Performing Miracles Today

Performing Miracles Today - God Still Does Might Works

God does not change, He operates in the same manner today as He did when He created the heavens and earth. In Malachi 3:6 God says "6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." Not only is this point established by God in His Word, but further on in the New Testament the same state of unchanging being and power is also established in the Word regarding Jesus Christ. Hebrews 13:8 says, "8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." All throughout the Bible from Genesis to the book of Revelation are examples of Miracles, Wonders, and Might works of God. Some of these happened in the time of the writers, inspired by God, who wrote the books of the Bible and were witnessed by them and the people of the time. Other miracles, signs, and wonders were prophesied to happen in the future, some are happening in our time and a very significant number of them yet to come .

The Bible has no single word for miracle. The miracle concept includes use of several terms: wonder, might work, and sign. Wonder calls attention to the impression made by miracles. Miracle derived from the Latin word "miraculum" which means something that evokes wonder. A miracle is an event beyond the normal, triggering our awareness of God's prescience and power. Signs follow believers and confirm the Word of God spoken. Mighty works point to the presence in Biblical times and our times of supernatural acts of God involving the power that created the world from nothing. Being out of the regular course of nature and beyond the power of man, miracles are fitted to convey the reality of the presence and power of God. Where miracles are, there are believers, and most assuredly God is there. The man, therefore, who works a miracle presents clear proof that he comes with the authority of God and miracles are his credentials that he is God's messenger. Paul, in his teachings points to these credentials as a proof that he speaks with the authority of God. He boldly says, "God bears me witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles." The reality of miracles is established by the evidence of the senses, on the part of those who are witnesses of them, and to all others by the testimony of such witnesses. Miracles are credible just as any facts of history are credible. We believe a thousand facts, both of history and of science on the ground of competent testimony even though we were not there to see history unfold or witness the scientific research and experiments. An atheist of course will deny the possibility of miracles. But to one who believes that God is a personal God, who in His wisdom may see fit to interfere with the ordinary processes of nature, miracles are not impossible, nor are they incredible...they are to be expected according to His Word.

The wonder today is that there is no major manifestation of miracles. In the church today there are many teachers who instruct the believers that miracles have ceased, that they ended with the falling asleep (death) of the last apostle. Others teach that miracles in the Bible are myths. The secular education our children receive today undermines the possibility of our children believing in miracles. In almost every denomination (divisions of the body of Christ) there are no miracles, signs, or wonders to be seen. This totally contrary to what Jesus Christ promised when he taught the disciples and apostles shortly before he ascended into heaven. Jesus told them the following:
“John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”

Jesus told them that the words he spoke to them, were not his words, but the words of his Father, God. He then told them that God who lived in him did the works. Next Jesus told them something (if miracles have ceased means Jesus lied) that almost no believer today exhibits...Whoever Believes On Him Would Do the Same Works That He Did. That does not mean only your preacher, pastor, or evangelist had this god given ability. Every believer has the ability for God to carry out this part of our ongoing spiritual battle against the Devil. What works did Jesus do? Raise the dead, heal the blind, open the ears of the deaf, cast out devil spirits, heal the lame, and on and on...all of these works we as future believers would do. Then, if that was not enough, he said that We Would Do Greater Works Than These that he had done because he was going to be with his Father (God). And whatsoever (anything with no exception) we would ask (pray and openly speak) for in his name (the Name of Jesus Christ) he would do so that God would be glorified.
“Matthew 13:53 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence. 54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. 58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”

During his ministry Jesus went back to his home town to hold forth the Gospel and taught them in the synagogue. Look at the immediate reaction and response he received from the people he grew up with. They first looked at his family. They compared him to his father the local carpenter, his mother, his three brothers, and his sisters. They believed him to be "the carpenter's son" not the son of God. They thought to themselves, where did he get this knowledge and those might works. When their comparison was finished, "they were Offended in him." Jesus told them what had been experienced by every prophet God had sent prior to him, the only place a prophet's ministry is rejected is in his own country and in his own house (by his family). The concluding factor as to why he could not do many mighty works came down to one major thing - Because Of Their Unbelief, the collective Unbelief of the people in his home town and the Unbelief of the individuals he wanted to heal with a miracle.

