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25 OBJECTIONS TO DIVINE HEALING AND THE BIBLE

ANSWERS
Despite the fact that literally millions of people have
received divine healing and have testified to the same, and the
Scriptures unequivocally promise healing and deliverance for
the believer, there is rising a subtle form of opposition against
this great truth that has been so precious to Gods people. The
objections raised have a certain plausibility and sometimes
succeed in weaening the faith of those who have the greatest
need.
!n this volume we have noted practically all the main
objections that have been raised against divine healing and have
given the "ible answer to them. !ncluded in these objections are
the following#
!f divine healing is for $hristians, why are so many sic%
Doesnt the "ible say that the &ord sends sicness upon 'is
people%
!s not sicness divine discipline%
(as not divine healing intended only for the apostolic age%
Did not )esus say that some sicness was for the glory of
God%
Does not the "ible declare that )ob was a perfect man, and
yet he was sic%
Does not the Scripture state that *aul was nearly blind%
Did not *aul himself declare that he had a thorn in the flesh%
(hat about Timothys wine and infirmities%
(hat about 'e+eiahs poultice%
These and many other questions are answered in this
volume. !t is a concise, comprehensive, and compelling answer
to those objections raised against divine healing, and a powerful
faith,builder to all those who need deliverance.
25 Objections to Divine Healing
and the Bible Answers
by Gordon Lindsay
*repared for
The (orld $orrespondence $ourse
*ublished by
The -oice of 'ealing *ublishing $o.
Dallas, Te.as
&itho /. S. 0.
The year 1233
Contents
4")5$T!46 1# !f divine healing is for all $hristians, why is there so
much sicness among them%...................................................................7
4")5$T!46 8# "ut there are true saints deeply consecrated to the
&ord9s wor that are not healed. Doesn9t this prove that it is not the will
of God to heal all%...................................................................................2
4")5$T!46 :# The healings of $hrist were performed instantly. Those
who pray for the sic today teach that the healing will tae place
gradually. !f God, who has all power, were to do the healing, 'e would
do it instantly and perfectly...................................................................11
4")5$T!46 ;# The healing ministries of )esus and *aul were different
from those who pray for the sic today. !n these days people are told
that they have to have faith in order to get healed. !n contrast )esus
could heal as many sic people as 'e chose at any time, regardless of
their faith...............................................................................................1:
4")5$T!46 <# Those who teach divine healing say that it is the devil
that sends sicness. =et the "ible declares that the &ord brought
sicness on certain individuals..............................................................1<
4")5$T!46 3# God permits sicness to come upon some of 'is
people as divine discipline> therefore, it is the will of God for them to
be sic...................................................................................................17
4")5$T!46 7# Divine healing was only for the church in the apostolic
age.........................................................................................................12
4")5$T!46 ?# Some who have prayed for the sic have proved to be
dishonest. This would suggest that the ministry of healing is not
genuine..................................................................................................8:
4")5$T!46 2# )esus spoe of those who prophesied and healed the
sic, yet in the end they went into perdition#.........................................8<
4")5$T!46 1@# !f we are to e.pect God to heal the sic today through
prayer, then we should e.pect 'im to raise the dead............................87
4")5$T!46 11# The command in )ames <#1; for the elders to pray for
the sic is not relevant to the church because the boo of )ames was
written only to the )ews.........................................................................82
4")5$T!46 18# 5ven if divine healing is taught in the Scriptures, it
was intended for the private ministry only. The practice of praying for
the sic in public is not only embarrassing to people, but unscriptural.
...............................................................................................................:1
4")5$T!46 1:# )esus said concerning the fatal illness of &a+arus,
AThis sicness is not unto death, but for the glory of God that the Son of
God might be glorified therebyA B)ohn 11#;C. Does not this show that
some sicness is for the glory of God%.................................................::
4")5$T!46 1;# !f $hrist heals a person, why in some cases does the
sicness come bac again% !f God has all power, why is not the healing
permanent%............................................................................................:<
4")5$T!46 1<# God said that )ob was a perfect man. 6evertheless, he
suffered a serious illness caused by virulent boils. Does this not prove
that it is God9s will for even the choicest $hristians to be sic%...........:7
4")5$T!46 13# Theologians generally agree that *aul was almost
blind and could not be healed. !s not this proof that it is not the will of
God that everyone should be healed%....................................................:2
4")5$T!46 17# "ut *aul himself says that he had a thorn in the flesh.
"ible e.positors generally teach that this means that *aul was sic and
though he sought deliverance, God refused to heal him. Does not this
prove that it is not the will of God to heal all%......................................;1
4")5$T!46 1?# *aul told Timothy to ADrin no longer water, but use
a little wine for thy stomach9s sae and thine often infirmities.A Does
not this show that Timothy was often sic and that *aul advised him to
use the medicinal properties of wine for the alleviation of ills rather
than to e.pect divine healing%...............................................................;<
4")5$T!46 12# "ut *aul spoe about Timothy9s infirmities. (hy did
he not encourage Timothy to get healed of his infirmities% Did not the
apostle *aul himself say he had infirmities B!l $or. 11#:@> 18#<, 2,1@C,
and had not been able to get deliverance% (hy could he not get healed
of them%.................................................................................................;7
4")5$T!46 8@# *aul left Trophimus sic at Diletum B!! Timothy
;#8@C. 0t another time 5paphroditus, his closest companion, was
desperately ill and recovered only after a protracted convalescence
B*hil. 8#8<,:@C. 'ow can you harmoni+e these facts with the position
that it is the will of God for all true $hristians to be well%...................<1
4")5$T!46 81# God told 'e+eiah to put a poultice on his carbuncle.
Does this not prove that God intended medical means to be used for
healing%.................................................................................................<:
4")5$T!46 88# "ut )esus said, AThey that be whole need not a
physician> but they that are sic.A !n saying this did not 'e mean that
$hristians should go to the physicians for healing rather than to God% <<
4")5$T!46 8:# 0 certain well,nown writer against divine healing
has stated# AThe doctrine that our &ord )esus $hrist, when 'e died on
the cross, made an atonement for the sicnesses and disease of the
body, is a false doctrine, a doctrine that cannot be found from one end
of the 'oly Scripture to the other.A.......................................................<2
4")5$T!46 8;# The noted men of God in the past have universally
rejected the doctrine of healing9s being in the atonement.....................3:
4")5$T!46 8<# !f healing is in the atonement and some $hristians are
not healed, then these must conclude that they are all sinners in the sight
of God and under condemnation...........................................................3<
0 Test $ase of 'ealing.........................................................................37
OBJECTION 1: I di!in" #"a$in% is or a$$ C#ris&ians'
(#y is &#"r" so )*+# si+,n"ss a)on% &#")-
T#" Bib$" Ans("r:
*aul said, For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily,
eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the
Lords body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among
you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we
should not be judged B1 $or. 11#82,:1C. *aul did not say that
the saints could e.pect sicness as the normal thing in life.
Dany indeed were sic in his day as they are in ours, but he said
there was a cause. They had not discerned the &ords body that
was broen for their bodies. 6or had they judged themselves.
$onsequently, many were sic and wea, and many died
prematurely.
!n addition, since the human body is subject to certain
physical laws, it is necessary for $hristians to observe these
laws. 0fter the &ord gave the covenant of healing in 5.odus
1<#8<,83, 'e followed it with certain statutes and instructions on
the care of the body. !n the very ne.t chapter B5.odus 13C we are
told that God gave the children of !srael a simple but healthful
diet of manna> but they were not satisfied with this, and they
gave themselves over to an orgy of gluttony B*sa. 7?#1?, 82,:1C.
Some $hristians eat e.cessively and many are overweight. 0s
any physician will affirm, e.cessive weight predisposes to
disease and early death.
The &ord also gave a law regarding rest. Dany $hristians
ignore this. 5ven )esus taught 'is disciples to tae periods of
rest BDar 3#:1C. 4thers are guilty of giving way to fears,
an.iety, and worry, all of which have an adverse effect on the
nervous system. The "ible teaches us to be careful for nothing
but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your re!uests be made known unto "od B*hil. ;#3C.
The truth of the matter is that Gods plan for 'is saints is
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#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
more than divine healing. !t is divine health. Dost $hristians
have not been taught this. They loo for repeated sicnesses and
repeated healings as the best they can e.pect. $onsequently
some get the repeated sicnesses, but not the repeated healings.
The covenant of healing given in 5.odus 1<#83 promised
that if the children of !srael would eep 'is commandments
which included the health laws, they would be free from the
diseases which had come upon the 5gyptians. The promise was
repeated several times.
)nd ye shall serve the Lord your "od and he shall bless
thy bread, and thy water and * will take sickness away from
the midst of thee. +,-od. #./#$0.
)nd the Lord will take away from thee all sickness, and
will put none of the evil diseases of ,gypt, which thou
knowest, upon thee but will lay them upon all them that hate
thee. +&eut. 1/2$0.
