Actual date of this post: Oct. 2, 2013
Obligatory Disclaimer:
This information is for educational purposes only.
It is not intended to diagnose or threat any illness.
Please consult your qualified health care provider when it becomes necessary.
This is a true saying,
if a man desire the office of a bishop,
he desireth a good work.
-1 Timothy 3:1
The office of Bishop exemplified humble responsibility in the truest sense. Today references to the position of bishop can call up images of pompous religious authority wearing gaudy rings and flowing robes. But in the original Greek language the office of Bishop, Paul is describing in this letter to Timothy, was one of rolled-up sleeves and humble service provided by a dedicated believer(s) carefully chosen from among the local fellowship, whose duty it was to care for the spiritual needs as well as the lowly physical needs of the flock.
The word, "Bishop," also refers to "a visitor," one who graciously inspected or looked into the affairs of others in order to discover if any help was needed, especially in the case of the poor and sick. This help could involve spiritual encouragement as well as hands-on physical health care.
Likewise must the deacons be grave
[serious - honorable],
not doubletongued, not given to much wine,
not greedy of filthy lucre [money];
-1 Timothy 3:8
Deacons are also called by God as servants, intercessors, and ministers to His people. According to this passage in the original language, it is the responsibility of Deacons to prepare and serve both spiritual and physical food, in addition to physically nurturing the sick. The office of Bishop, as well as the office of Deacon had to be similarly qualified with outstanding character for this important responsibility. (See details in 1 Timothy: 3-7).
(9) Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
(10) and let these also first be proved;
then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless
-1 Timothy 3:9-10
The Church labored over the task of calling Deacons. This office required a righteous life and pure conscience toward God. Deacons were the keepers of the mystery of the faith as it was originally interpreted by the Word of God, therefore they had to be tested and found blameless.
Those holding offices in the Church must be honorable. It is not the position the man holds that makes him worthy of honor, it is the honor he brings to the position as a result of his relationship with the mystery of faith and whether he has received God and His Word with a pure conscience. "Render therefore to all their dues ; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour." -Romans 13:7.
We are to render what is actually owed, whether it is money or honor. We are not obligated to give what we do not owe--unless, of course a gun is held to our head. In this case, God gives us the example of turning the other cheek and going the extra mile in Matthew 5:41.
However, in the case of ministering to the sick, James tells us in Chapter 5, verse 14, that the Church is instructed to first "call for the elders." The position of "elder" [Greek #4245] referred to exactly that--one who was older and therefore wiser and more experienced in addressing spiritual as well as physical illness. An elder could be a Bishop or Deacon; however, a Bishop or Deacon could not always be considered an elder unless he was an older member of the Church.
No doubt Luke, the apostle and author of the Gospel of Luke, also functioned in the early Church as an elder because he was referred to as, "beloved physician." The next logical question is: "Where are the 'beloved physicians' in the church today?"
If we are able to find any physicians ministering in the church today, other questions we could also ask are: "Do these physicians practice God's method of healing or the world's method of healing?" and "Does the term, 'physician,' describe their God-given calling or their method of earning a living?"
The early Church specifically followed Christ's will and example regarding the priorities of ministry, therefore both preaching the Gospel as well as healing the sick were and are to be integral functions of the true Church of Jesus Christ today.
God's Gift of Healing
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:
I am come that they might have life,
and that they might have it more abundantly
Jesus Christ - John 10:10
The desire for financial gain did not motivate Jesus to heal people. He did not want to profit from the sufferings of others or see how much money He could extract from them before they died. He came with the primary purpose of nurturing the body He had created for us to dwell in and to infuse us with abundant life through the power of His Word. The life He desired to impart was not limited to eternal life, but included the whole person: spirit, body, mind, and emotions. When Jesus used the word, "whole," He was often referring to the physical body as well as the spiritual person.
(5) And a certain man was there,
which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
(6) When Jesus saw him lie, and knew
that he had been now a long time in that case,
he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
-John 5:5-6
Jesus never forced anyone to believe or to be healed and before healing anyone, He made sure they were aware of their own desire to be healed.
The Scriptures are very clear regarding the details of our relationship with God. We must be willing to do His will, specifically His way. The Father has given His Son to be our example in this principle, as well as in every other principle regarding our relationship with Him.
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages,
teaching in their synagogues,
and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and
healing every sickness and every disease
among the people.
