What does the Bible say about healing?

I have taken the liberty to move ahead in our study of the Book of James, so we can discuss an issue of some importance to many of you, healing.

James 5:14–18 “Is any among you sick? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save him that is sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, it shall be forgiven him. Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.

The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working. Elijah was a man of like passions with us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth for three years and six months. And he prayed again; and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”

Now, I did some extensive research into healing, and I read what all the guys who I theologically trust to say what they had to say. With that being said, this subject is not one in the New Testament that requires dogmatism.

What do I mean? I am to be dogmatic about the absoluteness of Jesus Christ being the way, the truth, and the life as the Son of God who died for my sins and was resurrected on the third day. Of that truth, there is no room for disagreement.

As for the passage in James chapter 5, there is room for disagreement, especially for serious Bible students. A person who does not study the Bible really has no point from which to defend a particular biblical topic.

When something is not crystal clear in God’s Word, there is no reason to get upset when a brother or sister does not see eye-to-eye with you and definitely no reason to get upset. You can believe this. I left no stone unturned, and I prayed over this subject for several days, and I pray you do the same.

Now, there are three main points to consider.

1. To whom or for whom?

J. Vernon McGee gives us this advice on Bible study, and it is incredible advice.

“When reading a passage, we need to determine if the passage is written to us or for us.” (McGee)

Let me give you an example, and there are many examples in the Bible.

Joshua 1:1–2 “Now it came to pass after the death of Moses the servant of Jehovah, that Jehovah spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.”

To whom is this passage written? It was written to Joshua for Israel, but it was also written for us.

1 Corinthians 10:6 “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.”

Christians are not to literally cross the Jordan River, but crossing the Jordan River is for us as it symbolizes what Christ has done for us. For us, crossing the Jordan symbolizes Christ going down into the river of death to live forevermore.

So, to whom was the Book of James written? Well, it is no mystery as we have discussed previously in our study.

James 1:1 “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are of the Dispersion, greeting.”

James was written to Jewish Christians who were being scattered abroad because of persecution. James was the earliest of the New Testament writings. It was written at the beginning of the apostolic age.

Even though the book was not written to us, it is still for us. I hope that I explained it to where you can understand.

2. The Sign Gifts.

During the apostolic age, there were certain spiritual gifts that were given for a specific period of time and for a specific purpose. They are called the sign gifts.

The sign gifts found in the New Testament are:

Speaking in tongues

Interpretation of tongues

Healing

Miracles

These gifts were given for a specific period of time, and period of time was the early church age when the apostles were still living.

What was the purpose of the sign gifts? 1 Corinthians 1:22 “Seeing that Jews ask for signs, and Greeks seek after wisdom:”

The sign gifts were for the Jews.

Let me give you a couple of examples.

On the Day of Pentecost, the disciples began speaking in tongues. Of that, Peter said this.

Acts 2:16–18 “but this is that which hath been spoken through the prophet Joel: And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour forth of my Spirit upon all flesh: And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams: Yea and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days Will I pour forth of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.”

Peter was telling those Jews in attendance that day that what was happening was what Joel was talking about. What was happening was a sign to the Jews that Jesus Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God.

The second example comes from Jesus Himself.

John 10:37–38 “If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do them, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”

Jesus is telling the Jews that if I were not doing the works of my Father, I would understand you not believing in me, but since I am doing the works of my Father, you should see that God and I are One. Think of all the miracles Jesus performed. They were not for you and me. They were done for the Jews so that they would believe in Jesus as the Son of God.

Now, here is an interesting question that some of you may be pondering.

Why do those things associated with the sign gifts not apply to you and me?

(1) The apostolic age ended when the apostles died.

Acts 5:12 “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.”

Acts 19:11–12 “And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: insomuch that unto the sick were carried away from his body handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out.”

Acts 2:43 “And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.”

All throughout the Book of Acts, you can read of the signs and miracles given and performed by the apostles for the Jews, but as you progress through the New Testament, you see less and less of those signs.

Why did the sign gifts cease?

(2) All things were completed by Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 1:1–2 “God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners, hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds;”

John 20:30–31 “Many other signs therefore did Jesus in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in his name.”

John 21:24–25 “This is the disciple that beareth witness of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his witness is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that should be written.”

IN about 90 AD, John laid down his pen. By that time, the sign miracles had ceased. Everything needed to believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God had been written. If a person refuses to believe in Christ based upon what is written, that person will not believe no matter what sign or miracle is produced or performed.

