The Liability of Healing the sick

Before we begin, let us try to understand the meaning of the word Liability. The Oxford dictionary defines Liability as - the state of being legally responsible for something. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines Liability as - the quality or state of being liable, and further defines liable as obligated according to law or equity.

So, are we saying that a disciple of Jesus Christ is responsible to heal the sick? YES!

To some this may come as shock, surprise or even terrifying information but for others, who have the mind of Christ this would free you to do the works of Christ (John 14:12). Accepting responsibility is the first step to obedience i.e., doing the will of God.

At this point, your soul may start rebelling at this idea, that only God can heal the sick, we do not have any control over if anyone gets healed or not. We will deal with that as we go.

Did Jesus make us responsible for healing the sick?

Let us begin by examining the Great Commission. There is a reason why we call it the great commission and not the great suggestion. A commission is defined as a formal written warrant granting the power to perform various acts or duties, an authorization or command to act in a prescribed manner or to perform prescribed acts [*].

We find the written warrant (commission) in almost all the Gospels, but more elaborately in the Gospel of Matthew (Ch 28) and Mark (Ch 16).

The Great Commission from the Gospel of Matthew

Matthew 28:18-20 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore,

1. and teach all nations,

2. baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

3. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:

4. and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Jesus, right before His ascension, declared His Lordship. He told them that since He has ALL authority in heaven and on earth, they must go, exercising this authority, and make disciples. A disciple is someone who has been thoroughly instructed and taught to practice the precepts of the faith. They are to baptize them in THE NAME of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

This discipleship, as stated earlier, is supposed to be a comprehensive one, where they would be taught to OBSERVE ALL THINGS. The word translated observe means to guard, to attend to carefully, to keep one in the state in which he is. This is why scripture says 'Hold fast the form of sound words' 2 Timothy 1:13. The early disciples and their disciples were to hold fast, retain, guard and practice the things Jesus had commanded them and faithfully pass it over to the next disciples and so on.

Now, how many things did Jesus tell them to observe? ALL THINGS!

We need to ask ALL things of what? ALL things whatever Jesus had commanded the Twelve Apostles!

Does this not mean the people whom the Apostles disciple, would come under the same charge the Apostles had? After all Jesus said teach them to observe ALL that I have COMMANDED YOU.

Jesus ordains the Twelve Because of compassion

And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils. Mark 3:13-15

As you can read, the scripture plainly declares Jesus ordained the twelve so they would be equipped to preach, heal and cast out devils. Here I would like you to make a strong note of the accompaniment of healing and casting out of devils whenever preaching the Gospel is mentioned. This pattern is seen throughout the Gospels.

Let us continue with the narrative in the Gospel of Mark:

And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; Mark 6:7

What happens when Jesus sent them out?

And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. Mark 6:12-13

The Scripture record they preached, healed and cast out devils. Someone may say I do not see Jesus commanding His disciples to heal the sick in these passages. For the sake of such people, let us now read a parallel passage from Gospel of Matthew.

A point worth noting here is that Jesus didn't command His disciples anything that He Himself didn't do. In the passage below, we see Jesus healing all kinds sickness and when He saw the need and His fleshly inability to minister to all, He was moved with compassion and ordained the twelve to go and do likewise.

"Then Jesus went throughout all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were bewildered and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest-ready fields.”  Matthew 9:35-38

This is why Luke wrote in the book of Acts "I wrote the former account, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach."

Did you catch that? all that Jesus began TO DO and TEACH. Jesus Himself was living out the Great Commission, teaching them to observe all things He Himself was doing. We must realize that chapters and verses were put in place by translators for ease of reference. The following verse from Chapter 10 is a continuation of previous chapter.

"And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease." Matthew 10:1

In verse 1 Jesus gave them power (authority) over devils and over all sickness and disease, and in verse 7-8 we have the command to preach and use the power for healing the sick and casting out devils.

