Doctrines Of The Bible
Part 4

Healing

God did not intend that His children be sickly. He provided for the healing of our bodies in the atonement, just as surely as He provided for the salvation of our souls. This is fully documented by the criptures.

God has always had a plan for His people. He cares for His own (those who believe and trust in Him). The Israelites had an ordinance or promise of healing, as they left Egypt and began their long journey into the wilderness. (Exodus 15:25,26)

David exhorted us to remember the benefits of the Lord. Isaiah prophesied about the sin-bearer who also carried our sickness and pain. Many scriptures point out Jesus Christ as the Great Physician as well as the sacrificial Lamb.

The Great Commission, according to Mark, declared that one of the signs following the preaching of the gospel would be the healing of the sick. "They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." (Mark 16:18) "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick." (James 5:15)

The price was paid for the healing of our bodies by Jesus Christ, in the atonement. According to Isaiah, "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5) If we accept God's plan of salvation as our own and embrace it with all our hearts, then we should also accept His plan for healing of our bodies. it involves simple obedience and faith.

In the beginning, God created Adam and Eve in perfect health. Disobedience brought sickness and disease into the world. When Jesus died, He not only bore our iniquities but also our sicknesses. Divine healing is provided for everyone who will believe, trust in God, and follow Bible instructions.

Not once did Jesus turn away a case as hopeless! Remember that nothing is impossible with God. This God-man healed all manner of diseases, including leprosy, palsy, fever, paralysis, blindness, deafness, a withered hand, and the list could go on and on!

The ministry of healing continued, even after Jesus went back to heaven. It is the responsibility of the Church to see that this healing ministry continues, even now in the Church age, as it was practiced by the Apostles. The Scriptures declare Jesus Christ to be the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is fully able to heal, since His power has not changed since the days He walked the shores of Galilee, healing and mending bodies and broken hearts.

You have a part in the healing ministry. According to James, you must call for the elders of the church. They will anoint you with oil, and the prayer of faith shall save the sick. (James 5:14)

Simple obedience and faith is all that is required of you to get your healing. Trusting and believing are often overlooked aspects of faith. Many people find it difficult to trust Jesus with the healing of their bodies. But why? He knows what is wrong with us and what is right. Could it be that our Creator is insulted because so many do not trust Him?

It takes more than a "mental" faith for healings and miracles. Are you really convinced in your heart that God can do anything? Even heal frail human bodies? It is simply a matter of knowing He can, then trusting and believing when the prayer of faith is prayed. Miracles of every description are being performed in His name in this day, attesting to the mighty power of Jesus Christ. We should continue to " . . . earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 3)

Do not be contented to drag yourself through life, moaning and complaining, thinking it is God's will for you to be sick. God does not get glory from your sickness; the devil does! God receives glory when you obey His plan and are healed. You can then witness of the power of Jesus Christ over sickness and disease. How wonderful to know that Jesus bore the stripes for the healing of our bodies!

Gifts of the Spirit

The church is a Spirit-filled body of believers. It is a Spiritual body and its life and ministry depend directly upon the power of the Holy Spirit within it. Pulsating through the veins and arteries of the church is the very life and presence of Jesus Christ.

In order for the church to be healthy and growing, it must maintain the unity of the Spirit and make increase of the body. Members of the body of Christ will bear fruit of the Spirit and manifest gifts of the Spirit in the assembly. The Holy Ghost bears fruit in the life of every individual member, imparting Spiritual gifts to the entire body.

The fruit of the Spirit are graces in the life of the Christian. The fruit is born by the Spirit, not by the Christian. The inner radiance and grace manifested comes not from the Christian but from the Holy Spirit that dwells within. Don't confuse this with the fruit of the Christian, or soul winning, that Jesus spoke of in John 15:8.

The fruit of the Spirit is manifested by the Christian, which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. The Bible says there are no laws against these attributes! (Galatians 5:22-23)

When the true Christian attains one of these graces in his life, the same Spirit is there to attain the other eight attributes. As the body of Christ works in unity of the Spirit, and is led by the Spirit, the nine gifts of the Spirit will be in operation in the assembly. (I Corinthians 12:8-10) These gifts are distributed and given to various members of the church for the benefit of the entire church. Unlike the fruit of the Spirit, the gifts are diverse. God bestows upon those members the gifts He deems fit, according to His will.

