethepersonorpersonsfartheraway,butneitherofthesepronounswouldincludeourselves.
Theuseofthispersonalpronounauton,however,includesthesick
manhimselfandthefourothers.Yes,"Allthingsarepossibletohimbelieving"(Mark9:23),butwithoutfaithonourpart,ourprayerscannotbeanswered.Dealingwiththisverysubjectofexercisingfaithwhenwepray,James1:6,7says,"Butlethimaskinfaith,nothingwavering.Forhethatwaverethislikeawaveoftheseadrivenwiththewindandtossed.Forletnotthatman[wholacksexpectantfaith]thinkthatheshallreceiveanythingoftheLord."Thenboththeeldersandthesickpersonsshouldhaveanexpectantfaith.
ReasonVI
BeforegivingthesixthreasonwhyallGod'ssaintstodayshouldexpectHimtohealtheirsicknesses,letushereremindyouofthefivereasonsalreadygiven.
(1)BecauseGodusedtohealthesickasJehovah-rapha(theLordourHealer),andHeis"thesameyesterday,andtoday,andforever."
(2)BecauseChristdiedonthecrosstoatoneforoursicknesses,justasHediedtoatoneforoursins.
(3)BecauseallsicknessistheresultofSatan'swork,whenheintroducedsinintothisworldand"Christwasmanifestedtodestroytheworksofthedevil."
(4)BecausetheverysameHolySpiritisintheChurchtodaywhodidallofChrist'smiraclesandallofPaul'smiracles;theverysameHolySpiritwhoraisedChristfromthedead.Sincethisistrue,whyshouldwenotexpectHimstilltohealthesick?
(5)BecauseofChrist'slastGreatCommissioninMark16:15-18,andbecauseofHisdirectcommandinJames5:14,15.
(6)AndnowwecometothesixthandfinalreasonwhyalltrueChristianstodayshouldexpectGodtohealtheirbodies;viz.,becauseofHismarvelouspromises,thefulfillmentofwhichdependsaltogetherupontheexerciseofourownfaith.
Letushereremindyouofsomeofthesepromises.Matthew18:19,"AgainI[Christ]sayuntoyou,Thatiftwoofyoushallagreeonearthastouchinganythingthattheyshallask,itshallbedoneforthemofmyFatherwhichisinheaven."
Reader,does"anythingthattheyshallask"includebodilysickness?Yes.ThentakeChristasyourHealer.
Matthew21:22,(Christsays),"Andallthings,whatsoeveryeshallaskinprayer,believing,yeshallreceive."
Reader,does"allthingswhatsoeveryeshallaskinprayer,believing"includebodilysickness?Yes.ThentakeChristasyourHealer.
Mark11:22-24,"AndJesusansweringsaithuntothem,HavefaithinGod.ForverilyIsayuntoyou,Thatwhosoevershallsayuntothismountain,Bethouremoved,andbethoucastintothesea;andshallnotdoubtinhisheart,butshallbelievethatthosethingswhichhesaithshallcometopass;heshallhavewhatsoeverhesaith.ThereforeIsayuntoyou,Whatthingssoeveryedesire,whenyepray,believethatyereceive[havereceived]them,andyeshallhavethem."
Reader,does"whatthingssoeveryedesire,whenyepray"includebodilysickness?Yes.ThentakeChristasyourHealer.
John14:13,14,"Andwhatsoeveryeshallaskinmyname,thatwillIdo,thattheFathermaybeglorifiedintheSon.Ifyeshallaskanythinginmyname,Iwilldoit."
Reader,does"whatsoeveryeshallaskinmyname"and"ifyeshallaskanythinginmyname"includebodilysickness?Yes.ThentakeChristasyourHealer.
John15:7,"Ifyeabideinme,andmywordsabideinyou,yeshallaskwhatyewill,anditshallbedoneuntoyou."
Reader,dothesewords"yeshallaskwhatyewill"includebodilysickness?Yes.ThentakeChristasyourHealer.
FirstJohn3:22,"Andwhatsoeverweask,wereceiveofhim[God],becausewekeephiscommandments,anddothosethingsthatarepleasinginhissight."
Reader,does"whatsoeverweask"includebodilysickness?Yes.ThentakeChristasyourHealer,forHeisno"respecterofpersons."WhatHedidforJohn,whomadeapracticeofkeepingallHiscommandmentsanddoingonlywhatwasrightinHissight,Healsowilldoforyou.
James5:14,15,"Isanysickamongyou?lethimcallfortheeldersofthechurch;andletthemprayoverhim,anointinghimwithoilinthenameoftheLord:Andtheprayeroffaithshallsavethesick,andtheLordshallraisehimup;andifhehavecommittedsins,theyshallbeforgivenhim."
Reader,doyoubelievetheBookofJamesisinspiredofGod?Yes.ThenobeyJames5:14andtakeChristasyourHealer.
IfbodilyhealingwerenotintheAtonement—andwehaveclearlyprovenitis—westillwouldhaveaperfectrighttoprayforthesickandexpectChristtohealontheauthorityofthewonderfulpromisesjustquoted.
Letushereprovetoallourreadersthattheverysamefaiththatsavesthesoulalsowillhealthebody.
InMatthew9:22,Jesussaidtothewomanwiththeissueofblood,"Daughter...thyfaithhathmadetheewhole."Thisexpression,"thyfaithhathmadetheewhole,"readsintheGreekHepistissousesokense,andliterallyreads,"Thefaithoftheehassavedthee."Theverbsesokenistheperfecttense,3rdpersonsingularofsozo,Isave.
NowexamineLuke7:50.HereChristsaystothatpoorsinfulwomanofthestreetwhohadanointedHisfeetwithoilandwipedthemwiththehairsofherhead,"Thyfaithhathsavedthee."ThisreadsintheGreekHepistissousesokense,andliterallyreads,"Thefaithoftheehassavedthee."ThesearetheexactsamewordsChristspokewhenHehealedthewomanwiththeissueofblood.
Yes,theverysamefaithwhichsavesthesoulhealsthebody,andthisfaithisagiftofGod,whetherforthesavingofsoulsorforthehealingofbodies.Ephesians2:8,"Forbygraceareyesavedthroughfaith;andthatnotofyourselves:it[faith]isthegiftofGod."
WebelieveallsaintsoughttoexpectChristtohealthemuntiltheyreachtheallottedtimeof"threescoreandten"years.ManysaintsarenowobtainingwonderfulhealingsevenafterthisagebyexercisinganexpectantfaithinGod'spromises.
Andwhatofthosedearsaintswhosufferyearafteryearandneverarehealed,althoughtheyseemtobeutterlyyieldedtoGod?AllsuchbelieveGodcanhealthem,ifitisHiswill,buttheylackthatexpectantfaithwhichsays,"IknowHewillhealmenow."TheylackthisexpectantfaithsimplybecausetheyareuncertainastowhatHiswillisconcerningthem.
RecallhereJames'words(James1:7),"Forletnotthatman[whohasnotexpectantfaith]thinkthatheshallreceiveanythingoftheLord."RecallalsoChrist'sownwordsinMark9:23,"Ifthoucanstbelieve,allthingsarepossibletohimthatbelieveth."AlsoMark11:24,"ThereforeIsayuntoyou,Whatthingssoeveryedesire,whenyepray,believethatye
receivethem[havereceivedthem],andyeshallhavethem."NoweveryGreekscholarmustadmitthatwhenChristsays,"All
things[panta]arepossibletohimbelieving"(literaltranslation),and"Whatthingssoever[pantahosa]yedesire,whenyepray,believethatyehavereceivedthem,andyeshallhavethem,"Heputsallresponsibilityforansweredprayeronus,androllsitoffofHimself.TheseversesassuredlyteachthatifwehavetheexpectantfaithwhichGodwillimparttoallwhoreallymeetHisconditions,thereisnosicknessHewillnotcure.
IfonlywewerefullycontrolledbytheHolyGhostinthought,word,anddeed,wewouldallseemiraclesperformed,bothspiritualandphysical.Why?Ephesians3:20,"Nowuntohimthatisabletodoexceedingabundantlyaboveallthatweaskorthink,accordingtothepower[dunamis,HolyGhostpower]constantlyworking[presentparticiple]inus."
Note,Godherepromisestoanswerourprayers,"Exceedingabundantlyaboveallthatweaskorthink,accordingtothepoweroftheHolyGhostwhichisconstantlyworkinginus,"andnot"accordingtoHisownwill."
Reader,lettheHolyGhostcontrolyouinthought,wordanddeed,and"yeshallaskwhatyewill,anditshallbedoneuntoyou"(John15:17).Does"whatyewill"includeyoursickness?
DivisionII
WasDivineHealingOnlyForTheChurchOfTheApostolicAge?
ManyBibleteacherstodaytellusthattheageofmiraclespassed
awaywiththedeathoftheapostles,soChristisnothealingthesicktoday.
Letusinvestigatethissubjectandfindoutforourselves.ListentoJustinMartyr(165A.D.),oneofthegreatChurchleaders
andscholarsofhisday:Hesays,"Fornumberlessdemoniacsthroughoutthewholeworldand
inyourcity,manyofourChristianmen,exorcisingtheminthenameofJesusChrist,whowascrucifiedunderPontiusPilate,havehealed,anddoheal,renderinghelplessanddrivingthepossessingdevilsoutofthemen,thoughtheycouldnotbecuredbyalltheotherexorcists,andthosewhousedincantationsanddrugs"(Apol.II,Chapter6).
