An Approach to Sickness and Healing for First Baptist Church This is not a comprehensive document. I m sure I ve left out some verses and some important topics. If you have a question about something that s missing, let s work together to explore those areas. Also, this is not an authoritative document. Although I desire to keep watch over your souls and equip you for ministry, I am not your spiritual ruler or dictator. We must always search the Scriptures, seek the guidance of God s Spirit, and work together with all of God s people to understand and obey God s Word. Finally, this is not a perfect document. I have tried, more than anything else, to point you to Scripture. My own thoughts and the organization of my thoughts will need adjustment, because all of us in this present life see through a glass darkly (1 Corinthians 13:12). May God be gracious to us as we walk ahead in faith seeking understanding. Let us not be conformed to the pattern of this world but transformed by the renewing of our minds. Reasons for Sickness Result of the Fall- The impact of sin on humankind is evident in Genesis 3 with the story of Adam and Eve. In addition, Romans 8:18-23 reminds us of the effects of sin on all of creation. Romans 8:18-23 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. Judgment- We must leave judgment to the Lord (Matthew 7:1-2) and not take it upon ourselves to declare when a sickness is the judgment of the Lord. This is a difficult and sensitive topic, but we must acknowledge that Scripture at times presents sickness as a judgment for sin and disobedience (Exodus 9; Deuteronomy 28; Romans 1; 1 Corinthians 11:29-34). 1 Corinthians 11:27-30 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. No Obvious Reason- John 9 shows us the danger of identifying sin as the reason for a person s illness. Jesus said in John 9:3- It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. Ultimately, we cannot know the exact reasons for many sicknesses, especially when someone is born with an illness.
God s Care for the Sick in the Old Testament The reality of sickness as a judgment from God must always be balanced with Scriptures showing God's mercy and care for those who are sick and in need. In Numbers 12:9-15, Miriam was struck with leprosy because of sin, but God responded mercifully to the cries from Aaron and Moses and did not prolong her exclusion because of the leprosy. Psalm 41:3 mentions that the Lord will sustain a poor person on his sickbed and restore him to full health. Throughout the Old Testament, God showed care for the fatherless and those neglected by society both conditions which would have likely meant physical difficulty in ancient culture. Jesus Focus on the Sick Beginning of his ministry- Caring for the sick was not an "add-on" for Jesus' ministry but was present from the beginning. Matthew 4:23-24- And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. Sick as a Priority- Though Jesus was referring to more than physical health with this statement, Mark 2:17 shows his obvious focus on the sick. Mark 2:17- Jesus heard it, he said to them, Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. Physical and Spiritual Sickness- Mark 2:17 draws a parallel between sinners and the sick; this parallel reminds us of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-11), namely a relationship between physical and spiritual sickness. In both cases, the sick person and the sinner cannot fix their situation on their own strength. Jesus focused his ministry on those who recognized their need for healing/ forgiveness, not those who had it all together. Children- The Gospels portray Jesus interacting with children. He certainly accepted children and gave them preference when the disciples wanted them to go away (Mark 10:13-16). Modern readers of the Bible often think of healthy children running and playing with Jesus or smiling as they were placed in his arms. This scenario is possible, but more likely parents were bringing children to Jesus because the kids were sick and Jesus was known as a healer. So, even in his interaction with children, Jesus showed his focus on the sick. Sickness and the Kingdom of Heaven/Kingdom of God A key phrase for understanding sickness is- The Kingdom of God means already and not yet. The Kingdom of God is already active in the world because of Jesus; each of Jesus hearings and miracles was a sign that the Kingdom of God was breaking into the world. But we have not yet seen the fulness of the Kingdom (see below under New Creation). This understanding of the Kingdom is central to making sense of sickness in the present world. We experience sickness and death in this world, but bodily sickness is not the final word we have eternal life beyond this world. The power of God s healing is already active in our world even though not every person experiences immediate and full physical healing.