-Matthew 9:3
(1) Then he called his twelve disciples together,
and gave them power and authority over all devils,
and to cure diseases,
(2) And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God,
and to heal the sick.
-Luke 9:1-2
Jesus' priorities of ministry were very evident. His entire life was given as our example to follow. Therefore, His priorities and ours are to:
1. preach the gospel
2. heal the sick
Both prophecy and healing are gifts and abilities that Christ has given to His Church. Some presume that gifts are not for Christians today. This assumption is a result of some strange practices in churches today, which are a result of misunderstanding Paul's writings in 1 Corinthians about the gifts of the Spirit.
Unfortunately this has caused many Christians to go to the other extreme and put their full trust in the world's medical system for healing, much to their detriment, instead of seeking God's leading and His method of healing.
The gifts were never meant to be mystical or create sensationalism, but were intended to be a practical way of equipping followers of Christ to carry on the work of the Kingdom:
The gift of prophecy, which involves revealing, expounding, and preaching the Word of God, is the foundational gift. This gift is imparted to all true believers through the power of the Holy Spirit for the purpose of accurately understanding and sharing the truth of the Word of God.
The gift of healing, as well as the other gifts of the Spirit given in various measures, when accurately understood, all work together illustrating God's saving plan for mankind, benefiting, edifying the entire body of Christ, and assisting in the proclamation of the Word of God.
If it is indeed God's will for the Church to follow Christ's example and entwine healing with the preaching of the gospel, then how do we specifically accomplish His will, His way, regarding the gift of healing in the Church today?
The Bible is not like any other book on the shelf. It is not a book of men's opinions. It is God's unchanging, detailed Operator's Manual that is written specifically for His creation. If we desire to know how to repair and maintain His creation, then we must study the manual.
When we repent of our sin and from going our own way, align our will with His will, and invite Christ to rule and reign in our lives, He has promised that His Spirit will lead us into all truth. This includes how the gift of healing should be used to minister to His people.
(2) Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits:
(3) Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;
who healeth all thy diseases;
-Psalm 103:2-3
God's Purpose in Healing
(2) And, behold, they brought to him a man
sick of the palsy, lying on a bed:
and Jesus seeing their faith
said unto the sick of the palsy;
Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee,
(3) And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves,
This man blasphemeth.
(4) And Jesus knowing their thoughts said,
Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
(5) For whether is easier,
to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee;
or to say, Arise, and walk?
(6) But that ye may know
that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins,
(then saith he to the sick of the palsy,)
Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.
-Matthew 9:2-6
What is the answer to the question Jesus posed?
Is it easier to tell someone that their sins are forgiven or to tell them to stand up and walk?
Wasn't He really pointing out that whether we take the spiritual approach or the physical approach, the important thing to understand is that physical healing is a picture of spiritual healing and spiritual healing is a picture of physical healing--and that Jesus has the power to heal in both cases?
We see evidence in this passage that Jesus included both the use of visual illustrations produced by the various healings He performed, as well as verbal illustrations provided in the parables He taught. Both were used to impart vital truths to believers.
The scribes accused Him of blasphemy because they understood that only God could forgive sin and by forgiving sin, Jesus was declaring that He was God. They did not expect Him to proclaim to be God. Neither did they expect Him to give them His unique perspective on sickness and healing.
We do the Scriptures a great injustice when we interpret this passage to suggest that all illness is caused by our own personal sin. True, sin brought sickness into this world, but sickness is not always a consequence of personal sin.
On this occasion it may be possible that sin had something to do with this man's illness but this is not revealed, therefore, should not be presumed.
(1) And as Jesus passed by,
he saw a man which was blind from his birth
(2) And his disciples asked him, saying,
Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents,
that he was born blind?
(3) Jesus answered,
Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents;
but that the works of God
should be made manifest in him.
-John 9:1-3
Jesus revealed and confirmed that the blindness of the specific man in the passage above was not a result of his own sin or anyone else's sin. The man's illnes and subsequent healing was for the purpose of providing a picture of God's desire to heal and to teach us His principles regarding healing the whole person.
Since physical healing is a picture of spiritual healing, a closer consideration of this subject reveals that both types of healing require the same sort of process and are similar in many ways:
- Not everyone is saved from sin and granted eternal life.
