Scriptural Healing InstructionsThis document is an effort to learn what the Bible says about the subject of healing. What is healing? Think about how you feel and what you are able to accomplish when you are suffering from a sickness or other malady. Think about how well you know your mind and body are capable of functioning. The difference between the two is healing for you. It is the same for others. The first part contains scriptures that give us instructions about the various aspects of healing. The second part contains scripture references to examples of healing in the Bible and notes about what we could learn from them. Deliberate effort has been made to avoid trying to end with a concluding formula that “should” produce a healing every time—because the Bible contains no such formula and from the examples in it, we can see God working in a diversity of ways. If there is any one lesson we can learn from the Bible, it is to first consider God’s working in our lives, and then consider lifestyle changes, diets, herbs, diagnoses, treatments, medicines, etc.
Part 1 – Scriptures That Tell Us About the Nature of HealingThe Eternal is our healer. Ex 15:26 and said, "If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you." Pslm 103:1-4 …Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, The Eternal heals broken spirits from catastrophes, as well as physical diseases. Pslm147:2
The LORD builds up Healing occurs naturally in the body. The same word rapha (Strong's #7495) is used to describe natural healing as well as divine healing. The body’s ability to heal itself is certainly miraculous. Lev
Lev
Lev 14:3 "And the priest shall go out of the camp, and the priest shall examine him; and indeed, if the leprosy is healed in the leper, 2Kngs
Healing and health comes from obedience to parents. Ex
Prov
Listening to wise people can bring health. This includes doctors,
other health professionals, and “alternative medicine” practitioners—provided
that they have true health wisdom. Unfortunately, some people in these
categories provide poor treatments designed primarily to make money for them.
In no case should one consider going to “spiritual” health practitioners who
utilize wisdom from spirits that are not from the Creator (Isa Prov
Prov
Prov
Healing is something that people can cause to happen. Ex
Things can be "healed", such as mold in houses, or water sources. Lev
2Kngs
Pslm 60:2 You have made the earth tremble; You have broken it; Heal its breaches, for it is shaking. Healing sometimes occurs on a national level. Isa
Isa 30:26 …In the day that the LORD binds up the bruise of His people And heals the stroke of their wound. People sometimes fail to understand when they have been healed by the Eternal. Hos 11:2 As they called them, So they went from them; They sacrificed to the Baals, And burned incense to carved images. 3 "I taught Ephraim to walk, Taking them by their arms; But they did not know that I healed them. The Eternal intentionally lets evil come upon us to help us return to Him: Hos
Unrepentant people can appear to impart a measure of healing, but God will send something worse upon them. Jer
Jer
Rev 13:3 And I saw one of its heads as having been slain to death, and its deadly wound was healed. And all the earth marveled after the beast. The Eternal sends some diseases from which one cannot be healed: If he is trying to get your attention by sending you a disease, no modern medicine will cure it. (On the other hand, if you have a disease that is completely hopeless by modern medicine, He can heal you.) Deut
28:27 "The LORD will strike you with the boils of Deut 28:35 "The LORD will strike you in the knees and on the legs with severe boils which cannot be healed, and from the sole of your foot to the top of your head.” Deut 32:39 “Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.” Jer 30:12 "For thus says the LORD: 'Your affliction is incurable, Your wound is severe. 13 There is no one to plead your cause, That you may be bound up; You have no healing medicines. 14 All your lovers have forgotten you; They do not seek you; For I have wounded you with the wound of an enemy, With the chastisement of a cruel one, For the multitude of your iniquities, Because your sins have increased. Lam
Nah
The Eternal sometimes chooses to heal or not heal according to His own time schedule or even the actions of third parties. Eccl 3:2 A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; 3 A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; Isa 57:15 For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones. 16 For I will not contend forever, Nor will I always be angry; For the spirit would fail before Me, And the souls which I have made. 17 For the iniquity of his covetousness I was angry and struck him; I hid and was angry, And he went on backsliding in the way of his heart. 18 I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him, And restore comforts to him And to his mourners. 19 "I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near," Says the LORD, "And I will heal him." Jer
30:17 For I will restore health to you And heal you of your wounds,' says the LORD, 'Because they called you an
outcast saying: "This is Jer
33:5 'They [Israel] come to fight with the Chaldeans, but only
to fill their places with the dead bodies of [Israelite] men whom I will
slay in My anger and My fury, all for whose wickedness I have hidden My face
from this city. 6 'Behold, I will bring it health and healing;
I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth. 7
'And I will cause the captives of Jer
51:8 Hos
7:1 "When I would have healed Healing comes about because of repentance and departure from sin. 2Chr 7:14 "if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Pslm 41:4 I said, "LORD, be merciful to me; Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You." Prov 3:7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. Isa
Jer
Jer
Jer
8:22-9:6 Is there no balm in Jer
Jer
Jer
Hos