The same truth is taught in the 6ew Testament> for e.ample,
!!! )ohn 8, (eloved. * wish above all things that thou mayest
prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. God
made man in 'is own image and gave him dominion over the
earth BGen. 1#83,8?C. That dominion was lost by 0dams
disobedience. !t was partially recovered in Doses day, but in
$hrist we recover all. (e live in a different dispensation from
those who lived under the 4ld Testament. God gave a promise
of freedom from sicness under the Dosaic &aw. The 6ew
Testament was in all respects a better covenant. !t would be
strange indeed if the old covenant promised health and freedom
from sicness, and now under the 6ew Testament we have to
revert to being subject to the diseases of the 5gyptians. God
forbidE
?
OBJECTION 2: B*& &#"r" ar" &r*" sain&s d"".$y
+ons"+ra&"d &o &#" Lord/s (or, &#a& ar" no&
#"a$"d0 Do"sn/& &#is .ro!" &#a& i& is no& &#" (i$$ o
God &o #"a$ a$$-
T#" Bib$" Ans("r:
Some saints are not healed because they believe it is Gods
will for them to be sic. =et these same people without
compunction of conscience will send for a physician and use all
possible remedies to get rid of that which they claim is upon
them for their good. This confused thining is usually caused by
false teaching. 4ften the person is unaware of the absurdity of
his position. !f it is Gods will for him to be sic, then for him to
see healing by other means would be trying to outwit God.
4bviously, down in his heart he believes it is Gods will for him
to be well, but according to the teaching he has received, it can
be obtained only through drugs and medicine. 'ow tragic this isE
God commanded the sic believer not to resign himself to
sicness and say he is suffering for the glory of God but to call
the elders of the church to pray for him. 0nd the promise is that
if he does so, and the prayer of faith is prayed, the &ord will
raise him up.
2
OBJECTION 1: T#" #"a$in%s o C#ris& ("r"
."ror)"d ins&an&$y0 T#os" (#o .ray or &#" si+,
&oday &"a+# &#a& &#" #"a$in% (i$$ &a," .$a+"
%rad*a$$y0 I God' (#o #as a$$ .o("r' ("r" &o do
&#" #"a$in%' H" (o*$d do i& ins&an&$y and ."r"+&$y0
T#" Bib$" Ans("r:
(hat God does and what people thin 'e should do are
often two different things. There are many healings today that do
tae place instantly, even as they did in the days of )esus. 4n the
other hand, there are others that are not manifested at once. To
as why God does not heal all instantly is to ignore the fact that
a persons individual faith has much to do with healing. (e
have to let God set the rules. 6ot everyone was made perfectly
whole the first moment $hrist ministered to them. )esus said to
the nobleman whose son was at the point of death, ,-cept ye
see signs and wonders, ye will not believe B)ohn ;#;?C. !n other
words he wanted a spectacular miracle wrought. The nobleman
accepted the rebue and went his way believing. 'e was not
disappointed. 'is son was not made whole instantly, but from
that hour he began to amend.
The blind man of "ethsaida, after $hrist laid 'is hands upon
him was able to see, but he still had blurred vision. 'e said, *
see men as trees, walking BDar ?#8;C. Further ministry
brought perfect deliverance. $hrist told the ten lepers to go to
the priest and show themselves as a testimony of their healing.
=et at the time apparently nothing too place. 0s they went their
way they were cleansed B&ue 17#1;C. Faith is an act. 4ften the
manifestation of the healing appears as we go our way believing
the promise. $hrist said of believers that they shall lay hands
on the sick, and they shall recover. The word recover implies
gradual healing rather then an instantaneous miracle.
Dany do not understand the meaning of faith. They say that
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#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
if God heals them they will believe. That is not faith. !t does not
require any faith once the healing has taen place. Faith is only
faith when nothing is seen by the natural eye.
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OBJECTION 2: T#" #"a$in% )inis&ri"s o J"s*s and
3a*$ ("r" di"r"n& ro) &#os" (#o .ray or &#"
si+, &oday0 In &#"s" days ."o.$" ar" &o$d &#a& &#"y
#a!" &o #a!" ai&# in ord"r &o %"& #"a$"d0 In
+on&ras& J"s*s +o*$d #"a$ as )any si+, ."o.$" as
H" +#os" a& any &i)"' r"%ard$"ss o &#"ir ai&#0
T#" Bib$" Ans("r:
The above statement that )esus healed anybody and
everybody at any time 'e chose appears to honor $hrist, but it is
not in accord with the record. $hrist emptied 'imself of 'is
Godhead and came to earth and ministered healing according to
the same laws and limitations under which we have to wor.
(hen )esus was preaching in 'is home town of 6a+areth,
the citi+ens were septical of 'is claims. They wanted 'im to
perform 'is wonders before they would believe B&ue ;#8:C.
The &ord could do little in such an atmosphere of unbelief. (e
are told that 'e could do there no mighty work, save that he
laid his hands on a few sick folk, and healed them. )nd he
marvelled at their unbelief BDar 3#<,3C.
3otice that the 4cripture does not say 'e would do no
mighty work, but it says 'e could do no mighty work. The &ord,
seeing the septicism in 6a+areth pointed out that in the days of
5lijah and 5lisha the children of !srael by their unbelief missed
the blessing, while believing Gentiles not under the covenant
promise received. B$hrists reference was to the healing of
6aaman and the miracles 5lijah performed for the widow of
Garephath.C
)esus always attached the condition of faith to healing. To
Dartha 'e spoe saying, 4aid * not unto thee, that, if thou
wouldest believe, that thou shouldest see the glory of "od5
B)ohn 11#;@C. To the blind man 'e said, )ccording to your
faith be it unto you BDatt. 2#82C. To the woman with the issue
1:
#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
of blood 'e said, &aughter, be of good comfort thy faith hath
made thee whole. To the centurion 'e said, "o thy way and
as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.
0lthough none of us can say our faith is as strong and steady
as $hrists, 'e operated under the same laws of faith as we do.
&iewise did *aul. (hen he healed the man impotent from birth,
we are told that *aul was steadfastly beholding him and
perceiving that he had faith to be healed B0cts 1;#2C. *aul
commanded him to rise and wal because he saw the man had
faith to be healed.
1;
OBJECTION 5: T#os" (#o &"a+# di!in" #"a$in% say
&#a& i& is &#" d"!i$ &#a& s"nds si+,n"ss0 4"& &#" Bib$"
d"+$ar"s &#a& &#" Lord bro*%#& si+,n"ss on +"r&ain
indi!id*a$s0
T#" Bib$" Ans("r:
The answer to this objection is simple. !t is true that nothing
in this world can happen unless God permits it. For e.ample,
concerning $hrists death on the cross, Homans ?#:8 declares
that God spared not his own 4on, but delivered him up for us
all. "ut other Scriptures show us what we all now to be true
that God did not e.actly put $hrist to death, but the ones who
were guilty of this crime were ungodly men who too the
Saviour and by wicked hands slew him B0cts 8#8:C. These
men were controlled by the power of darnessIanother term for
Satan and his angels. 6hen * was daily with you in the temple,
ye stretched forth no hands against me/ but this is your hour,
and the power of darkness B&ue 88#<:C.
&et us notice two Scriptures that spea of those guilty of the
death of our &ord. Datthew 87#1,8 indicates first the guilt of the
chief priests and the elders. 6hen the morning was come, all
the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against
7esus to put him to death/ )nd when they had bound him, they
led him away, and delivered him to 8ontius 8ilate the
governor.
The other Scripture speas of *ilates being responsible for
delivering )esus to be crucified. 9hen released he (arabbas
unto them/ and when he had scourged 7esus, he delivered him to
be crucified BDatt. 87#83C.
0lthough these Scriptures spea of three different parties
being responsible for the delivering up of $hrist to death,
everyone understands that 8ilate and the chief priests were the
ones who were guilty of the crucifi-ion of the Lord.
1<
#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
God was not responsible for the death of 'is beloved Son.
True, 'e delivered 'im up, but only in the sense that 'e
permitted 'im to come under the power of evil hands that 'e
might die on the cross to accomplish the redemption of lost
humanity. 5very $hristian fully understands that it was Satan, or
the power of darness, which controlled the hearts of wiced
men that conceived the plot to put the Hedeemer to death.
&iewise, it was Satan that entered into the heart of )udas and
caused him to betray his Daster B)ohn 1:#87C. "ut as )esus said,
they could have done nothing had not God permitted them free
course of action B)ohn 12#11C. !n this sense only God delivered
)esus to die.
The Scriptures show that the same thing is true in the matter
of Gods sending sicness and disease. The devil said to God
concerning 'is servant )ob, 8ut forth thine hand now, and
touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face
B)ob 8#<C. Satan new that nothing could touch )ob e.cept God
permitted it. !n fact, as the devil well new the &ord had built a
hedge about )ob, and though he had suled about )obs
property for a long time, he had never been able to get at the
patriarch himself. "ut now God gave 'is permission for
sicness to come upon )ob. "ut it wasnt God who sent the
sicnessE 'e just withdrew 'is protection. (e are taen behind
the scenes, as it were, and are given the opportunity to see just
who put the boils on )ob. !t was the devil, as the ne.t verse
plainly declares. 4o went 4atan forth from the presence of the
Lord, and smote 7ob with sore boils from the sole of his foot
unto his crown B-erse 7C.