The gifts of the Spirit are as follows:

1. Word of Wisdom
   
   This is not worldly wisdom but Word of wisdom, which comes from God.
   
   
2. Word of Knowledge
   
   An example of this special gift was Paul's information concerning the outcome of his shipwreck. (Acts 27:22-26)
   
   
3. Faith
   
   This is the gift of faith, as differentiated from individual faith or faith for salvation. Members of the body of Christ with the gift of faith have a supernatural endowment of faith by the Spirit for a special work or other special needs that arise in the church.
   
   
4. Gifts of Healing
   
   
   1. Because of the complexity of the human body and the many causes of human sicknesses, we find these important gifts of healing mentioned in the plural.
      
      
   2. Since the human body is so complex, there could be hundreds of reasons for sicknesses, both spiritual and physical. Some ailments are caused by demon activity, through oppression, obsession, or possession. Through the gifts of healing, these can be cast out.
      
      
   3. Then, of course, there are ailments that have an organic cause. Christians should establish good health habits for themselves and their families. It is common knowledge that eating late at night and staying up late are against good health rules. You may become sick because of your living habits. If so, change your habits! Make sure your body gets enough rest each night. Well-regulated lives will prevent many problems.
      
      
   4. The Bible gives very definite instructions, and if we follow God's plan, and call for the elders of the church, we will see the working of this gift in every local assembly.
      
      
5. Working of Miracles
   
   
   1. The definition of a miracle is "a supernatural act on the natural plane." It is an act of God which seems impossible to the natural man, and which has no natural explanation.
      
      
   2. Miracles have their purpose in the work of God, which is to meet needs and provide protection and preservation for God's people. (Mark 16:18 and Acts 28:3-6) If God's people, are led by the Spirit and seek spiritual gifts, the gift of miracles will be in operation in the church today. Such is really a manifestation of the glory and power of Jesus Christ.
      
      
   3. Who has all power in heaven and in earth? Who worked miracles as He walked the shores of Galilee? Jesus Christ, of course! That same power of Jesus Christ is within us today. If we are consecrated and dedicated to His cause, He will 4tentrust" us with the gift of miracles. Notice the word "entrust." God must be able to trust those He endows with special gifts. These must be spiritually strong individuals, not wishywashy, spineless, half-hearted people who have no clear concept of their church's vital doctrines.
      
      
6. Prophecy
   
   
   1. Prophecy is the forth-telling of Bible truths under the anointing. Prophecy is speaking by inspiration in one's mother tongue. Preaching through the anointed power of God is prophecy. Anointed testimony also fits into this category. (Revelation 19: 1 0)
      
      
   2. Prophecy edifies the church, comforts, and exhorts. There is a vital need for anointed exhortations in these last days before the coming of the Lord.
      
      
7. Discerning of Spirits
   
   
   1. Do not believe,everything you hear. Try the spirits, to see if they are of God or not. Remember that for every "real," Satan has a "counterfeit". If you are filled with the Holy Ghost, then that Spirit within you will bear witness with God's Spirit in another, and you will feel that kindred Spirit. However, if God's Spirit within you does not feel comfortable near the manifestation of another spirit, then leave it alone.
      
      
   2. Every pastor and church member should seek and cultivate this gift, the discernment of spirits, for it is of utmost necessity that you be on guard for Satan's deceitful snares. Know your enemies. Know those who labor among you. Try the spirits. Remember that Satan will use subtle tricks. He has been known to "speak with tongues," which can readily fool some people, especially if they are not prayed up and do not practice discernment of spirits.
      
      
8. Divers Kinds of Tongues
   
   There are many ways tongues are used in the Scriptures. Following are a few explanations:
   
   
   1. You will speak with tongues when you receive the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:4) This is the physical evidence, the initial sign of the baptism of the Spirit.
      