ThenthisApostolic,miracle-workingpowerwasintheChurchdownto165A.D.
ListentoIrenaeus(200A.D.):"ThosewhoareintruthHisdisciples,receivinggracefromHim,do
inHisnameperformmiracles;andtheydotrulycastoutdevils.Othersstillhealthesickbylayingtheirhandsuponthem,andtheyaremadewhole.Yea,moreover,asIhavesaid,thedeadevenhavebeenraisedup,andremainedamongusformanyyears."(Vs.Hermetics,BookI,Chapter32.)
Thendownto200A.D.thissameApostolic,miracle-workingpowerwasintheChurch.
ListentoOrigen(250A.D.):"Andsomegiveevidenceoftheirhavingreceivedthroughtheirfaith
amarvelouspowerbythecureswhichtheyperform,invokingnoothernameoverthosewhoneedtheirhelpthanthatoftheGodofallthings,andofJesus,alongwithamentionofHishistory.Forbythesemeanswetoohaveseenmanypersonsfreedfromgrievouscalamities,andfromdistractionsofmindandmadness,andcountlessotherills,whichcouldbecuredneitherbymenordevils"{ContraCelsumBookIII,Chapter24).
Thendownto250A.D.thissameApostolic,miracle-workingpowerwasintheChurch.
ListentoClement(275A.D.):"Letthem(youngministers),thereforewithfastingandprayer,make
theirintercessions,andnotwiththewellarranged,andfitlyorderedwordsoflearning,butasmenwhohavereceivedthegiftofhealingconfidently,tothegloryofGod"(Epis.C.XII).
Dr.Waterland(CreationandRedemption,page50)says:"Themiraculousgiftscontinuedthroughthethirdcentury,atleast."
Thenhetellshow,underConstantine,theChurchbecamefloodedwithworldlinessandbegantoputitstrustinearthlyrulersmorethaninGod.ButeventhenthosewhoremainedtruetoGodsawmiraclesperformedinHisName.
TheodoreofMopsueste(429A.D.)says:
"ManyheathenamongstusarebeinghealedbyChristiansfromwhateversicknesstheyhave,soabundantaremiraclesinourmidst"(Christlieb—ModernDoubt,page321).
Rev.A.Bost(HistoryofUnitedBrethren,page17)quotesthefamousZinzendorf'swords,spokenin1730:
"Tobelieveagainsthopeistherootofthegiftofmiracles;andIowethistestimonytoourbelovedchurch,thatApostolicpowersaretheremanifested.Wehavehadundeniableproofsthereofintheunequivocaldiscoveryofthings,persons,andcircumstances,whichcouldnothumanlyhavebeendiscovered,inthehealingofmaladiesinthemselvesincurable,suchascancers,consumptions,whenthepatientwasintheagoniesofdeath,allbymeansofprayer,orofasingleword."
Dr.A.J.Gordon(MinistryofHealing,page65—abookeverysaintshouldread)quotesfromtheConfessionoftheWaldensesasfollows:
"Therefore,concerningtheanointingofthesick,weholditasanarticleoffaith,andprofesssincerelyfromtheheart,thatsickpersons,whentheyaskit,maylawfullybeanointedwithanointingoilbyonewhojoinswiththeminprayingthatitmaybeefficacioustothehealingofthebodyaccordingtothedesignandendandeffectmentionedbytheApostles,andweprofessthatsuchananointing,performedaccordingtotheApostolicdesignandpractice,willbehealingandprofitable."
NowonderDr.Gordonsays(MinistryofHealing,page43),"TwostreamsofblessingsstartedfromthepersonalministryofourLord,astreamofhealingandastreamofregeneration;theonefortherecoveryofthebody,andtheotherfortherecoveryofthesoul,andthesetwoflowedonsidebysidethroughtheApostolicage.IsitquitereasonabletosupposethatthepurposeofGodwasthatoneshouldrunonthroughthewholedispensationoftheSpirit,andthattheothershouldfadeawayandutterlydisappearwithinasinglegeneration?Wethinknot."
Havingnowproventhatallmannerofsicknesseswerecuredbyprayerdownto1750A.D.,thedaysofZinzendorf,letusnowprovetoyouthatGodisstill,today,healingallmannerofdiseasesinanswertotheprayeroffaith.
MODERNMIRACLESOFHEALING
(l)VioletM.Collins,Vancouver,B.C.,wasbornwithoutarectum
passage.BestsurgeonsinTorontooperated.Toldshecouldnotlive.Wasanointedandprayedfor,andinstantlymadeasnormalasanyothergirl.
(2)Mrs.H.R.Shortreed,Vancouver,B.C.,hadsugardiabetesinadvancedstage.Anointed,prayedforandhealed.
(3)Mrs.JeanC.Barker,WestVancouver,B.C.,andMrs.M.M.Meadows,Vancouver,B.C.,bothhadoperationsfordreadfulcancers.Mrs.Barkerhadbothbreastsremoved.Thesecancersgrewagain.Bothwomenanointedandprayedfor;todayarewell.
(4)B.M.Colwell,Vancouver,B.C.,wascuredbyprayerofdreadfulstammering,anafflictionfromboyhood.Thiswasamarveloushealing.
(5)ReubenMarkScotcher,Vancouver,B.C.,had"adhesionsofthebowels"fornineyears.Operatedon,butbecamemuchworse.Alsoruptured.Anointed,prayedfor
andhealedbytheLordJesus.Mr.ScotcherisaPresbyterianelder.
(6)Mrs.FrancesMcClurg,Vancouver,B.C.,wasparalyzed19years,andhereyesightalmostgone.Wasanointed,prayedfor,andhealedcompletelybythepowerofGod.Shethreadsthefinestneedletoday.
(7)Mrs.ZevaParker,OklahomaCity,Oklahoma,knownas"DareDevilFrenchBobby,"jumpedfromaplanetwothousandfeethighattheFairGrounds.Theparachutefailedtoopenuntilshewasalmostdown.Herbackwasbrokeninthreeplacesandsevenribsweresofracturedthattheyprotrudedthroughtheflesh.Shewasrushedtothehospitalandputinaplasterofpariscast.Doctorssaidshewouldneverwalk.ShewasinstantlyhealedwhilelyingonhercotinDr.C.S.Price'smeeting.Shehadbeenconverted,buthadnotasyetbeenprayedfor.ShehassincewonmanysoulstoChristbyherwonderfultestimony.
(8)MissRubyDimmick,daughterofRev.J.F.Dim-mickofAlbany,Oregon,wasparalyzedasachild.Onelegwaslefttwoinchesshorterthantheotherandthatlimbhadnotdevelopedastheother.WhileshewassittingintheMetropolitanChurch,Victoria,B.C.,atDr.Price'smeeting,Godsuddenlytouchedher.Herlegextended,developedastheotherlimb,andwasinstantaneouslycured.Thatwasin1923,andherlimbiswelltoday.Note,she,too,hadnotyetbeenprayedfor.
(9)MissBerthaIrvine,Lebanon,Oregon,hadbeenaninvalid19years.Afterfouroperationsshewasnotabletostandonherfeetwithoutsupport.Shewasanointedandprayedfor,thentheevangelistcried,"Sister,intheNameofJesusofNazareth,riseupandwalk."Shearoseimmediatelyandranupanddowntheaisle.ThewriterwaspresentwhenbothMissDimmickandMissIrvinewerehealedbythepowerofGod.MissIrvinewascuredinNovember1922andiswelltoday.
(10)ReginaldWilliams,WestVancouver,B.C.,cutoffthetoppartofhisleftthumbatthejointbelowthenail.Hewasanointedandprayedfor,andGodcausedthatparttogrowonagain,nailandall.ExamineboththumbsandyoucannotnowtellonwhichoneGodperformedthiswonderfulmiracle.
Reader,whatGodhasdoneforthesesicksaintsHeisreadytodoforyou.Readagainthepromisesquotedonpages46-49,thendroponyourkneesandclaimyourhealingontheauthorityofthesepromisesandthefactthattheLordJesusChristdiedforyoursicknessaswellasforyoursins.
Thewritercanvouchforeverycaseheregiven,andknowsofscoresofotherswhohavehadjustaswonderfulcuresasthesementioned.MostofthecaseshererecordedaretakenfromtheMiracleNumberofGoldenGrain,December1929.
Thewriter,whileinvestigatingthissubject,securedthenamesandaddressesofthe800personsprayedforinonecampaign.Ayearlaterhegotintouchwithallthesebypersonalvisitationandbysendingout"returnpostcards,"andfoundthatmorethan60percenthadbeenhealed,
andmostofthosewhowerenothealedsaidtheyhadreceivedagreatspiritualblessing.Theyconfessedthattheyhada"hopesofaith,"ratherthana"knowsofaith."
Justherewedesiretosaythatfullyone-halfofthese800whowereprayedforhadtroubleswhichtheirphysicianscountedeitherincurableorveryhardtobecured.
DivisionIII
ObjectionsAnswered
I.IfwearetoexpectGodtohealthesicktodaythroughprayer,whynotalsoexpectHimtoraisethedead?
Becausewearenowherecommissionedtoraisethedead,althoughIrenaeusasserts(asquotedbefore)thatthedeadwereraisedinhisday(200A.D.).
InMark16:17,18weread,"Andthesesignsshallfollowthemthatbelieve...theyshalllayhandsonthesick,andtheyshallrecover."