14:1 O Healing comes about because we are fasting and/or humble and because we have regard for the lowly/poor. Pslm 41:1 …Blessed is he who considers the poor; The LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. 2 The LORD will preserve him and keep him alive, And he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies. 3 The LORD will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed. 4 I said, "LORD, be merciful to me; Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You." Isa 57:15 For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones. 16 For I will not contend forever, Nor will I always be angry; For the spirit would fail before Me, And the souls which I have made. 17 For the iniquity of his covetousness I was angry and struck him; I hid and was angry, And he went on backsliding in the way of his heart. 18 I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him, And restore comforts to him And to his mourners. 19 "I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near," Says the LORD, "And I will heal him." Isa 58:6 " Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Healing occurs because we will praise God when we are well. Pslm 107:19 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. 20 He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. 21 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! 22 Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And declare His works with rejoicing. Healing may not occur during our physical life time. These verses mention healing in the same context as final redemption when Messiah and his servants are reigning. Pslm 103:3-4: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Mal 4:1 "For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up," Says the LORD of hosts, "That will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves. Lack of compassion of leaders is a reason for non-healing. Ezk
34:2"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Zech 11:16 "For indeed I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will not care for those who are cut off, nor seek the young, nor heal those that are broken, nor feed those that still stand. But he will eat the flesh of the fat and tear their hooves in pieces. Compassion and a willingness of a righteous person to suffer on behalf of another is often associated with healing. The Messiah was the primary example of this. Isa 53:4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. 9 And they made His grave with the wicked -- But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. 11 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors. Messiah healed large numbers of people, apparently without regard to their spiritual state, so he could teach them. Matt
Boldness is required for powerful healing. Act
Healing is gift that not all brethren have. 1Co 12:7 But to each one is given the showing forth of the Spirit to our profit. 8 For through the Spirit is given to one a word of wisdom; and to another a word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; 9 and to another faith by the same Spirit; and to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 1Co 12:28 And God set some in the church, firstly, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers, then works of power, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, kinds of languages. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of power? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak languages? Do all interpret? The single most comprehensive healing instruction is found in James 5:13-16. Those in need of healing frequently do just some of it—and one praying for oneself is often enough to yield results. But if we are still suffering, it is worthwhile to consider every step. Notice that prayer is mentioned four times: praying for oneself, elders praying, praying for one another as we confess our faults, and righteous people praying. There may be some overlap, but each should be considered. Cheerful people singing psalms is part of this—being around them can do wonders for a sick person. (If someone like that is not available, an audio recording of uplifting music is the next best thing.) Jam
Healing is through the suffering of Christ. 1Pe 2:24 He Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that dying to sins, we might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. Healings are one sign of a true apostle. 2Co
In the New Heavens and the New Earth, Pure water and leaves will be used for healing—certainly symbolically and probably literally. Rev 22:1 And he showed me a pure river of Water of Life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 22 In the midst of its street, and of the river, from here and from there, was the Tree of Life, which bore twelve fruits, each yielding its fruit according to one month. And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. |
Part 2 – Scriptural Examples of HealingThe following table contains nearly all of the examples of healings in the Bible. It includes the casting out of demons when it specifically relates to healing, but otherwise not. It also includes examples when healings did not occur. This writer would be glad to add others examples that you may discover (see contact information at end). The columns have been added so that we can study certain aspects of each healing: The Action of the Healing Agent: All healing comes from the Eternal, but he frequently works through a human agent. When we seek to find or to be a healing agent of the Eternal, we may want to use the techniques used by others. The Action of the Healed: When a person is healed, the Bible records many things that they did immediately before, during or immediately after the healing. When we seek healing, we might consider doing some of those same things, when appropriate. Time Required: When we seek healing, we usually want it instantly—and many biblical healings are that way. However, some are not. We need to realize that this is the Eternal’s will also. Repentance: A significant number of healings in the Bible involve an individual realizing that they have been sinning and their related repentance and healing. Purpose of the Healing: Most of the healings of the Bible appear to have a definite purpose—more than just relieving the suffering of the individual involved. Sometimes that purpose is clearly stated, other times it is apparent by reading the context. We have included those purposes to the extent we believe we understand them. When we personally seek healing, we should try to fit into the Eternal’s purpose, and maybe even remind Him—as David often did—of how we want to fit into His plans. There are two general types of healings. When the Eternal desires to openly show his power to heal, or to shower out blessings on a people, many are healed with little regard to their actions, repentance, etc. Most of Christ’s miracles and some of the Apostle’s miracles are like this. The other type of healings are those that are related to specific events or individuals—where the lesson to the people, who usually already know the Eternal, is the most important. When we seek a healing, can we, like David, insist to the Eternal that he should preserve us because we are living our entire life praising Him and fulfilling his purpose? Or should we, like many of the other struggling people in the scriptures, confess our sin to ask the Eternal to and seek His mercy for our healing? |
