God’s Healing Power

We read in the bible of the many times that people were miraculously healed, and those who are ill today often wish that such things could occur in this modern age. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there were a way that we could again access Gods healing power to heal the sick?

Think of your own situation. Are you suffering physically or sick in any way? Have you been struck down by some malady and unable to carry out your daily functions?

If so then you need to know that Jesus provided an ordinance for the Christian Church to provide his healing power. Not just back in the old days of biblical times, but today as well. There were not many ordinances given for the church to follow, but one of those that were related to the healing the sick.

God’s healing power is given through the ordinance of anointing with oil.

We see that when Jesus first sent out his disciples to preach the message of repentance, they were also charged to anoint the sick with oil so that they would be healed. In Mark 6:13 it shows they, “…anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.”

Now some could argue that this was a ministry only given at that time to help promote and spread the teachings of Christianity. But this assertion would be wrong. This ministry of anointing with oil for the healing of the sick was given to the church. Like all of the gifts to the church it exists today as much as it did back when Jesus walked the earth.

Look at the words of James 5:14-15, “Is any among you sick? 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; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”

The ministry of anointing with oil has been provided to the church for anyone to receive Gods healing power. It is the elders of the church who are to be called upon to administer this ordinance for the healing of the people.

Now a person of science or a medical man may scoff at this saying how is it possible for someone to be healed of everything from the common cold to cancer just by dabbing on a bit of oil and praying for them? Well the simple answer is that it is a matter of faith.

There are two parts to the faith aspect of anointing with oil. First, a person must call for the elders of the church to anoint and pray for them. This doesn’t require much faith to do, but it shows that they have sufficient faith to believe the anointing with oil works. And the key is that they must first ask. Secondly, it is the prayer of faith by the elders of the church that will save the sick man.

And you don’t need all of the elders of the church involved. If you consider when Jesus sent out the twelve to preach and anoint with oil, he sent them out in twos. This was so there would always be a witness to the process. Furthermore he says elsewhere that whenever there are two or more gathered in his name, then he is in their midst. So taking these two scriptures it will be sufficient for just two elders to perform the anointing with oil if a sick person asks for it to be done.

Does it work today? Yes it does. It is not always an instantaneous or miraculous healing, but if it is the Lord’s will then it can be both.

I am not suggesting either that a person should not continue to see doctors. Medical authorities have a role to play and have been given their authority by God, for the bible shows us that, “…there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Romans 13:1) Even Jesus himself said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” (Matthew 9:12) I would not recommend otherwise.

But it is also important to know that God has provided this further avenue for healing power through the anointing of oil and prayer that we can still utilise today. In all ways he has provided for us if we will only come to him.

I hope that you found something here to help you or add to your own knowledge. If you have any questions, then please feel free to contact me.