As a matter of fact, the Bible even tells us when the sign gifts ceased. Rom. Chap. 11 verses 25-26

Romans 11:25–26 “For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this mystery, lest ye be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in; and so all Israel shall be saved: even as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer; He shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:”

Do you want proof this is when the sign gifts ended? 1st Tim. Chap. 5 v. 23

1 Timothy 5:23 “Be no longer a drinker of water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.”

Instead of healing Timothy, who was not an apostle but was already saved, Paul wrote him a “prescription”.

The letters to Timothy were the last of Paul’s writings. Paul had performed many miracles, but he could not heal his protege.

Now, even though the sign gifts are no longer available, they will return. Rev. Chap. 11

Revelation 11:5–6 “And if any man desireth to hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth and devoureth their enemies; and if any man shall desire to hurt them, in this manner must he be killed. These have the power to shut the heaven, that it rain not during the days of their prophecy: and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with every plague, as often as they shall desire.”

These two mysterious Jewish witnesses will have the ability, just as Moses and Elijah had, to perform signs and miracles before the Jews in an effort to win them to Christ.

Here is the important thing for you and I to know.

What is written settles the identity, work, and purpose of Christ. John Chap 20 verses 30-31

3. The Book of James and Healing.

We have finally laying the foundation. We have arrived at our passage in James Chapter 5, but the foundation we laid is important. Sometimes, in Scripture, before you make a determination as to what a passage is talking about, you must understand the context, and sometimes, that takes several other passages which requires intense personal Bible study.

Since James was written to the Jews, you have to assume this passage was written as an example of the sign gifts given in the early church. It was written to Jews, but it was written for us. We are going to examine these verses very closely.

Let’s examine several points.

James 5:14a “Is any among you sick? let him call for the elders of the church;

(1) I believe the elders referred to in this verse is referring to those in that church who had the sign gift of healing.

I will admit that no commentary I read said that, but I felt lead by the Holy Spirit to say what I just said. Maybe I misinterpreted what the Holy Spirit was trying to tell me, but if James is the earliest of the New Testament writings, and if it was written to Jews who seek signs, is it not possible that the elders referred to in James Chap 5 v 14 was a person or persons in that early church who possessed the sign gift of healing?

If that is the case, what is the application for us?

(2) It is not in God’s will to heal everyone. It is God’s will to deliver everyone.

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.”

Matthew 6:34 “Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

Romans 10:13 “for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

God is not going to heal everyone. He will, however, give His children the strength to persevere, but GOd is ready and wanting to heal everyone of their spiritual sickness.

(3) Human sickness has many causes.

Sin

God

Satan

Before we pray for healing, do you think it behooves us to know God’s will in the illness? How useless would it be for me to pray for God to heal Marty if Marty’s illness was caused by God’s hand of chastisement, or if the illness was being allowed by God to get Marty to realize God’s grace is sufficient?

(4) God still works miracles. As long as God is God, miracles will happen. When they do, they are not a sign to anyone. They are an outpouring of God’s grace, love, and mercy.

1 will give you one example in my life. Heart aneurysm.

Since James Chap 5 vv 14-18 is written for us and necessarily to us, what is the application of this passage for us?

What I want to do is to literally break these verses down so we can see what God is saying in His Word for us.

(1) “The sick among you.”

The sick among you means “one without strength.” It is referring to serious illness. It is not necessarily talking about the sniffles.

(2) “Let the sick call for the elders.”

It is the sick person who initiates the process after careful examination.

Why does the sick person meed examine himself or herself? To make sure the illness is not being caused by sin.

If an illness is caused by sin, the elders of the church can pray all night long, but healing will not take place until there is confession and repentance of that sin.

Who are the elders? As I said, I believe it refers to those in the church that had the sign gift of healing.

Since the sign gift of healing is no longer applicable, who would be the elders in the church? The elders would be those who are spiritually mature enough to understand the complexity of the situation. It is those persons who understand the power of prayer and faith.

It is not necessarily a designated position within the church. I believe the elders in this church would the person or persons who are spiritually mature enough to do and to believe what the Bible says.

(3) “The elders pray over the sick person.”*****

The wording indicates there is literally physical contact. You are connecting yourself to the person for whom you are meditating.

Why do the elders pray over the person? To discover God’s will.

The elders pray over the person to discover God's will in the situation. The Book of Isaiah says that God’s ways are higher than our ways, and even though we may not completely understand it, God has a plan, and in His plan, it is not His will to heal everyone.

Can I ask you a question? If the elders pray for a person’s healing, yet it is not in God’s will to heal that person, he or she will not be healed.