God sends sicness only in the sense that when certain
circumstances arise, 'e withdraws the hedge of divine
protection, so that Satan can do his evil wor. 0s *roverbs 83#8
tells us, 9he curse causeless shall not come. B(e shall spea
further of )ob at another place.C
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OBJECTION 5: God ."r)i&s si+,n"ss &o +o)" *.on
so)" o His ."o.$" as di!in" dis+i.$in"6 &#"r"or"'
i& is &#" (i$$ o God or &#") &o b" si+,0
T#" Bib$" Ans("r:
!t is true that some $hristians are sic as a matter of divine
discipline, but discipline implies that there is a lesson to be
learned. !f so, should not those under discipline learn their
lesson as soon as possible and get healed%
Doreover, it is a matter of common observation that in many
cases sicness does not result in any good to the person. Some
who have lived their lives as invalids have become irritable and
frustrated persons. *eople do not fulfill their mission in life
sitting in wheel chairs or lying in beds. Disease is from the devil,
and as far as he is concerned, he does not intend that it should do
his victim any good. 0gain sicness often cuts people off in the
midst of their years, leaving behind the broenhearted, the
fatherless, and motherless. For e.ample, sometimes an illness
could lead to a permanent nervous affliction and in certain cases
even to insanity. $ontrary to what is often taught, sicness does
not have some mysterious sanctifying power. Too often it
depresses and taes the very heart out of an individual.
!t is true that sicness is permitted as divine discipline where
flagrant sin is involved. (e see this clearly in ! $orinthians <#1,
< in the case of a fornicator in the church. "ut there was a reason
that the judgment came. !t was the consequence of mans own
sin. 6or was this drastic treatment without result. The man, after
being reduced to an abject physical state, repented. God forgave
him> the church was instructed to forgive him, and his soul was
saved.
$ertainly God can use sicness as well as other misfortunes
to bring people to 'im. "ut does the child of God have to learn
obedience by means of the whip% Dust he have the lash before
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#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
he will do Gods will% God forbidE God has a better way to teach
people than afflicting them with some foul disease.
6evertheless, some will see Gods will for their life only
when they suffer. 4nly after they go through great pain will they
give up self,will. David, who committed his great sin said,
(efore * was afflicted * went astray/ but now have * kept thy
word B*sa. 112#37C. (ith such, God may permit sicness to
come as divine discipline. "ut this is something altogether
different from Gods sending disease upon 'is children for
mysterious reasons that no one can discern or understand.
(e should add that many have been afflicted for no cause of
their own. )esus pointed this out to 'is disciples in the case of
the blind man saying that neither hath this man sinned, nor his
parents/ but that the works of "od should be made manifest in
him B)ohn 2#:C. The &ord showed that Gods wors were not
manifest by the mans remaining blind, but instead 'e healed
him that very day. The &ord received glory through his healing,
not when he was sic.
(e are living in a world that is in travail. !t reels and
staggers under the blows of Satan. !nstead of the churchs
e.cusing its lethargy with pious platitudes that the afflicted are
suffering for God9s glory and consigning these victims to a
future of pain and suffering, she should meet the challenge by
rising up in the faith of the Son of God and bringing deliverance
to them.
1?
OBJECTION 7: Di!in" #"a$in% (as on$y or &#"
+#*r+# in &#" a.os&o$i+ a%"0
T#" Bib$" Ans("r:
The Scriptures do not even hint at a change in Gods plan
during the church age. )esus commanded the disciples in the
Great $ommission to heal the sic, to cast out devils, and to
evangeli+e the nations. They were to teach the people the same
things that 'e had taught.
9eaching them to observe all things whatsoever * have
commanded you/ and lo * am with you always, even unto the
end of the world. +:att. #;/#<0.
*aul spoe of the testimony of $hrist being confirmed by the
gifts of the Spirit even until 'is coming. 4o that ye come
behind in no gift waiting for the coming of our Lord 7esus
=hrist/ 6ho shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be
blameless in the day of our Lord 7esus =hrist B! $or. 1#7,?C.
"ut what does history say about the gifts ceasing with the
apostles% !t is a simple matter to quote statements from the
$hurch fathers which clearly disprove the idea that divine
healing was only for the apostolic age. The following is taen
from T. ). Dc$rossans boo, (odily 'ealing and the
)tonement.
)ustin Dartyr, who lived in the Second $entury and was one
of the great church leaders and scholars of his day says#
For numberless demoniacs throughout the whole world
and in your city, many of our $hristian men, e.orcising them
in the name of )esus $hrist, who was crucified under *ontius
*ilate, have healed and do heal, rendering helpless and driving
the possessing devils out of the men, though they could not be
cured by all the other e.orcists, and those who used
incantations and drugs. B0pol. !! $hapter 3C.
!renaeus in 8@@ 0. D. states that the miracle,woring power
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#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
was in the church in his time.
Those who are in truth 'is disciples, receiving grace from
'im, do in 'is name perform miracles> and they do truly cast
out devils. 4thers still heal the sic by laying their hands upon
them, and they are made whole. =ea, moreover, as ! have said,
the dead even have been raised up, and remained among us for
many years. B-s. 'eretics, ". !, $hapter :8C.
This same apostolic miracle,woring power was in the
church down to 8<@ 0. D., according to 4rigen.
0nd some give evidence of their having received through
their faith a marvelous power by the cures which they perform,
invoing no other name over those who need their help than
that of the God of all things, and of )esus, along with a
mention of 'is history. For by these means we too have seen
many persons freed from grievous calamities, and countless
other ills, which could be cured by neither men nor devils.
B$ontra $elsuni ". !ll, $hapter 8;C.
The church e.perienced this same miracle,woring power
down to 87< 0. D. according to $lement.
&et them Byoung ministersC, therefore, with fasting and
prayer, mae their intercessions, and not with the well
arranged, and fitly ordered words of learning, but as men who
have received the gift of healing confidently, to the glory of
God. B5pis. $. J!!C.
Theodore of Dopsueste B;82 0. D.C continues#
Dany heathen amongst us are being healed by $hristians
from whatever sicness they have, so abundant are the
miracles in our midst. B$hristliebIDodern Doubt, p. 8:@C.
!n 'istory of >nited (rethren, page 17, Hev. 0. "ost quotes
the famous Gin+endorf9s words spoen in 17:@#
KTo believe against hope is the root of the gift of miracles>
and ! owe this testimony to our beloved church, that 0postolic
powers are there manifested. (e have had undeniable proofs
thereof in the unequivocal discovery of things, persons, and
circumstances, which could not humanly have been
8@
#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
discovered, in the healing of maladies in themselves incurable,
such as cancers, consumptions, when the patient was in the
agonies of death, all by means of prayer, or of a single word.L
These are but a sample of the vast amount of recorded
evidence that miraculous healings have occurred all through the
church age.
81
OBJECTION 8: So)" (#o #a!" .ray"d or &#" si+,
#a!" .ro!"d &o b" dis#on"s&0 T#is (o*$d s*%%"s&
&#a& &#" )inis&ry o #"a$in% is no& %"n*in"0
T#" Bib$" Ans("r:
Those who tae this stand would not have accepted $hrist
when 'e was here on earth. 4ne of $hrists chief apostles, the
treasurer of the party, turned out to be a thief. )udas !scariot
shared the healing ministry of the other apostles> he performed
miracles of healing. *eter plainly said that )udas obtained a
part of this ministry B0cts 1#17C. The Seventy came bac
rejoicing and declaring that devils were subject to the name of
)esus. !t cannot be assumed that )udas as a member of the
apostolic party had a lesser ministry than they. (e are told that
the Twelve went out and cast out many devils, and anointed
with oil many that were sick, and healed them BDar 3#18,1:C.
The case of )udas shows that a man can have a real ministry and
yet fail God.
The fall of )udas or of any other preacher can in no wise
invalidate the ministry practiced by $hrist and 'is followers.
The attempt to condemn the whole ministry because someone
has failed God is mischievous and malicious. Gods promises
are true regardless of what man may or may not do.
!t is true that the love of money has been the downfall of
some ministers, but no group can point its finger at another. !f
the apostolic treasurer proved to be a thief, it is not surprising
that some today should bring reproach upon their ministry by
unethical acts. Such occurrences are to be condemned, but they
are not restricted to any particular group.
4n the other hand, we might add that there are some who
complain every time an offering is taen. *eople who deny the
church the necessary funds to carry on its wor are a disgrace to
the cause. God calls them robbers BDal. :#?,1@C.
8:
#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
Despite mistaes that some may mae, divine healing is still
God9s gift to the sic and suffering. Den may come and men
may go, but Gods promises stand forever.
8;
OBJECTION 9: J"s*s s.o," o &#os" (#o
.ro.#"si"d and #"a$"d &#" si+,' y"& in &#" "nd &#"y
("n& in&o ."rdi&ion:
3ot every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter
into the kingdom of heaven but he that doeth the will of my
Father which is in heaven. :any will say unto me in that day,
Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name5 and in thy
name have cast out devils5 and in thy name done many
wonderful works5 )nd then will * profess unto them, * never
knew you/ depart from me, ye that work ini!uity. +:att. 1/#2?