Jesus prepared the apostles with instruction, by example, in Believing that manifests results. When you see something done and then have it explained it is far easier to do the same thing with results, than just being told it can be done. This instruction was recorded twice for us in the scriptures. When God says some thing once you can count on it, but when He says something twice it is established and it will not be changed.
“Mark 11:11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve. 12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: 13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. 14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. 15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. 17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. 18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine. 19 And when even was come, he went out of the city. 20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. 22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
“Matthew 21:18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. 19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. 20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! 21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

Now cursing a tree just because it had no fruit may seem unreasonable to some, but Jesus knew about fig trees. The tree in these two records should have had fruit, unripe but existing. Fig trees bear early fruit under the leaves and later the fruit above the leaves. The leaves were a sign that there should have been fruit, unseen from the distance, under the leaves. The condemnation of this tree resulted from the absence of any sign of fruit. (We might consider this object lesson of failure to produce fruit; i.e. fruit of the spirit, winning others to Christ, etc.) Continuing on with covering the record in Matthew 21, it is a lesson in believing completely to receive results from God. First, Have Total believing that God will confirm your word. Second, speak your objective. Third, Do Not Doubt (doubt is unbelief), doubt in your heart means getting rid of even the smallest feeling of doubt. Fourth, believe without a shadow of a doubt that the things you say will happen (to the point that you can actually picture in detail them happening). Fifth, you will absolutely have "Whatsoever" (leaves no room for exception) you say. Then, Jesus applies this principle just taught to prayer; what ever you ask in prayer, believing you absolutely will receive. Note the extent of power of believing, his illustration was a mountain that saw in the distance (a literal mountain) being removed and thrown into the sea! What great power believers have through believing and today few really understand the unlimited extent of power we have from God.

The account in Mark of Jesus giving the great commission to the disciples and apostles, gives us a further clarification of what the new believer would be entitled to. Note...New Believer/Whoever Believes to receive Salvation...not just the apostles.
“Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.”

Signs absolutely will follow Them that Believe. Note in verse 20 the order of progression to signs being exhibited. (1) They went and preached everywhere and (2) God confirmed the Word they spoke with signs. This was the proper order in which God had operated since the beginning: (1) God spoke His and (2) the heavens and earth were created; God's servants spoke and He confirmed their words. In the Old Testament in Isaiah 44:26, "That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:". In the Acts 2, we find in the sermon delivered on the day of Pentecost, the first example in the First Century Church of what Jesus promised right before he ascended:
“Acts 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.”

After the outpouring of holy spirit foretold by the prophet Joel (Joel 2:28, "28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.") the word of God had been spoken revealing what Jesus Christ had accomplished for us, and God confirmed His Word spoken, with many wonders and signs being done by the apostles.

Lets look at some examples of miracles and who worked these after speaking the Word of God.

Seventy Disciples Commissioned Who Worked Miracles - the literal definition of disciple is "a learner, student, it denotes one who follows one's teaching." The term disciple would refer to any ordinary born again believer. Here Jesus gives these 70 students to same mission as he gave the 12 apostles, when first sent them out. Well if the math isn't wrong, we've got "82" Gospel speaking signs and wonder producing believers. When that last apostle died it would be a safe bet that there were bunches of Gospel preaching believers left of this order. - They returned with joy that even the devils are subject to them through his name.
“Luke 10:1-10, 16-20 - 1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. 2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. 3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. 5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. 6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. 7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. 8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: 9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, 11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. 16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. 17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”

The next example is The Individual Who Was Not A Disciple Casting Out Devils. This example illustrates the power that there is in the Name of Jesus Christ. That even a person who was not a disciple (a student) or a follower of Jesus, got results in the Name of Jesus Christ.
“Mark 9:38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. 39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. 40 For he that is not against us is on our part.”

