FAITH HEALINGS

CAN HEALING INSPIRE FAITH

“And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” Luke 16:31

This statement runs counter to most popular human conceptions, and yet is vindicated by persistent human experience. We are constantly in danger of thinking that faith can be compelled by what we describe as the supernatural, and therefore we are forever desirous that something spectacular, weird, out of the common, should happen. We argue that if something transpires which men cannot explain, they will be persuaded to believe. This is what our Lord superlatively denies in these words. He declares that the sacred writings are in themselves as powerful as anything like the delivery of their message by one risen from the dead. The only thing that can inspire faith is truth, and truth is not made more powerful when it is proclaimed in some way which is beyond human explanation. From Him men were always asking signs, which He refused to give, and now you know the reason.

Whereas, stated thus, we may be in doubt as to the correctness of the statement; an appeal to human experience vindicates the truth of the declaration. Under stress of fear or of wonder, produced by such mysterious things, men do experience certain emotions and sensations of the soul which may be mistaken for conviction. But they are transient, and with the passing of the first surprise these things cease and leave no permanent results. It is the Truth which makes free; and the Truth alone is able to inspire living faith.

The purpose of the signs, miracles and wonders were made to the nation of Israel who was awaiting for their Messiah Who was sent to establish the Kingdom of God here on this earth. These signs verified the messenger and his message. The qualifying factor was for the nation as a whole to believe in the Sent One from heaven and one day they shall (Rom. 11:26).
The purpose of a sign is to point. <signs> point Acts 2:43; 2 Cor 12:12; Mark 16:20; Heb. 2:4; John 5:20. Such was the case of all in the Bible. Israel as a whole failed to receive and understand the very apparent signs being performed before their eyes (Rom. 11:8). The blind were made to see, the lame walked, all manner of sicknesses, infirmities and illnesses were eradicated and still the nation sent Him to the cross. In Acts we see the Apostolic age coming to an end with the end of the signs, miracles and wonders. In Acts 5:16 every one of the sick who were brought from various cities to Jerusalem were healed by the apostles. Twenty-five years later we find the greatest of all the apostles being denied his own earnest prayer for a well body (2 Cor. 12:7-9). And as we near the end, we hear him advising Timothy to take a little wine for his often infirmities (1 Tim. 5:23). Still later we learn that he has left another beloved worker sick at Miletim (2 Tim. 4:20).

No witnesses die in early acts. Then Stephen is killed (Acts 7:54-59). A little later James dies by the sword of Herod (Acts 12:1-2).

After Stephen-never again any record of a public miracle in that city called the city of the Great King.

At the beginning and through history of Acts there was special miraculous gifts by which divine revelation was channeled to man; these were named by Paul as knowledge, prophecy, and tongues (1 Cor. 12:8-10); but in the same context he warns that they will cease (1 Cor. 13:8). The permanent things will be faith, hope, and love (1 Cor. 12:13).

There are a few people who argue that such miracles are still present in the life of the Christian community. Some of these are sincere, doubtless, in their determination to see what they wish to see; just as there are other people who are blind to the things they do not wish to see. These are problems for psychological rather than historical investigations.

FAITH HEALING is for those who think faith will command healing. Whatever the label on the package, the product inside is the same old satanic ploy: "The answer is within ourselves.” We can "do it" if we only learn the "laws" and "principles" that apply and put them into operation by "faith." The goal is always to reward "self" in some way. This teaching is spreading that we don't ask God but command Him to give us all that is our Divine right to possess and enjoy. And to whatever extent we seek our own will, pander to our self-centered desires, unwilling to wholly surrender to God's will, is the extent we exalt ourselves to the position of God's.

                To make freedom from suffering contingent wholly upon the exercise of faith and to think God would withhold health for no other reason than the frailty of the sufferer's faith is in my mind to come seriously near to blasphemy.

4 Examples against the modern teaching of faith healing. See James 5:13 for the Biblical method and possibility of healing--the anointing with oil. Remember, Paul was denied.

1). Paul prayed 3 times for a healing but was told that grace was available so that he could endure that which would allow him to stay humble from those things which he had seen. He could not afford to be rid of his cross. He discovered that the very cross he wished to escape was of value and he could not afford to be rid of. He did not say that he endured and bore it but that he took pleasure in it. This was a change from complaint and petition to a song of triumph in its midst. This is something well beyond the experience of a man who is thankful because God helped him bear that which he could not. See 2 Cor 12:7-10.

2). Timothy was told to drink wine for his infirmities because Paul could not heal him. See 1 Tim 5:23.

3). Lazarus was dead and could not exert any faith. See John 11:14.

4). Ten lepers were healed but only one had faith. See Luke 17:17.

NOTE: Signs pointing
Acts 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
2 Cor. 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Heb. 2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
John 5:20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that Himself does: and He will show him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.