By Wayne Clapp- CFF Staff Minister
Jesus healed by operating gifts of healing, and we can do the same. He taught a continuity between his own ministry and what we are supposed to do today.
He said, “As the Father has sent me, so send I you” (John 20:21). He said, “The works that I do shall ye do also” (John 14:12). He said, “Ye shall receive power when the Holy Ghost is come upon you and ye shall be witnesses unto me” (Acts 1:8).
We see clearly that the authority Jesus had over sickness and disease he conferred upon those he taught. When Jesus sent out the twelve in Luke 9:2, “He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal.”
When he sent out the seventy in Luke 10:9, he commanded them, “Whenever you enter a town… heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near you.’” We now function in his place, as ambassadors and messengers for Christ.
“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20 NKJV
Some say that it was only the original apostles whom Jesus Christ taught and upon whom he conferred the power and authority to heal that could do so. But, the 70 that Jesus sent out included much more than the Twelve.
Who’s Doing the Wonders?
Furthermore, in the book of Acts, it’s not just the apostles who did signs and wonders. Two of the seven chosen “to serve tables” in Acts 6:5, Stephen and Philip, also did signs and wonders. Acts 6:8 says, “Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.”
Acts 8:6 says, “And the multitudes with one accord gave heed to what was said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs which he did.” Acts 9:10-11 describes Ananias as a certain disciple, and he ministers healing wholeness to Paul.
One does not have to be an apostle; everyone has a ministry to perform. All we have to do is to be willing to do what God tells us. Healing is the responsibility of everyone born again of God’s spirit.
Galatians 3:5 notes that believers in Galatia were also working miracles. 1 Corinthians 12:7 states that the manifestation of the spirit was given to every man.
1 Corinthians 12:28 also distinguishes apostles from others who work miracles and heal when it says, “God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings…”
So, it seems pretty clear that there were gifts of healings and miracles that were not limited to the apostles. The question we should be asking ourselves is, do we desire it as much as the first-century believers did?
We Have the Power
Gifts of healings are specific energizings of holy spirit in the believer by which a believer imparts healing in the name of Jesus Christ by the power and authority given unto him by Jesus (John 14:12; Mark 16:15-18).
God has given us the power and authority to heal. We must operate it by our free will, renewing our minds, so that we bring God’s good, acceptable and perfect will to pass (Romans 12:2).
When someone operates gifts of healings, something real transpires in the life of the person ministered to. It does not involve sleight of hand or trickery.
There will be conclusive proof that a healing has occurred that will stand up to medical tests. X-rays, MRIs, blood work, etc. will substantiate the reality of what has occurred.
What IS a gift of healing?
The energizing of the gift makes a noticeable impact that can be measured if we understand how to do it in a given situation. A “24-hour” or a “48-hour” flu that leaves after you wake up from a short nap after having been ministered to is a gift of healing.
Often times a gift of healing will also prevent or eliminate damage that is likely to occur naturally. For example, on occasion when someone drowns being dead for a prolonged period of time, the lack of oxygen that may normally cause brain damage, can be negated and reversed. Sometimes gifts of healing are ministered in succession one after another over a course of time, as people believe.
Not all gifts of healing happen immediately. When they do, they are also workings of miracles. Although most of the Biblical accounts record immediate healing, there are specific accounts that show how gifts of healing may occur over a period of time.
Jesus ministered to a blind man who received his sight back in two stages (Mark 8:22-26). Hezekiah was healed in three days as Isaiah told him he would be (2 Kings 20:5-7).
Jesus also made allowance for gifts of healing to not be instantaneous with the phrase, “be it unto you according to your faith (or believing)” (Matthew 8:13; 9:29; 15:28). It is always available to be healed right now, but it is also always according to the person’s believing.
One can operate impartation manifestations even when those around them are fearful or unbelieving. Jesus calmed a storm when all those on board with him were afraid (Mark 4:35-41).
Picture courtesy of Tony Melena
Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal, when everyone else was against him (I Kings 18:20-40). Paul brought deliverance to all that were on the ship with him, even though they had given up hope (Acts 27).
Although the impartation manifestations (faith, healing, miracles) may not engage until we begin, there are several Biblical accounts where people knew by revelation ahead of time that the people to whom they were going to minister had the faith to be healed.
Peter said to the lame man at the temple gate Beautiful, “Such as I have I give…” (Acts 3:6). Paul also perceived ahead of time that the impotent man at Lystra would be healed (Acts 14:8-10).
We must stay flexible, and not expect healings and miracles to always occur in the same manner. Then we may heal like Jesus healed.