“Luke 9:48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. 49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. 50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.”

Seven Disciples Appointed - Stephen (the disciple) did great wonders and miracles among the people (the same Stephen who was stoned to death later on after preaching a reproof and correction message to the religious leaders and the people).
“Acts 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. 8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.”

Next, Barnabas who was a disciple, Paul’s assistant and fellow laborer for God. The account mentions that God wrought miracles and wonders among the gentiles by them (miracles and wonders performed by both Paul and Barnabas).
“Acts 15:12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.”

Finally, working of miracles is just 1 of the 9 parts of the gift of the new birth. In 1 Corinthians 12, is the description of exactly what the powerbase of our spiritual warfare abilities are. It describes "the manifestation of the Spirit." Most important to observe here is the word "manifestation." Manifestation is singular in usage meaning this was one lump package. In illustration like a clump of grapes you were just given with nine (9) grapes. That means to you as a believer that God has given to you the ability through believing to utilize all nine (9) parts of the manifestation of the Spirit
“1 Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”

The manifestation of the spirit is given to you for your benefit. You can receive and utilize word of wisdom & word of knowledge (receive revelation from God and know form him how to apply it), Faith (literally the faith of Jesus Christ-results producing), gifts of healing (ability to minister healing to others), Working of Miracles, prophecy (both foretelling and forth telling God's Word to men), discerning of spirits (ability to be able to detect spirits and tell the difference between good and evil), divers kinds of tongues (speaking in tongues), and interpretation of tongues (ability to interpret what has just been spoken in a tongue. NEXT is the key statement to understanding these verses in application. A pronoun as a part of speech always is associated with the nearest noun, which in this case is MAN. What this final phrase says is that all nine (9) manifestations are energized by the Spirit, the New Birth in a man and that he is able to use them as he believes to utilize them.

Out of this section of verse in 1 Corinthians we have only covered one of the parts of the "manifestation of spirit" with the topic
Of miracles. Many have been mis-taught that each grape on the clump is one gift of nine gifts. As with any subject of endeavor, you can only go as far as you have been taught. Too many Christians out there are walking through their lives without realizing the full potential of God's power. The truth is that, as a born again believer , you have the ability to operate all nine (9) all the time as they are needed in your spiritual warfare against our adversary. As men and women of God we need to plug into this powerbase in order to produce victory in our lives. Do not allow the world and the unbelievers around you to lull you into apathy and doubt, to the point of not producing fruit, producing miracles, signs, and wonders through unbelief. Believe fully in God, speak His Word, do not doubt and you will absolutely have the witness from God that a man or woman of God is present. God will display sign, wonders, miracles, and mighty works in the Body of Christ again, confirming the Word you speak, when you stand fast on His Word, speak it.

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You CAN Receive Healing from God Today

According the Word of God, healing is a Gift of God in all instances. Depending on the circumstances, it is a show of God's mercy, grace (unmerited divine favor), and/or His forgiveness of sin.

Healing falls into areas beyond just physical health related issues. Healing covers the areas of individual well being; financial, mental issues (counted in the First Century & Jesus' time as demon possession), relationship issues, and basically life in every aspect. There is also an aspect of God's healing in relationship to rulers (the government) and entire countries. Under the administration of the Old Testament (under the law) God's promise of healing, like all of the promises found in the Old Testament, was conditional. Under the administration of the New Testament, the Church of the body of Christ, the promise of healing is one of the nine parts of the "manifestation of holy spirit" described in I Corinthians 12 and in the New Testament promises are not conditional.

There are many different interpretations, by men, of what God does today in the way of our physical health. There are some who teach that the healing that Jesus said was a sign of believers was only available during the lifetimes of the apostles. There are others who propound that healing is not guaranteed at all by God.