#.0.
0re not these words of )esus an indication that divine
healers as a whole are false prophets%
T#" Bib$" Ans("r:
The above question has been largely answered under the last
objection. The term Kdivine healerL is usually applied in derision
to those who follow the &ords command to pray for the sic as
given in the Great $ommission. The only divine healer we
recogni+e is $hrist. !f some have commerciali+ed or otherwise
abused the ministry of healing, they are not to be defended. !f
anyoneIwhatever his ministryIis not a true steward of Gods
money, or uses the ministry as a cover for an evil life, then in the
end he will suffer the fate mentioned above. 5ach man stands or
falls to his own master. The "ible declares that some have had
real gifts from God and have failed. "alaam had the gift of
prophecy but sold out for money. Samson was called of God and
given unusual gifts but traded his birthright for sensuality. Saul
was called to be a ing and was given a prophets ministry but
failed through disobedience. These men, once highly favored
with the blessings of heaven, lost out with God.
There are some who suppose that their calling is to e.pose
the misdeeds of others. !f that is their calling, let them follow it
through. !t is certainly not a high objective. 'owever, let them
8<
#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
beware that they do not do this as a prete.t for fighting the
divine healing ministry or traducing other ministers who are
faithfully carrying out Gods command to pray for the sic. This
was the tric Hobert G. !ngersol, the notorious infidel, used. 'e
railed against the ministry and those who failed God as proof
that the "ible was not true.
83
OBJECTION 1:: I (" ar" &o ";."+& God &o #"a$ &#"
si+, &oday &#ro*%# .ray"r' &#"n (" s#o*$d ";."+&
Hi) &o rais" &#" d"ad0
T#" Bib$" Ans("r:
0lthough from time to time throughout the church age
certain individuals have been raised from the dead, the command
to raise the dead is not in the Great $ommission. )esus told the
believers that they would lay hands on the sic and they should
recover BDar 13#13,1?C. (hile God on occasion may and has
indicated 'is will that a certain person be raised to life, there is
no promise in the Scriptures for us to pray for all the dead. Such
miracles will happen occasionally, but with few e.ceptions
those who die in $hrist will go to 'im to await the resurrection
day.
*eople may receive healings at different times in their lives,
but ultimately there is a time, as was the case of the great 5lisha,
when it is not the will of God for them to remain longer in this
world. !t is time for them to go home B!! Mings 1:#1;C.
(e need not sorrow but rejoice in the homegoing of a saint
of God. 0s the Scripture says, (lessed are the dead which die
in the Lord... )bsent from the body, and to be present with the
Lord BHev. 1;#1:> !! $or. <#?C.
87
OBJECTION 11: T#" +o))and in Ja)"s 5:12 or
&#" "$d"rs &o .ray or &#" si+, is no& r"$"!an& &o &#"
+#*r+# b"+a*s" &#" boo, o Ja)"s (as (ri&&"n
on$y &o &#" J"(s0
T#" Bib$" Ans("r:
The church of )ames day included both )ews and Gentiles.
$ertainly )ames wrote to the church regardless of whether it was
composed of )ews or Gentiles, for he said, K*s there any sick
among you5 let him call for the elders of the church. Surely no
one can say that )ames was not speaing to the church when he
said, let him call for the elders of the church.
82
OBJECTION 12: E!"n i di!in" #"a$in% is &a*%#& in
&#" S+ri.&*r"s' i& (as in&"nd"d or &#" .ri!a&"
)inis&ry on$y0 T#" .ra+&i+" o .rayin% or &#" si+,
in .*b$i+ is no& on$y ")barrassin% &o ."o.$"' b*&
*ns+ri.&*ra$0
T#" Bib$" Ans("r:
The simple truth is that the healing ministry of $hrist was
essentially a public ministry. The woman who thought to touch
the hem of $hrists garment and remain unnoticed by the crowd
was called out by the &ord so that the people could see what
God had done for her. 'er testimony would help others to
believe.
The ministry of healing as a public ministry was no
improvisation by )esus, but was in direct line with the purpose
of 'is mission in the world. (hen 'e called 'is disciples. 'e
commissioned them saying, )nd as ye go, preach, saying, 9he
kingdom of heaven is at hand. 'eal the sick, cleanse the lepers,
raise the dead, cast out devils/ freely ye have received, freely
give BDatt. 1@#7,?C. 'e gave a similar commission to seventy
other disciples as recorded in &ue 1@#2.
The &ord indicated the power and importance of the healing
ministry by declaring that if Sodom had witnessed the same
miracles that 'e had performed in Galilee, they would have
repented BDatt. 11#81 ,8;C. This is an unanswerable rebue to
those who say that the winning of souls suffers when the
ministry of divine healing is practiced. The fact is that
multitudes have been brought to salvation through that ministry.
The Great $ommission includes the command to lay hands
on the sick, and they shall recover BDar 13#17,1?C. The
apostles understood the manner of their ministry after )esus had
left them when they prayed, )nd now, Lord, behold their
threatenings/ and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness
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#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
they may speak thy word, (y stretching forth thine hand to heal
and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy
child 7esus B0cts ;#82,:@C. The &ord answered their prayer,
and the tide of revival rose higher and higher. *nsomuch that
they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on
beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of 8eter passing
by might overshadow some of them B0cts <#1<C.
*eter was not the only one who conducted healing revivals.
Some of the deacons felt the call and began to preach and to
minister to the sic. (ord spread that Stephen was having
notable results in the healing ministry. 'is wor grew to such an
e.tent that the )ews, maddened beyond measure, came upon him
and murdered him B0cts 7C.
*hilip was another deacon whom God used in the healing
ministry. 'e went down to Samaria preaching the gospel of
$hrist. )nd the people with one accord gave heed unto those
things which 8hilip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles
which he did B0cts ?#3C. The conte.t goes on to say that many
taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed, and there
was great joy in that city.
! $orinthians 18#8? tells us that the gifts of healing were set
permanently in the church. They are placed in the church even
as the teaching ministry is set in the church. *ublic healing
ministry is Scriptural and is still in action, septics
notwithstanding.
:8
OBJECTION 11: J"s*s said +on+"rnin% &#" a&a$
i$$n"ss o La<ar*s' "This sickness is not unto death,
but for the glory of God that the Son of God might
be glorified thereby" =Jo#n 11:2>0 Do"s no& &#is
s#o( &#a& so)" si+,n"ss is or &#" %$ory o God-
T#" Bib$" Ans("r:
This question is easily answered. (hen did God get the
glory% Did 'e get it while &a+arus was sic and dying% Did 'e
get it when &a+arus was dead% The answer is no. "od got the
glory after La@arus was raised from the dead.
(hen Thomas heard that &a+arus was dead, he said in a
hopeless way, Let us also go, that we may die with him. (hen
)esus came to "ethany, Dartha said in a reproachful tone, *f
thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. Dary,
broenhearted, said the same thing. The )ews in their
questioning said, =ould not this man, which opened the eyes of
the blind, have caused that even this man should not have
died5
!t is clear from all this that the sicness of &a+arus and his
death brought no glory to God, but only sadness and doubt. The
people were stunned that )esus had not healed &a+arus. "ut after
the great miracle too place, we are told, 9hen many of the
7ews which came to :ary, and had seen the things which 7esus
did, believed on him. Sicness in itself does not bring glory to
God. !t is the healing of the sicness that does.
::
OBJECTION 12: I C#ris& #"a$s a ."rson' (#y in
so)" +as"s do"s &#" si+,n"ss +o)" ba+, a%ain- I
God #as a$$ .o("r' (#y is no& &#" #"a$in%
."r)an"n&-
T#" Bib$" Ans("r:
5ven &a+arus whom $hrist raised from the dead evidently
got sic again and died. 4nly this time &a+arus had fulfilled his
years. Gods will for the believer is e.pressed in !ll )ohn 8
where the apostle says, (eloved, * wish above all things that
thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul
prospereth. 4ften there is a relation between physical health
and the souls prosperity. (e are healed by faith, and we retain
our healing by faithIjust as a man is saved by faith and must
wal by faith. To maintain healing we must ever eep in vital
contact with the 'ealer.
!t would be strange indeed if Satan did not tempt people
after they receive a physical healing. )esus did not neglect to
warn those who were delivered under 'is ministry to beware of
losing their healing. 'e said to one man who was healed,
(ehold, thou art made whole. 4in no more, lest a worse thing
come unto thee B)ohn <#1;C.
(hat is the Kworse thingL to which $hrist referred%
5vidently it might have been another disease, or it could have
been the same affliction in a more intensified form. !n &ue
11#1;,8? we are told that $hrist cast the devil from a dumb man
and healed him. "ut the &ord did not guarantee that the man
would necessarily eep his healing. Those healed ought to retain
it, and it is Gods will that they should. 6evertheless, )esus
e.plained that 6hen the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he
walketh through dry places... meaning that the evil spirit found
rest only when he was in a body. !n other words, )esus was
saying that the evil spirit Band perhaps other evil spiritsC would
:<
#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
return and attempt to re,enter the body. "ut it could do so only if
it found the house swept and garnished. !f a man who has
been delivered fails to eep his life filled with God, the enemy
may be able to re,enter.