AgainJames5:14,15says,"Isanysickamongyou?lethimcallfortheeldersofthechurch;andletthemprayoverhim,anointinghimwithoilinthenameoftheLord:Andtheprayeroffaithshallsavethesick,andtheLordshallraisehimup."Note,Godhasnotheretoldustoraisethedead,butonlytoprayforthesick.
II.IfhealingisintheAtonementandsomesaintsarenothealed,thenthesesaintsmustconcludethattheyarestillsinnersinGod'ssightandunderHiscondemnation,nomatterhowclosetoGodtheyareliving.
ThisisthegreatobjectionofmanysplendidBibleteacherstohealingintheAtonement.
LetPaulanswerthisobjection.Hesays(1Cor.11:29),"Forhethateatethanddrinkethunworthily,eatethanddrinkethdamnation[krima,judgment]tohimselfalone[eauto,reflexivepronoun],notdiscerningtheLord'sbody."
Thewordfor"discerning"hereisdiakrinon,thepresentparticipleofdiakrino,andmeans"makingadistinctionbetween."Whatdistinctionisherereferredto?ReadFirstCorinthians11:30,"Forthiscause[becauseyoudonotdiscernbetweenthesignificanceofthebreadandthewinewhenpartakingoftheSacrament]manyareweakandsicklyamongyou,andmanysleep[areprematurelydead]."
PaulhereassertsthatmanyChristiansareweakandsicklyandothershavediedprematurelybecausetheyhadpartakenoftheSacramentwithoutunderstanding—astheyoughttohaveunderstood—thegreatdistinctionbetweenthesignificanceofthebreadandthewine.Whatisthisdistinction?
InExodus12:7wereadthattheIsraelitesputthebloodofthatfirstPassoverlambontheirdoorpoststosavethemselvesfromthewrathofGod,butExodus12:8informsusthatGodcommandedthemtocookthefleshofthefirstPassoverlambandeatitfortheirownphysicalbenefits.
NowreadFirstCorinthians5:7,"ForevenChristourpassoverissacrificedforus."IfChristisourPassoverlamb,HisbloodwasmostassuredlyshedtosaveusfromthewrathofGodthroughtheforgivenessofoursins,andHisfleshwasbruisedandbrokenforourphysicalbenefits."Bythebruiseofwhomyewerehealedphysically"(1Peter2:24,literaltranslation).
Rememberthatthisword"healed"(iaomai)withoutoneexceptionintheNewTestamentrefersonlyandalwaystophysicalhealing,nevertospiritualhealing.ThisispositiveprooftoallGreekscholarsthatPeteris
herespeakingofour"physicalhealing"throughtheawfulsufferingofChrist.Seepages25-28forthetrueexpositionofFirstPeter2:24.
FirstCorinthians6:19,20,aswehaveclearlyproven,teachesthisverysametruth,thatChristdiedtoredeemourbodiesaswellasoursouls.FirstCorinthians6:19,20,"What?knowyenotthatyourbodyisthetempleoftheHolyGhostwhichisinyou,whichyehaveofGod,andyearenotyourown?Foryearebought[redeemed]withaprice:thereforeglorifyGodinyourbody,andinyourspirit,whichareGod's."
Note,ourbodiesandourspiritshavebeenredeemedwiththeverysameprice;viz.,thebloodofChrist.Seepages28-33forthetrueexpositionofFirstCorinthians6:19,20.
AlthoughthebloodofChrist,ourPassoverlamb,wasshedtosaveusfromthewrathofGod,andHisbodywasbruisedandbrokenforourphysicalbenefits,thefailureofanysainttodiscernthisdistinction,whenpartakingoftheSacrament,doesnotmakethatsaintguiltyinthesightofGod.ReadagainFirstCorinthians11:29,"Forhethateatethanddrinkethunworthily,eatethanddrinkethdamnation[krima,judgment]tohimselfalone[eauffi,reflexivepronoun],notdiscerningtheLord'sbody."
If,whenpartakingoftheSacrament,wefailtodiscernthetruesignificanceofthebreadbecauseofignoranceorwrongteaching,webringjudgmentuponourselvesaloneinthatwemustcontinuesickordieprematurely,butitdoesnotaffect,inanyway,ourstandinginGod'ssight.Thisistheexactmeaninghereofthereflexivepronoun(eauto).AsPauldeclaresinRomans8:1,"Thereisthereforenownocondemnation[katakrima,sentencestandingagainst]tothemwhoareinChristJesus."
Yes,healing,isintheAtonement,butnosaintisheldguiltyinGod'ssightwhofailsforanyreasontodiscernthisfact;heonlysuffershimself.
III.IfhealingisintheAtonement,theneverysainthasablood-boughtrighttobehealed;andyetallsaintsarenothealed.
OneBibleteachersays,"Wemustadd,thatifitweretruethatChristdiedforoursicknesses,thenHisatoningworkinthisrespectisafailure...Thechoicestsaintsonearthtodayarethethousandsofshut-ins,whosufferinpatienceandsingtheirsweetsongsinthenight."(TheHealingQuestion,pages74,75.)
Reader,didChristdietosaveallsinners?Yes,youreply.Theneverysinnerinthisworldhasablood-boughtrighttobesaved?Yes.Butareallsinnerssaved?No,onlyaverysmallpercentage.Then,accordingtothewriterjustquoted,Christ'satoningworkinthisrespectalsoisatremendousfailure.
Whyarenotallsinnerssaved,sincetheyhaveablood-boughtrighttobesaved?BecausetheyrefusetomeetGod'sconditionsassetforthinJohn1:12,13;John3:16,18,36;John5:24;andRomans10:9,10.
Itisjustthesamewithbodilyhealing.Everysainthasablood-boughtrighttobehealed,butthousandsdonotknowthattheymustexercisetheverysameappropriatingfaithinthebruisedbodyofChristfortheirhealingastheyformerlyexercisedinHisshedbloodfortheirsalvation.
InLuke7:50,Christsaystoapoorsinfulwoman,aswestatedbefore,"Thyfaithhathsavedthee."Thewordherefor"hathsaved"issesoken,theperfect,3rdsingularofsozo,Isave.InLuke8:48,Christsaystothepoorwomanwhohadanissueofbloodtwelveyears,"Thyfaithhathmadetheewhole."Thewordherefor"hathmadetheewhole"isthissameword,sesoken,theperfect,3rdsingularofsozo,Isave.This,then,ispositiveproofthattheverysamefaiththatsavesthesoulalso
willhealthebody.Manysaintsdonotunderstandthisbecauseofignoranceorfalseteaching,andthereforetheyarenothealed.
WHATCONDITIONSMUSTSAINTSMEETTOBEHEALED
(1)WemustmakeanabsolutesurrendertoGod:a100
percentconsecration.ThisiswhatJohndid,andallhisprayerswereanswered.FirstJohn3:22,"Whatsoeverweask,wereceiveofhim,becausewekeephiscommandments,anddothosethingsthatarepleasinginhissight."JohnmadeapracticeofkeepingallofGod'scommandmentsanddoingonlywhatwasrightinHissight,andtheresultwasthatGodansweredallhisprayers.NowGodisnorespecterofpersons.
(2)Ourheartsmustbepure.Psalm66:18,"IfIregardiniquityinmyheart,theLordwillnothearme."Remember,Godseeswhatmencannotsee.
(3)WemustrealizethatourbodiesbelongtoGod,andthateveryorgan,withoutexception,mustbeusedinawaywellpleasingtoHimandforHisglory,notforourownselfishorsensualpleasure.ReadFirstCorinthians6:19,20andRomans12:1.
(4)WemustexerciseagenuineexpectantfaithinthepromisesofGod.
(NOTE:Goddemandsofusthatwehavefaith.WithoutfaithitisimpossibletopleaseHim(Heb.11:6).IfGoddemandsthatwehavefaithwhenitisimpossibleforustohavefaith,thenwehavearighttochallengeHisjustice.ButifHeplaceswithinourhandsthemeanswherebyfaithcanbeproduced,thentheresponsibilityrestswithuswhetherwehavefaith.Hehasprovidedthewaywherebyeveryonecanhavefaith—andHehastoldusexactlyhowtogetfaith."Sothenfaithcomethbyhearing,andhearingbythewordofGod"(Rom.10:17).FaithgrowsoutoftheWordofGod.MeditateontheWord.Digdeeplyintoitandfeeduponit.Whatnaturalfoodistothephysicalman,theWordofGodistothespiritualman.Itisfaithfood.Itproducesfaith.Thereisreallynootherwaytosecurefaith.—KennethE.Hagin)
IV.HundredsofpreachersandBibleteacherstodayobjecttodivinehealingbecauseofJames5:14,15:
"Isanysickamongyou?lethimcallfortheeldersofthechurch;andletthemprayoverhim,anointinghimwithoilinthenameoftheLord:Andtheprayeroffaithshallsavethesick,andtheLordshallraisehimup;andifhehavecommittedsins,theyshallbeforgivenhim."
Thesepersonsobjecttotheeldersofthechurchobeyingthiscommandtodayfortworeasons:
(1)TheyholdtheEpistleofJamesisnotforthisChurchAgeatall,butforthetwelvetribesscatteredabroad,or,asothersteach,fortheJewsoftheTribulationPeriod.