Now, if a Christian prays sincerely with no unconfessed sin in his or her life for God’s will to be revealed to him or her, guess what God will do? He will reveal His will in a particular situation, and He will give you the faith to pray for what you need to pray.

Romans 1:17 “For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith.”

Completely wrapped in Christ’s righteousness, God will give us the faith to trust His plan and His will.

(4) “Anointing the sick with oil in the name of the Lord.”****

You can use oil if you want, but the oil in itself is not the key.

In every commentator I researched, the anointing of oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit.

Now, here is where many people are wrong about this passage. Pay careful attention to the wording.

“Anointing with oil in the name of the Lord.”

If this is referring to a sign gift as I think, Old Testament Scripture will reveal what it means.

Leviticus 8:11–12 “And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all its vessels, and the laver and its base, to sanctify them. And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron’s head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.”

The anointing of oil, a symbol of the Holy Spirit in the Bible, symbolizes the sanctifying or the setting part of the person being anointed to the service of God.

Now, you are seeing the importance of the self-examination.

In essence, if the person agrees to the anointing, he or she is in effect yielding his or her body completely, totally 100% to the service of God. In the Bible, Samson is the perfect example of someone being anointed yet not following through with what God had him separated for.

Hopefully, you can start seeing the seriousness of asking the elders to pray over you.

(5) “The prayer of faith shall save the sick.”

What in the world is the prayer of faith? The prayer of faith is the prayer that starts in heaven as a person discovers God’s will. When you discover God’s will in a situation, God, through the Holy Spirit, will direct your prayers.

The prayer of faith is a heartfelt plea to God that is grounded in our unwavering trust, belief, and commitment to His will, power, and goodness.

If we pray over a sick person, and it is God’s will to heal, He will give us the faith to pray in faith and in His will.

(6) “Confessing faults one to another produces healing.”

The indication here is illness that comes from sin against the body of believers necessitating the need for confession.

I believe this is not necessarily, after careful reflection, talking about confessing before the whole body but to that person who was wronged and to the trusted spiritual leaders in the church. Do you want to know why I think we have such an issue with this step today? IT IS CALLED THE GOSSIP FACTOR.

Make no mistake about this absolute truth.

Only God forgives sin, and His forgiveness rests in the completed work of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, but sometimes, for healing to take place, we must confess our faults one to another.

(7) “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

When a person knows God’s will, has no sin in his or her life, prays in the faith God has given him or her, there are absolutely no limits to what God can and will do.

In verses 17 and 18, James gives us an example of the prayer that he is discussing.

James 5:17–18 “Elijah was a man of like passions with us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth for three years and six months. And he prayed again; and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”

Once again, you see the Jewish connection as James uses Elijah which is an indication to me that this is referring to the sign gifts, and once again it is important to understand the chronological order of the New Testament with James being the earliest writing of the New Testament meaning the sign gifts were on full display.

What are my closing thoughts on this subject?

(1) There is room for disagreement. It is one of those subjects that give us an opportunity to have scriptural debates in a Christian way, but we can never let differences on the interpretation of James Chap. 5 interfere or disrupt the fellowship.

(2) We should not dismiss or dissuade someone from asking the elders to pray over them because at the very least, this passage was written as an example for us, but you have to follow the procedure as described James with the first step being initiated by the person who is sick.

(3) We can never assume that it is in God’s will to heal everyone because it is not which is why we must first pray to discern God’s will in every situation.

(4) A person that calls for healing must understand it is not a casual request. It is a matter of self-examination, submission, and sanctification.

(5) The procedure in James Chap. 5 is not something that all members of the body will understand and embrace, and they should not be frowned upon because of it, and neither should the person be frowned upon who understands and embraces the procedure.

(6) God, sometimes, has a purpose in illness meaning healing is contrary to His purpose.

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 “And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch. Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

On occasion, God uses our “thorns in the flesh” to get us to the point where we totally realize that His grace is sufficient for us. In those situations, healing will rob us of the tremendous blessings God wants to bestow upon us.

I hope I have further clouded your cloudy mind about this subject. Remember what Paul said.

2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Pray, study, and read various trusted theological commentators, and you will be guided by the Holy Spirit to the truth.

Adrian Rogers

J. Vernon McGee

H.A. Ironside

John Phillips

Warren Weirsbe

David Jeremiah

Charlie Halliburton

Charlie is a great resource, and he will answer any question you may have. The only problem with Charlie is that he likes to talk more than I do, so do not expect a short answer. LOL!

I really appreciate the person who asked me about this subject because it caused me to do some prayerful research into God’s Word, and when someone does that, there are untold treasures that are opened.