"And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 

1. Heal the sick,

2. cleanse the lepers,

3. raise the dead,

4. cast out devils:

freely ye have received, freely give." Matthew 10:7-8

We would do well to note here the connection between preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and healing the sick, casting out demons and in this case even raising the dead. Someone well meaning, but misinformed people may say Jesus was talking about raising the dead spiritually - but they couldn't be raised from the dead spiritually because, Jesus did not die and rise again and He was going to be the first begotten from the dead (Revelation 1:5). None of these signs are metaphorical since they are all related to going into the cities where Jesus would come and preach. We have already seen above from Mark 6:12-13, they performed physical healings and cast out devils.

The Parallel passage to the two records we have seen from the Gospel of Matthew and Mark is found in Luke 9.

"Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to

1. preach the kingdom of God,

2. and to heal the sick. 

And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where." Luke 9:1-2, 6

There you have it, Jesus gave them power and authority, He sent them to preach and to heal. And verse 6 reports that they performed healing EVERYWHERE.

We have noted 3 times, in 3 different Gospels the accompaniment of preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and healing the sick, casting out demons. There is no escaping that unless you are being dishonest. 

Some pharisees might contend that in Matthew 10:6 Jesus said "But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" so this would mean the healing was for the Jews of Jesus's time. I would say then the Gospel was also for Jews time and you cannot enter the kingdom of God now. See how that argument falls out like a two-dollar suitcase?

The preaching of the kingdom and healing the sick, casting out demons go hand in hand, they are inseparable i.e., if you want to follow the pattern laid down by Jesus, since that is what Jesus began TO DO and TEACH (Acts 1:1)

Now you might say it was only the Twelve Apostles, those were the closest disciples of Jesus. Shall we continue reading further and allow scripture to refute it?

"After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come." Luk 10:1

Jesus appointed OTHER SEVENTY; these are not the Apostles. And what did Jesus say to them?

"And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." Luke 10:8-9

This not a parallel account, but new information which is not present in the Gospel of Matthew or Mark. Here Jesus is commanding the seventy to heal the sick and proclaim the Kingdom of God has come near to them. How could they heal the sick? Because as per the pattern we have seen thus far, Jesus gave them power and authority over devils and sicknesses.

In this particular instance, we find Jesus asking them to heal first and then declare the Kingdom of God has come near you implying that the healing of the sick is proving to them that the Kingdom of God has come near them. This is important information, because if the rule or reign of a King, who is God comes near or upon a person, it means the opposition is thwarted.

Jesus practiced healing and casting out of devils as a warfare, as a sign, not as a reward for good behavior. 

The kingdom of God advances by demolishing the kingdom of darkness. The below account clearly demonstrates the concept of healing being an act of warfare against satan and his kingdom -- as practiced by Jesus.

"Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house." Matthew 12:22-29

Apostle Peter confirmed this in no uncertain terms that the people who got healed were actually under the devil's oppression.

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Acts 10:38

The word oppressed here in the Greek is katadynasteúō - which means to excercise dominion against, to exercise harsh control over one, to use one's power against one.

This is clearly stated in the COMMISSION OF CHRIST, which is the manifesto He read out.

Jesus reads in Luke 4:18-19:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me

1. to preach the gospel to the poor;

2. he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted,

3. to preach deliverance to the captives,

4. and recovering of sight to the blind,

5. to set at liberty them that are bruised,

6. to preach the acceptable year of the Lord."

If you observe there is a clear mention of deliverance to captives, setting at liberty of the bruised are mentioned? Not to mention the recovering of sight to the blind - just go and read the Gospels and count how many blind people Jesus healed.

Talking of deliverance to the captives - who is holding the sick captive? Read Acts 10:38. Healing of the sick is an act of freedom (deliverance) from captivity, it's God executing justice for the oppressed. Psalm 103:6

Again, make a note of the commission/manifesto of Christ, we will discuss it down the line, because we are partakers of His Commission, there is no new commission.

Now moving along in Gospel of Luke, from earlier verses we have seen Jesus commanded them to heal and declare 'The Kingdom of God has come nigh unto you'. The order is critical in as per Luke 10.