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Verses |
Summary |
Action
of the |
Action of the Healed |
Time Required |
Repentance |
Purpose of the Healing |
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Gen 17:15-22; 18:9-15; 21:1-7 |
Sarah is old, never had a child, and is passed the age of childbearing, but the Eternal promises her a child. A year later, she receives one. |
The Eternal directly promised that Abraham and Sarah would be the parents of many nations. Abraham and Sarah were visited by "three men", one apparently the Eternal, (Hebrew YHVH) and two angels (Gen 18:2,13,16,33; 19:1). |
Abraham and Sarah laugh at the idea, but Sarah receives a child anyway. They name him Isaac—meaning "laughter". |
About 3 months. One year till Isaac's birth (Gen 18:10) minus 9 months gestation = 3 months till healing. |
There is no mention of any sin that caused Sarah to be infertile. Both Abraham and Sarah doubted the Eternal, but there is no mention of repentance. |
Hebrew 11:8-16 explains that this miracle was done for Abraham and Sarah because they had faith in the Eternal and did what He said. Faith comes only by a divine miracle; Abraham was the father of the faithful (Rom 4:12-25). |
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Gen 20:1-18 |
Abimelech Takes the beautiful Sarah, Abraham's wife, to himself because Abraham said she was his "sister". The women of Abimelech's household are unable to have children until they are healed. |
Even though the Eternal communicates with Abimelech in a dream, He tells Abimelech that Abraham will pray for his household to bring healing. He acknowledged he should have said that Sarah was his wife. |
Abimelech returned Sarah to Abraham. |
Apparently immediately after Abraham's prayer. |
Abimelech repented of taking another man's wife. (While he didn't know that she was Abraham's wife, he was not exactly diligent to inquire.) |
The Eternal was upholding the sanctity of marriage and showing that Abraham was a prophet. Healing came through the compassion of the offended. |
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Gen 25: 20,21,26 |
Rebekah could was also infertile and received a miracle to be able to have children |
Isaac pleaded with the Eternal for his wife to have children |
Nothing mentioned at the time of healing—but she carried and delivered twins. |
0-19 years: not clear when Isaac asked and when healing occurred. |
There is no mention of any sin in relation to Rebekah's infertility. |
A continuation of the Abraham's lesson: the promises are by faith and miracle from the Eternal. |
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Lev 14:1-32 |
Laws of what to do when one is healed of an infections disease |
The Priest was charged with determining that a healing had taken place, and then the same priest had to offer the sacrifices brought by the person healed. |
The healed person had numerous visible things to do: bring sacrifices, be sprinkled with blood, wash his clothes, shave his hair, remain outside the camp until pronounced clean, etc. |
Time to healing variable, but person cannot come back to camp till the 8th day. |
While repentance is not mentioned specifically, the person was required to offer a "sin offering" (Heb. chatta'ah Strong's #2403) and a "trespass offering" ('asham Strong's #817). |
To show that sickness was a result of sin, that sin requires a sacrifice. The animals' blood represented Messiah's blood and Priests represented Messiah's ongoing, living work. |
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Num 12:1-15 |
Miriam and Aaron wrongly spoke against Moses, them humblest of men, so the Eternal told them that Moses was closer to Him than any other prophet. Miriam was stricken with leprosy, and then healed. |
Moses, the one Miriam offended, had compassion, took responsibility for her sin and prayed or her healing. |
At the Eternal's command, she was "shamed"--shut out of the camp seven days |
Uncertain if healing was immediate or during or at the end of 7 days |
(Nothing is said, but it appears that Miriam repented of speaking against Moses.) |
Moses pleads for the healing of the woman who wronged him--just as Messiah heals the church who wrongs Him. |
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1Sam 30:11-17 |
An Egyptian servant was so sick that his Amalekite master abandoned him. David’s men found him and he told them how to recover all their stolen wives and possessions. |
David’s men fed him water, figs and raisins and promised they would not kill him or return him to his master. |
He kept his promise to show David where his enemies were. |
He was so sick that he was unable to eat or drink for three days. |
There is no mention of any sin on the part of this man and his sickness turned into a blessing. |
Finding this abandoned may was the key to David and his men regaining their wives and possessions. The servant gained is freedom. |
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2Sam 12:13-18 |
David prayed for the life of the son of Bathsheba and himself, but the child died. |
Nathan the prophet told David that the Child would die. |
David fasted and prayed anyway. |
The child died after 7 days. |
David repented of his sin and his own life was spared, but not the child’s life. |
David learned the severity of his sin which caused this death and three others in his family. |
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2Ki 4:16-37 |
A wife of the sons of the prophets, who miraculously received a son when she was “too old”, had her son unexpectedly get sick and die. Elisha’s servant Gehazi was sent and the boy did not recover. Elijah came and he rose from the dead. |
The Eternal did not initially reveal what happened to the boy. When the mother told him, Elisha initially sent Gehazi with his staff. That did not work so Elisha came and stretched himself out on the boy putting his mouth on his mouth, eyes on his eyes, and hands on his hands. |
The boy’s mother came to Elijah, though she was apparently angry with him. The boy did nothing while he was dead, but sneezed seven times as he came back to life. |