Some even teach that instantaneous healing is a myth. Others that teach that this type of healing does not apply to our times because God has given us medical knowledge, they say since we have doctors and medicines extracted from things God created, God does not need to operate that way today. And then a minority teach that God still heals today and that it is His will that we be free from the bondage of the devil in respect to our health. Well, it all goes back to the same thing again. God does not change, He operates in the same manner today as He did when He created the heavens and earth. In Malachi 3:6 God says "6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." Not only is this point established by God in His Word but further on in the New Testament, the same state of unchanging being and power is also established in the Word regarding Jesus Christ. Hebrews 13:8 says, "8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."

Men of God, who operate the ministering of healing as a part of their ministry, are often ridiculed publicly by some established groups. When Oral Roberts pioneered Television Evangelism back in the early 60's, it was a common joke about "just put your hand on your TV screen to receive healing." People have attacked evangelists like Benny Hinn with demands that he either come up with medical verification of miracles performed or they would expose him as a fraud and the broadcast industry has aired programs about him in a negative light. These are but two examples used here to illustrate how the devil tries to steal that from us which God says he has available for us. God is not out of business - miracles and healing do happen today. It is a sad state of affairs though, that when someone gets up and gets excited about the Truth today and declares the Truth of God's Word, as soon as they are noticed by leaders of the church (like the Sadducee's and Pharisees treated Jesus and his followers) and the secular world they are labeled derogatorily in order to stop people from Believing what they speak for God. They are labeled crackpots, cults, scam artists, heretics, and worse. The fact of the matter is that God is still the same today. If healing, as covered in the New Testament is no longer available...then they are saying Jesus Christ is a liar (healing was in the Great Commission as a sign). I would not want to face my Maker on judgment day with that bad mark held to my account.

Let's look at the scriptural record to get God's Word on the matter of healing. In Old Testament times, under the law God gave to Moses for His chosen people, Israel, healing was a conditional promise. Now has established the fact we will not live forever because God has given a limit to a man or woman's time on the earth, yet we do not have to live with disease killing us before the maximum time frame God set as a life span for us is up.
“Genesis 6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.”
“Deuteronomy 34:7 And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.”

When Moses died, the Word of God said that at the age of 120 years, he still had good eye sight and that he still had the strength he had earlier in life. Following are some examples of healing in the Old Testament.

God healed Abimelech and his wife and female slaves so that they bore children. This was conditional on King Abimelech returning Sarah, Abraham's wife, to him.
“Genesis 20:2-3,7,17-18 - 2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife. 7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine. 17 So Abraham prayed unto

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God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children. 18 For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.”
Even though Abraham had lied to Abimelech (no one's perfect, not even God's prophets) by telling him his wife was his sister, taking Sarah was sin to the point that God's judgment was death for Abimelech and the sin caused "all" of the women in his household (including servants) to become barren. Conditions for healing were return the woman and Abraham praying for his healing and the healing of his household.

A good percentage of the conditional promises of healing in the Old Testament cover "removal of diseases" and these promises are mostly on a national rather than individual basis. On the other hand the appearing of diseases is the condition brought about by the rejection of God and disobedience.
“Exodus 15:26 If you will diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give heed to his commandments and keep all his Statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon you which I put upon the Egyptians; for I am the Lord, your healer.”
“Exodus 23: 25 And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. 26 There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.”

The promise is contingent on obedience. God also says more than that He heals. He says that He will actually refrain from putting diseases upon the nation. This is one blessing alongside others, such as healing their land, blessing them with children, and a full length of life.