(2)BecausetheGreekwordaleipsantes,havinganointed,reallymeans"havingmassaged,"or"havingsmeared"withoiltheonetobeprayedfor—thususingoilasaremedy—anddoesnotmeantosimplytouchwithoilthesurfaceoftheskinasalldotodaywhenprayingforthesick.Suchauseofoil,alltheseobjectionstellus,
woulddemandthewordchrioandnotaleipho,thewordusedinJames5:14.
LetusheregivefivegreatscripturalreasonswhyweknowJamesisforthisChurchAgeandnotaloneforthetwelvetribesscatteredabroadorfortheJewsoftheTribulationPeriod.
(1)Theuseofthewords"Mybelovedbrethren"proveforacertaintythattheEpistleofJamesisforthisChurchAge.Jamesusesthistermthreetimes.James1:16,"Donoterr,mybeloved[agapetoi]brethren."James1:19,"Wherefore,mybeloved[agapetoi]brethren."James2:5,"Hearken,mybeloved[agapetoi]brethren."
PaulusesthesewordsonlywhenreferringtoChurchsaints.FirstCorinthians15:58,"Therefore,mybeloved[agapetoi]brethren,beyesteadfast,"etc.Philippians4:1,"Mybrethren,dearlybeloved[agapetoi]andlongedfor,myjoyandmycrown,"etc.
Thiswordagapetoi,asalltrueGreekscholarsmustadmit,always,withoutoneexceptionintheNewTestament,referstotheChurchsaints,asinFirstJohn3:2,"Beloved[agapetoi],nowarewethesonsofGod,"etc.
InGreektherearedifferentwordsforlove.Phileomeanstoloveasafriend;stergo,toloveinthesenseofbeingfondof;butthestrongwordisagapao,whichisalwaysusedofGod'slove.(SeeJohn3:16.)AllthroughtheNewTestament,theloveexpressedbythisverbagapao,orbythenounagape,orbytheadjectiveagapetoi,alwaysreferstoGod'sownlove,ortothelovewhichGod'sHolySpirithascreatedinman'sheart.
Thenwheneveryoufindtheexpression"beloved"(agapetoi),or"mybelovedbrethren"(adelphoimouagapetoi),theseexpressionsalways,withoutoneexception,refertotheChurchsaints.
Now,aswehaveshown,Jamesusestheseexpressionsthreetimes.Therefore,weknowforanabsolutecertaintythattheBookofJamesisfortheChurchsaintstoday.AnyotherconclusionisonlyunscholarlynonsensewhichrevealsalamentableignoranceofGreek;especiallyinthelightofGalatians3:28,wherewearetoldthatintheChurch"ThereisneitherJewnorGreek,thereisneitherbondnorfree,thereisneithermalenorfemale:foryearealloneinChristJesus."
Fromthisexpression"Mybeloved[agapetoi]brethren,"weknowthatthesetwelvetribesscatteredabroadmusthavebeenChristianJewsandthereforemembersofChrist'sChurch.Thisbeingso,thenthisepistleisjustasmuchforusGentilesasforthem.Why?Ephesians2:14,"Forhe[Christ]isourpeace,whohathmadeboth[JewandGentile]one,andhathbrokendownthemiddlewallofpartitionbetweenus."
(2)AgainweknowtheEpistleofJamesisforthisChurchAge,becauseJameshimselfsodeclares.
James5:14,"Isanysickamongyou?lethimcallfortheeldersofthechurch[ekktesia]."
Werecentlyheardamuch-advertisedBibleteacherdeclareinSeattlethattheword"church"hereinJames5:14oughttoread"synagogue"(sunagoge).Thisisutterlyabsurd,becauseJamessays,"Callfortheeldersofthechurch[ekktesia]."NowthiswordekktesiameansChurchandcomesfromek,outof,andkaleo,Icall—thosecalledoutoftheworldtoworshipChrist.NowwhoconstitutestheChurch(ekktesia)?ReadActs2:47,"AndtheLordaddedtothechurchdailysuchasshouldbesaved."Theneverysavedperson,whetherofthetwelvescattered
tribesoroftheGentiles,wasamemberoftheekktesia(Church)inJames'day,sowhatJameswrotefortheChurchthenisforChrist'sChurchtoday.Anyotherconclusionisonlyunscholarlynonsense.
Reader,whenJamessays(James5:14),"Isanysickamongyou?lethimcall[imperativemood]fortheeldersofthechurch[ekktesia],"whypayanyattentiontotheopponentsofdivinehealingwhosemindsaresodistortedbybitterprejudicethattheydenyJameswasherewritingtotheChurch(ekktesia),butonlytoJewswhowerenotChurchmembers?
WehadbetterbelieveJames'ownwords(James5:14)andactasPauladvisesustoactundersuchcircumstances.Romans3:3,4,"Forwhatifsomedidnotbelieve?shalltheirunbeliefmakethefaithofGodwithouteffect?Godforbid:yea,letGodbetrue,buteverymanaliar."
(3)AgainweareabsolutelysurethisepistleisforthisChurchAge,becauseJamesusestheexpressioneneschataishemerais(inthelastdays).James5:3,"Yehaveheapedtreasuretogetherforthelastdays."
AsthesewordsareusedelsewhereintheNewTestament,wecandiscovertheexacttimetowhichJameshererefers.
InActs2:17Petersays,"Anditshallcometopassinthelastdays[entaiseschataishemerais],saiththeLord,IwillpouroutofmySpirituponallflesh,"etc.Then,accordingtoPeter,"thelastdays"isatimewhentheHolySpiritwillbehere,forHeisthentobepouredoutuponallflesh.When,therefore,Jamessays(James5:30),"Yehaveheapedtreasuretogetherforthelastdays,"heisspeakingofatimewhentheHolyGhostwillbehere,somostassuredlyitisreferringtothisChurchAgejustbeforeChrist'sSecondComingandnottothetimeoftheTribulation,whentheHolyGhostwillhavegoneupwiththeChurch.SeeSecondThessalonians2:7,8.
InSecondTimothy3:1-4weread,"Thisknowalso,thatinthelastdays[eneschataishemerais]periloustimesshallcome.Formenshallbeloversoftheirownselves,covetous,boasters,proud,blasphemers,disobedienttoparents,"etc.
NowallwhobelieveintheSecondComingofChristquotethesewordstoprovethatwearenow"inthelastdays,"accordingtoPaul'svividdescription,andJamessays(5:3),"Yehaveheapedtreasuretogetherforthelastdays."AsJameshereusestheverysamewordsasPaulinSecondTimothy3:1;viz.,eneschataishemerais(inthelastdays),wecanonlyconcludethatheisspeakingoftheverysametimeasPaul,thetimejustbeforetheLordJesusreturnsforHissaints.
InSecondPeter3:3,4weread,"Knowingthisfirst,thatthereshallcomeinthelastdaysscoffers,walkingaftertheirownlusts,Andsaying,Whereisthepromiseofhiscoming[parousia]?"Heretheexpression"thelastdays"referstotheverysametimeasSecondTimothy3:1;viz.,thetimejustbeforetheparousia,orthecomingofChristforHissaints.ThenmostassuredlywhenJamessays(5:3),"Yehaveheapedtreasuretogetherforthelastdays,"he,too,referstothetimejustbeforetheLord'sreturnforHissaints.ThusagainweareabsolutelysurethisepistleisforallthesaintsofthisChurchAgeandnotfortheJewsoftheTribulationPeriod,orthetwelvescatteredtribesofJames'ownday.
(4)AgainJames5:7,8affordsuspositiveproofthatthisepistleisforthisChurchAge.James5:7,8,"Bepatienttherefore,brethren,untothecoming[parousia]oftheLord...Beyealsopatient;stablishyourhearts:forthecoming[parousia]oftheLorddrawethnigh."
Ifthis"comingoftheLord"(parousia)whichJamesspeaksofisthe
comingofChristforHissaints,thenmostassuredlyJamesiswritinghisepistleforallthesaintsofthisChurchAge.
LetusexaminethiscomingoftheLord,whichJamesheredesignatestheparousia,awordwhichliterallymeans"beingwith"or"presence."
Speakingofthedifferentresurrections,Paulsays(1Cor.15:23),"Buteverymaninhisownorder:Christthefirstfruits;afterwardtheythatareChrist'sathiscoming[parousia]."HereallBiblestudentsadmitthatPaulisspeakingofChrist'scomingforHissaints.
FirstThessalonians4:15-17makesthisveryclear,"ForthiswesayuntoyoubythewordoftheLord,thatwewhicharealiveandremainuntothecoming[parousia]oftheLordshallnotprevent[gobefore]themwhichareasleep.FortheLordhimselfshalldescendfromheavenwithashout,withthevoiceofthearchangel,andwiththetrumpofGod:andthedeadinChristshallrisefirst:thenwewhicharealiveandremainshallbecaughtuptogetherwiththeminthecloudstomeettheLordintheair:andsoshallwe[thesaints]everbewiththeLord."
Thenthedeadsaintsaretoriseandbecaughtupwithlivingsaintsattheparousia.
HavingnowprovenconclusivelythattheparousiaisthecomingofChristforHisChurchsaints,letusagainreadJames5:7,8,"Bepatienttherefore,brethren,untothecoming[parousia]oftheLord...Beyealsopatient...forthecoming[parousia]oftheLorddrawethnigh."
TheinevitableandonlyconclusionthatunprejudicedmindscanpossiblydrawfromthesewordsisthatJameswroteforalltheChurchsaints,bothJewsandGentiles,forheurgesthemtobereadyfortheparousia,whichisthecomingofChristforHisChurchsaints.