Many hours were required: Gehazi’s initial efforts plus Elisha’s. Even after his initial stretching out over the boy, Elisha walked around and did it again. |
None mentioned, though the mother certainly learned a lesson in faith in the Eternal. |
This shows that we must diligently pursue healing. We should not be fearful if our efforts to receive healing do not work. We should try again with another person or another method. The scripture does not say that Elisha was commanded to use the methods he used! |
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1Ki 14:1-17 |
Abijah, son of Jeroboam, became sick and his mother went to the prophet Ahijah to find out what would happen. |
The Eternal himself brought on the sickness and caused the child to die as soon as his mother came back from visiting the prophet. |
The child died and received a decent burial—unlike his parents—because he honored the Eternal. |
Died as prophesied—when his mother returned home. |
It was Jeroboam and his wife that needed to repent, not the boy. |
The Eternal sometimes takes righteous people out of evil environments for their own good. |
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1Ki 17:17-24 |
The son of the woman for whom the Eternal miraculously provided became sick almost to death, but Elijah healed him. |
Elijah carried the son to his own bed, cried out to the Eternal, stretched himself out on the body three times and ask for him to live again. |
The child could do nothing, being dead, but his mother came to Elijah for help—though she was quite angry about the situation. |
The boy did not come back to life until the third request to the Eternal. |
Not clear, but the mother said “now I know that you are a man of God”. If she had not doubted the Eternal’s work, maybe this trial might no have been necessary. |
To show the power with which the Eternal was working in the ministry of Elijah—to sow the people how much power he really has. |
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2Ki 1:2-17 |
Ahaziah fell and became sick, enquired of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron and died. |
Elijah came to Ahaziah and told him he had sinned by going to Baal-zebub and not the Eternal. |
He sent the army after Elijah—and lost 102 men to fire from heaven. |
Ahaziah never got off his bed, but died after some time. |
Even though this was caused by his sin, there is no mention of an attempt to repent. |
People who sin without repentance often die of their sins. |
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2Ki 8:7-15 |
Ben-hadad, King of Syria, sent Hazael to Elisha to see if he would recover of his sickness. Elisha told him that Ben-hadad would recover, but also that he would die. Hazael rightly relayed the message, and fulfilled the prophecy himself by killing Ben-hadad. |
Elijah gave the prophecy just as the Eternal showed him. Hazael was both a faithful carrier of the Eternal’s message, and an instrument of murder which he felt the Eternal would let him get away with. |
Ben-hadad sought the help of the Eternal in Israel when he was sick, but made to effort to follow Him. |
It took some time for him to recover, but he was killed almost immediately afterward. |
There is no mention of any confession of sin or attempt to repent. The Eternal had already chosen Hazael to be King in Syria in order to punish Israel (1Ki 19:15-17). |
King Ben-hadad recovered, but was killed as he was not a generally righteous man and the Eternal had other plans for Syria. |
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1Ki 13:14, 20-21 |
Elisha is sick and dies-is not healed. But later, a dead man was thrown into his grave and came back to life. |
Elisha was an agent of a resurrection—a healing—simply by having his bones present when he was dead. |
Elisha was not healed, but his ministry continued. The resurrected man did nothing to cause it. |
Elisha was sick for some time—the man was dead for some time. |
There is no indication of sin on the part of the Elisha or the resurrected man. |
This shows that the Eternal ultimately does the miracles, and that he can use anyone as an agent—even a dead one. |
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2Ki 20:1-12 |
Hezekiah was sick, Isaiah was sent to tell him he would die, but Hezekiah wept before the Eternal; Who changed and told Isaiah to tell Hezekiah that he would receive 15 more years of life and assign. |
Isaiah was used to convey both the message of death and of healing—which required the preparation of a poultice of figs. How much of the healing was done by the Eternal & how much by the figs? |
He prayed and specifically asked for more years of life as well as a very unusual sign—the shadow going back ten degrees. Other nations' leaders knew Hezekiah was sick. |
3 days. There would be no need for the sign if healing was immediate. |
There does not seem to be any sin on the Part of Hezekiah here—rather that the Eternal was removing him from an evil situation to come in the future. |
This shows that the Eternal takes the thoughts of men into account in his plans. Since the other nations knew Hezekiah was sick, they saw the Eternal's power. |
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2Chr 30:18-27 |
The people of Israel came to eat the Passover without purifying themselves, Hezekiah prayed for them and they were healed. |
Hezekiah prayed and had compassion on the people because their heart was good even though their Scriptural obedience was lacking. |
Nothing stated before the healing, but afterward the people were seeking the Eternal, praising him, feasting to him and confessing their sin. |
Apparently immediate |
The people confessed their sin was well as rejoiced at the Feast. |
This shows that the Eternal is far more interested in people wholeheartedly seeking Him than in precise details, though details are also important. |
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Pslm 6:1-6 |
David pleads for healing—to be healed soon and to be corrected in mercy, not in displeasure or anger |
(David seeks healing directly from the Eternal.) |
"I am weary with my groaning; All night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears (v 6). |
Not stated, but David thinks it is too long! |
None is specifically stated, but David states that the Eternal is correcting him. |
David tells the Eternal that he will not be able to praise Him if his illness kills him. |
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Pslm 30:1-12 |
David rejoices over the healing he received when he cried out to his Father. |
