What does the Bible say about faith healing?

Definition and Scope of Faith Healing

Faith healing refers to the restoration of health—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—through divine intervention in response to prayer and trust in God. The Bible presents various accounts of individuals who received miraculous healings when they believed, prayed, and yielded to God’s power. Faith healing cannot be reduced to a mere human technique but is portrayed as an act of God’s grace, frequently facilitated by faith in Him.

Biblical Foundations and Key Passages

Throughout Scripture, healing is consistently shown to be part of God’s redemptive work. The Old and New Testaments record numerous miraculous healings, affirming that the Creator is personally invested in the well-being of His people.

1. Old Testament Examples

- *Moses and Miriam (Numbers 12:13–15)*: Miriam was struck with leprosy after opposing Moses, but Moses prayed, “O God, please heal her!” (v. 13), and the Lord healed her. This illustrates that healing ultimately is the Lord’s doing in response to intercessory prayer.

- *Naaman the Syrian (2 Kings 5:1–14)*: Elisha directed Naaman to wash seven times in the Jordan River, and “his flesh was restored and became like that of a little child” (v. 14). Obedience and faith in God’s word through the prophet were pivotal.

2. Ministry of Jesus

- *Healing by Touch and Word (Matthew 8:3)*: “Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ He said. ‘Be clean!’ And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” Christ exercised divine authority over disease in response to humble requests for healing.

- *Faith as a Conduit (Mark 5:34)*: Jesus told the woman who touched His cloak, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free of your affliction.” This underscores the instrumental role of faith.

- *Authority of Christ (Matthew 9:35)*: Jesus “went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness.”

3. Acts and the Early Church

- *Apostolic Healing (Acts 3:6)*: Peter declared to a lame man, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” The immediate healing affirmed Christ’s ongoing power through His apostles.

- *Role of the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:12)*: “The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people.” This demonstrates that divine healing continued in the early church under the same authority given by Christ.

4. Instruction in the Epistles

- *Prayer, Faith, and Anointing (James 5:14–16)*: “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord … so that you may be healed.” This passage sets forth a clear procedure—call for the church elders, pray in faith, and trust God’s power to heal.

Nature of Faith in Healing

Biblically, faith in healing is not mere wishful thinking or presumption. Rather, it is trust in God’s character and willingness to intervene. Faith recognizes that healing is an act of God’s sovereign grace. However, Scripture does not teach that every instance of faith automatically results in immediate healing; God’s purposes can sometimes involve delays in healing or a call to endure trials.

Cases and Testimonies from Church History

1. *Early Church Records*: Writings such as those attributable to early church fathers (e.g., Irenaeus in “Against Heresies”) recount ongoing miraculous healings performed in Christ’s name well into the post-apostolic era.

2. *Modern-Day Reports*: Throughout various mission fields, especially in regions where medical resources are scarce, missionaries have documented surprising recoveries and relief from ailments following collective prayer. These reports align with biblical patterns of divine action in response to faith-filled prayer.

Archaeological and Historical Corroborations

1. *Pool of Bethesda in John 5*: Archaeological excavations in the late 19th century uncovered the structures believed to match the pool area described in the Gospel of John. This discovery supports the historical reliability of the biblical account of the lame man’s healing (John 5:1–9).

2. *Manuscript Evidence of Healing Accounts*: Ancient documentary evidence, including papyri containing New Testament passages about healing (e.g., P45, which includes portions of the Gospels), demonstrates early and consistent transmission of these narratives. Scholars such as Dr. Dan Wallace have extensively cataloged these manuscripts, supporting the authenticity of New Testament healing stories.

Role of Miracles and Healing in Redemptive History

Miraculous healings in Scripture serve as signs that affirm divine authority and validate God’s messengers. Notably:

1. Pointing to God’s Sovereignty: Healing miracles highlight that all creation—visible and invisible—is under God’s dominion.

2. Confirming Christ’s Identity: Christ’s healings confirmed He was the promised Messiah. In John 10:38, Jesus encouraged belief based on “the works” that corroborated His messianic claims.

3. Encouraging Evangelism: Both biblical and contemporary healing testimonies can serve as a catalyst for bringing the gospel to unreached groups, signifying God’s compassion and power.

When Healing Does Not Occur

Scripture acknowledges situations where healing is delayed or does not occur as anticipated:

1. Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7–9): Though the exact nature of Paul’s affliction is debated, he pleaded for its removal, yet God’s answer was, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.”

2. God’s Sovereign Purpose: In John 9:3, Jesus explained that one man’s blindness from birth was “so that the works of God would be displayed in him.” God may use illness to accomplish a greater, often not immediately apparent, purpose.

3. Call to Persevere in Faith: Believers are encouraged to persist in prayer and trust God’s wisdom (Philippians 4:6–7). Faith is not overturned by apparent unanswered prayers; it rests in the certainty of God’s goodness and ultimate plan.

Practical Steps and Pastoral Encouragement

1. Pray with Other Believers: Following James 5:14–16, seeking the prayers of elders and other faithful believers fosters encouragement and unity in the church body.

2. Employ Physical Means with Prayer: Scripture does not forbid medical assistance (Luke 10:34 notes how the Samaritan used oil and wine for wounds). A person may faithfully combine prayer and modern health care.

3. Offer Compassion and Service: Jesus’s healings were always accompanied by acts of compassion. Caring practically for the sick—helping with errands, physical therapy, or emotional support—reflects Christ’s love.

4. Maintain a Heart of Thanksgiving: Gratitude for God’s presence, whether in times of healing or challenge, nurtures a deeper walk with Him (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).

Conclusion

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible reveals God as the ultimate healer, moved by compassion and grace. Faith healing is a vital expression of God’s redemptive plan, visible in both Scripture and church history. Although not every situation concludes with immediate or dramatic healing, Scripture consistently teaches that earnest prayer in faith can seize upon God’s power to bring wholeness. The believer’s call is to trust the Lord, recognizing His sovereignty, while remaining open to the ways He chooses to display His mercy—whether through instantaneous miracles, gradual restoration, or the sustaining grace in suffering.