They would not be able to say 'The Kingdom of God has come unto you if they didn't perform healings or cast out demons, because that is the sign of the kingdom coming near'.

"But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes." Luke 10:10-13

Here Jesus is saying to the disciples, if a city doesn't receive them, they must wipe the dust of the city off their feet and tell them BE SURE OF THIS - THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS COME NIGH TO YOU. They couldn't make that statement if they had not performed healings, which is the sign of the Kingdom of God. This accomplishment of healings during preaching of the kingdom, even with the subsequent rejection of the Gospel is further proven because Jesus said that the condemnation against the cities would be that there were MIGHTY WORKS done in the city, which is in context the healing and casting out of devils.

These mighty works were not done by Jesus, but His other 70 disciples, because as per Luke 10:1 Jesus sent them two by two before His arrival to go heal and preach the Kingdom and they were to dust off THEIR feet and make that proclamation while leaving the city -- meaning Jesus didn't come there yet.

This brings us to the question; how can they heal the unbelievers?

Because healing is a sign, a consequence of accomplished warfare between Kingdom of God and kingdom of satan. 

As per Luke 14:18-19, disciples were to go in the empowerment of the spirit and SET THE CAPTIVES FREE and then say kingdom of God has come near to you. This is clearly revealed in Great Commission text from Gospel of Mark.

testimony - casting out demon

I can relate a personal testimony in this context. One of our friends called us early morning and said her neighbor was near death, asked us to come and pray. Me and my wife went. Upon reaching we came to know that she was practicing witchcraft. She had a quarrel with her neighbor, so she cast a curse on them, which came back on her and now she became sick with jaundice. She hadn't eaten anything for 2 days, her eyes were yellow, she was tormented with body pains.

When we went to pray, she was lying on the floor and crying out in pain, I saw that her eyes were yellow and pretty dark circles around eyes. It looked like death was at her door. Having understood what I am explaining in this article, we knew we had power and authority to cast out the devil and minister healing. I laid hands on her and commanded the devil to come out and for the body to recover. We shared the Gospel with the lady and exhorted to follow Jesus post here healing. She nodded. We committed the responsibility of following up to our friend, since we didn't live nearby. Our friend called the next morning and said she became hungry that evening, ate food, then they took her to the hospital where doctors said she had recovered and also the yellowness in the eyes was gone. What we did, any believer can do. We understand more about healing as we start stepping out and doing the works Jesus ordained for us.

The Great Commission from the Gospel of Mark

For those people who contend Mark 16:9-20 are not in the original manuscript, I would refer to this refutation [case for a longer ending of Mark]. What is written in the passage below doesn't contradict or violate anything the Gospels themselves reveal elsewhere, so I do not find a valid objection to these verses.

Mark 16:15-18 "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

And these signs shall follow them that believe;

1. In my name shall they cast out devils;

2. they shall speak with new tongues;

3. They shall take up serpents;

4. and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them;

5. they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

Observe how preaching the Gospel, healing the sick and casting out devils is inter-woven. This is the pattern Jesus gave us.

PREACH the Gospel and THESE SIGNS shall accompany (follow along) them that believe. What are the accompanying signs? Go back and read again. By now, we should be able to guess what the signs would be -- it is healing the sick and casting out demons (among other things listed). These people on whom hands are laid are not believers, but the one laying hands are those who believe the Gospel; those who believe lay hands on the people in the world (unbelievers - because those are the people to whom Gospel is being preached so that they can believe) and they SHALL RECOVER.

Here Jesus told the disciples to go into ALL the world, as opposed to just a few cities in Luk 10; and to preach to EVERY creature. This means healing can occur in any part of the world, and any creature can be healed, because the name of Jesus is above all. Every knee bows to that name in heaven, earth and hell. Philippians 2:9-10

Bottomline, Jesus said believers lay hands on unbelievers and they shall recover, because it's not about the captive (sick) but about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

The scripture records that this happened:

"So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen." Mark 16:19-20

The disciples PREACHED, the Lord CONFIRMED WITH SIGNS following. Note they preached everywhere, signs followed everywhere, meaning healings occurred everywhere they preached.