(David receives healing directly from the Eternal.) |
"O LORD my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me." |
Not stated |
Not stated |
David makes numerous promises to continue praising the Eternal after his healing. |
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Pslm 41:1-4 |
David says that the Eternal will heal him because he has regard for the lowly and poor people |
(David seeks healing directly from the Eternal.) |
David had regard for the poor (v1). |
Some time spent "sustained on a sickbed" (v 3) |
David confesses sin against the Eternal (v 4). |
David is demonstrating that the Eternal heals those who consider other's difficulty. |
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Pslm 107:17-22 |
People who rebelled and sinned became so sick that they did not want to eat, but they cried to the Eternal and were healed. |
"He sent forth His word and healed them…" (v 20). |
The healed were admonished to give thanks to God, to give offerings and sing songs telling his great works. |
They were sick and did not eat for so long that they nearly died (v18). |
Sickness was brought on by rebellion and sin (v 17). The entire chapter has a repentance theme. |
A major bible theme: major sin leads to major suffering. If we wholeheartedly cry to God, he grants major healing which should lead to major praise of God. |
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Job (the book) |
Job had great sickness come over him as a result of Satan’s request to be able to tempt him. |
The Eternal allowed Job to suffer many days, then personally explained why to Job. |
Job prayed fervently and made some physical effort to care for his sores, but only divine healing solved it. |
Job was terribly ill for many days—probably many weeks. |
The Bible does not say Job sinned. He learned how small he was and how great is the Eternal. |
By reading, we can learn Job’s lessons and learn not to treat a person as unrighteous just because they are sick. |
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Ezk 47;1-12 |
In the world to come, the waters flowing out from the temple are used to heal the polluted environment ant the people |
The Eternal provided by other water and the leaves of trees for the healing of the people. |
The people need to accept and use those things that the Eternal provided |
Not stated, but it seems more of a process than instant. |
Ezekiel 40-49 picture the land of Israel returning to the Eternal and His rule. |
The water and leaves are certainly symbols of healing the Eternal's healing power, but they may be physical means to healing now. |
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Dan 4:1-37 |
Nebuchadnezzar was warned by a dream not to exalt himself, but a year later he did anyway and his sanity left him for “seven times”, during which he acted like an animal. |
Daniel delivered the meaning of the King’s dream to him, but then the Eternal brought about the insanity and the recovery. |
Nebuchadnezzar openly blessed the Eternal for the dream, but did not live by it. He blessed the Eternal even more after he recovered. |
Seven times—probably seven years—to receive the healing. |
Nebuchadnezzar definitely repented of his pride. |
The Eternal works directly with leaders—even when they are not his “followers”. We must learn not to fear our leaders today, but pray! |
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Matt 4:23-24 |
General healing of numerous people who were sick, paralyzed demon-possessed, crazy |
Christ’s healing was accompanied by His teaching in synagogues and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. |
They had to simply come and receive the blessing. |
All apparently immediate |
Not stated |
To spread the fame of Christ throughout the area—to give authority to his message. |
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Matt 8:1-4 |
Christ cleansed a leper |
Christ “put out his hand and touched” the leper—risking disease himself—and said, “Be clean”. |
He said “Lord, if You will, You can make me clean”. He was asked to tell no one and to offer gift required by Moses. |
Immediate |
Not stated |
For the man’s benefit and to show that Christ was upholding the Levitical ministry of the Old Testament. |
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Matt 8:5-13 |
Christ heals the Centurion’s son/servant. |
Christ offered to come, but when He found great faith, simply spoke the word and it was done |
Centurion told Christ that it was not necessary to come, but that he knew He had the authority to speak and do the job. |
“That very hour”—“the same time” is a reasonable translation. |
Not stated—but there was amazing faith |
Christ found greater faith in the Gentile Centurion than in Israel. Faith is possible without an understanding of the law. |
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Matt 8:14-15 |
Christ healed Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever. |
Christ reached out and touched her hand |
She got up and served him. |
Immediate |
Not stated |
She wanted to be of service to Christ’s ministry—as soon as she was healed, she did. |
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Matt 8:16-17 |
Christ healed those who were sick and possessed by demons. |
The came to him. |
He cast out demons with a word. |
Apparently immediate |
Not stated |
Fulfilling Isa 53:4: “He took on himself our weaknesses and bore our sicknesses”. |
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Mat 8:28-34 |
Christ cast demons out of two exceedingly fierce men into swine, which then drowned in the water. Swine owners asked Christ to leave. |
Christ said to them “Go”. |
They were completely controlled by the demons, incapable of action |
Immediate |
Not stated |
Showed Christ’s power over powerful demons. Also showed that people profiting from unlawful activities (pig raising) do not want Christ and His servants. |
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Matt 9:2-8 |
Christ healed the paralytic—a man confined to bed—and forgave his sins. |
Christ for gave his sins and told him to take up his bed and go home. |
The man went home as instructed, the people rejoiced at the power to heal and forgive sins. |
Immediate |
The man’s sins were clearly forgiven—though the man was spared having them recorded for all time. |
“So that you [the scribes] may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”. |
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Matt 9:18-19, 23-26 Luke 8:41-42, 49-56 |