Tosumup:WehavenowgivenfourirrefutablereasonswhywecanbesurethattheEpistleofJamesisforthesaintsofthisChurchAge.
(1)Becausethewords"Mybeloved[agapetoi]brethren"usedbyJamesareonlyemployedintheNewTestamenttodesignatetheChurchsaintsandnooneelse.
(2)BecauseJamesdeclareshimselfthatheiswritingtotheChurchsaints.James5:14,"Isanysickamongyou?lethimcallfortheeldersofthechurch[ekktesia],"etc.
(3)BecauseJamesiswritingtoapeopleliving"inthelastdays"(eneschataishemerais),anexpressionreferringtothisChurchAgejustbeforetheSecondComingofourLord.
(4)BecauseJamesurgesthepeopletowhomhewritestorememberthattheparousia(thecomingofChristforHisChurch)drawethnigh.
(5)ButthereisafifthgreatreasonwhyallGreekscholarsknow,foracertainty,thattheEpistleofJamesisforthisChurchAge.JamesassertsthattheHolySpiritwaseventhenabidinginthepersonstowhomhewrote.
James4:5,"Doyethinkthatthescripturesaithinvain,Thespiritthatdwellethinuslustethtoenvy?"Literallythisreads,"TheSpiritwhichtookupHisabodeinus,"or"theSpiritwhichmovedintoustoabide"(katokesen).Theuseofthisverbkatokesen,the1stAorist,3rdsingularofkatoikeo,Itakeupmyabode,provesconclusivelythatJamesisherespeakingoftheHolySpirit,andnotoftheman'sownspirit.
ThisforcesustotheconclusionthatJameswrotehisepistleforapeopleintowhomtheHolySpirithadcometoabide,andtoabide,aswe
haveseen,tilltheparousia,whenChristcomesforHisChurch.Inthefaceofthesefivereasons,whatmustwethinkoftheGreek
scholarshipofBibleteachersandpastorswhotellusthattheEpistleofJamesisnotforthisChurchAge?
Wedonotwanttobeunkind,butwewilldeclaremostemphatically,inthelightofthefivereasonsjustgiven,thatnoBibleteacherorpreacher—unlessblindedbyprejudice—willeversaytheEpistleofJamesisnotforthisChurchAgebutthosewhoareeitherutterlyignorantofGreek,orhavesuchanimperfectknowledgeofthiswonderfullanguagethatitisuselesstotheminexpoundingtheWordofGod.
SincetheEpistleofJamesisforthisChurchAge,untiltheparousia(thecomingofourLord),andsinceJames5:14,15referstophysicalsickness,hadwenotbetterobeyChrist'scommandhere(James5:14,15)?"Isanysickamongyou?lethimcallfortheeldersofthechurch;andletthemprayoverhim,anointinghimwithoilinthenameoftheLord:Andtheprayeroffaithshall[notprobablywill]savethesick,andtheLordshallraisehimup."
ANOINTINGWITHOIL
ObjectorstodivinehealingtodaytellusthattheGreekwordfor
"anointing"(aleipsantes,havinganointed)inJames5:14alwaysmeans"tomassage,tosmear,ortodaub"thewholebody,orsomecertainpartofthebody,aswhenChrist'sfeetwereanointed(Luke7:38).
TheseobjectorstellusthereisnotoneplaceinGreekliteraturewherethiswordaleiphodoesnotmean"tomassage,smear,ordaub,"andthisispositiveproofthatGodmeanstheoilinJames5:14tobeusedasaremedyforsickness.Theyconclude,therefore,thatJames5:14teachesusnotonlytoprayforthesick,buttousehealingremediesaswell.Thisisaseriousobjectioniftrue,soletusmakeathoroughinvestigation.
LetusherereadJames5:15andseeifthe"anointingwithoil"playsanypartincuringthesick.James5:15,"Andtheprayeroffaithshallsavethesick[nottheanointingwithoil],andtheLordshallraisehimup.""Theanointingwithoil,"then,wastoplaynopartwhatsoeverincuringthesick;onlytheprayeroffaithcoulddothis.
What,then,isthesignificanceoftheanointingwithoilinJames5:14?
TheGreekwordisaleipsantes,the1stAoristparticipleofaleipho,Ianoint,andthereforeliterallyreads"havinganointed."
Itisonlyfairheretostatethatthiswordaleiphodoesmean"tomassage,toplaster(Ezekiel13:10,11inSeptuagint)andtodaub"(Ezekiel22:28inSeptuagint),butthiswordisusedinanothersense,whichallopponentsofdivinehealinghaveoverlooked,ormorelikelyneverhaveseen.
LetushereexamineExodus40:13and15intheSeptuagint(theversionChristusedmorethananyother),andwewillseeclearlythescripturalexplanationofanointingwithoilinJames5:14.
InExodus40:13,GodsaystoMoses,"AndthoushaltputonAarontheholygarments,andthoushaltanoint[chriseis]him,andthoushaltsanctifyhim,"etc.
TheninExodus40:14,15,GodsaystoMoses,"Andthoushaltbringuphis[Aaron's]sons,andshaltputgarmentsonthem.Andthoushaltanoint[aleipseis]them,asthoudidstanointtheirfather,"etc.
Theword"as"hereistheGreekexpressionhontropon,andliterallymeans"whichmanner."ThisexpressionemphaticallydeclaredthatMosesmustanointAaron'ssonsintheverysamemannerthatheanointedAaronhimself.
ConsultBabbitt'sGreekGrammar,page186,oranyothergoodGreekgrammar,andyouwillfindthattropon,theaccusativeoftropos,isoftenusedinthisadverbialsense,asinActs1:11,"...thissameJesus,whichistakenupfromyouintoheaven,shallsocomeinlikemanneras[hontropon]yehaveseenhimgointoheaven."
ButwhydoesGodemploythewordchrio(Ianointbytouchingthesurfaceoftheskin)whenanointingAaron,andthewordaleiphowhenanointingAaron'ssons,thoughHecommandsMosestoanointbothfatherandsonsintheverysamemanner?Bytheuseofthesetwodifferentwords,Goddesiredtoletusknowthat,inHissight,therewasagreatdifferencebetweenAaronandhissons.
Whatwasthisdifference?LetmeherequotefromC.H.M.'sNotesonLeviticus,page20:"IfAaronwasatypeofChrist,thenAaron'shousewasatypeofChrist'shouse,aswereadinHebrews3,'ButChristasaSonoverHisownhouse:whosehouseweare.'Andagain,'Behold,IandthechildrenwhomGodhathgivenme.'"
SinceAaronwasatypeofChrist,ourgreatHighPriest,Godemploysthesameword(chrio)toexpresshisanointingwiththeHolyGhost(Luke4:18).ButAaron'ssonswereonlyatypeofChrist'sChurch."Hishouse,"orthechildrenwhomGodhadgivenChrist;therefore,theiranointingisexpressedbythelesssublimeword(aleipho).ButrememberthatAaron'ssonswereanointedintheverysamemannerasAaronhimself,bysimplytouchingthesurfaceoftheskin,thoughadifferentwordisusedtoexpressthisanointing;viz.,aleipho,theverywordwefindinJames5:14.
Here,then,wehavethetruescripturalexplanationofthiswordaleipsantes,havinganointed,inJames5:14.Whenwetodayanointasicksaintwithoilbytouchingthesurfaceoftheskin,asAaron'ssonswereanointedinExodus40:15,werecognizetheblessedfactthatthispersonhasbeenregeneratedandbelongstotheChurch,thehouseholdofChrist,ourgreatHighPriest,andthereforehasaperfectrighttoclaimallthebenefitsofChrist'sredeeminglove.
DivisionIV
WhyAreSoManyTrueSaintsOfGodNotHealed?
(1)Manysaintsarenothealedbecauseoffalseteaching.TheyhavebeentaughtthatsicknessandpainaresentbyGod
HimselftochastenthemandmakethemwhollysubmissivetoHiswill.Hebrews12:6,"ForwhomtheLordlovethhechasteneth,andscourgetheverysonwhomhereceiveth."
ThesedearsaintsprayforpatiencetobesubmissivetoGod'swill,whohas(astheysuppose)soseverelyafflictedthem,andyettheyatoncesendforaphysicianandanurseandbegintotakemedicineorhaveanoperationinordertogetridofthisdisagreeableexperience,which,theybelieve,Godhasbroughtuponthemtobeautifytheircharacter.IsthissubmissiontoGod'swillifonereallybelievesthatthissicknesshasbeensentofGod?No!
Thesesaintscannotpraytheprayeroffaithtobehealed,becausetheybelieveitisGod'swillthattheyshouldbesick,buttheycan,withnocompunctionofconscience,sendforaphysiciananduseallpossiblehumanremediestogetridofthatwhichGodhassentuponthemfortheirgood.Humannatureisindeedafunnything.
JusthererecallChrist'swords(Matt.9:12),"Theythatbewholeneednotaphysician,buttheythataresick."Thisistrue.Everysickpersondoesneedaphysician,andifheorshe,foranyreason,cannotexerciseexpectantfaithinthepromisesofChrist,theGreatPhysician,thenallsuchshouldsendforadoctor.PraiseGodforthemanynoblephysiciansinourlandwhogoforthdayornight,ingoodorbadweather,torelievesuffering.Manyoftendrivemilestoservepoorpeople,thoughtheyknowtheywillnotreceiveadollar.AmongourphysicianstodayaremanynoblemenofGodwhobelieveinprayer,andalwaysaskGod'shelpbeforetheyprescribeorperformanoperation.
