1 Timothy 5:23; 2 Timothy 4:20

Title:  Frequent illnesses

According to Paul the apostle, Timothy was frequently ill and he (Paul) had left Trophimus behind in Miletus because he (Trophimus) was sick.

These verses wouldn’t fit well with social gospel and full gospel proponents because they claim that healing is part of the good news of the Lord Jesus.  It is not arguable that healing really happens, but all in accordance with the sovereign will of God and not because of any promise of divine healing.  God will heal according to his plan, and there is a sickness that is unto death.

The complete gospel (as against the full gospel) tells of the death, the burial, and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus for the salvation of his people from their sins, period; there is no prosperity clause or a promise of blessed health in the gospel.  All the gospel has is the remedy for sin and the resulting eternal life for those who would believe.

Yes, there would be complete healing and inconceivable riches awaiting the Christian, but that will not happen now; all the good things promised as inheritance to a joint heir with the Son of God await the revelation of the saints on the day the Lord Jesus returns to establish his eternal kingdom.  Amen. 

James 5:14

Title:  Anoint him with oil

A Christian who is sick should call the elders of his congregation for prayer, and he must also visit a physician.

Oil here is considered for its therapeutic properties and translates to modern/herbal medicines and medical procedures.

With much powerful and effective prayer, medication should be administered in the name of the Lord Jesus because physical treatment even calls for the cleansing of the soul from every transgression, in order to receive complete healing, God willing.

Matthew 6:10

Title:  Your will be done

In prayer we cannot force God to give us what we want and when we want it.

Prayer is for the glory of God, whether it is an entreaty for a need or healing or simply a quiet communion with the Father.

God is sovereign in prayer.  Before his awesome presence, in petitions that cannot be uttered with words, we seek to know his will for our lives that he may be praised in the testimony of our deeds and words in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Matthew 9:2

Title:  Your sins are forgiven

The miracles performed by the Lord Jesus had the primary intent of spiritual salvation in its conduct.

Sin must first be addressed before anything else or physical rejuvenation would be rendered futile since death will still have mastery over it at the appointed time.

In fact the person of the Greatest Physician was most important than the phenomenon itself.  Those healed were sent home cleansed of their sins, in the pink of health, and rejoicing in the spirit.

1 Peter 2:24

Title: You have been healed

The atonement includes the promise of physical healing as looking forward to the moment the redeemed will be changed in the twinkling of an eye and be clothed with immortality.

We know from experience that Christians get sick and die, and not all sicknesses end up being healed by prayer. Some get cured, others don’t. God is sovereign; he would heal whom he would. Even Elijah suffered from the illness from which he died.

Our hope is in not getting sick, but that in the resurrection we will be raised imperishable and then there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.