Christ raises a the only daughter of Jarius, the synagogue-ruler. Everyone thought she was dead. |
Christ put out those who were lacking faith and who laughed at Him and took the girl by the hand and commanded that she be given something to eat. |
The girl was unconscious and had no chance to exhibit faith, but those who asked on her behalf had faith. |
Christ came and put out the unfaithful, then healing was immediate |
Not stated |
Christ showed the need for an atmosphere of faith, and that He has power over death. He also showed that healing does not end our normal care for our bodies. |
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Matt 9:20-22 Luke 8:43-48 |
Woman with a blood flow for 12 years thought she would be healed if she touched his garment—and she was. |
Christ was simply walking and wearing his robe when he felt his power go out from him. The Greek for “power” is dunamis (Strong’s #1411) — miracle working power. |
The woman believed that she would be healed if she touched his robe—even though there is no clear scripture commanding it. |
Immediate |
Not stated |
Christ told her that her faith saved her, yet it was also clear that some kind of power went out from Him to heal her. Does faith unlock the power? |
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Matt 9:27-31 |
Two blind men sought out Christ asking Him to restore their sight. |
He touched their eyes and told them, “according to your faith let it be to you”. |
The said sought out Christ, asked for healing and had faith to receive it that they had faith to receive it. |
Immediate |
Not stated |
To show that faith is sometimes required for healing. |
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Matt 9:35-36 |
Christ preached the Kingdom of God, taught and healed every sickness and disease. |
He was moved with compassion for the people |
They came to Him. |
Not stated |
Not stated |
Showing Christ’s concern for the people who were like sheep without a shepherd. |
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Matt 10:1-42 Mark 6:13 |
Christ sends out the 12 disciples to heal the sick, raise the dead and cast out demons. He gives them power—Greek dunamis (Strong’s #1411). |
They anointed the sick with oil. They had to go without taking any provisions for the trip, and to be persecuted and drug before counsels, etc. |
The people had to receive the disciples and their message to be healed. |
Apparently immediate |
Not stated |
The healings showed that the disciples had authority from Christ to proclaim their message. |
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Matt 12:9-14 |
Christ heals the man with the withered hand in the synagogue on the Sabbath day. |
Christ commanded the man to stretch the withered hand forward, even though the Pharisees planned to destroy him for doing it. |
The man stretched out his hand as commanded. |
Immediate |
Not stated |
This demonstrated Christ’s power and his willingness to physically endanger himself to heal and to show the error of the Pharisee’s teaching. |
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Matt 12:15 & 19:2 |
Great crowds followed Christ and he healed them all. |
Not stated |
They were willing to follow a man their leaders were trying to destroy |
Apparently immediate |
Not stated |
Not stated—possibly the same purpose as many of His other healings |
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Matt 12:22-37 |
Christ cast out a demon that had caused a man to be blind and dumb and the Pharisees accuse him of casting out demons by Beelzebub, prince of demons. |
The only thing stated was the willingness of Christ to suffer ridicule and false condemnation at the hands of the Pharisees. |
None stated |
Immediate |
Not stated |
Christ taught the lesson that those who falsely accused Him—who blasphemed the Holy Spirit—will not be forgiven. |
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Matt 13:54-58 |
Christ could do no mighty works—Greek dunamis (Strong’s #1411)—because of the unbelief in His home town. |
None |
They people who knew Christ as a child had doubt and unbelief. |
No time—no healings. |
The people were not repentant. |
This demonstrated that without faith, even Christ could do no might work. |
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Matt 14:13-14 & 15:30-32 |
Great crowds followed Christ out of town on foot. Moved with compassion, he healed them. |
He had compassion on the people, so he healed them. |
Willing to follow Christ a long way without any food. |
Apparently immediate |
Not stated |
To show that Christ had compassion for people even while they were sinners. |
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Matt 14:35-36 |
People of Gennesaret touched him and touched Christ’s robe and were made perfectly whole. |
Christ was present and wore his robe. |
The people brought all who were sick and were healed when they only touched his robe. |
Immediate |
Note stated |
Not stated—possibly the same purpose as many of His other healings. |
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Matt 15:22-28 |
A Canaanite woman asks Christ to heal her daughter. He says he is sent only to Israel, but she says that even the dogs get the crumbs from the master’s table. |
He first ignored the woman, then said that he was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, but upon seeing her faith, healed her daughter. |
The daughter had no action, but her mother had faith to persist in her request and humbled herself to the level of a “dog” to receive a healing. |
A few minutes were required to convince Christ, then healing was immediate. |
Not stated |
When great faith is exhibited, Christ will actually alter His intended mission and heal others to whom he was not sent. |
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Matt 20:29-34 |
Christ healed two blind men who cried out to Him. |
Christ first asked them what they wanted Him to do for them. He had compassion on them and touched their eyes. |
They continued to ask for healing even though the crowd told them to be quiet. |
Immediate after their persistent asking. |
Not stated |
Showing the need for persistence to the Eternal for some healings. |
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Matt 21:12-16 |
Christ cast the money-changers out of the Temple and healed the blind and lame there. |
Christ was willing to take action that threatened his life. |
The blind and lame were willing to come to a man whom “the authorities” despised. |
Apparently immediate |
Not stated |