- Not everyone is saved from sickness and physically healed in this lifetime.
- Spiritual healing requires the grace of God and the gift of faith.
- Physical healing requires the grace of God and/or the gift of faith. God has already designed the body to heal itself, so sometimes it seems that healing occurs on its own. However, when the body is not able to heal itself, then we are to seek God's intervention by faith via the Word of God.
- Spiritual healing begins when we repent, turning from sin and a lifestyle that is harmful to our spiritual life, receive the forgiveness of Christ, and submit to His lordship.
- Physical healing begins when we turn from a diet and lifestyle that are harmful to the body, submit to the lordship of Christ, and seek His will regarding all of our health care decisions.
- Spiritual healing involves being cleansed from sin by the blood of Christ and the Word of God.
- Physical healing involves cleansing the body of toxins.
- Spiritual healing comes from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, creating a new environment that does not support and feed the old sin nature.
- Physical healing comes as a result of embracing a new diet and lifestyle, creating a new environment in the body that does not support and feed disease.
- Spiritual healing is instantaneous, making us children of God. However, Spiritual healing also involves sanctification and requires hearing God's Word, repentance, patience, self-control, study, and a receptive attitude.
- Physical healing may also be instantaneous. But like sanctification, physical healing more often involves personal growth which requires hearing God's Word, repentance, patience, self-control, study, and a receptive attitude.
All those who belong to Christ and pray for spiritual and physical healing are eventually granted their request. But not all who belong to Christ and pray for physical healing are actually physically healed in this lifetime.
Why All are Not Healed
There are several reasons why some will not experience total restoration until Jesus returns:
1. There is a time to die. Illness may be the means to usher us into our time to die.
(1) To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
(2) A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up
that which is planted;
-Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
2. We may not have the faith to be healed.
(27) And when Jesus departed thence,
two blind men followed him, crying, and saying,
Thou son of David, have mercy on us.
(28) And when he was come into the house,
the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them,
Believe ye that I am able to do this?
They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
(29) Then touched he their eyes, saying,
According to your faith be it unto you.
(30) And their eyes were opened;
and Jesus straitly charged them saying,
See that no man know it.
-Matthew 9:27-30
In order to grasp the true meaning of this passage, we need to understand what faith really is. It does not have anything to do with taking a giant leap into the dark or conjuring up positive thinking.
The type of faith required for healing has more to do with saturating ourselves with the Word of God in order to:
- acquire wisdom and discernment
- become confident in and solely dependent on God's Word and His Spirit for instruction
- really know who God is, what He can do, and what is most important to Him
So then faith commeth by hearing,
and hearing by the word of God.
-Romans 10:17
When we exercise healing faith, we are acknowledging Jesus as our Creator, entrusting every aspect of our healing to Him, and depending on Him to lead us in all of our health care decisions.
If we have not received enough of His Word to hear His voice clearly or are not willing to obey His Word, we will not be able to discern which way to go and we may pay the price with our physical lives.
In addition to this, we need to educate ourselves regarding the body God has given to us and to the best of our ability, understand the truth concerning possible risks and benefits that may be involved in various forms of treatment. Unless we are faced with an immediate emergency, it is best to explore the least invasive treatment first--which also has the least risks.
3. We may not have the knowledge to be healed.
(1) Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel:
because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge
of God in the land. . .
. . .(6) My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:
because thou hast rejected knowledge
I will also reject thee,
that thou shalt be no priest to me:
seeing thou has forgotten the law [Word] of thy God,
I will also forget thy children.
-Hosea 4:1,6
In the above passage, the children of Israel had neglected the Word of God, forgotten the truth, and thereby rejected the knowledge of God. Illness is God's way of getting our attention and calling us back to His Word and knowledge about His creation so that we can be saved in spirit and body.
Those who have experienced victory over sin have been equipped and qualified by their study and experience in the Word to be able to help those who are still seeking victory. Likewise, those who have experienced victory over illness often have been equipped and qualified by their study and experience to help others who are still seeking victory.
(15) Study
[#G4704: seek - work at with diligence]
to shew thyself approved unto God,
[#G4704: seek - work at with diligence]
to shew thyself approved unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.
