2.11. Who Has the Power to Heal
CHAPTER 11 WHO HAS POWER TO HEAL?
During His earthly ministry, Jesus healed "All manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people." Matthew 4:23. The glorious ministry of deliverance which was begun by Jesus was to continue through His disciples, Hs followers, and believers.
Jesus called unto Him His twelve disciples (Matthew 10:1) and "gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease."
Then He sent them forth "to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick." Luke 9:2.
"After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them̘ into every city and place." Luke 10:1. He commanded these seventy to preach the gospel, but that was not all He commanded the m to do. he said, "And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." Luke 10:9. At the close of this journey, the seventy returned to Jesus with joy, saying, "Even the devils are subject unto us through thy name Luke 10:17.
Before Jesus went back to heaven, He left with His followers the mighty promise, "Verily, verily I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." John 14:12.
Many preachers who deny the miracle working power of Jesus Christ in His church today admit that Christ healed the sick, but declared that the day of miracles is past, and that the sick cannot be healed by the power of God today because Jesus is gone. But He plainly stated that His going DID NOT mean the end of miracles, but rather an increase in miracles. His last commission to those whom He left behind to carry on His work (found in Mark 16:15-16) was, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In My name shall they cast out devils;... they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. " Matthew adds, "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD." Matthew 28:20.
According to Mark, as soon as he had spoken these words, Jesus was "received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of god. And they (the disciples to whom He gave this commission) went forth, and preached everywhere, the lord WORKING WITH THEM, and confirming the word with signs following." Mark 16:19-20. This was in fulfillment of His promise in Matthew 28:20. Although it is indeed true that He is in heaven, it is certainly scriptural to say that He is still WITH THOSE WHO BELIEVE AND
PREACH HIS GOSPEL, for He said He would be, even unto the end of the world! He is with them, confirming his word with the same signs following, that are listed in Mark 16:17-18.
After Christ ascended into heaven, the church was born on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:1-47). That church, filled with the power of the Spirit, continued the same ministry which Christ had begun.
We find in Acts 3:2, "A certain man lame from his mothers womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful. When Peter and john came by, they said, "Look on us." Peter continued, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."
Acts 3:6. Peter took him by the hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. "And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them unto the temple, walking and leaping, and praising God." Verse 8. here we find the spirit-filled followers of Jesus continuing the same glorious ministry of deliverance, even after Jesus had returned to heaven. The people were filled with wonder and amazement at this mighty miracle which thy had witnessed. They had thought, even as do many church members today, that since Christ Himself was gone from earth, they would see no more miracles. Many of them began to ascribe divinity to those through whose hands the miracle had been wrought. Peter, with rare but commendable humility stopped them immediately, answering them, "Ye men or Israel, why marvel ye at this? Or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk...His (Jesus) name, THROUH FAITH IN HIS NAME hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know; yea the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all." Verse 16. No man has this power IN HIMSELF. But it is available to EVERY BELIEVER. Christ Himself used no power which He did not make available to His followers. The things he sis while in the body were don as a pattern to those whom He left in the world to complete the work which He had begun. (See 1 Peter 2:21-24). The gifts of the Spirit, listed in 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, and the commandments of Christ to His followers, cover ALL THE MIRACLES THAT CHRIST EVER PERFORMED. He used no power which He did not make available to His followers even unto the end of the world.
Stephen was a deacon in the first church. But he was "full of faith, and power (and) did great wonder’s and miracles among the people." Acts 6:8.
Philip, another of the first deacons, went down to Samaria and preached Christ there. "And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed." Acts 8:6-7.
Twenty-nine years after the ascension of Christ, Paul was still healing the sick. (Acts 28:8-9).
Although Paul was not among those who heard the commission and promises of Jesus on the mount of Olives before He ascended, "God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: so that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them." Acts 19:11-12.
Here, may we introduce a word of warning. The miracles of Paul became so outstanding, that even some whose lives had not been purified by faith came to believe that miracles could surely be done in the name of Jesus. (Acts 19:13-18). These had not made contact with Jesus themselves, but knew him only as "Jesus, whom Paul preacheth." When they attempted to cast out demons in that name, they were recognized by the demons as having no authority. They believed what they had seen - the miracles which they had seen Paul perform. But they DID NOT have faith in God. They did not believe that God would work miracles by their hands because of his direct word to them. They did not prove their faith in God by believing commands as well as His promises, and by living lives of consecration and holiness. Many sincere people today have met with disappointment and discouragement because they have tried to appropriate Gods promises without being careful to fulfill His commands. The name of Jesus is not a charm. It possesses no magic. But it does possess power when used by those to whom He has given His "power of attorney," the right to do business for him in his name. This includes all those who truly believe and act upon ALL Gods word. The early church was a powerful church, because the members of that church believed God.