Christ cast out money-changers who know they should not be in the temple and showed his divine power by healing. |
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Mark 3:10-12 Luke 6:17-19 |
Christ healed so many people who wanted to touch Him that he had to go out to sea in a boat. Demons tried to reveal aspects of His mission he was not ready to teach. |
Christ had a desire to heal all the people and had to fight evil demons to do it. Power—Greek dunamis (Strong’s 1411)—went out from him. |
They pushed through the crowds to physically touch Christ to be healed. |
Apparently immediate |
Not stated |
Not stated—possibly the same purpose as many of His other healings. |
|
Mark 6:55-56 |
People where carried to Christ in their beds and as many who touched him were made whole |
Christ was simply available to be touched. |
They had to actually get to Christ. |
Apparently Immediate |
Not stated |
To establish the power of Christ—those who did not touch Him were not healed. |
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Mark 7:32-37 |
Christ heals a deaf and dumb man. He asks him not to tell anyone. |
Christ took him aside from the multitude, put his fingers in his ears, spit and touched his tongue, and said “be opened”. |
Simply came to Christ. |
Immediate |
Not stated |
This was done to benefit the man. Was this rather lengthy procedure recorded for our benefit? If so how do we use it? |
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Mark 8:22-26 |
Christ heals a blind man in two phases—a very unusual occurrence for him. He asks him not to tell anyone. |
Christ first led the main out of town, spit on his eyes, put His hands on him, and asked him what he saw. The man saw “men as trees walking”. Then Christ put his hands on his eyes and made him look up. |
The healed man sought out Christ and asked him to touch him |
Immediate upon completion of the procedure |
Not stated |
This was done to benefit the man. Again, was this lengthy procedure for our benefit, or did Christ take him out of town and tell him to be quiet about in order to prevent people from trying to do this procecure? |
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Luke 8:1-3 |
Christ healed Mary Magdalene of seven evil spirits as well as infirmities. |
Not stated |
She, along with others, ministered to Christ from their possessions |
Apparently immediate |
Not stated |
Shows that of all the people who received healings, apparently only a group of women sought to provide finances for Christ’s ministry. |
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Luke 10:1-17 |
Christ gave authority to 70 men, sent out two by two, to heal and to cast out demons. |
They had to have the faith to go without any money and depend upon others for their food, clothing and shelter. |
They had to accept these men preaching the Kingdom of God. |
Immediate |
Not stated |
This is the greatest demonstration of Christ working through other people until after His death. |
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Luke 13:11-17 |
On the Sabbath day, Christ healed a woman from a spirit of infirmity that caused her to be bent over for 18 years. |
Christ told her that she was delivered of her infirmity, then laid hands upon her. |
The woman apparently did almost nothing—Christ saw her and decided to heal her |
Immediate after laying on of hands |
Not stated |
Christ showing that deliverance on the Sabbath day is more important than the Pharisee’s rules for it. |
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Luke 14:1-6 |
On the Sabbath day, Christ healed a man with dropsy |
Christ again braved the possible retaliation of the leaders to heal on the Sabbath. |
Not stated |
Immediate |
Not stated |
The famous pulling out an “ox in the pit” analogy was spoken here. |
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Luke 17:12-19 |
Christ heals 10 lepers and only one returns to thank him. |
Christ told them to show themselves to the priests |
They cried out to Christ asking for Him to pity them. Only one, a Samaritan, returned to thank Him |
They were cleansed as they walked to Christ |
Not stated |
Shows that often non-Israelites were more thankful for their healings than those who already knew the Eternal to some degree. |
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Luke 22:49-51 |
When Christ is being betrayed, Peter cut off the ear of the high priest with a sword and Christ healed it. |
Christ touched the ear. |
Apparently nothing. |
Immediate |
Not stated |
Christ had compassion, even on people who were involved in taking His life. |
|
John 4:46-54 |
Christ, in his second miracle, healed the son of a nobleman who was about to die |
Christ told him “your son lives”. |
He made an all-day trip to see Christ, asked Him to come twice, then accepted His word of promised healing. |
Immediate |
Not stated |
Christ showing his power to heal at a distance—even someone who was near death. |
|
John 5:1-16 |
Christ healed a man by the pool of Bethesda who had an infirmity for 38 years. He told him to take up his bed and walk on the Sabbath day. |
Christ told him to rise up and walk. |
The man was willing to do what Christ said, even though it was against the Jewish leader’s rules. |
Immediate |
Not clearly stated, but Christ told him to sin no more lest a worse thing come upon him. |
Christ healed on the Sabbath day in spite of the Jewish leader’s laws. |
|
John 9:1-41 |
Christ healed a man born blind and when the man insisted it was Christ who did it, they cast him out of the Synagogue. |
Christ spat on the ground, made clay from it and put it on the eyes of the blind man. |
The man was willing to honor Christ for what he did and would not be swayed by the Pharisees even though he was cast out of the Synagogue. |
Immediate after the mud was applied. |
Not necessary. This story clearly states that there was no sin involved by the man or his family, but this was done to glorify the Eternal. |
This event was a testimony against the Pharisees who saw the miracle, but who refused to accept the divine authority of Christ. |
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John 11:1-54 |
Lazarus was sick and in the grave for four days. Christ raised him from the dead. |
He cried with a loud voice: “Lazarus, come forth!” Christ risked His own life to do this, as the leaders began to plan to kill him. |
A dead person cannot normally take any action. |
Immediate |
Not stated. |
This shows the complete miraculous power of Christ—and the effect such power has on power-hungry evil men. |
