Appendix C:
Healing Scriptures
There are literally hundreds of passages relating to some aspect of the Gift of Healing, but I've listed my favorites here. I've kept my commentary to a minimum is this Appendix because these scriptures do an outstanding job of speaking for themselves - especially the red words of Jesus himself. I find it easy to hear what's being said, and then meditate on the passage to get it from my head to my heart. But then again, who am I? I'm NOT a scholar. I'm just one who has made Jesus my Master, my Teacher. I'm just one who reads and believes, so you too, read and believe these verses for yourself...
( I still cannot understand King James English, so
all passages listed here are
in my language of today, the plain English of the NIV, unless noted otherwise.
)
Make Jesus YOUR Teacher
"A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher" (Luke 6:40).
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
(Jn 14:12)
The Word Of God - TRUTH
"Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the scriptures every day to see if what Paul said is true." (Acts 17:11)
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."
(Luke 21:33)
"I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." (Matt 5:18)
“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet some of you do not believe." (Jn. 6:63)
“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.” (2 Samuel 22:31)
“Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” (Ps 119:89)
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Ps 119:105)
“It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Mt 4:4)
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever”.
(Isa 40:8, 1 Pt 1:25)
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. (Ps 19:7-11)
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Heb 4:12-13)
LORD: “Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7-9)
“All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2 Tim 3:16-4:4)
So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. (2 Th. 2:15)
TRUTH or Tradition?
“You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions... Thus you nullify the Word of God by your traditions that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”
(Mark 7:9,13)
And Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? …you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites!
Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are but rules taught by men.’” (Mt 15:3, 7-9)
His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do other scriptures, to their own destruction.
(2 Pt 3:16)
Faith
“The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe in the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.
You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (Jn 14:10-14)
“Have faith in God.” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
(Mk 11:22-24)
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see...
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible...
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." (Heb 11:1, 3, 6)
Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (Jn 20:27-29)
“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’” (Rom 1:16-17)
“However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
(Lk 18:8)
Healing Passages
"Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor… (Lk 7:22-23)
Jesus went through Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. (Mt 4:23)
People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed. (Mt 14:35-36)
As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. (Luke 17:12-14)
The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. (Mt 9:37-10:1)
Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was great joy in that city. (Acts 8:5-8)
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. (Acts 10:38)
Praise the Lord. O my soul, and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. (Ps 103:2, 3)
My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words… for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body. (Prov 4:20, 22)
The reason the Son of Man appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
(1 Jn 3:8)
When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.
(Luke 9:10-11)
When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went — into villages, towns or countryside — they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed. (Mark 6:53-56)
I am the LORD who heals you. (Ex 15:26)
He sent his word and healed them. (Ps 107:20)
Healing Atonement
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for out transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Isa 53: 4-5)
When evening came, many who were demon possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.’” (Mt 8:16-17)
He himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin, and live unto righteousness; for by His stripes you were healed. (1 Pt 2:24)
Christ’s Commission & Authority
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. (Mk 16:15-20)
Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Mt 28:18-20)
He called his disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness… Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.
(Mt 10:1, 6-8)
"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Mt 16:19)
"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." (Mt 18:18-20)
He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Lk 10:18-20)
But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. (Mt 12:28)
My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. (1 Cor 2:4-5)
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. (1 Cor 4:20-21)
This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
God also testified to it by signs, wonders, and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. (Heb 2:3-4)
Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done? (Prov 24: 11-12)
Exhortation to Heal
…but you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. (Ez 34:3)
Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. (Heb 12:12-13)
…Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians. (2 Ch 16:12)
We are HIS Witnesses
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in [ Sacramento and California, and to the ends of the United States and the World ]. (Acts 1:8)
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. (1 Pt 3:15)
This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
(Heb 2:3-4)
“All the prophets testify about [Jesus] that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. (Acts 10:43-44)
So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders. (Acts 14:3)
Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was great joy in that city.
(Acts 8:5-8)
“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
(Acts 4:29-30)
I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done--by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. (Rom 15:18-19)
“I am the LORD,
who carries out the words of his servants
and fulfills the predictions of his messengers.” (Isa 44:26)
The Sin - Sickness Connection
Not always, but sometimes there is a connection between sin and sickness. When praying for the sick, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal a connection, if there is one. The following passage, and others, are an admonition by Jesus to believers - NOT UNBELIEVERS, that judgment will come upon believers who hold unforgiveness, or bitterness:
"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." (Mt 18:23-35)
"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Mt 6:14-15)
"Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins..." Then he said to the paralytic, "Get up, take your mat and go home." (Mt 9:4-7)
"See, you are well again.Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you."
(Jn 5:14)
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 make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other so that you may be healed. (Ja 5:14-16)
Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. (1 Cor 11:27-30)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jn 1:9)
"How can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house." (Matt 12:29)
If men are bound in chains, held fast by cords of affliction, he tells them what they have done- that they have sinned arrogantly.
He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil.
(Job 36:8-10)
On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.
Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the people, "There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath."
The Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?" (Luke 13:10-16)
…If you do not obey the LORD your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you… The LORD will plague you with diseases until he has destroyed you… The LORD will strike you with wasting disease, with fever and inflammation, with scorching heat and drought, with blight and mildew, which will plague you until you perish... The Lord will also bring upon you every kind of sickness and disaster not recorded in this Book of the Law, until you are destroyed. (Dt 28: 15, 21, 22, 61)
"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand [generations] of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Ex 20:4-6)
…if you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you. (Ex 15:22-26)
Christians may be in a place where they may have to undergo testing's of some sort. As Paul states, "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." (1 Cor 4:2) And sometimes, as in the case of Job, even though there was no major sin involved on Job's part, Satan still needed permission from God before he could harass Job and destroy his family. Surely Job's servants and family might want to argue with God regarding the fairness of their destruction just to prove Job's faithfulness:
One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, "Where have you come from?"
Satan answered the Lord, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."
Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."
"Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. 10 "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."
The Lord said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." (Job 1:6-12)
On another day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. And the Lord said to Satan, "Where have you come from?"
Satan answered the Lord, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."
Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason."
"Skin for skin!" Satan replied. "A man will give all he has for his own life. But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face."
The Lord said to Satan, "Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life." (Job 2:1-6)
My Security - In Him
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD,
“He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
Surely He will save me from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover me with his feathers,
and under His wings I will find refuge;
His faithfulness will be my shield and my rampart.
I will not fear the terror of night, or the arrow that flies by day,
the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
or the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at my side, ten thousand at my right hand,
but it will not come near me.
I will only observe with my eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
Since I make the Most High my dwelling - even the LORD, who is my refuge
- no harm will befall me, no disaster will come near my tent.
For He will command his angels concerning me to guard me in all my ways;
they will lift me up in their hands, so that I will not strike my foot against a stone.
I will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
I will trample the great lion and the serpent.
“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, because he acknowledges my name.
He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
(Psalm 91 - Personalized)
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
(Ps 23:1-6)
He holds victory in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.
(Prov 2:7-8)