Jesus healed ALL

"But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;" Matthew12:15 

"Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them." Luke 4:40 

Disciples healed ALL

"There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one." Acts 5:16

"So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed." Acts 28:9

I hope you can see by now,

The Great Commission includes, preaching the Gospel, healing the sick and casting out devils, then making disciples and teaching them to do ALL that Jesus commanded His disciples to do.

The Believer shall do the works of Christ

In addition to the above, there are more reasons why disciples should be able to do the works Jesus did. Jesus Himself prophesied that His disciples would do the SAME works He did and even GREATER. In this article, we will not be discussing the greater works; for now, let us begin by examining the works He did.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. John 14:12

A couple of points to note before we dive in:

1. Jesus said He that believeth (singular) not they that believeth (plural). This is referencing an individual believer, not the corporate Church together.

2. Jesus mentioned works (plural) not work (singular) - meaning you cannot say He is just talking about preaching the Gospel (even if you did say that by now you know preaching the Gospel includes healing the sick, casting out demons)

3. Jesus said we will do greater works than what He did, again plural.

4. Jesus gave only one reason why we would be able to do same works He did and greater - because I go unto my Father.

what works did Jesus do?

We can let Jesus speak for Himself. Pay attention to the passage below, where John the Baptist, seeking confirmation that Jesus is The Christ, sends his disciples to Jesus. It is imperative that we take note of how Jesus proved He was the Christ to John the Baptist.

Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:

1. The blind receive their sight, and

2. the lame walk,

3. the lepers are cleansed, and

4. the deaf hear,

5. the dead are raised up, and

6. the poor have the gospel preached to them.

And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. Matthew 11:2-6

To get a proper context of the event, let us read the account from the Gospel of Luke:

And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about. And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things. Luke 7:11-18

Does it surprise you why, after this particular incident, they proclaimed that a GREAT PROPHET had risen up? They didn't say that when Jesus raised Jairus' daughter or Lazarus, who had been in the tomb for three days. Moreover, it's worth noting that Jesus wasn't the first person to raise the dead; both Elijah and Elisha had done so before.

It is because Jesus just performed an astounding miracle beyond mental comprehension. According to tradition, the man who was raised from the dead was a military person, approximately 25 years old, named Marcus Infatheus. In accordance with Roman tradition, on the Day of Tribute, they chose to honor one soldier who had fallen in battle, and Marcus was about to receive the burial of a lifetime. For this procession of honor, preparations began 30 days in advance, during which almost all vital organs from the body, including the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, eyes, liver, and spinal cord, were removed. There is an entire process involved, which you can learn more about in the video reference here.

Returning to the main story, Jesus had performed an extraordinary feat by resurrecting a man who appeared to lack vital organs and blood in his body. Either these essential components were miraculously created within him, or an even more astonishing miracle occurred when he was revived without them. According to tradition, this young man was eventually transported to Rome, where he assumed a prominent role as the chief officer within Caesar's palace. Remarkably, he served under several Caesars, working closely alongside Emperors such as Tiberius, Caligula, and Nero.

This is the reason they were astounded and proclaimed, 'A GREAT PROPHET HAS RISEN UP AMONG US. Luke 7:18 says John's disciples showed him ALL THESE THINGS, I believe especially the miracle of raising the widow's son.

Here was John the Baptist, waiting for a revolt, an overthrow of the Roman kingdom to liberate the Jews and bring John out at the same time. But what was Jesus doing? Why was He just going around preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, healing the sick, casting out demons, multiplying bread and fish, calming the raging seas, walking on water, and so on? Why was Jesus not doing the main thing? This was the burning question John was struggling with

As you might know from tradition, the Jewish expectation of the Messiah or Christ was a mighty King who would restore the kingdom to Israel and rule from Jerusalem. The same things the disciples expected and asked Jesus even after His resurrection: " When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" Acts 1:6

I believe John the Baptist, who had proclaimed Jesus as the Christ, was not doubting whether He got it wrong, but rather reassuring His conviction asking a rhetorical question saying "Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?" Luke 7:20. Rhetorical questions are asked not to receive an answer but to make a point or emphasize something.

