The Healing Ministry (Pt. 1)
The potential of the healing ministry to reach the masses has been abundantly demonstrated. No apologies need be made for it, although for it to function effectively great wisdom is required. The ministry of Christ was essentially one of healing for both soul and body. The Lord, quoting from the prophecy of Isaiah, declared this in a sermon, which He delivered in the City of Nazareth (Luke 4:18-19).
The healing ministry of Christ and His disciples was no improvisation, but was in full harmony with the Church's mission to the world. When the Lord called His disciples, He commissioned them to preach (Matthew 10:7-8). He gave the same commission to seventy other disciples and then to all believers (Luke 10:9). The Lord showed the potential of the ministry by declaring that if Sodom and Gomorrah had witnessed the mighty miracles that He performed in the cities about the Sea of Galilee, they would have repented (Matthew 11:23). In His Great Commission to the Church, He said among other things, "and these signs shall follow them that believe...they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" (Matthew 16:17-18).
Evangelization by signs, wonders, and miracles was the method used in the days of the apostles. The disciples of Jesus understood what was required of them when they prayed, Grant unto thy servants, that with boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal: and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of the holy servant Jesus (Acts 4:29-30). It was a visitation in which the gifts of healing were powerfully in evidence; even mass healing were indicated (Acts 5:16). Although there arose opposition by the unbelieving clergy (Acts 5:17), God's ministers refused to give heed to the threats of men, and they continued their fearless preaching (Acts 5:21).
The healing ministry is the Letters and Epistles in action. Through it multitudes have been awakened and brought to the realization that Christ is Saviour. In recent years, the salvation-healing revivals have attracted world-wide attention once again. Audiences have numbered up in the 500,000's of people, with large numbers accepting Christ. These are documented facts which are recorded on tape.
One of the oddest arguments against the healing ministry has been the statement that it is more to preach salvation than healing. The irony of this that the healing ministry has often provided far more candidates for salvation than available workers were able to take care of. The truth is that the two ministries are complementary. To neglect one is to cause the other to suffer. Christ, the great winner of souls, did not consider that His healing of the sick hindered Him in reaching the lost. Just the opposite was true. When Jesus sent His disciples to preach the Gospel, He said, "Preach the Kingdom of God and heal the sick" (Luke 9:2). According to the New Testament, Christ spent about three fourths of His time healing the sick, and breaking curses.
The assumption that divine healing is something unspiritual is a strange error. The Pharisees contended that Jesus should not heal on the Sabbath Day because in their opinion healing was something to be done only on work days. Jesus repudiated this idea by healing on the Sabbath.
I thank you for your continued viewing and reading. If this Blog and its contents have been a blessing to you, then I ask, with God's leading, that you consider supporting Artesian Well Church.
Talk to you soon,
Pastor James P. Norman Jr.
Artesian Well Church
6031 Linden Avenue
Long Beach, Ca
The healing ministry of Christ and His disciples was no improvisation, but was in full harmony with the Church's mission to the world. When the Lord called His disciples, He commissioned them to preach (Matthew 10:7-8). He gave the same commission to seventy other disciples and then to all believers (Luke 10:9). The Lord showed the potential of the ministry by declaring that if Sodom and Gomorrah had witnessed the mighty miracles that He performed in the cities about the Sea of Galilee, they would have repented (Matthew 11:23). In His Great Commission to the Church, He said among other things, "and these signs shall follow them that believe...they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" (Matthew 16:17-18).
Evangelization by signs, wonders, and miracles was the method used in the days of the apostles. The disciples of Jesus understood what was required of them when they prayed, Grant unto thy servants, that with boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal: and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of the holy servant Jesus (Acts 4:29-30). It was a visitation in which the gifts of healing were powerfully in evidence; even mass healing were indicated (Acts 5:16). Although there arose opposition by the unbelieving clergy (Acts 5:17), God's ministers refused to give heed to the threats of men, and they continued their fearless preaching (Acts 5:21).
The healing ministry is the Letters and Epistles in action. Through it multitudes have been awakened and brought to the realization that Christ is Saviour. In recent years, the salvation-healing revivals have attracted world-wide attention once again. Audiences have numbered up in the 500,000's of people, with large numbers accepting Christ. These are documented facts which are recorded on tape.
One of the oddest arguments against the healing ministry has been the statement that it is more to preach salvation than healing. The irony of this that the healing ministry has often provided far more candidates for salvation than available workers were able to take care of. The truth is that the two ministries are complementary. To neglect one is to cause the other to suffer. Christ, the great winner of souls, did not consider that His healing of the sick hindered Him in reaching the lost. Just the opposite was true. When Jesus sent His disciples to preach the Gospel, He said, "Preach the Kingdom of God and heal the sick" (Luke 9:2). According to the New Testament, Christ spent about three fourths of His time healing the sick, and breaking curses.
The assumption that divine healing is something unspiritual is a strange error. The Pharisees contended that Jesus should not heal on the Sabbath Day because in their opinion healing was something to be done only on work days. Jesus repudiated this idea by healing on the Sabbath.
I thank you for your continued viewing and reading. If this Blog and its contents have been a blessing to you, then I ask, with God's leading, that you consider supporting Artesian Well Church.
Talk to you soon,
Pastor James P. Norman Jr.
Artesian Well Church
6031 Linden Avenue
Long Beach, Ca
Comments
Post a Comment