Look at the example of Naaman who was healed of leprosy, he had to perform a certain thing to receive healing. Naaman was looking for a grand show like so many would like to see today, verse 11 " Elisha would stand in public and call on God to heal and strike his hand over the place!" Instead the simple instruction by way of a messenger was, go dip in the Jordan river 7 times and you'll be healed. The Jordan was a rather poor looking river compared to those in his land and that in itself put him off quite a bit. When Naaman finally let go of his pride and followed the instruction from God, he was healed.
“2 Kings 5:6 And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy. 7 And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me. 8 And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel. 9 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. 10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. 11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. 13 And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? 14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.”

In the next example of healing being a conditional promise in Old Testament times, King Hezekiah was given an action also to take to recover. God heard his prayer and the answer was an additional 15 years of life, deliver the people of the city from the Assyrians, and defend the city. But in order to receive healing, was the condition mentioned in verse 7, place a lump of figs on the boil to get healed.
“2 Kings 20:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. 2 Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, 3 I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. 4 And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD. 6 And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake. 7 And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.”

Then there is an example of healing to the land as well as the inhabitants of the land by God. This healing of the land was contingent on the people humbling themselves, praying, seek knowledge of God and stop their wicked lifestyle.
“2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Direct promises of healing from God in the Old Testament are found in four places in the scriptures. When you pray to God He heals, God heals by way of His Word, and looking forward to the coming Messiah, Jesus, they were healed by his stripes (physical abuse before and during his crucifixion).
“Psalms 30:2 O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.”
“Psalms 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”
“Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
“Malachi 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.”

This leads us on to the healing available to New Testament first century Christians, and all Christians from that time even to our own time. The healing ministry of Christ did not end with his earthly life; it is part of his work in the church today. In the following verse, note the shift in time perspective from the administration of the law (Old Testament) to the administration of the Church, the age of grace (New Testament). Where in the Old Testament times they "are" healed by his stripes (looking toward the future events), shifting to the first century and our time. In the New Testament and in our time you "were" healed (past tense, already healed, before they needed healing).
“1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

Jesus also promised that , "These signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils . . . they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" (Mark 16:17-18). Later during the revelation and instruction from God to the Church, listed among the nine parts of the manifestation of holy spirit for the present-day church individuals is "the gifts of healing" (I Corinthians 12:9). Further instruction in healing in the church was revealed to James to send out to "the 12 tribes scattered abroad - the Jewish believers." God revealed His plan for healing.
“James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14 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: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”

Laying on of hands and anointing with oil usually accompany prayer for healing, in accordance with God's Word and to focus faith. The clear example following this instruction was meant to reinforce their believing for results from having healing ministered to them. If a prayer of one man could stop the rain on the entire earth for a period of three and a half years, how insignificant a task for God to heal one believer.

Faith (believing) in the Lord is the key to receiving healing. The Gospels record that Jesus healed people according to their believing. The blind received their sight, devil spirits were cast out, and more.
“Matthew 8:8,13,16 - 8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. 16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:”
“Matthew 9:29 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.”
“Mark 10:51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. 52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.”

By the operation of the manifestation of spirit and the power of God, Paul was able to heal the lame man at Lystra because by revelation from God he saw that the man had the faith (believing) needed to receive the gift of healing from God.
“Acts 14:8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: 9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, 10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.”

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Prayer for healing, like all prayer, must be offered by faith in the name of Jesus Christ. It needs to come from a repentant heart with proper motives and must conform to the will of God. God does not always answer in the manner we expect nor does He respond to our prayers on our schedule. The main thing we must do is always keep our trust in Him, even when we do not see immediate results in our life, we must know and believe in our hearts that God is at work for us. We have to believe that God hears our petitions and not only hears them but acts on them as well, and we will receiving the needed healing.
“James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”
“1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.”
“1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”

God still heals today. God can heal with medical help, but He also CAN and often DOES heal miraculously without any human assistance. Even when a person receives medical assistance, he or she can still look to God for divine healing. There is nothing wrong with medical help if your believing has not grown to the point of being able to believe to receive immediate healing from God. The example of the woman with the issue of blood and who had for many years spent all she had on "doctors" was not corrected by Jesus for this effort on her part. He praised her for building her belief to the point that by only touching his garment...she received healing.
“Mark 5:25-29,33-34 - 25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. 29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. 33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.”