They believed in holy living, because God said, "Be ye holy." They feared sin, because they had seen sin revealed through the gift of discernment, and liars struck dead for their sin (Acts 5:1-42.) They believed that they could do miracles in the name of Jesus because he had said, "The works that I do shall ye do also." And because they believed God, God worked with them, confirming the word with sings and wonders. God has not changed. Any church today can have the same power, if they will meet the same conditions.
Twenty-six years after the ascension of Christ, the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, saying, "For God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that MIRACLES, then GIFTS OF HEALINGS." 1 Corinthians 12:28. That same church is still at work in the world today and will be until the trumpet sounds and the first resurrection takes place, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 is fulfilled. then the work of the church on this earth will have been completed, and that church will rise to meet the lord in the air. As long as that church, its pastors and members believe the word of God it shall continue, in the mighty name of Jesus, to heal the sick and to perform miracles. Jesus declared, "These sings shall follow them that believe...they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover."
Mark 16:17. then, gifts of the spirit, or the performing of miracles, or he healing of the sick, has not been confined alone to a few chosen people in the early church, nor to a few preachers today, but as long as there is a believer on the earth, miracles can be performed in the name of Jesus.
Nowhere in the scripture is the ministry of healing limited to any particular time, nor to outstanding individuals. Even in the Old Testament, it was Gods plan that all those whom he had set as shepherds over His people should heal the sick. "Woe be to the shepherds of Israel...The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken." Ezekiel 34:1-4.
There was more power In Elishas dead bones (2 Kings 13:1-25; 2 Kings 21:1-26) than there is in some preachers who are very much alive today. Although only one man was healed by coming in contact with Elishas bones, still that is more than can be said for the entire life time of many today who call themselves the shepherds of Gods flock.
If God was so displeased with the shepherds of Israel who did not heal the sick, what must be His attitude toward the shepherds of His New Testament church, who having His commission to do the works that He did, not only refuse to heal the sick, but criticize and persecute those who do!
There was more power in Peters shadow than in the bodies of many of those who claim to be his successors, in ministering to the church of Jesus Christ. (Acts 5:1-42).
There was more power in handkerchiefs and aprons which had come in contact with the body of Paul than in many great "fundamental" religious bodies today. (Acts 19:11-12). Has God changed? No! The church Jesus purchased with His blood is still performing miracles and healing the sick. Those who dare to believe Gods promises and stand on His word can still IN THE NA E OF JESUS heal the sick. God has given those who believe AUTHORITY over all devils and to cure diseases. (Luke 9:1).
Many will declare that only God has authority over devils and to cure diseases. In one sense, this is true. But it is also true that god chooses to delegate that authority to His Son. Accepting that authority form the Father, Jesus, during His earthly ministry COMMANDED demons, unclean spirits, and diseases to depart. they recognized His authority and were obedient to Him. just before He returned to heaven, Jesus delegated that same authority to those who believe in his name. This gives the true believer the right to use the name of Jesus in making requests to god, and in giving commands to demons and diseases. (See John 14:10-14). The purpose of Jesus in making this arrangement was to provide for his work to be continued in His absence. When the believer accepts this authority, and uses the name of Jesus reverently in this way, the effect is the same although Jesus Himself has spoken, for God has chosen to honor such prayers and commands. The believer has no power of his own, and can do nothing in his own name, but all things are subject to the name of Jesus.
Those who attempt to use this name WITHOUT BEING QUALIFIED TO USE IT, by believing an being obedient to Jesus, not only will find that no results come, but may be penalized for "forgery," as were the seven sons of Sceva (Acts 19:14-16).
There are very few scriptures which refer to praying for the sick. In most cases a few words of command, spoken by the one having authority, was all that was needed. Jesus did not pray for the sick. He HEALED the sick, and COMMANDED THE DEMONS TO DEPART. Peter and John did not pray for the man at the beautiful gate of the temple. They COMMANDED him, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, to rise up and walk. (Acts 3:6) Paul first prayed, then laid his hands upon Publius father and HEALED him. (Acts 28:8). Demons and diseases are still subject to the commands in JESUS NAME of them that believe. Since the day that we recognized this truth in Gods Word, we have seen multitudes delivered from demons and set free from all manner of diseases at our command. These cases include cancers, goiters, tumors, sinus trouble, tuberculosis, asthma, heart disease, and many others. We do not claim that this is evidence of a special gift, not of special favor with God. It is done IN JESUS NAME, and by the authority which God has promised to them that believe.