MayGodblessthenobledoctorsofourland,andnoexponentofdivinehealingshouldeversayorwriteanunkindwordagainstthem.
IfChristianpeoplearesick,andforanyreasoncannotmeetGod'sconditionsforimpartingtothemexpectantfaith,thenletthemgetaphysician,andthesoonerthebetter.
ManysplendidChristiansarenothealedbyprayer,becausetheycannotpraytheprayerofexpectantfaith.Theysay,"PerhapsGoddoesnotdesiretohealmeyet,"andthis"perhaps"causesadoubtintheirheart.Jamessays(James1:7),"Letnotthatman[whohasanydoubtinhisheart]thinkthatheshallreceiveanythingoftheLord."
AllsuchsaintsshouldreadFirstThessalonians4:3,"ForthisisthewillofGod,evenyoursanctification."
(2)Othersaintsarenothealedbecausetheyalwaysaskwiththeproviso"ifitbethywill."
Wecannotblamethem,fortheyreadinsuchbooksasTheHealingQuestion,pages127-128,"ThemostessentialelementinbelievingprayeristoaskaccordingtoHiswill.Itdoesnotsay,'IfweaskanythingaccordingtoourwillHehearethus,'but'IfweaskanythingaccordingtoHiswill,Hehearethus'(1John5:14).Withoutthis,prayerisnotreal
prayer,norrealfaith,butdictationtoGod,whichmustbemoreobnoxioustoHimthanwhenachildcomestoanearthlyfatherandinsistsonhavingthatwhichthefatherknowswouldonlyhurthischild.ThehighestprayerwhichlipsofclaycanprayistheprayertheSonofGodprayedindarkGethsemane,'Neverthelessnotmywillbutthywillbedone.'AndthusthechildofGodpraysstill,andsuchaprayerisacceptableandwellpleasinginHissight."(SeenoteIII,AddendaNotes.)
Withsuchfalseteachingsoprevalenttoday,nowonderthemajorityofsaintsknowlittleornothingregardingdivinehealing.
InFirstJohn5:14,15,weread,"Andthisistheconfidencethatwehaveinhim,that,ifweaskanythingaccordingtohiswill,hehearethus:Andifweknowthathehearus,whatsoeverweask,weknowthatwehavethepetitionsthatwedesiredofhim."
Whowrotethesewords?John.ButJohnwrote(John15:7),"Ifyeabideinme,andmywordsabideinyou,yeshallaskwhatyewill,anditshallbedoneuntoyou."
Note,Johnheredeclaresthat,undercertainconditions,wecanaskaccordingtoourownwill,andourprayerswillbeanswered.
JohnalsotellsusthathehimselfgotfromGodwhateverheaskedfor,andtellsushowwecandothesame.FirstJohn3:22,"Andwhatsoeverweask,wereceiveofhim,becausewekeephiscommandments,anddothosethingsthatarepleasinginhissight."
WhentheopponentsofdivinehealingquoteFirstJohn5:14sofrequently,whydotheyneverquoteJohn15:7;FirstJohn3:22;andMatthew15:21-28?InMatthew15:21-28,ChristteststotheverylimitthefaithofthatSyrophenicianmotherwhobroughtherdemon-possesseddaughtertoHim,andthenHesaystoher,"Owoman,greatisthyfaith:beituntotheeevenasthouwilt.Andherdaughterwasmadewholefromthatveryhour."
Theonlyreasontheseopponentsofdivinehealingdonotquotethesepassagesisbecausetheyprovetheirteachingregardingprayertobeabsolutelyfalse,andtheyaretooprejudicedagainstdivinehealingtofacethetruthofGodsquarely.
AndrewMurraytrulysays,"ItsimplyisimpossibletopraywithfaithwhenwearenotsurethatweareaskingaccordingtothewillofGod.Aslongasonepraysthus,insertingtheproviso,'ifitbethywill,'oneisprayingwithsubmissionbutthisisnottheprayeroffaith."
Thennoonecanpossiblypraytheprayeroffaithwhichsavesthesick(James5:15)andputintheproviso"ifitbethywill."
WhenweprayforaverysickpersonandaskGodtohealhim,ifitbeHiswill,wevirtuallysay,"Lord,IdonotknowwhetherYoudesiretohealthispersonorlethimdie,butwhateverYoudo,Lord,willpleaseme,sodonotletmyrequesttohavehimlivemakeanydifferencetoYouwhatsoever."Suchaprayerasthisrevealsfatalism,notfaith.
InMark11:22-24,weread,"HavefaithinGod.ForverilyIsayuntoyou,Thatwhosoevershallsayuntothismountain,Bethouremoved,andbethoucastintothesea;andshallnotdoubtinhisheart,butshallbelievethatthosethingswhichhesaithshallcometopass;heshallhavewhatsoeverhesaith.ThereforeIsayuntoyou,Whatthingssoeveryedesire,whenyepray,believethatyereceive[elabete,havereceived]them,andyeshallhavethem."
Notethewords"andshallnotdoubtinhisheart."Topraytheprayer
offaith,Christsays,wemustaskandnotdoubtinourhearts.NownoonecanpossiblypraythisprayeroffaithunlessheknowsforacertaintythatitisGod'swilltohealtheonebeingprayedfor.Whenweinjecttheproviso"ifitbethywill,"itisalwaysanacknowledgmentthatwearenotprayingtheprayeroffaith,butthatwehaveadoubtinourownheart;andJamessays(James1:7),"Letnotthatman[whoprayswithadoubtinhisheart]thinkthatheshallreceiveanythingfromtheLord."
Yes,whenwepraytheprayeroffaithforhealing,wemustbelievethatwehavealreadyreceivedthatforwhichwehaveprayed,andhavenodoubtaboutthisfact(Mark11:22-24).ButsuchaprayercannotpossiblybeofferedunlessweknowitisGod'swilltoheal.
HereisasinneryouaretryingtoleadtoChrist.Heasksyou,"DoesnotGodnowknowwhetherIwillbesavedorlost?""Yes,"youreply.Thenhesays,"Well,ifIamgoingtobesaved,Iwillbesaved,andifIamgoingtobelost,Iwillbelost,soitisalluptoGod.Ihavenoresponsibilityinthematter."
Youwouldcallthisfatalism,notfaith,andyouwouldexplaintohimthattobesavedhemustmeetGod'sconditionsforsalvation.Justso,beloved,whenyouprayforthesickandinserttheproviso"ifitbethywill,"youareplacingalltheresponsibilityofthathealingonGodandassumingabsolutelynoneyourself.YouforgetthatChristhassetdowncertainhardandfastconditionswhichmustbemetbeforeHewillanswerprayer.
ReadMatthew21:22,"Andallthings,whatsoeveryeshallaskinprayer,believing,yeshallreceive."Insert"ifitbethywill,"andyoucannotask"believing,"foryouputallresponsibilitythenonGodandassumenoneyourself.
InMark9:22,thefatherofademon-possessedboysaystoJesus,"Ifthoucanstdoanything,havecompassiononus,andhelpus."Christreplies(Mark9:23),"Ifthoucanstbelieve,allthingsarepossibletohimthatbelieveth."Thenthatfathercriesout,"Lord,Ibelieve;helpthoumineunbelief,"andChristimmediatelycuredhisson.Christlethimknowthatthe"if"(theresponsibilityofthecure)didnotliewithHim,butwiththefatherhimself.Howsomepeopleforgetthis.
AgainreadMark11:22-24,andseehowGodputsallresponsibilityforansweredprayeronus.Hesayshere,asplainlyaslanguagecanexpressit,thatansweredprayerdoesnotdependuponHiswillatall,foritisalwaysHiswilltoanswertheprayersofanyofHischildrenwhowillmeettheoneandonlyconditionofexpectantfaith.Thinknowasyouread:
Mark11:22-24,"AndJesusansweringsaithuntothem,HavefaithinGod.ForverilyIsayuntoyou,Thatwhosoevershallsayuntothismountain[bothaliteralmountain,oramountainofsickness],Bethouremoved,andbethoucastintothesea;andshallnotdoubtinhisheart,butshallbelievethatthosethingswhichhesaithshallcometopass;heshallhavewhatsoeverhesaith.ThereforeIsayuntoyou,Whatthingssoever[thisincludesallsicknesses]yedesire,whenyepray,believethatyereceive[literally,havereceived]them,andyeshallhavethem."
Ifcertainscholarsarerightinsayingweshouldalways,whenwepray,inserttheproviso"ifitbethywill,"whydidChristsaytothetwoblindmen(Matt.9:29),"Accordingtoyourfaithbeituntoyou"?WhydidHenotsay,"Accordingtomywillbeituntoyou"?BecauseGodhasplacedtheresponsibilityforansweredprayeronusandnotupon
Himself.Mark9:23,"Jesussaiduntohim[thefatherofthedemon-possessedboy],Ifthoucanstbelieve,allthingsarepossibletohimthatbelieveth."
HerecomparetwopassagesofScripture:(1)FirstJohn5:14,"Thisistheconfidencethatwehaveinhim,that,ifweaskanythingaccordingtohiswill,hehearethus."(2)Ephesians3:20,"Nowuntohimthatisabletodoexceedingabundantlyaboveallthatweaskorthink,accordingtothepower[dunamis,HolyGhostpower]constantlyworking[presentparticiple]inus."