Now there has been many controversies as to who was ministering healing to the people during the ministry of Jesus and in the first century Church? If you "think it was only Jesus and the apostles," the following scriptures should change your thinking to the proper perspective. As we all know from the record in the following verses the Apostles healed the sick and cast out demons.
“Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.”
“Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”
“Mark 3:14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, 15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:”

But, them we have the account of the 70 disciples (students and followers) whom he assigned the very same mission recorded in Luke. Jesus stated that he had given them power over all the power of the enemy (the Devil and his evil spirits) and that nothing by any means would hurt them. There is no direct mention of the seventy healing the sick but in light of their returning statement, "even the devils are subject to us" indicates they were doing more than just saying Jesus is coming.
“Luke 10:1-3,17-18 - 1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. 2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. 3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. 17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

Peter traveled to the city of Lydda from Joppa after hearing that Dorcas had died and raised Dorcas from the dead. The ultimate demonstration of healing from God. When he arrived he made all of the grieving fellow believers without belief for a miracle of healing to occur leave, and she was raised up.
“Acts 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. 42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.”

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Well Peter was an Apostle and raised the dead. On the other hand the Apostle Paul was raised from the dead by the disciples. In the account, the Jews had Paul stoned to death. By the rules concerning stoning, you did not stop getting hit by the thrown stones until you were dead. There is no way the Jews would have allowed Paul to be taken outside of the city unless he was actually dead. That is why the Disciples stood around about him, they were praying and raised him from the dead. He was not only raised from the dead but was healed to the extent that he and Barnabas left the next day and traveled to Derbe. Well what about that, disciples, students of the Word and followers of Christ, ordinary Christian believers raising an Apostle from the dead. Makes you think doesn’t it.
“Acts 14:19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. 20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.”

The disciple Philip, when he went to preach God's word of salvation to Samaria healed people. Philip was one of the seven disciples chosen to minister to the needs of the widows in the Church. Later, when Saul (who became the apostle Paul after his conversion) was heading up a massive campaign of persecution against the church, the believers scattered to avoid the persecution and Philip went to Samaria to preach the Gospel. The result was that God confirmed his preaching with signs and wonders, healing diseases and casting out devil spirits from possessed people. Think about it, every born again believer (disciple) in the Church has the same measure of power from God as Philip had. What would it be like, if today the disciples used the manifestation of Holy Spirit like Philip?
“Acts 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.”
“Acts 8:4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.”

The list of witnessed and testified to manifestations of the gift of healing runs throughout the New Testament. The examples I have listed show the pertinent facts of healing from God's standard: 1) healing from God is still available; 2) our healing is evidence of God's grace, mercy, and forgiveness of sin; 3) we were already healed by what Jesus accomplished for us with his death and resurrection; 4) Prayer for healing of members of the body of Christ is effective; and 5) ALL BELIEVERS (not just apostles, pastors,
preachers, evangelists, or prophets) have the God given ability to minister and manifest the gift of healing to those in need, through the operation of the part of the manifestation of Holy Spirit named the gift of healing.

The time is over due for the members of the Body of Christ, the Church, to again walk forth into the world speaking God's Word and having God confirm the Gospel we speak with healing, signs and wonders. We are God's troops against the powers of darkness, in a world where the light has grown dim. We are lights in the world and where we go the darkness in the world is dispelled. It's time for the leaders and teachers in the Church to again build the believing of the members of the Church and encourage them to walk manifesting the power of God. We are God's army and the powers of the rulers of darkness in the world can not overcome us as long as we stand on the Word of God. As Jesus said before he ascended into heaven to be with God our Father, signs will follow believers and "In my name shall they cast out devils . . . they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.