Topical Encyclopedia Throughout the Bible, sickness is often depicted as a condition that afflicts humanity, a consequence of the fallen world. However, it is also a stage upon which God demonstrates His divine power and compassion through healing. The Scriptures provide numerous accounts where God intervenes to restore health, showcasing His sovereignty and mercy.Old Testament Examples In the Old Testament, God's power to heal is evident in several narratives. One of the earliest examples is found in the account of Abraham and Abimelech. After Abimelech took Sarah, Abraham's wife, God struck his household with illness. However, upon Abraham's intercession, God healed Abimelech and his household: "Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his maidservants, so that they could bear children" (Genesis 20:17). Another significant instance is the healing of Miriam, Moses' sister, who was struck with leprosy as a punishment for her rebellion. Moses cried out to the LORD, saying, "O God, please heal her!" (Numbers 12:13). God responded to Moses' plea, demonstrating His willingness to restore those who turn back to Him. The Psalms also reflect on God's healing power, often linking it to His forgiveness and mercy. Psalm 103:2-3 declares, "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all His kind deeds—He who forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases." New Testament Fulfillment The New Testament reveals the ultimate expression of God's healing power through the ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus' healings are not only acts of compassion but also signs of the coming Kingdom of God. In Matthew 4:23 , it is recorded, "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people." One of the most profound examples is the healing of the paralytic, where Jesus not only heals the man's physical ailment but also forgives his sins, illustrating the holistic nature of divine healing (Mark 2:5-12). This act underscores the connection between spiritual and physical restoration. The Gospels are replete with accounts of Jesus healing the sick, such as the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:25-34) and the blind man Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52). These miracles affirm Jesus' identity as the Messiah and His authority over sickness and sin. Apostolic Continuation The healing ministry continued with the apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit. In Acts 3:6-8 , Peter heals a lame man at the temple gate, saying, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!" This miracle, like those performed by Jesus, served as a testament to the power of God and the truth of the Gospel. James 5:14-15 provides instruction for the early church regarding sickness: "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick." This passage highlights the continued belief in God's power to heal through prayer and faith. Theological Implications The biblical accounts of healing emphasize God's compassion and His desire for wholeness in His creation. They also serve as a foretaste of the ultimate healing and restoration that will occur in the new heaven and new earth, where "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" (Revelation 21:4). In summary, the Bible presents God as a healer who exhibits His power over sickness, offering hope and restoration to those who seek Him. His healing acts are both a demonstration of His love and a sign of His redemptive plan for humanity. Torrey's Topical Textbook Luke 5:17And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library At the Unknown' Feast in Jerusalem, and by the Pool of Bethesda. From his Commission to Reside Abroad in 1820 to his Removal to ... The Pattern of Service Matt. Ix. 27-30. The Paralytic Let Down through the Roof. 2 Timothy ii. 14-Nov The Resurrection of Lazarus. Mark. Humbly Inscribed to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, one of his ... The First Apology of Justin, the Martyr Resources What does the Bible say about healing? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a spirit of infirmity? | GotQuestions.org Why doesn't God heal everyone? | GotQuestions.org Sickness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Sickness: Christ Compassionate Those In Sickness: Christ Healed by Imposition of Hands Sickness: Christ Healed with a Touch Sickness: Christ Healed with a Word Sickness: Christ Healed: Being Present Sickness: Christ Healed: Not Being Present Sickness: Christ Healed: Through the Touch of his Garment Sickness: Faith Required in Those Healed of, by Christ Sickness: God: Abandons the Wicked To Sickness: God: Comforts Saints In Sickness: God: Exhibits his Love in Healing Sickness: God: Exhibits his Mercy in Healing Sickness: God: Exhibits his Power in Healing Sickness: God: Hears the Prayers of Those In Sickness: God: Often Manifests Saving Grace to Sinners During Sickness: God: Permits Saints to be Tried By Sickness: God: Persecutes the Wicked By Sickness: God: Preserves Saints in Time of Sickness: God: Promises to Heal Sickness: God: Strengthens Saints In Sickness: God's Aid should be Sought In Sickness: Healing of, Lawful on the Sabbath Sickness: Not Visiting Those In, an Evidence of not Belonging to Christ Sickness: Often Brought on by Intemperance Sickness: Often Incurable by Human Means Sickness: Often Sent As a Punishment of Sin Sickness: One of God's Four Sore Judgments on a Guilty Land Sickness: Pray for Those Afflicted With Sickness: Saints are Resigned Under Sickness: Saints: Acknowledge That, Comes from God Sickness: Saints: Ascribe Recovery From, to God Sickness: Saints: Feel for Others In Sickness: Saints: Mourn Under, With Prayer Sickness: Saints: Praise God for Recovery From Sickness: Saints: Pray for Recovery From Sickness: Saints: Thank God Publicly for Recovery Form Sickness: Saints: Visit Those In Sickness: The Apostles Were Endued With Power to Heal Sickness: The Devil Sometimes Permitted to Inflict Sickness: The Power of Healing: One of the Miraculous Gifts Bestowed on the Early Church Sickness: The Wicked: Forsake Those In Sickness: The Wicked: Have Much Sorrow, With Sickness: The Wicked: Visit not Those In Sickness: Visiting Those In, an Evidence of Belonging to Christ Related Terms |
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