Now, observe how Jesus responded to this question?

"And in that same hour he

1. cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and

2. of evil spirits; and

3. unto many that were blind he gave sight. 

Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that

1. the blind see,

2. the lame walk,

3. the lepers are cleansed,

4. the deaf hear,

5. the dead are raised,

6. to the poor the gospel is preached." Luke 7:21-22

Jesus answered the question of whether He is the Christ by healing the sick, raising the dead, casting out evil spirits, and preaching the Gospel to the poor. Jesus Himself testified that these are, in no uncertain terms, THE WORKS OF CHRIST. 

In effect, when Jesus says He that believes on me the WORKS I do, most definitively includes healing the sick, raising the dead, casting out devils and preaching the Gospel. Any honest, unbiased person has to come to this conclusion.

How can we do the works of Christ?

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." John 14:12

Plainly Jesus said we could do these works because He goes to the Father. If you read Chapters 14-16 of the Gospel of John, you would observe that His going to the Father allows Him to send the Holy Spirit.

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." John 16:7 

Jesus is saying we can do the same works, because we will receive the Holy Spirit. Peter declares that Jesus did what He did because of the Holy Spirit power. Read below:

"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."

Acts 10:38

Jesus said we will receive the POWER, when Holy Spirit comes upon us.

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:8

Jesus declared we shall be endued with POWER when Holy Spirit comes upon us.

"And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." Luke 24:49

The works Jesus mentioned in John 14:12 is for THE BELIEVER, not just APOSTLE, PROPHETS etc.

God has ordained good works for us

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

This scripture declares that God has ordained us unto good works (plural). We must not mistake them for just giving alms, or being nice to people. We must allow scripture to interpret scripture. Did Jesus do good works? Let us see what good works He did:

"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."

Acts 10:38

From the above scripture it is clear that healing is a good work. God has ordained us to heal the sick and cast out demons, when preaching the Gospel.

Till, now we have seen that the Great Commission stipulates healing the sick, and Jesus prophesied we will do the works of Christ, which He did and greater.

Next, let us see that we have the same calling as Christ Jesus.

Partakers of the Commission of Christ

"Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." John 20:21

"As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world."

John 17:18

Clearly, Jesus said we are sent into this world with the same calling the Father sent Jesus. Then how can you exclude doing what He did i.e., healing the sick, casting out devils and raising the dead?

"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;" Hebrews 3:1

"For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;" Hebrews 3:14

We are partakers of the calling of Christ, for the sole reason that we are the body of Christ. The head and the body do not have different callings. 1 Corinthians 12:12

The commission of Christ (Luke 4:18-19) can be compared to the mantle of Elijah, who, when he left the earth, threw it down to Elisha, who performed twice as many miracles as Elijah. Similarly, Jesus said, 'You shall do greater works than these.' Are you willing to accept the mantle of Christ as revealed in the scriptures? As you read the passage below, you will see that the believer is called Christ (1 Corinthians 6:17).

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath

1. righteousness with unrighteousness?

2. and what communion hath light with darkness?

3. And what concord hath Christ with Belial?

4. or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

5. And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?

for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." 2 Cor 6:14-16

If you read the New Testament writings, there are no callings (plural), but calling (singular).

"For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." Rom 11:29

You are called to be conformed to Christ, the Son of the Living God.

"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." Romans 8:29-30

This is the reason Apostle Paul prays that we may know the Hope of His calling, not your calling -- as if you have a distinct calling from what Christ has.

"That the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling". Ephesians 1:18

The body of Christ is meant to carry on Jesus' work by stepping into His calling. The Church's ministry should be a direct extension of Jesus' own, as He is the head of the body.