[any truth]
[any truth]
-2 Timothy 2:15
Studying the Word of God, or discerning any truth, requires a diligent, detail-oriented attitude, God-given supernatural focus and patience. There aren't any shortcuts to rightly dividing the word of truth--or discerning truth by comparing what we hear to the truth of the Word of God which is revealed in His written Word found in the Holy Bible. The only thing that can keep us committed to this type of diligent study is the appreciation for the value of the Word of God, imparted to us by God Himself through His Holy Spirit--and His Spirit reminding us of the benefits we experience as a result of being infused with His Word and truth.
On the other hand false professors rely on the influence and opinions of others and what they have said in regard to the Scriptures through commentaries and church doctrines, instead of personally mining for the gold that has been hidden in the Word of God--under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
(12) Wherefore, my beloved,
as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only,
but now much more in my absence,
work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling.
(13) For it is God which worketh in you
both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
-John 10:27
When we (personally) hear God's voice, He will lead us (personally) to the knowledge we need in order to find healing, whether it is directly from His Word or also through knowledge of His creation. He has specifically designed biology, botany, math, and physics to instruct us (personally) regarding the providential provision found in His creation. When we (personally) research these subjects in faith from His perspective, the knowledge we are looking for will unfold before our eyes.
The care of our own spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional health is first of all our own responsibility. God may lead us to seek council so we can learn more about an illness, but that council must always be in harmony with His Word and the truth regarding His creation.
Counsel must furthermore be provided by someone who genuinely has our best interest at heart, does not withhold valuable information, but freely and honestly provides what is needed to make a safe, informed decision. Only Word-based, God-given discernment can reveal this to us.
We are never to relinquish this ordained responsibility and entrust the care of our spiritual life to anyone else or their religious beliefs. Likewise, neither are we to entrust our body, mind, and emotions to anyone else unless we are totally incapacitated and unable to fulfill that responsibility ourselves.
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing:
but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.
-Proverbs 25:2
Church leaders and others in positions of authority/responsibility should also search earnestly for knowledge in order to help those God has placed in their care. The Book of James tells us that it is the responsibility of elders to respond first to health issues in the Church and understand the true meaning of prayer and anointing.
Is any sick among you?
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:
-James 5:14
4. Sin can keep us from pursuing healing according to God's Word.
Our Creator is not one of many gods, but the "I Am"--One True God who expects preeminence in every area of our life. Let us not be guilty of idolatry by putting anyone else's, even "well-educated," opinion before God's unchangeable Word and the leading of His Holy Spirit.
(5) Casting down imaginations, and
every high thing that exalteth itself against
the knowledge of God,
and bringing into captivity every thought
to the obedience of Christ;
(6) And having in readiness
to revenge all disobedience,
when your obedience is fulfilled.
-2 Corinthians 10:5-6
What does it mean to "revenge all disobedience?" Verse 5 is actually shedding light on verse 6. Disobedience, like other addictions, cuts a rut or path through every dimension of our being (spirit, body, mind, and emotions) where we are used to walking, so it becomes easier to participate in sin in these specific, familiar areas. Scientific research verifies that sin is etched into our DNA and passed down from generation to generation. The Bible verifies this:
(4) Thou shalt not make unto thee any
graven image, or any likeness of anything
that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath,
or that is in the water under the earth.
(5) Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them,
nor serve them:
for I the LORD they God
am a jealous God,
visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children
unto the third and fourth generation
of them that hate me;
(6) And shewing mercy unto thousands of them
that love me, and keep my commandments.
-Genesis 20:4-6
God considers idolatry to be any action that involves usurping His exclusive position in our life. We are not to make or consider anything else--or anyone else in this world (even our own mind and will) to be our ultimate authority, worthy of our submission. We are forbidden to bow down or worship anything other than the one true Almighty God and Creator Himself.
When we commit ourselves to bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and His Word, it becomes scientifically possible to change behavioral patterns stored in the DNA, filling in this rut that takes us in the wrong direction, In this way, we are less likely to go down that same path again and it becomes possible, by memorizing the Word of God to overcome sin and addictions of any sort.
Revenging our former disobedience is something we should go back in history and address, in every area of our life, where disobedience was the way of life that led us in the wrong direction. For example, if we were brought up in false doctrine, we should go back and examine that doctrine, find the appropriate Scriptures that counteract the counterfeit and fill in the rut, rendering those beliefs and memories powerless to influence us in the future.
Neither do men
put new wine into old bottles:
else the bottles break,
and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish:
but they put new wine into new bottles,
and both are preserved.