Thus )esus taught that an affliction could come bac again
upon the one that was delivered. "ut it was not Gods will for
this to happen, and )esus gave this warning so that the individual
should be alerted and prepared for the attacs of the enemy.
:3
OBJECTION 15: God said &#a& Job (as a ."r"+&
)an0 N"!"r&#"$"ss' #" s*"r"d a s"rio*s i$$n"ss
+a*s"d by !ir*$"n& boi$s0 Do"s &#is no& .ro!" &#a& i&
is God/s (i$$ or "!"n &#" +#oi+"s& C#ris&ians &o b"
si+,-
T#" Bib$" Ans("r:
!t is common to hear it said that God sent the boils upon )ob.
5ven )ob believed that it was God who afflicted him. 'e said,
9he Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away blessed be the
name of the Lord B)ob 1#81C. 0ctually, it was God who gave,
and it was the devil who too away. )ob also said, For he
breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplied my wounds without
cause B)ob 2#17C. )obs wife believed God was responsible for
her husbands misfortunes, and her advice was that he curse
"od, and die B)ob 8#2C. 'is friends told him that God sent the
affliction B)ob 11#:, 3, 1;C. "ut they were all wrong. The fact
was that the devil, not God, had put the boils on )ob. 'ere is
what the "ible says#
4o went 4atan forth from the presence of the Lord, and
smote 7ob with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his
crown. +7ob #/10.
The Scriptures also declare that )obs sicness was a
Acaptivity. Satan taes the bodies of people captive in the same
way he does their souls B)ob ;8#1@C. 4f course, since the soul is
more valuable than the body, it is the greater disaster for the soul
to be taen captive.
)ob 1 shows that God had placed a wall of protection around
the patriarch, but the evidence is that )ob allowed that wall of
protection to be broen down. 0lthough God spoe of )ob as a
perfect man, 'e was not referring to sinless perfection. 6oah is
spoen of as perfect, but he made a serious mistae as Genesis
2#81,8: informs us. "y the term KperfectionL God means that
:7
#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
)ob and 6oah were as perfect as 'e could e.pect according to
the light which they had received.
0ctually, there was a circumstance about )ob that could
have resulted in his calamity if there were no other causeIhe
was full of fear.
For the thing which * greatly feared is come upon me,
and that which * was afraid of is come unto me. * was not in
safety, neither had * rest, neither was * !uiet yet trouble
came. +7ob ./#$?#B0.
This was the heart of his trouble. (hatever may have been
our e.perience, if we have not conquered the fear problem, we
are in danger. Satan always has an opening where there is fear.
)esus, nowing this danger, repeatedly said to 'is disciples,
Fear not Abe not afraid why do you doubt5A !f ones trust
is in God, he will not fear. To that proportion to which one fears,
he is not crusting God. Fear is the thing that can bring sicness
to any home. 0ny physician will tell you that fear is the cause of
many nervous disorders.
The one thing that some people forget in comparing
themselves with )ob is that while )ob did suffer a severe illness,
the time came when he decided that he had lain in the ashes long
enough. 0s his soul reached out to God, his faith not only
became strong, but he foresaw the coming of the Great
Hedeemer to the earth B)ob 12#8<,87C. 'e ceased questioning
God and turning from his own self, righteousness, he confessed
his faults B)ob ;@#;> ;8#:, 3C. Then God healed him and gave
him long life and prosperity.
)nd the Lord turned the captivity of 7ob, when he prayed
for his friends also the Lord gave him twice as much as he
had before. +7ob C#/2<0.
:?
OBJECTION 15: T#"o$o%ians %"n"ra$$y a%r"" &#a&
3a*$ (as a$)os& b$ind and +o*$d no& b" #"a$"d0 Is
no& &#is .roo &#a& i& is no& &#" (i$$ o God &#a&
"!"ryon" s#o*$d b" #"a$"d-
T#" Bib$" Ans("r:
This supposition of *auls blindness is purely a human
tradition. The "ible does say that the apostle *aul lost his sight
on the Damascus road and was led by hand into the city. "ut the
same chapter also declares that 0nanias laid his hands upon
*aul, and he received his sight B0cts 2#17,1?C. This statement is
very clear and cannot be contradicted. Gods (ord says he
received his sight, and we believe he did, theologians
notwithstanding.
"ut we add this#The "ible does not teach that divine healing
will eep us from aging. !n *hilemon 2 the apostle speas of
himself as 8aul the aged. The aging process goes on
continually in all members of the human race whether saints or
sinners. Divine healing does not mean that this aging process
will be arrested. 0s people get older their vitality declines.
"ones become brittle. The flesh becomes flabby, and wrinles
appear in the sin. Teeth tend to decay and have to be filled or
removed. (hatever goes with aging might be true in *auls case,
but he was not sic.
:2
OBJECTION 17: B*& 3a*$ #i)s"$ says &#a& #" #ad a
&#orn in &#" $"s#0 Bib$" ";.osi&ors %"n"ra$$y &"a+#
&#a& &#is )"ans &#a& 3a*$ (as si+, and &#o*%# #"
so*%#& d"$i!"ran+"' God r"*s"d &o #"a$ #i)0 Do"s
no& &#is .ro!" &#a& i& is no& &#" (i$$ o God &o #"a$
a$$-
T#" Bib$" Ans("r:
Dany are prone to compare themselves to *aul in the matter
of his Kthorn in the flesh.L (e should note the reason for which
he had the Kthorn.L *aul said it was given him lest he should be
e-alted above measure through the abundance of the
revelations B!! $or. 18#7C. !t is interesting to note that most of
those who claim to have a Kthorn in the fleshL do not have it
because of overabundant revelations. Dany who mae such
e.cuses do not even now the Scriptures on divine healing. Far
from having received any great revelation, they have given little
heed to revelations already given, such as *salm 1@:#8,: which
declares, (less the Lord, % my soul, and forget not all his
benefits/ 6ho forgiveth all thine ini!uities who healeth all thy
diseases.
!t is always wise to allow the Scriptures to e.plain
themselves. The above phrase, Kthorn in the flesh,L is figurative
and not a literal Kthorn.L (e shall see in the Scriptures that the
term Kthorn in the fleshL is used figuratively to indicate
persecution by wiced persons and not diseases.
!n 6umbers ::#<< Doses said#
*f ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from
before you then it shall come to pass that those which ye let
remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your
sides, and shall ve- you in the land wherein you dwell.
)oshua speaing at a later time used the term in the same
;1
#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
way# 9hey shall be... scourges in your sides, and thorns in your
eyes B)osh. 8:#1:C. 0gain in )udges 8#:, the &ord speas of the
$anaanites as thorns in your sides. (e see, therefore, that
according to the Scriptures a Kthorn in the fleshL is not a disease
but an enemy whom the devil uses to annoy or persecute the
children of God.
!f we allow the Scripture to interpret Scripture, then the
matter should be forever settled as to what the "ible means
when it speas of a Kthorn in the flesh.L
!n the very passage of Scripture in which *aul speas of his
Kthorn in the fleshL he refers to it as an infirmity, or infirmities.
'e says#
:ost gladly therefore will * rather glory in my infirmities,
that the power of =hrist may rest upon me. 9herefore, * take
pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in
persecutions, in distresses for =hrists sake for when * am
weak, then am * strong. +** =or. 2#/D?2<0.
*aul lists his infirmities here as necessities, persecutions,
and distresses. !n the preceding 11th chapter, he maes a long
list of these infirmities and distressesItwenty,three in all.
6otice that with the e.ception of the natural hardships
encountered in those days in the preaching of the gospel, almost
all the troubles *aul listed have to do with persecution either by
the heathen or by false brethren. These men inspired by Satan
raged against him, beating him, stoning him, putting him in
prison, subjecting him to hunger and thirst and every ind of
indignity. 0t one time he had been shielded from much of this
persecution, but during his later years God allowed the full force
of it to come against him, so that at times he even despaired of
his life. 0t least twice he spent a term in prison.
"ut noticeE 6ot once does he list sicness among his
infirmities. 6owhere does he mention cancer, tuberculosis, or
any other physical affliction. !t thus would appear to be pure
invention to say that *auls infirmities included blindness or
some ind of disease.
;8
#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
Doreover, if *aul were sic, then why did he say what he
did in ! $orinthians 11#82,:1%
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and
drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lords
body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you
and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should
not be judged.
!t would be strange indeed if *aul taught that others in the
church were sic because they did not judge themselves or
discern the &ords body, and then *aul himself were chronically
sicE !magine *auls reproaching others and e.cusing himselfE !t
is plain that *aul did not teach that sicness was a special
providence of God to help $hristians become more spiritual>
rather it was because they had not judged themselves. A(ut let a
man e-amine himself and, so let him eat of that bread, and drink
of that cup B-erse 8?C.
Some insist that if *aul did not actually have an organic
disease, his health was poor, and he suffered from many
ailments. Such speculations plainly contradict the Scriptural
record. The fact is that *aul must have enjoyed rugged health to
have endured the many hardships and trials listed in, !!