      
   2. You may talk to God in tongues when praying or worshipping. (1 Corinthians 14:2,14,15)
      
      
   3. You may have the gift of tongues, which is often used in giving messages in tongues to the church, coupled with interpretation. A message in tongues would be of no use to the church without an interpreter. However, you may be sure that if God gives you a message in tongues, He will also provide the interpreter. That is, if that person is in the proper spiritual channel, so that God can use his gift.
      
      
   Be sure the gift of tongues-is used properly, within the framework of Bible truths. God is very specific about the way He likes things to be done. He is a God of order. He was orderly in His creation. He was orderly in His plan of redemption. He was orderly in providing gifts according to needs, for the edification of the church. If you study Paul's writings, you will learn God's order pertaining to tongues and interpretation. If there is no interpreter, then you should speak with tongues only to yourself and to God. (I Corinthians 14:28) Otherwise, you would be out of order, and God is displeased with disorder. Paul said, ". . . the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets." (I Corinthians 14:32) This means that the use of the gifts of tongues and prophecy should be governed by the Word of God and by those "prophets" to whom God has given authority to do so.
   
   
9. Interpretation of Tongues
   
   
   1. The Christian who is blessed with this gift can be mightily used of God. The word "interpret" does not mean "translate." It merely means to explain. The one who interprets the message in tongues does not understand the language of the tongue he interprets. He receives the interpretation from the Spirit as he yields himself to God. Many times the message comes forth with beautiful poetical phrases completely foreign and beyond the natural ability of the one doing the interpreting. These stirring messages are powerful and come from God for the edification of the church.
      
      
   2. The Holy Spirit dwelling in the heart of a Christian is there to do a definite work. These works are some of the benefits a Christian enjoys. When we are harmed by someone, the Spirit bears the fruit of love for that person. When there is sorrow and distress, the Spirit bears joy and peace. Wherever and whenever there is a definite need, the Spirit is there to fulfill the need.
      
      
   3. The same principle works with the gifts of the Spirit for the edification of the church. The gifts are in the church for the welfare of the church. When a definite need arises, the Spirit is there to take care of the need.
      
      
   For more information on this subject, please read the study about Gifts of the Spirit
   
   

Second Coming of Christ

There is a feeling of expectancy in the air. Everyone "feels" something great is about to take place. When it will happen, no one knows for sure. But the signs of the times point out one thing very clearly -the Lord of Glory is coming to catch His bride away. Who is His bride? The Church. Those who have made themselves ready and are without spot or wrinkle. Those who have obeyed His commandments and have been washed whiter than snow. Those who have taken on His name in water baptism. Those who have received His Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. A glorious Church! Yes, God has a glorious Church, and He is soon to catch His bride away when He descends from heaven with a shout. What a wonderful day for those who are ready. How sad for those who have not prepared for His coming.

The doctrine of the second coming of Christ is one of the most important ones of the whole Bible. The predictions of His coming are mentioned many times in the Old and New Testaments, which makes us aware that this doctrine is of utmost importance.

Jacob prophesied about the second advent of Christ. (Genesis 49: 1 0) Job also spoke of the second appearance of Christ when he said, ". . . he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth." (Job 19:25)

Jesus promised the disciples He would return and receive His children unto Himself. (John 14:3 and Revelation 22:7,12,20)

The second coming of Christ will be literal and personal. "For the Lord himself shall descend." (1 Thessalonians 4:16) The saints of the living God should strive every day to keep themselves prepared and watching for the actual "rapture of the church," which will be the resurrecting of those who have died in Christ, and the catching away of the living saints, without experiencing death, as were Enoch and Elijah of the Old Testament. The rapture will take place in the twinkling of an eye, and the saints will be changed, to be like Him.

In that day, the saints must have the Spirit actively engaged in their lives in order to be drawn by that magnetic mutual force that will catch them away. This is called the rapture of the Church, or the Blessed Hope of the Saints, and is the first phase of His second coming.

The second phase is the appearance of Jesus to execute judgment and to set up His millennial kingdom with His saints. Then every eye shall see him. (Revelation 1:7)

And so shall we ever be with the Lord!