The greatest of commandments is Love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)

How did Jesus love? He had compassion on the sick and healed them. Matthew 14:14

How did Jesus love? He had compassion on the widow and raised her son. Luke 7:13-15

How did Jesus love? He destroyed the works of the devil. Acts 10:38, 1 John 3:8

The Church is Christ to the world (1 Corinthians 12:12); The only difference being Jesus died vicariously for the salvation of the world, the Body of Christ lives to minister that salvation to the world.

I hope you can see clearly that Jesus ordained His supernatural power to be continued to be ministered in healing, deliverance and salvation of the world (among other applications).

If the above teaching has shown you liability of healing for the lost, the next section shows liability of healing within the body of Christ.

Healing for believers

We should not for a moment think that healing is only administered during evangelism and God doesn't care for the sheep that are in His flock. Healing is in the redemption that Jesus provided.

The scripture is clear that "by the stripes of Jesus we WERE healed" 1 Peter 2:24 and God ministers this healing through the Holy Spirit indwelling the believers as specified in Romans 8:11, 26.

But in the case where believers are not able to access their inheritance, the scripture exhorts them to call for the elders of the Church. And then it becomes the elders responsibility to administer the power of God which saves (heals) the sick one.

James, the author of this book is advising Christians about certain things.

"Is any among you afflicted? let him pray." James 5:13 (a)

If you are afflicted, the exhortation is to pray.

Is any merry? let him sing psalms." James 5:13 (b)

If you are happy, the exhortation is to sing psalms unto the Lord.

"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church;" James 5:14 (a)

If you are sick. What are you to do? CALL FOR THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH.

I think we need to slow down and read carefully.

What is the exhortation if you are sick?

Call for the elders of the Church.

As we read on, we do not see any further instruction for the sick person.

But we do see what the elders need to do next. The next set of instructions for the elders.

"and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:" James 5:14 (b)

Who is praying for who?

Let them (THE ELDERS) pray over him (THE SICK ONE).

Open your own Bible and read along, otherwise you may not believe what comes next.

So now, the elders have come and they are praying over the sick one, anointing him in the name of the Lord.

Worth noting is the point that the sick one is neither praying for himself, nor anointing himself in the name of the Lord.

Next verse,

"And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." James 5:15

Who is praying the prayer of faith? The sick one or the elders?

v.14 says they shall pray over him, so it is the elders that are praying the prayer of faith.

And the scripture declares that the Lord shall SAVE THE SICK and SHALL RAISE HIM UP.

Why is the Lord SAVING the sick? In response to the prayer of faith of the elders.

The elders in this case are the ones standing in the gap, bearing the responsibility of praying the prayer of faith and seeing the sick one saved. Isn't that truly representative of the job of a shepherd over the flock of God? To feed, protect and restore?

Does it surprise that the word saved is used instead of just healing?

The Greek word used in this case is 'Sozo' - which was used in the New Testament to convey physical healing and forgiveness of sins combined. It is also translated as 'made whole' 20 times. Hence verse 15, goes on to declare that IF the sick one had committed any sins, they shall be forgiven him.

This clearly indicates sin doesn't stop God from healing someone, because Jesus already paid for that sin by His own blood. This doesn't encourage us to continue in sin but deters the devil from gaining advantage in a believer's life.

The elders can have boldness in praying the prayer of faith with a clear conscience that if there is any sin leading up to this sickness, the Lord shall free them from that. Any character issue can be dealt with during discipleship post healing. Sin cannot be used as a cop out as to why the person is not healed.

To summarize, it is the elder's responsibility to pray the prayer of faith and the Lord shall save the sick, raise them up and forgive their sins.

"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed". James 5:16

v.16 cannot be talking about forgiveness from the Lord for healing but relational healing, since v 15 declares the person was already made whole, raised up and forgiven their sins. This is talking about confessing any shortcomings and offenses we might have committed towards one another, so we can receive forgiveness and be reconciled to one another.

How to minister is for another article. In case, you cannot wait for the article and would like to get started in doing the works of Christ, I would highly recommend this seminar.

To understand about God's will concerning raising the dead watch this.