Although, in the majority of cases, the word of command in Jesus name is all that is necessary to bring deliverance there are also scriptures, which prove the necessity of prayer in some cases. If, after you have gone through the healing line, hands being laid upon you and our disease commanded to depart, you still do not receive deliverance, do not hesitate to take advantage of the provision in James 5:14-16. Your failure to be delivered may be the result of unconfessed sin.
If such be the case, confess your faults, ask these trusted elder to pray for you that you may be delivered from both sickness and sin. When Miriam was stricken with leprosy as a result of her sin against Moses, she and her brother Aaron begged Moses to pray for her. He cried unto God, "Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee." The true believer in the lord Jesus Christ is aware that God will not heal an unrepentant sinner, nor and enemy of the Cross. He will not knowingly use his authority to do anything which Jesus Himself would not do, if He were present in the body. Those who are still in bondage to sin do well to first seek help in prayer that they might be set free from sin. When they have done this, gods promise is definite. "the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the lord shall raise him up, and if he have committed sins they shall be forgiven him." James 5:15.
Much sickness is a direct result of demon oppression. (Acts 10:38). Jesus did not say, "pray for the demon oppressed and demon possessed." He said, "Cast out demons." Prayer alone will not drive out demons. Fasting and prayer, seeking the face of God, and repentance from all known sin is in some cases necessary to prepare the hearts of both those who need deliverance and those who come in the name of the lord to bring deliverance, that they may be ready to enter the battle with Satan and claim victory over him. but until those demons hear the word of command, given by faith, in Jesus name, and by one who has authority to use that name, THEY WILL NOT MOVE. They do not have to go, and they know it.
Jesus disciples once attempted to cast a demon out of a boy, while Jesus was on the mountain fasting and praying. They knew the power of Jesus name. They had cast out demons before.
They were sure this one would go. But this stubborn demon refused to go. They were much distressed by the apparent failure of the authority which they understood to be theirs. But they were not content to say, "The time when we could work miracles is past." When Jesus had cast out the demon, they inquired of Him, why they had failed. Jesus replied, "Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you. If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed... nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." Matthew 17:20-21. These men had been given authority over demons SO LONG AS THEY HAD FAITH. When faith was allowed to become dormant because of a lack of communion with God, they became powerless. Faith must be fed by frequent times of being shut away with God, with all the demands of the flesh set aside - times of fasting and prayer - in order that it may be strong to overcome the power of Satan and deliver those who are oppressed or possessed of the devil.
Satan was defeated at Calvary. But he refuses to acknowledge defeat. He yields only when and what he must. The ground must be taken step by step. To be able to do this, the spirit-filled minister today must have explicit faith in Calvarys victory over Satan, must live a life out of touch with sin, must not be concerned with any personal gain, but stand only for Gods right against Satan. There must be no un-crucified flesh in his life. Then and then only will Satan admit his defeat.
It is surprising that some good people today desire to be able to exercise this power, yet reject the source of that power, THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST. Jesus Himself did no miracle, cast out no demons, until first God had anointed Him with the Holy Ghost and with power. (Acts 10:38; John 2:11). His promise to the disciples was, "But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you". Acts 1:8.
If Jesus Himself would not attempt this work alone, and encouraged His disciples to wait until the Spirit had come to endue them with power from on high before attempting this work, surely those who would claim power and authority over demons and disease today should first be filled with the Spirit. The early church was a powerful church because it was a spirit filled, God centered, God fearing church. The phenomenal growth of that church from 120 (Acts 1:15) to 3, 000 (Acts 2:41) to 5, 000 (Acts 4:4) to "multitudes" (Acts 5:1-42) can only be attributed to one thing. The SUPERNATURAL POWER OF GOD WAS WORKING. The gifts of the spirit were in operation. The church loved God, feared sin, and was FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST.
Only when God can find a group of people who answer this description today, will revival come to this sin-blinded, human-controlled, self sufficient, Christ rejecting, pleasure mad, movie minded, cigarette smoking, beer guzzling, drink and dope crazed, judgment bound world. When the church again lifts its voice in one accord to God, as did the early church, when they cried out, "And now lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that sings and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus." Acts 4:29-30, then will God hear from heaven, revival will sweep our land as in the days gone by. Multitudes again will be saved, filled with the Holy Ghost, and healed by the power of God.
God has not withdrawn the delegation of His authority over demons and disease from those who believe Him, both His commands and His promises, and act upon their faith.