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Acts 3:1-11 |
A well-known man who was lame from birth was healed by Peter in the temple entry way. |
Peter told him he had no silver and gold, but “in the name of Jesus Christ rise up and walk”. Peter took him by the hand had lifted him up. |
He was utterly not expecting the healing, but simply wanted money. He leaped for joy and praised God afterward. |
Immediate |
Not stated |
This healing was much like Christ’s healings—it showed the power of the Eternal at work, but brought on the wrath of the Jewish leadership. |
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Acts 5:15-16 |
Sick people were carried out to the streets so that they could be healed when the shadow of Peter passed over them. |
Peter apparently had to only be close enough that his shadow passed over sick people and they were healed. |
Required the faith to go and seek out Peter—who was being prosecuted by the authorities. |
Immediate |
Not stated |
Christ never did this—but he said his followers would do greater works than He (John 14:12). |
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Acts 8:5-8 |
Philip preached Christ in Samaria and healed many. |
Philip preached Christ—nothing specific about the healings. |
They listened to Phillip’s message and received it and the healings with joy. |
Apparently immediate |
Not stated |
Miracles established the credibility of Philips message. |
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Acts 8:9-11 |
Simon the sorcerer fooled people with false miracles, but they thought he had the power—Greek dunamis (Strong’s #1411) of the Eternal. |
Simon the sorcerer (also known as “Simon Magus”) had no connection with the Eternal, but tried to buy the ability to impart the Holy Spirit. |
Many people were fooled by him. |
Apparently immediate. |
False teachers usually do not ask those the “heal” to repent. |
Some false “healers” may appear very convincing, but if we check them we will find they are interested in power & money, not righteousness. |
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Acts 9:17-18 |
Ananias was used to heal Paul after Christ had struck him blind. |
Ananias put his hands on Paul and scales fell from his eyes. |
Paul obeyed the Eternal’s prior command to come. He was baptized. |
Immediate |
Paul repented of persecuting Christ. |
Even though Paul had a great ministry, his healing came through another brother. We must all work together. |
|
Acts 9:33-35 |
Aeneas healed of paralysis after 8 years lying down |
Peter proclaimed “Jesus the Christ” heals you. |
None stated |
Immediate |
Not stated |
“All who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord” |
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Acts 14:7-12 |
Paul preaches the gospel in Lystra and heals a man who was lame from birth. |
Paul called out with a loud voice: “stand up on your feet!” |
The man “had faith to be healed”. Afterward, he “leapt and walked”. |
Immediate |
Not stated |
To show the power of the Eternal, but the Pagan people attributed it to their gods. |
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Acts 20:9-12 |
Eutychus fell asleep during a long service and fell down from the third floor and died. Paul raised him up. |
Paul embraced him and said that “his soul is in him”. |
None—he was dead. |
Not clear—either instant or it took until morning. |
Not stated—but this was an accident. Dead people do not repent. |
To comfort the people so that they know that the Eternal is with them and cares for their young people. |
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Acts 28:7-10 |
At Melita, Paul heals the father of Publius and many others who are sick. |
Paul prayed and laid hands on him. |
They were very appreciative and treated Paul and the other shipwreck victims well. |
Immediate |
Not stated |
To strengthen Paul’s message and to give favor to Paul and those with him—who needed help. |
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Phil 2:25-29 |
Epaphroditus was sick and near death for a while, but then recovered. |
The Eternal was merciful to him. There is nothing about any human agent involved. |
He continued to do the Eternal’s work when he recovered. |
Apparently many days, but not specific. |
Not stated |
We do not always immediately know why healing takes time. |
|
2Cor 12:6-10 |
Paul was not healed from a “thorn in the flesh”—a “messenger of Satan to buffet me”. Some say this is a disease, others say it was an evil person. |
The Eternal told Paul “my grace is sufficient for you”. |
Paul went to the Eternal three times to be delivered, but was not. |
Not healed until the resurrection |
Ongoing. This problem remained with Paul in order to help be humble in the face of all the revelations he had. |
There was no healing for the reason stated at left. |
|
1Tim 5:23 |
Paul told Timothy to drink wine for his stomach and often infirmities. |
Timothy was apparently not divinely healed of his “infirmities”. |
Drinking wine to physically help the situation |
Apparently not healed until the resurrection |
Not stated |
The public miracles once used to draw attention to the Gospel were not as frequent at this time. |
|
2 Tim 4:20 |
Trophemus (Acts 20:4; 21:9) was left by Paul at Miletus because he was sick. |
Nothing about any human healing agent |
Nothing about his actions or reason for sickness |
Apparently some length of time |
Not stated |
We do not always know why a fellow-believer is sick. |
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Rev 3:7-13 |
The Philadelphia Church was specifically identified as having a “little Strength”, Greek dunamis (Strong’s #1411). |
This Church apparently had little healing strength though they had love and an open door. |
They have “kept the word of my patience” and are promised delivery from the “hour of temptation”. |
Not healed |
No sins of these people mentioned |
Each church had a variety of strengths, weaknesses and benefits. This appears to be just one of them. |
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Note: When the same story is covered in multiple Gospels, only the first Gospel reference is included—unless there are significant details that must be merged from two different accounts. Some stories are combined when the details are essentially the same, even though they may have occurred at different times. |
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By: Norman Scott Edwards, PO Box 474, Port Austin, Michigan 48467; 989-738-7774; PABC@portaustin.net. |