JohnassertsthatGodanswersprayer"accordingto[kata]hiswill."PaulassertsthatGodanswersourprayersandgivesusfarmorethanweask"accordingto[kata]theHolyGhostpowerconstantlyworkinginus."Howdowereconciletheseassertions?Romans8:27givestheexplanation,"AndhethatsearcheththeheartsknowethwhatisthemindoftheSpirit,becausetheSpiritmakethintercessionforthesaintsaccordingtoGod"(katatheon,literalreading).
ThissimplymeansthatitispossibleforGod'ssaintstobesocontrolledbytheHolyGhostinthought,word,anddeedthatHewillcontrolalltheirprayers,makingtheseharmonizewithGod'swill.Johnwassocontrolled,sohesays(1John3:22),"Whatsoeverweask,wereceiveofhim,becausewekeephiscommandments,anddothosethingsthatarepleasinginhissight."Oh,thatGodwouldinspireeverysainttofollowJohn'sexample!
Yes,beloved,GodhasspecifiedcertainconditionswhichwemustmeetbeforeHe"wills"toanswerourprayers,butifwerefusetomeettheseconditionsandputallresponsibilityonHimbyinserting"ifitbethywill,"ourprayerswillneverbeanswered.
Thereisapropertimeandplacetoinsert"ifitbethywill"whenwepray.ReadJames4:13-15:"Gotonow,yethatsay,Todayortomorrowwewillgointosuchacity,andcontinuethereayear,andbuyandsell,andgetgain:Whereasyeknownotwhatshallbeonthemorrow...Forthatyeoughttosay,IftheLordwill,weshalllive,anddothis,orthat."
IfwearethinkingofchangingourplaceofabodeandyetarenotcertainthatthischangeispleasingtoGod,weoughttosay,"Lord,Iwouldliketomovetothisothercityanddothisorthat,butperhapsthoudostwantmetoremainhere.Master,Iwantonlytodothywill,soifthouwouldsthavemeremainhere,revealthisfacttomeinsomeway."
ThisistheonlythingtodowhenweareuncertainofGod'swill.Reader,ifitwereeverGod'swillthatanyofHissaintsshouldremain
sick,wouldHehavegivenusthatgreatcommandinJames5:14,15?"Isanysickamongyou?lethimcallfortheeldersofthechurch;andletthemprayoverhim,anointinghimwithoilinthenameoftheLord:Andtheprayeroffaithshallsavethesick[physicallysick,aswehaveproven],andtheLordshallraisehimup."
Notetheword"lethimcallfor"(proskalesastho).Thisisthe1stAorist,imperative,middleofproskaleo,Icall.Inthemiddlevoicethiswordmeans"tocallorsummonforone'sownbenefitoraid."TheAoristimperativedemandsimmediateaction.Itdemandsthatthecommandbeexecutedandbemadeapasteventatonce.
Here,then,wehaveadirectcommandfromGodHimselfthateverysaint,whensick,shouldatoncecalltohisaidtheeldersoftheChurch,andjustasdirectacommand(imperative,Aorist)thattheeldersshouldprayoverthesickperson,havingfirstanointedhimwithoilintheName
oftheLord.Nowsomeofusarefullypersuadedthat,ifitwereeverGod'swill
thatHissaintsshouldremainsick,inplaceofheresaying,"Andtheprayeroffaithshallsavethesick,andtheLordshallraisehimup,"James5:15wouldhaveread,"Andtheprayeroffaithshall[ifitbeGod'swill]savethesick,andtheLordshall[ifitbeHiswill]raisehimup."SinceGoddidnothereinsertthisprovisowhengivingusthisgraciouscommand,whyshouldweinsertit?
RememberJohn15:7says,"Ifyeabideinme,andmywordsabideinyou,yeshallaskwhatyewill,anditshallbedoneuntoyou."Note,ChristhereassertsthatifweabideinHimandHiswordsabideinus,wecanthenaskwhateverwewill,anditshallbedoneuntous.
Thenundercertainconditions,Christheredeclares,wecanallhavewhateverwewillwhenwepray,andwedonotneedtoinserttheproviso"ifitbethywill.'"
DivisionVSomeClosingRemarks
Inclosing,wedesiretodeclare,ontheauthorityofGod'sWord,that
thereisbodilyhealingforeverysaintwhowillmeettheconditionsforansweredprayer,becauseChristdiedforoursicknessesjustasHediedforoursins.(Seepages10-35.)
AllwhodenythathealingisintheAtonementforgetthewordsofPeter.FirstPeter2:24,"...bywhosestripes[bruise]yewerehealed[iathete]."ThisGreekwordiathete(yewerehealed)isthe1stAoristpassive,2ndpersonpluralofthedeponentverbiaomai,awordthatalwaysintheNewTestamentreferstophysicalhealing.
ButwhyistheAoristtenseusedhere,"Bywhosebruiseyewerehealed"?TheAoristishereusedfortheverysamereasonthatitisusedinRomans5:6,"Forwhenwewereyetwithoutstrength,induetimeChristdied[apethanen]fortheungodly."HeretheAoristtense,apethanen(2ndAorist,3rdsingularofapothnesko,Idie),bringsoutthegreattruththatChristdiedonceforalltosavesinners.WeseethesametruthbroughtoutbytheAoristtenseinFirstCorinthians15:3,"...Christdied[apethanen]foroursinsaccordingtothescriptures."Apethanen,died,is2ndAorist,3rdsingularofapothnesko,Idie,andbringsoutthethoughtofsomethingfullycompletedinthepast.Weseethissamegreattruth,thatChristdiedonceforallforoursins,inRevelation5:9,"...forthouwastslain[esphages—2ndAoristofsphazo,Islay],andhastredeemed[egorasas,1stAoristofagorazo]ustoGodbythyblood."
Inallthesecases,theuseoftheAoristtensebringsoutthegreattruththatwhenChristdiedforoursins,Hediedonceforall:Hisredemptiveworkwasthencompletedforever.NowthisistheexactmeaningoftheAoristinFirstPeter2:24,"...bywhosebruiseyewerephysicallyhealed[iathete]."
TheuseoftheAoristtenseinRomans5:6,FirstCorinthians15:3,Revelation5:9,andelsewherewhereChrist'sredemptiveworkisspokenofprovesthatHehasnowmadeitpossibleforeverysinnertobesavedwhowillmeettheneedfulconditions.AndtheuseoftheAoristtense(iathete)inFirstPeter2:24provesthatbyHisredemptiveworkHehas,intheverysameway,madeitpossibleforeverysickpersontobehealedwhowillmeettheneedfulconditionsforprayingtheprayeroffaith.
Yes,theuseoftheAoristtenseiathete(yewerephysicallyhealed)inFirstPeter2:24expressestheglorioustruththatChristhasmadetheverysameprovisiontohealourbodyastosaveoursoul.
HererecallChrist'sownwordsagain:Matthew21:22,"Andallthings,whatsoeveryeshallaskinprayer,
believing,yeshallreceive."Reader,does"allthings,whatsoever"includeyoursickness?Yes.
Mark9:23,"Jesussaiduntohim[thefatherofthedemon-possessedboy],Ifthoucanstbelieve,allthingsarepossibletohimthatbelieveth."Reader,does"allthings"hereincludeyoursickness?Yes.
Mark11:24,"ThereforeIsayuntoyou,Whatthingssoeveryedesire,whenyepray,believethatyereceive[orhavereceived]them,andyeshallhavethem."Reader,dothesewords"Whatthingssoeveryedesire,whenyepray"includeyoursickness?Yes.
John15:7,"Ifyeabideinme,andmywordsabideinyou,yeshallaskwhatyewill,anditshallbedoneuntoyou."
Reader,dothesewords"Yeshallaskwhatyewill,anditshallbedoneuntoyou"includeyoursickness?Mostassuredly,ifonlyyouwillmeettheconditionslaiddown.WhenyoudomeettheseconditionsofJohn15:7,andtheHolyGhostiscontrollingyouinthought,wordanddeed,aspiritofpraise,thanksgiving,andjoywilldominateyou."ThejoyoftheLord"willthenbeyourstrength.
PraiseGod,Hispromisesaresure,andHeisabletomeetoureveryneed.
ASTARTLINGQUESTION
WhyisitthatfarmoresoulstodayarebeingwontoChristbythe
evangelistswhobelievethatJames5:14isacommandofGodtobeobeyedbyallsaintsthanbyanyotherevangelists?Thisisastartlingfact.
Inonethree-weekcampaignwherethesickwerebeinganointedandprayedfor,thewritersawfrom500to1,000soulscomingtoGodnightafternight.Inonemeeting,inaChinesetheater,theevangelistpreachedto900heathenChinesethroughaninterpreter,and400ofthemcametoGodandwerewonderfullysaved.TheHolyGhostwastherewithtremendousconvictingpower.Thenfollowedthemostremarkablehealingservicewehaveeverwitnessed.Blindeyeswereopened;deafearswereunstopped;goitersmeltedaway;andallkindsofdiseaseswerehealedbythemightypowerofGod.
Theinterpreter'swife,whohadbeenbroughtinonastretcherdyingoftuberculosis,wasanointedandprayedforandwascompletelyhealed.Sheisperfectlywelltodayaftersevenyears.