$orinthians 11. *aul himself testified that he Alabored more
abundantly than they all B1 $or. 1<#1@C. Do those words sound
lie the words of a sic man% 0s someone has said, if *aul
suffered from a disease, we should pray that every church
member should get the same ind of diseaseE
0ctually *aul, as far as the record is concerned, enjoyed
divine health. The Scriptures indicate he lived above sicness.
There was one instance in which *aul was left for dead as the
result of a stoning by a wiced mob which was intent on putting
an end to him and his ministry. "ut while the sorrowing
disciples stood about his bruised body, suddenly *aul arose to
his feet apparently unharmed. 'e was able to go bac with his
friends into the city B0cts 1;#12,8@C.
The evidence is that as long as the apostle lived, he trusted
$hrist as his healer. There was no diminishing of his faith in
;:
#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
God during his last years. !n the final chapter of the boo of
0cts, *aul, after escaping from the wreced ship reached land,
was attaced by a poisonous viper that coiled around his hand.
The natives fully e.pected him to fall dead. "ut *aul, trusting in
$hrist the Great *hysician, felt no harm. This miracle resulted in
*auls praying for the sic of the island, including the father of
*ublius, the chief man.
;;
OBJECTION 18: 3a*$ &o$d Ti)o&#y &o "Drink no
longer water, but use a little wine for thy
stomach's sake and thine often infirmities." Do"s
no& &#is s#o( &#a& Ti)o&#y (as o&"n si+, and &#a&
3a*$ ad!is"d #i) &o *s" &#" )"di+ina$ .ro."r&i"s
o (in" or &#" a$$"!ia&ion o i$$s ra&#"r &#an &o
";."+& di!in" #"a$in%-
T#" Bib$" Ans("r:
That there are two inds of wine is proved from &ue <#:7,
:2, where )esus mentions that new wine is not to be put into old
wine sins. The old winesins were full of fermenting lees
which would quicly introduce the process of fermentation into
the new wine, thus bursting the bottles. !f the new wine were
already alcoholic wine, it would mae no difference whether it
were put into old winesins or not.
0ctually what *aul was teaching was that Timothy should
substitute the healthful qualities of grape juice for water Boften
badly contaminatedC. The noted woman physician, Dr. &illian ".
=eomans says#
! shall consider it as belonging to the original te.t, and !
believe that in it *aul advised Timothy in regard to his diet,
suggesting the substitution of the juice of the grape, which is
most valuable from the standpoint of nutrition, for water, as a
beverage, just as though ! should counsel one of you to tae
cocoa, or other nourishing drin, with your meals, instead of
water only. !n the 6ew Testament we are left perfectly free,
under God, as to our diet and so long as we eat and drin to
'is glory, we may consult our preferences as to the selection
we mae. !ndeed, with a perfectly healthy personIand God
maes us perfectly healthy if we trust 'imIthe tastes are an
inde. of the requirements of the systems and should be
regarded as such. That God desires us to enjoy a variety of
foods is evident from the fact that 'e has provided so many
;<
#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
different inds, each possessing some special property peculiar
to itself and valuable to us. ! believe that we should show our
gratitude to 'im, first by thaning 'im for 'is lavish indness
in this regard> and second, by furnishing our tables with a
varied diet, so far as our means will permit. There is no doubt
that such a diet maes for health and efficiency.
;3
OBJECTION 19: B*& 3a*$ s.o," abo*& Ti)o&#y/s
inir)i&i"s0 W#y did #" no& "n+o*ra%" Ti)o&#y &o
%"& #"a$"d o #is inir)i&i"s- Did no& &#" a.os&$"
3a*$ #i)s"$ say #" #ad inir)i&i"s =I$ Cor0 11:1:6
12:5' 9?1:>' and #ad no& b""n ab$" &o %"&
d"$i!"ran+"- W#y +o*$d #" no& %"& #"a$"d o
&#")-
T#" Bib$" Ans("r:
This question has been partially answered elsewhere. 0gain
we have the matter of the meaning of a word. 0ctually the word
KinfirmityL according to the dictionary is defined as Kthe quality
or state of being infirm> feebleness, weaness. 0 physical
weaness or defectL B6ebsters 3ew 6orld &ictionary0.
=oungs "reek =oncordance states that this definition is correct
and fits the Scripture conte.t where the word is used.
Dost people, even those endowed with good health, have
some ind of infirmity. The list is endless. Some people tire
easily. 4thers are given to physical weaness, especially those
of advancing age> some persons age more rapidly than others.
5lisha was embarrassed by premature baldness. Some have to be
unusually careful of e.posure to the elements. 4thers become
seasic easily, whether in the air or on the sea. There are those
who are troubled by a mild allergy. Still others have to be
careful of their diet. $ertain people go through agony to eep
their weight down. Still others have a battle in maintaining
victory in their se. life. 0lthough these are all physical
weanesses, they are not diseases.
Timothy had difficulty with what he put in his stomach.
That was his infirmity. (e do not now the details of his
problem, but we do now that the water in many places was Band
is todayC contaminated, and this could have easily resulted in
upsetting his stomach. !n many countries in which we have
;7
#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
travelled, missionaries have warned us not to drin unboiled
water. *aul advised Timothy to balance his diet with grape juice
and avoid drining water that might be polluted.
(hy does God permit his children to have infirmities%
Those who have no infirmities are apt to be impatient and
annoyed at the weanesses of others. They may even become
self,complacent. "ut when they too have some weaness, they
are more apt to have sympathy and to bear with others. The
gospel of healing does not teach that a man will receive angelic
strength.
Since disease may produce certain infirmities, the two can
be related. 4rdinarily we spea of diseases producing an
infirmity rather than being an infirmity. 4f course there are
many infirmities not produced by disease.
0lthough some teach that it is Gods will for $hristians to
suffer sicness, they usually do not suggest that $hrist was
diseased. =et we are told that $hrist was touched with the
feeling of our infirmities but was in all points tempted like as
we are, yet without sin B'eb. ;#1<C.
That the word KinfirmityL in ordinary speech Bthough
perhaps not in every caseC relates to human weanesses rather
than disease is seen in 'ebrews <#8 which states that $hrist
'imself was compassed with infirmity.
6ho can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them
that are out of the way for that he himself also is compassed
with infirmity. +'eb. $/#0.
$hrist had infirmities, but 'e did not suffer from sicness or
disease. )s he is, so are we in this world B! )ohn ;#17C. 'is
body, when 'e was in the world, was never touched by sicness
or plague. Today the church is the "ody of $hrist, and it need
not be diseased. !ndeed it should be as *aul prayed in 1
Thessalonians <#8:#
)nd the very "od of peace sanctify you wholly and *
pray "od your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved
blameless unto the coming of our Lord 7esus =hrist.
;?
#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
0s for the apostle *aul, he said, *f * must needs glory, * will
glory of the things which concern mine infirmities B!! $or. 11#
:@C. (hat things concerned his infirmities% Diabetes% $ancer%
Tuberculosis% 6ot at allE !n the preceding verses he listed 8:
things that concerned his infirmities. 'e speas of his receiving
:2 stripes five times. $ertainly he suffered from the effect of
these beatings. "ut this brutal treatment he received was not
sicness. *aul adds that he was in weariness and painfulness,
in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in
cold and nakedness B-erse 87C. Those are the things that
concerned *aul9s infirmities. 5ven a man in the best of health
must suffer under constant hardships of this nature.
!t must not be thought, however, that believers never get
delivered of infirmities. Some do. !t is the normal thing for a
person to require glasses for close reading after he reaches the
age of ;@. The eyes are not sic, but they no longer focus
sharply on objects a few inches away. This is certainly an
infirmity of age. 6evertheless, it is true that some have claimed
healing from this infirmity and are able to read the finest print.
;2
OBJECTION 2:: 3a*$ $"& Tro.#i)*s si+, a&
@i$"&*) =II Ti)o&#y 2:2:>0 A& ano&#"r &i)"
E.a.#rodi&*s' #is +$os"s& +o).anion' (as
d"s."ra&"$y i$$ and r"+o!"r"d on$y a&"r a
.ro&ra+&"d +on!a$"s+"n+" =3#i$0 2:25?1:>0 Ho( +an
yo* #ar)oni<" &#"s" a+&s (i&# &#" .osi&ion &#a& i&
is &#" (i$$ o God or a$$ &r*" C#ris&ians &o b" ("$$-
T#" Bib$" Ans("r:
! have never heard of anyones claiming that all the saints of
the apostolic church were well at all times. 4ur privileges in
$hrist and our state, spiritually or physically, may be two
different things. *aul plainly declares that many of the
$orinthian church were sic and not a few had prematurely died
B!! $or. 11#82,:@C. "ut he also implied that they need not have
been sic if they had discerned the &ords body and judged
themselves.
The great truths of redemption do not stand or fall upon
whether Gods people reach out and appropriate their
inheritance of healing or not. These questions have been settled
forever by what God has said in 'is (ord.
(e do not now why Trophimus was sic, but *aul does
e.plain why 5paphroditus had such a siege of illness. (e are
told that he became ill while engaged in a most worthy cause.
