The power gifts of the Holy Spirit continued : Faith and the Gifts of Healings
The Gift of Faith
Although we know that every believer is dealt the measure of fawhen there is a specific need God gives us an extra injection of faith. This increased level of faith may only apply to the specific purpose and may last only until the conclusion of the matter. The person receiving the gift of faith might even be surprised to hear themselves say 'Yes, the Lord is going to do this...' and then think where did they get the strength to believe for this level of faith. It is very encouraging to the rest of the church to see/hear this gift in action as this gift will keep them holding on in faith to receive the desired outcome (e.g. a bigger church building).
Or what about the gift of faith to raise the dead (e.g. Lazarus). Most of us would need a huge injection of faith to perform that ministry.
Roger Price tells the story of a woman who died during the praise and worship at her local church. There was a doctor present who confirmed that there was no pulse. The elder leading the meeting although aware of the fact she had died asked the congregation to pray for her and someone called out "Lord bless her'. The life came back into her, and she came round and apologised for fainting! The elder leading the meeting received the gift of faith!
Sometimes a collective gift of faith can be manifest through the assembled congregation. A woman with severe post-natal depression was instantly set free and healed when a church collectively prayed for her.
The Lord still wants to operate His power gifts to meet the needs of His people let us be open to receive them for His glory!
The Gifts of Healings
Please notice that it is plural 'gifts' for there are many types of healing. There is such a thing as the healing of emotions and there is a need within the church for this type of ministry. People need to be healed from a wide range of conditions and sicknesses, arthritis, depression, cancer, allergies etc. etc.
It is interesting to note that in the gospels there were no instances recorded where Jesus was either unwilling or unable to heal whoever asked him.
The gifts of healings are often administered by the laying on of hands. This is a means of identification with the sick person.
It is good acknowledge the Lord as the great healer asking Him to impart healing and health to the afflicted person.
Healing can be administered in several ways including the laying on of hands, or through the anointing with oil or even transmitted by a piece of cloth.
Mark 6:12 And they went out and preached that men should repent.
13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.
James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up, and if he have committed sins, they shall have forgiven him.
The oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit who supplies the power for the gift of healing to take place. Every Christian has the right to call for the elders and that the elders must step out in faith and obedience to God's word.
Sometimes healing takes place when a single prayer of faith is made, and we just know that God has heard and granted our prayer. However there are other times when we must persist in prayer before healing will take place (pray like a hacking cough as the Greek says in one scripture!). As ever we need to be led by the Holy Spirit. When we are needing healing, we ought to pray for ourselves in the first instance. Then, if necessary, ask our family and friends to pray. If you are still sick, then call for the elders.
Matthew 8:14 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever 15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.
Gifts of healings are sometimes instantaneous but at other times takes place gradually. So patiently wait in faith if you have received prayer for healing!
If we give up in unbelief the gradual healing process will be stopped.
Acts 19:11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
12 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.
A healing might be termed as a miracle by being instantaneous or by being unusual in some respect.
A Christian I know felt led to pray over a handkerchief when visiting a relative who lived some distance away. A year or so later someone in the relative’s family took seriously ill. When he remembered the handkerchief, it was applied to the sick person’s body and a miraculous healing took place!
Often at a meeting where a word of knowledge is given for healing, it can be a prelude for general healing to take place.
Amen
Personal Prayer
Teaching partly adapted from the late R. Price (Chichester Christian Fellowship)