Healing, Miracles and Deliverance
The word of God is the word of healing, deliverance and miracles. The name of Jesus heals the sick and delivers the oppressed from evil spirits. According to the key verse in Psalm 107:20: “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”
The Validity of Divine Healing Today
Healing, deliverance and miracles are valid today because Jesus is alive forever. Believers are commanded to use the name of Jesus in prayer for healing, deliverance, prosperity and miracles for themselves and for others in need. We receive healing through faith and prayer according to God's word of promise and the power of the name of Jesus. Healing and miracles are part of the gifts of the Holy Spirit to bless God's people.
Scriptural Miracles and Peculiar Ways
In scripture God performed some unique miracles in peculiar ways. A study of scripture shows that miracles by use of such means are very rare and are not standards for preachers to build the faith of people upon. Faith in Jesus alone is the standard.
| Biblical Figure | Unique Miracle or Means |
|---|---|
| Prophet Elijah | Parted the river Jordan with his mantle and crossed over. |
| Jesus | Turned water into wine. |
| Shadow of Peter | Healed the sick. |
| Apostle Paul | Handkerchiefs and aprons taken from him healed the sick and cast out devils. |
These kinds of miracles were not commonplace among the people. So, they are not to be practiced repeatedly among believers. God does not allow it so.
Warnings Against Practices of Witchcraft in the Church
The use of handkerchiefs, aprons, sand, salt, water or mantles for miracles in the church is not of the Holy Spirit. It is introduced by the enemy of the cross to divert the faith of men from Jesus to substances. This is witchcraft in the church. By turning away the faith of believers to these substances, they are made to serve idols. This practice turns the faith of people to handkerchief, aprons, salt, sands, water and other substances for healing and miracles and subverts their faith in Christ Jesus to their doom.
Furthermore, the misuse and abuse of anointing oil in churches is unscriptural. The use of anointing oil was strictly restricted to the sick and is not mandatory. Many people in the Bible, and apostolic days were healed without the use of anointing oil. Do not idolize anointing oil.
Medical Treatment and Righteousness
Consulting medical practitioners for treatment, be they conventional or herbal is not contrary to God's word but consulting with familiar spirits for protection, healing and deliverance is evil. When curative medicines are used in righteousness, faith and prayers to God, the sick can be cured and abnormal conditions may become normal.