5paphroditus labored beyond his strength to supply the needs of
*aul because the *hilippian church had fallen down in its
responsibility to care for his temporal needs. 0lthough the
apostle possessed the gifts of healing, 5paphroditus became
steadily worse. !n fact he was sic unto death, hanging as it were
between life and death for some time. =et though life was
despaired of, he recovered. "ut *aul maes it plain that
5paphroditus was not suffering for the glory of God or because
God wanted him to be sic, but because he had gone beyond his
<1
#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
strength. (ecause for the work of =hrist, he was nigh unto
death, not regarding his life to supply your lack of service
toward me B*hil. 8#:@C.
0lthough 5paphroditus broe the laws of health for a worthy
cause, it did not provide him with immunity from suffering the
penalty that comes when one goes beyond his strength. This
should be a solemn lesson to all of us.
<8
OBJECTION 21: God &o$d H"<",ia# &o .*& a
.o*$&i+" on #is +arb*n+$"0 Do"s &#is no& .ro!" &#a&
God in&"nd"d )"di+a$ )"ans &o b" *s"d or
#"a$in%-
T#" Bib$" Ans("r:
0 careful study of 'e+eiah9s illness shows that it was an
absolutely hopeless case. God told 'e+eiah to set his house in
order, for he would die and not live. *hysicians generally
describe 'e+eiahs condition as caused by a carbuncle, a
gigantic boil which involves the deep tissues of the body.
'e+eiah turned his face to the wall and cried out unto God, and
the &ord graciously sent !saiah the prophet bac to inform the
ing that he would be given fifteen additional years of life.
!saiah was then directed to have a poultice of figs placed on the
boil. !t is customary even today to have such applications
applied to discharging surfaces. "ut of course in themselves they
have no healing power.
There is no evidence that any means mentioned in the "ible
had healing virtue in it. !t is interesting to note that there was
another event in 'e+eiahs reign that bears on this question.
(hile the children of !srael were in the wilderness, some of
them became disobedient and were bitten by serpents. God told
them of a means by which they might be healed. Doses was to
mae a polished brass serpent and put it on a pole. 4ne loo at
the serpent would bring deliverance to the bitten and dying
!sraelites. 0fterward the bra+en serpent was preserved as a
memorial of what God had done. 0 long time later in 'e+eiahs
day the children of !srael began to depend on the virtue
supposed to be in the bra+en serpent for healing. 'e+eiah
rebued the practice and destroyed the serpent B!! Mgs. 1?#;C.
The fact was that the 5gyptians with whom !srael lived for
several centuries had many inds of remedies. "ut God did not
<:
#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
employ their medical science for the healing of 'is people. (e
are told that Doses, their leader, was versed in all the learning of
the 5gyptians, and had it been Gods will, Doses would have
used these means. !nstead the prophet gave them the covenant of
healing and divine health.
*f thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy
"od, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give
ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, * will put
none of these diseases upon thee, which * have brought upon
the ,gyptians/ for * am the Lord that healeth thee. +,-od.
2$/#B0.
5ven though medical science has greatly advanced and has
performed many remarable cures, there is still much
uncertainty about the treatment of serious organic diseases.
There is much to be learned, and mistaes are still made. >. 4.
3ews and 6orld Eeport BDarch ;, 1233C says concerning errors
made in hospitals.
The hospital patient is e.posed to a massive attac from
bacteria that each year infects one million patients.
Hather than a rare occurrence, death from anesthesia is
e.cessively common. 5stimates of its toll vary from 2,@@@ to
::,@@@ deaths a year with a jarring evidence that a higher
figure may be more realistic.
The toll of blood,transfusion accidents and biological
contamination is outlandishly high. 0 minimum of :,@@@ die
every year, and ten to 7<,@@@ contract hepatitis as a result of a
transfusion.
0 survey in one hospital found that the average nurse
made an error in every si. medications.
0ll human beings are subject to error, and medical science
can and does mae mistaes. The wonderful thing about the
Great *hysician is that 'e can never mae a mistae.
<;
OBJECTION 22: B*& J"s*s said' "They that be
whole need not a physician; but they that are
sick." In sayin% &#is did no& H" )"an &#a&
C#ris&ians s#o*$d %o &o &#" .#ysi+ians or #"a$in%
ra&#"r &#an &o God-
T#" Bib$" Ans("r:
4bviously physicians have a place in the world. 6ature itself
teaches that there should be those trained in the care and
nowledge of the body. $ertainly a mother at childbirth needs
someone trained in obstetrics to care for her rather than an
unsilled person.
There are many ways that physicians contribute to human
well,being# by stressing the need of e.ercise, by teaching the
correct diet, by instructing in the proper care of the body, etc.
5ven after the ordinance of healing was given to the children of
!srael, the &ord gave certain health laws regarding rest, hygiene,
cleanliness, and quarantining.
(e may than God for all that the doctors can do to
alleviate the suffering of those who are ill, although perhaps
their greatest wor is in the prevention of disease. !f people get
sic, they need assistance. $ertainly care of the sic is Scriptural
BDatthew 8<#;8,;;C. The &ord in the parable of the Good
Samaritan commended the one who bound up the wounds of the
injured man by pouring in ointment and then taing him to an
inn where he could be cared for.
6evertheless, having said this, we must point out that the
Scriptures recogni+e the limits of medical sills in dealing with
serious organic diseases. 5ven today there are definite
limitations to what physicians can do in curing or staying the
progress of such diseases as cancer. This was true in )esus day
as shown in the story of the woman who was healed by )esus of
the issue of blood.
<<
#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
)nd a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve
years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and
had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but
rather grew worse.... +:ark $/#$?#10.
0lthough there is a place for trained personnel who care for
the sic, we must affirm that God has made definite provisions
for the healing of 'is people. For the $hristian whose body is
the temple of the 'oly Spirit, there can be no question as to who
his healer is. !f sicness should come because he is under divine
chastening, the thing to do is to get the cause removed. (hy
see to circumvent the purpose of the &ord through the use of
drugs and medicine%
(hile the Scriptures do not condemn medicine, they are
more or less silent about the use of medical means in connection
with divine healing. (e do have the solemn e.ample of the case
of Ming 0sa. 0sa had been one of )udahs most e.emplary
ings. 'e had learned to trust the &ord and had e.perienced
some remarable deliverances through divine intervention. "ut
during the years of his prosperity, his devotion to God
weaened, and he fell into a more or less bacslidden state. !t
was at that time he contracted a serious disease in his feet. (e
are told in the Scriptures that 0sa did not loo to the &ord for
deliverance in his illness. (hat was the consequence%
)nd )sa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was
diseased in his feet, until his disease was e-ceeding great/ yet
in his disease he sought not to the Lord but to the physicians.
)nd )sa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth
year of his reign. +** =hron. 2B/2#?2.0.
The above verses reveal a solemn warning to the child of
God. The &ord e.pected 0sa to loo to 'im for healing. This he
did not do, and the sad words follow, )nd )sa slept with his
fathers.
(hatever way one may interpret the story of 0sa, one thing
is certain. !t does not teach that God intended medicine to tae
the place of divine healing. !nstead, the &ord e.pects 'is people
to trust 'im for healing.
<3
#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
6evertheless, far from condemning physicians, we believe
that they fill a vital role in society. Dany doctors are devoted
$hristians and out of the goodness of their hearts have been very
generous in giving their services to those who could not pay.
Dany freely confess that $hrist is the Great *hysician and is still
able to heal the sic. !ndeed we have some doctors who actually
pray for the sic when they find the patients faith sufficient.
Diracles of healing have been reported in answer to their
prayers.
<7
OBJECTION 21: A +"r&ain ("$$?,no(n (ri&"r
a%ains& di!in" #"a$in% #as s&a&"d: AT#" do+&rin"
&#a& o*r Lord J"s*s C#ris&' (#"n H" di"d on &#"
+ross' )ad" an a&on")"n& or &#" si+,n"ss"s and
dis"as" o &#" body' is a a$s" do+&rin"' a do+&rin"
&#a& +anno& b" o*nd ro) on" "nd o &#" Ho$y
S+ri.&*r" &o &#" o&#"r0A
T#" Bib$" Ans("r:
"ecause the controversy over whether divine healing is in
the atonement involves the Gree language, we shall let T. ).
Dc$rossan, ". 0., ". D., a *resbyterian minister and formerly
instructor in Gree at Danitoba /niversity, answer this matter.
'e refers to the prophecy of !saiah <:#;, which bears on this
subject.
Surely 'e B$hristC hath borne our griefs BFholeeI
sicnessesC and carried our sorrows B:akobIpainsC. The
word kholee is translated sicness in Deuteronomy 7#1<>
8?#31> !! Mings 1#8> ?#?, etc.
The word borne, translated nasa, is used of $hrist bearing
our sins in !saiah <:#18 and in !saiah <:#;. This shows that
$hrist bore our sicnesses in the very same way that 'e bore our
sins. The famous Gree scholar Hobert =oung and others bear
out this translation. That prophecy is quoted by Datthew as the
reason why $hrist healed.
6hen 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/ 9hat it might be
fulfilled which was spoken by ,saias the prophet, saying,
'imself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. +:att.