ManysplendidBibleteachersandpreachersaretodaybitterlyopposingallevangelistswho"anointwithoil"prayforthesickinpublic,asChristandHisdisciplesusedtodo.
Christpreachedandhealedinpublic.SeeMatthew8:16;Matthew9:35;andMark1and2.AllChrist'smiracleswerewroughtinpublic.ChristtoldHisdisciplestopreachandhealinpublic(Matt.10:6-8).Christcommanded"theSeventy"topreachandhealinpublic(Luke10:1-12).PeterandJohnhealedinpublic(Acts3:6-11).Paulpreachedandhealedinpublic(Rom.15:18,19).
CanyoufindanythingintheWordforbiddingmentopreachandprayforthesickinpublic?No.ThenletusbecarefulhowwecriticizetheseservantsofGod,forBibleteachersandevangelistswhohavebitterlyopposedthismovementhavebecomeharshandhavelosttheirsoul-winningpower.TheyseemtohavegrievedtheHolyGhost.
Yes,eachofthesemuch-malignedevangelistswhoprayspubliclyforthesickistodaywinningfarmoresoulstoGodeachyearthanallhisopponentscombined.
Soul-winning,remember,isnottheworkofman,butofGod;sowhenGodisthusblessingtheseevangelistswhoprayforthesickaccordingtoJames5:14,weareforcedtotheconclusionthatthesearethemenmosthonoredbytheblessedHolySpirit,becausetheyarelivingnearesttothecenterofGod'swillandareobeyingHisWordasotherevangelistsarenot.
Ephesians3:20,"Nowuntohimthatisabletodoexceedingabundantlyaboveallthatweaskorthink,accordingtothepower
[dunamis,HolyGhostpower]thatisconstantlyworkinginus[exactmeaninghereofpresentparticiple],"etc.
Reader,towhatextentistheHolySpiritconstantlyworkinginyou?TheanswertothisquestionwilldeterminethemeasureofyourusefulnesstoGod.Remember,itiswritten(Zech.4:6),"Notbymight,norbypower,butbymyspirit,saiththeLordofhosts."
AddendaNotes
I.Frompage19.Thisisexactlywhatweshouldexpect,forMark16:20declaresthatafterChristascendedtoheavenandsatontherighthandofGod,thediscipleswentforthandpreachedeverywhere,theLordconstantlyworkinginconjunctionwiththem(sunergountos),andconfirmingHisWordwithsignsfollowing.Thisistheexacttranslationofsunergountos,thepresentparticiple,genitive,ofsunergeo(Iworkinconjunctionwith).
SinceMarkhereemphaticallyassertsthatChrist,afterHehadascendedtoGod'srighthand,didstillcontinuetoconstantlyworkinconjunctionwithHisdisciples(theexactmeaninghereofthepresentparticiple),andsocausedmiraclestohappen,whyshouldwenotbelievehim?
II.Frompage32.ListentoEphesians1:14,"Which[theSpirit]istheearnestofourinheritanceuntiltheredemption[apolutrosis]ofthepurchasedpossession."Paulheredeclaresthatwehavealreadybeenpurchased,thepriceforourredemptionhasbeenpaid,butwearenotyetfreefromtheconsequencesofourformersinfulstate.ThiscompleteandfinalfuturefreedomPaulheretermsourapolutrosis.
III.Frompage81.WasChristinanydoubtconcerningGod'swillwhenHesaidinthegarden,"Neverthelessnotmywill,butthinebedone"?No!HeknewthatHehadcometothisworldasGod'ssinlessLambtodieforman'ssin.
InthefollowingpassagesHedeclaresoverandoveragainthatHemustdieandriseagainthethirdday.SeeMatthew20:18and19;Mark8:31,9:31,and10:34;Luke18:32and33,24:45and46;andJohn2:19-22and6:51.Thesepassages,togetherwithActs2:23,provethatChristwellknewitwastheFather'swillthatHeshoulddieonthecross.When,however,HefacedtheawfulagonyofthatRomanfloggingandthephysicalsufferingofthecrucifixion,Hishumannaturerevolted,and,seeingthis,SatanurgedHimnottocarryoutHisFather'swill.Remember,Christwastemptedinallpoints"likeasweare,yetwithoutsin"(Heb.4:15).BythepoweroftheHolyGhost,HeconqueredSatanandcriedout,"Notmywill,butthinebedone,"butHewellknewitwasGod'swillthatHeshoulddie.
Inthefaceofthisfact,itisperfectlyabsurdtoteachthatallChristianstodayshouldpray,asChristprayedinthegarden,"Neverthelessnotmywill,butthinebedone."HeneverhadadoubtregardingGod'swill.
WhenBibleteachersassertthatalltrueprayermustincludetheproviso,"ifitbethywill,"whatwillsuchteachersdowithGod'sowndeclarationinIsaiah45:11?"ForthussaiththeLordGod,theHolyOneofIsrael...enquireofmeconcerningmysons,andconcerningtheworksofmyhandscommandme"(Septuagint).
IsmantheworkofGod'shands?Yes.ThenGodheresays,"Concerningtheworksofmyhandscommandme"?Onethingiscertain,
Isaiah45:11cannevermeananythingtothetimidsaintwhoalwaysprayswiththeproviso"ifitbethywill."SuchpersonswillneverevendesiresufficientfaithtoactasGodcommandsallHissaintstoactinIsaiah45:11.
BooksByKennethE.Hagin
*RedeemedFromPoverty,SicknessandSpiritualDeath*WhatFaithIs*SevenVitalStepsToReceivingtheHolySpirit*RightandWrongThinkingPrayerSecrets*'AuthorityoftheBeliever(foreignonly)*HowToTurnYourFaithLooseTheKeytoScripturalHealingPrayingToGetResultsThePresent-DayMinistryofJesusChristTheGiftofProphecyHealingBelongstoUsTheRealFaith*TheIntercedingChristianHowYouCanKnowtheWillofGodManonThreeDimensionsTheHumanSpiritTurningHopelessSituationsAroundCastingYourCaresUpontheLordSevenStepsforJudgingProphecyTheOriginandOperationofDemonsDemonsandHowToDealWithThemMinisteringtotheOppressedBibleAnswerstoMan'sQuestionsonDemonsFaithFoodforAutumnFaithFoodforWinterFaithFoodforSpringFaithFoodforSummer*TheNewBirth*WhyTongues?*InHim*God'sMedicine*YouCanHaveWhatYouSayHowToWriteYourOwnTicketWithGodDon'tBlameGodWordsPleadYourCase*HowToKeepYourHealingLayingonofHandsABetterCovenantHavingFaithinYourFaithFiveHindrancestoGrowthinGraceWhyDoPeopleFallUnderthePower?TheBibleWayToReceivetheHolySpiritGodlinessIsProfitableIWenttoHellThreeBigWordsObedienceinFinancesHisNameShallBeCalledWonderfulPaul'sRevelation:TheGospelofReconciliationHowToWalkinLoveThePreciousBloodofJesusLoveNeverFails
HowGodTaughtMeAboutProsperityLearningToForgetTheComingRestorationTheGiftsandCallingofGodSignsoftheTimesLearningToFlowWiththeSpiritofGodTheGloryofGodHearandBeHealedKnowingWhatBelongstoUs*NewThresholdsofFaith*PrevailingPrayertoPeaceConcerningSpiritualGiftsBibleFaithStudyCourseBiblePrayerStudyCourseTheHolySpiritandHisGifts*TheMinistryGifts(StudyGuide)SevenThingsYouShouldKnowAboutDivineHealingElShaddaiZoe:TheGod-KindofLifeACommonsenseGuidetoFastingMustChristiansSuffer?TheWomanQuestionTheBeliever'sAuthorityMinisteringtoYourFamilyWhatToDoWhenFaithSeemsWeakandVictoryLostTheNameofJesusGrowingUp,SpirituallyBodilyHealingandtheAtonementExceedinglyGrowingFaithUnderstandingtheAnointingIBelieveinVisionsUnderstandingHowToFighttheGoodFightofFaithTheArtofIntercessionPlans,Purposes,andPursuitsHowYouCanBeLedbytheSpiritofGodAFreshAnointing
BOOKSBYKENNETHHAGINJR
"Man'sImpossibility—God'sPossibilityBecauseofJesusTheKeytotheSupernatural*FaithWorkethbyLoveBlueprintforBuildingStrongFaith*SevenHindrancestoHealing*ThePastTenseofGod'sWordHowToMaketheDreamGodGaveYouComeTrueFaithTakesBackWhattheDevil'sStolen"ThePrisonDoorIsOpen—WhatAreYouStillDoingInside?"ItchingEarsWhereDoWeGoFromHere?HowToBeaSuccessinLifeGetAcquaintedWithGod
ShowdownWiththeDevilUnforgivenessTheAnswerforOppressionIsYourMiraclePassingYouBy?CommandingPowerTheLifeofObedienceMinisteringtotheBrokenheartedGod'sIrresistibleWordHealing:ForeverSettledDon'tQuit!YourFaithWillSeeYouThrough
*ThesetitlesarealsoavailableinSpanish.Informationaboutother
foreigntranslationsofseveraloftheabovetitles(i.e.,Dutch,Finnish,French,German,Indonesian,Polish,Russian,Swahili,andSwedish)maybeobtainedbywritingto:KennethHaginMinistries,P.O.Box50126,Tulsa,Oklahoma74150-0126.