-Matthew 9:17
This example is easier to understand when we realize that "bottles" were made of wine skins in ancient times. When new wine was put into old wine skins that were already stretched out after fermentation took place, they would break when the new wine began to ferment and the skins were stretched again.
But if the new wine was put into new wine skins, they could be stretched without breaking.
Some people want Christ to save them, but are tempted to add the idea of salvation to their old lifestyle, philosophies, and religious beliefs. Instead, they should actually discard the old vessel and beliefs and fill their new vessel (their new--born-again--selves) with the new wine of the Word of God and become "a new creature" in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Others just try to forget about their past beliefs and sin. However, true repentance involves coming to an understanding regarding our past mistakes. If we rid ourselves of past beliefs, do not understand clearly where we went wrong, and the void is not filled will the truth, another falsehood may rush in to fill that void.
The old person has to become a new person in Christ and error must be replaced with the truth of God's Word. When this happens, we will be less likely to return to our old ways.
For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life.
-John 3:16
Love not the world, neither the things that are
in the world.
If any man loves the world,
the love of the Father is not in him.
-1 John 2:15
Which is it?--Does God love the world or doesn't He love the world?
We can only understand these seemingly contradictory verses when we realize that what we have here is a "great controversy," a "war of the worlds." Jesus is speaking in this instance about two worlds, the physical world He has created and another world created by "worldlings."
God's Kingdom includes a spiritual realm/dimension as well as the physical Earth, which He owns by right of creation in addition to the multitude of other "worlds," (i.e. planets and/or heavenly bodies) He has created in the Universe. Even the Apostle Paul referred to satan as "the god of this world," he did not mean that satan owns the physical Earth, but that satan is the god, or temporary controller of the way things are presently being done in this world--because he rules over the majority of worldlings who serve him and follow his dictates (2 Corinthians 4:4).
Jesus answered,
My kingdom is not of this world:
if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight,
that I should not be delivered to the Jews:
but now is my kingdom not from hence [here].
-John 18:36
(3) Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss,
that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
(4) Ye adulterers and adulteresses,
know ye not that
the friendship of the world is enmity with God?
-James 4:3-4
Jesus said, ". . .but now is my Kingdom not from hence," indicating that, not now but someday, He will return to rule and reign [establish His government in] the world. Until that happens, we need to understand that our exclusive, preeminent allegiance is to God, because the system of this world has its own perspective, or worldview, that permeates every area of life--a perspective that is, for the most part, contrary to God's Word and His Law.
Perhaps we should be asking:
- Is my educational foundation built on the Word of God or on the philosophy of this world?
- How impressed am I with worldly positions and diplomas issued by representatives of the system of this world?
- Do I consider carefully where my counselors and teachers have obtained their education and understand how they may have been influenced by the system of this world?
- It is good that God can have witnesses in every area of life, but does my occupation engage me in activity that is contrary to God's Word or cause me to compromise my beliefs in order to get my pay check?
- Could I serve Christ better being self-employed or in some other occupation that would offer more opportunities to use my God-given gifts and talents?
- Do I seek God's advice first and measure everything else up to His Word before making each decision?
- Am I devoted to hearing God's voice regarding new topics that become prominent in our world today, or do I avoid controversial topics rather than seeking God's answers to today's issues?
- Do I believe that I have doctrinally arrived and that God is no longer perfecting that which concerns me?
The LORD will perfect
that which concerneth me:
thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever:
forsake not the works of thine own hands.
-Psalm 138:8
Beloved, studying the Word, acquiring knowledge, revenging our former disobedience, and avoiding the pitfalls of the system of this world, all take time and effort. Remember, neither spiritual healing nor physical healing is fully experienced by the worldly, careless, or slothful person.
5. God may sanctify us and desire to bring glory to Himself through our illness, pain, and suffering, as Christ did through His suffering.
Sometimes illness is a special calling from God. It can serve as preparation in God's school of "hard knocks" to provide a better understanding regarding the deeper things of God. As we are humbled by illness, we are separated out of this world and given God's grace for special service.
But he giveth more grace.
Wherefore he saith,
God resisteth the proud,
but giveth grace unto the humble.
-James 4:6
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Next Post - Mystery of Faith...Ch.5-Pt.2...Spiritual Dimension
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