;/2B?210.
(hat is the answer of septics to this clear teaching that
<2
#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
divine healing is in the atonement% Dr. Gabelein +'ealing
Guestion, *age 7:C declares that it was fulfilled before $alvary,
before $hrist died on the cross. 'e adds,
Then the prophecy of !saiah was fulfilled in the day when
our &ord )esus $hrist healed the great multitude. !t was
fulfilled before the &ord died on the cross. The prophecy of
!saiah was fulfilled in 'is divine ministry of healing and not
when 'e hung upon the $ross ... any man who claims to fulfill
$hrists command in Datthew Bby praying for the sic todayC
is either ignorant, or a fraud, or both.
This is the general position of all opponents of healing as
being in the atonement. 0ccording to them it was a prophecy
referring only to three years of $hrists ministry. The error of
such an interpretation is seen in !saiah 31#8, which was quoted
by $hrist in &ue ;#1?. 9he 4pirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor,
he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted.... )esus said the
prophecy was fulfilled in that dayIthe three years of $hrists
ministry. "ut as all must agree, it is also being fulfilled all down
through the church age. $hrist is still preaching the gospel to the
poor through 'is disciples. 'e is still preaching deliverance to
captives. 'e is still healing the broenhearted and giving sight to
the blind. Though $hrist said the prediction was fulfilled in that
day, it is yet being fulfilled. &iewise, the prediction of $hrists
carrying our sicnesses is still being fulfilled. !f it were
otherwise, $hrist would not be preaching to the poor any more,
and 'e would no longer be delivering the captives.
The truth is that the beautiful Dessianic prophecy in !saiah
<: is one that refers to $hrists redemption for Gods people
throughout the whole church age and not merely to the limited
number of people whom 'e healed during 'is three years on
earth.
*eter also gives witness to the fact of healing9s being in the
atonement. 'e says in ! *eter 8#8;, 6ho his own self bare our
sins in his own body on the tree... by whose stripes +Dolopi0 ye
were healed. This Scripture agrees e.actly with !saiah <:#<.
3@
#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
The word healedIeamoiIalways speas of physical healing in
the 6ew Testament, where it appears 8? times. *eter clearly
teaches in ! *eter 8#8; that $hrist not only suffered, bled, and
died for our sins, but also for our physical healing.
*aul declares that =hrist hath redeemed us from the curse
of the law, being made a curse for us BGal. :#1:C. (hat is the
curse of the law% Deuteronomy 8?#1<,;7 lists every ind of
sicness and disease as included in the curse of the law.
31
OBJECTION 22: T#" no&"d )"n o God in &#" .as&
#a!" *ni!"rsa$$y r"B"+&"d &#" do+&rin" o #"a$in%/s
b"in% in &#" a&on")"n&0
T#" Bib$" Ans("r:
Such a statement is not correct. 0. ). Gordon, B:inistry of
'ealing, p. 13,17C, an outstanding man of God recogni+ed by
many denominations for his devotional writings says,
The yoe of the cross by which 'e lifted our iniquities
too hold also of our diseasesI'e who entered into
mysterious sympathy with our painIwhich is the fruit of sinI
also put 'imself under our pain which is the penalty of sin. !n
other words the passage seems to teach that $hrist endured
vicariously our diseases, as well as our iniquities.
0ndrew Durray, one of the greatest devotional writers
+&ivine 'ealing, p. 22C, says,
!t is not said only that the &ord9s righteous servant had
borne our sins, but also that 'e has borne our sicnesses. Thus
'is bearing our sicnesses forms an integral part of the
Hedeemers wor, as well as bearing our sins.
0. ". Simpson, founder of the $hristian Dissionary
0lliance, +"ospel of 'ealing, p. 17C,
Therefore as 'e hath borne our sins, )esus has also borne
away and carried off our sicnesses> yea, and even our pains,
so that abiding in 'im, we may be fully delivered from both
sicness and pain.
(e have chosen these three e.amples, for among them they
have written scores of boos which have been read by millions
of people. 0ctually most of the church leaders in centuries past
did not commit themselves on the matter. Divine healing was not
emphasi+ed, and it was not a matter for discussion. 4f course,
there are some noted preachers in our day who do not accept the
3:
#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
doctrine of divine healings being in the atonement. "ut others
do. 'owever, the doctrine of divine healing does not stand or
fall upon what men thin but upon what the "ible saysI(y
whose stripes ye were healed.
3;
OBJECTION 25: I #"a$in% is in &#" a&on")"n& and
so)" C#ris&ians ar" no& #"a$"d' &#"n &#"s" )*s&
+on+$*d" &#a& &#"y ar" a$$ sinn"rs in &#" si%#& o
God and *nd"r +ond")na&ion0
T#" Bib$" Ans("r:
(e repeat again the words of *aul# For he that eateth and
drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself,
not discerning the Lords body. For this cause many are weak
and sickly among you, and many sleep.
(e now that the cup of the $ommunion is a type of
$hrists blood that was shed to save us from the wrath of God.
$hrist died to save all men, but if the sinner does not discern the
blood of $hrist that was shed for his sins, then he does not
receive the benefit of the atonement.
&iewise when partaing of the sacrament, if we fail to
discern the true significance of the bread which is a type of the
&ords body because of ignorance or wrong teaching, we can
lose the benefit of $hrists atonement for our bodies. This does
not mean that the $hristian is brought into condemnation, as far
as his souls salvation is concerned. !f he has discerned the
blood of $hrist, his sins are forgiven. 'e suffers because of his
ignorance only in his body.
'owever, we must remember that even as there are
conditions to salvation, there are conditions to healing. *salms
33#1? declares that if ! regard ini!uity in my heart, the Lord
will not hear me. !n other words, we must not permit evil to
come into our life.
0gain we must mae a complete consecration to God if we
are to get all our prayers answered. 0s )ohn in his epistle said,
6hatsoever we ask, we receive of 'im, because we keep his
commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his
sight B! )ohn :#88C. !t is not the matter of earning our healing or
3<
#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
becoming holy enough to receive healing. !t is a matter of being
consciously obedient to God as 'e shed the light on our
pathway. 0nyone can do that whether he is an old $hristian or a
new convert.
0bove all we must e.ercise an e.pectant faith in the
promises of God. )esus said, 6hat things soever ye desire,
when ye pray, believe ye receive them and ye shall have them
BDar 11#8;C. )ames said, (ut let them ask in faith, nothing
wavering... For let not that man think that he shall receive
anything of the Lord B)ames 1#3,7C.
There are conditions to divine healing just as there are
conditions to salvation. God grant that we press through and
receive the divine inheritance that God has provided for our
body, soul, and spirit.
33
A T"s& Cas" o H"a$in%
0ll of us have heard the appeal made some time or other for
a test case of healing. 6either )esus nor the apostles showed
great interest in test cases BDatt. 13#1> &ue 8:#7,2C. !f the
capacity for faith is lost, it is difficult to believe, even if one
sees. 6evertheless, some who really want to believe are lie
Thomas and want the positive facts of a miracle to strengthen
their faith.
(elow we list all the possible re!uirements of a test case.
1C That the one healed be a prominent person whose name
is widely nown.
8C That the individual be a man of unquestioned integrity.
:C That the affliction be such that no means available to
medical science can cure it.
;C That the cause and e.tent of the affliction be publicly
nown.
<C That the affliction be of such long standing that the
healing could not possibly be coincidental with the
persons recovering by natural means.
3C That the miracle of healing be witnessed by many
people.
7C That the person retain his healing until death comes of
old age.
0ll the requirements of the above were fulfilled in the
healing of $ongressman (illiam D. /pshaw in the year 12<1.
1C 'e served four terms in $ongress from the state of
Georgia, and ran on a minority ticet for the presidency
of the /. S. 'e was an unusually gifted speaer, and his
name was nown by millions of people.
8C 0s a $hristian, he was once vice president of the
Southern "aptist $onvention, and his reputation for
37
#$ %bjections to &ivine 'ealing and the (ible )nswers
integrity was unquestioned.
:C 'is affliction occurred at the age of 1? when he fell on
the crosspiece of a wagon frame and injured his spine.
For seven years he was a total invalid. "y the dent of his
own e.ertions, he was finally able to get about in a
painful and tedious fashion supported by crutches.
;C "eing a member of $ongress, the nature of his affliction
was nown by the leading people of the country.
<C The total time of his affliction was 33 years.
3C The miracle of healing too place instantly before an
audience of nearly 8,@@@ people. /pon the command of
the man who prayed for the sic, he threw away his
crutches and waled. 'e not only waledIhe ranE
7C The former $ongressman retained his healing until his
death at ?7 years of age. 'e returned to visit his friends
in $ongress and testified of the great things the &ord
had done for him. 'e often ama+ed his old friends by
waling in upon them as brisly as a young man. 'is
testimony appeared in many leading maga+ines.
Speaing of his remarable deliverance he said, K! laid
aside my crutches and started toward my happy shouting
wife... and the bottom of heaven fell out. 'eaven came
down our souls to greet, and glory crowned the mercy
seatEL
3?

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