Difference between revisions of "Healing"

<p> Ultimately God is the only one who can heal, because he is the only one who can undo the effects of sin. [[Sickness]] and suffering are characteristics of a world that has been spoiled by sin (&nbsp;Genesis 3:16-19), and healing is part of God’s gracious work in caring for his wayward creatures (&nbsp;Exodus 15:26; &nbsp;2 Kings 1:3-4; &nbsp;Psalms 103:3). </p> <p> Jesus’ miracles of healing showed his power over all the evil consequences of sin, and indicated that the kingdom of God had come (&nbsp;Matthew 4:23; &nbsp;Matthew 8:17; &nbsp;Matthew 9:35; see [[Miracles]] ). When that kingdom reaches its fulfilment in the new heavens and the new earth, all healing will be complete (&nbsp;Revelation 22:1-4; cf. &nbsp;Romans 8:19-23). </p> <p> Usually it is not possible to give a specific theological explanation of a particular suffering that a person experiences. However, in those cases where the suffering is a direct result of personal sin, God’s healing is a sign also of his forgiveness (&nbsp;Psalms 32:1-5; &nbsp;Psalms 41:3-5; &nbsp;Psalms 41:11-12; &nbsp;John 5:13-14; &nbsp;James 5:15-16; see [[Suffering]] ). </p> <p> God may choose to heal people miraculously (&nbsp;Numbers 12:1-15; &nbsp;2 Kings 5:8-14; &nbsp;Matthew 8:2-3; &nbsp;John 4:46-54; &nbsp;John 5:8-9), or by normal processes (&nbsp;2 Kings 20:1-7; &nbsp;Philippians 2:27-30; &nbsp;2 Timothy 4:20), or not at all, depending on his sovereign will (&nbsp;2 Corinthians 12:7-10). He may protect people from diseases or he may not (&nbsp;Exodus 15:26; &nbsp;Exodus 32:35; &nbsp;Job 1:12; &nbsp;Job 2:5-6; &nbsp;Jeremiah 24:10). On some occasions God may heal out of his love and compassion, without a request from the afflicted (&nbsp;Matthew 14:14; &nbsp;Luke 4:40); on other occasions he may heal in response to the faith of the afflicted (&nbsp;Matthew 9:27-30; &nbsp;Mark 5:34; &nbsp;Mark 10:52; &nbsp;James 5:14-15). He heals those who have ordinary diseases and those who are demon possessed (&nbsp;Matthew 8:16; &nbsp;Luke 4:41; see [[Disease; Unclean Spirits]] ) </p> <p> Jesus gave his disciples a share in his healing powers, so that they could help him spread the message of the kingdom of God throughout [[Israel]] (&nbsp;Matthew 10:5-8). These disciples continued this healing ministry in the early days of the church (&nbsp;Acts 3:1-11; &nbsp;Acts 9:33-34). As the church spread, God gave similar gifts to other people (&nbsp;Acts 8:5-7; &nbsp;Acts 14:9-10; &nbsp;Acts 28:8-9). God’s desire was that, as such people used their healing gifts in cooperation with other gifts he had given to other people, the church would enjoy well balanced growth (&nbsp;1 Corinthians 12:9; &nbsp;1 Corinthians 12:11; &nbsp;1 Corinthians 12:28-31). </p>

<p> <b> [[Healing]] </b> —See Cures. </p>

<p> ''''' hēl´ing ''''' ( מרפא , <i> ''''' marpē ''''' </i> ), תּעלה , <i> ''''' te‛ālāh ''''' </i> , כּהה , <i> ''''' kehah ''''' </i> ): In the Old [[Testament]] this word is always used in its figurative sense; <i> ''''' marpē' ''''' </i> , which literally means "a cure," is used in &nbsp; Jeremiah 14:19 twice, and in &nbsp; Malachi 4:2; <i> ''''' te‛ālāh ''''' </i> , which literally means "an irrigation canal," here means something applied externally, as a plaster, in which sense it is used metaphorically in &nbsp;Jeremiah 30:13; <i> ''''' kēhāh ''''' </i> occurs only in &nbsp;Nahum 3:19 the King James Version and is translated "assuagings" in the Revised Version (British and American). </p> <i> ''''' therapeúō ''''' </i> &nbsp; Acts 10:38 <i> ''''' iáomai ''''' </i> <i> ''''' ı́ama ''''' </i> <i> ''''' ı́asis ''''' </i> &nbsp;Acts 4:22