Christians and the Sick Based on the foundation of Jesus, the role of Christians in caring for the sick is not surprising. Matthew 25:31-46- The righteousness of the Kingdom is portrayed in this passage not in terms of healing the sick, but visiting the sick (v. 36). Jesus sets forth an expectation of active service for those in need. Acts- The healing of the paralytic in the name of Jesus by Peter in Acts 3 was intended by Luke as a key example of God s Spirit working through God s people to continue the ministry of Jesus. The Acts 3 healing is significant because of its similarity to Jesus' healing of a paralytic in Luke 5 and Paul's healing of a paralytic in Acts 14. Luke demonstrates in Acts how the early church was carrying on the ministry of Jesus in His name and by the power of the Holy Spirit (John 14:12). In addition, based on Peter's speech in Acts 3:11-26, the healing of Acts 3 demonstrated the need for the apostles to make sense of physical healing in the context of spiritual healing. Likewise, Paul in Acts 14 had to clarify that his role in healing was based solely on the power of God, and Paul's main focus after the healing was that the people would turn from their worthless idols and turn to the Living God (Acts 14:15). 1 Corinthians 12:9- God s Spirit gives some believers the gift of healing to build up the body and show His power and glory in the world. (Some modern-day Christians believe the gift of healing and the gift of tongues have ceased; I do not believe that and may provide some more documents later on about this controversial subject. For the record, I do not believe every Christian will have or should even pursue the gifts of tongues and healing. These gifts are from God s Spirit, and they are given for God s glory and the building up of God s people.) 2 Corinthians 1:3-5- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. God comforts us so that we can comfort others. If God has comforted you in your sickness, you must be willing to comfort others in their sickness. Let people know how God comforted you during your sickness. James 2:14-17- What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled, without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Though this passage speaks about the poor, the lack of daily food shows that Christians should be ready to care for those in bodily need, including the sick. Church History- In the first centuries after Jesus resurrection, Christians cared for discarded babies and for the sick neglected by the wider world. This pattern continued sometimes widespread, sometimes only in pockets throughout Church history. Christians in the last century and a half ranging from Charles Spurgeon caring for cholera victims in late-19th century London to Mother Theresa working in Indian slums in the 20th century have continued the heritage of Christians caring for those who are sick and neglected.
Medicine/Research- Though Christians have not been the only ones involved in medicine and medical research, Christians have been a major force in these areas throughout history, spearheading the development of almost countless hospitals and medical clinics throughout the world. Recently (and I think sadly), some Christians have moved away from these pursuits. We need Christian medical practitioners, researchers, and ethicists, though, to live out their faith as we move further into the complexities of the 21st century. Praying for the Sick Should we pray for the sick?- James 5:13-18 and 3 John 2 show us that prayer for the sick is appropriate for Christians. At the same time, we must recognize that prayer for the sick is relatively rare in the New Testament. The believers also prayed for boldness in spreading the Gospel, even above their physical condition (Acts 4:29; Colossians 4:3). How should we pray for the sick?- Jesus model in the Garden of Gethsemane is helpful; be honest in prayer but ultimately pray that God s will be done (Matthew 26:39; also Matthew 6:9-13). When you pray for others, learn to do 2 things consistently: (1) Pray specific biblical truths. Put God s Word in your life, so that when you pray, you don t pray that the person will get better, but that you pray about God s sovereignty, mercy, hope, etc. (2) Pray the Gospel. Pray about our lack of hope without God and our ultimate need for God to give us new life through Jesus who has defeated sin and death and set us free to live for God s glory. Let the person know their life is about more than the illness in front of them at that point. Mental Illness in a world of Physical Sickness- This topic is very important and very prominent right now. The topic is so big that I cannot provide adequate coverage in this document. I am working to provide our church with a biblical theology and some resources to approach this subject. Faith Healing and Faith Healers Jesus Healings- Faith was a consistent element when Jesus healed (Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 5:20). Sometimes people are taught that if only they had more faith, they too would experience a miraculous healing. Certain people in the contemporary culture promote themselves as faith healers, and some of these faith healers manipulate people with fake healing or false promises (even swindling victims financially). Spiritual Gifts- Scripture does mention gifts of healing and faith given by God s Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:9-10), but these gifts exist for the building up of God s Church, never the promotion of the faith healer or the manipulation of those in need. Any signs of self-promotion or manipulation should be taken as signs to stay away from such a person. The most dangerous effect of these so-called healers is the spiritual confusion that can result for those who desire physical healing but don t experience it. Worldwide Perspective- God does not always work in the same ways in every place at each moment. Many reports exist of miraculous healing in other parts of the world in modern times, even as doctors in the United States sometimes experience unexplained healing. We should not surprised when God works in miraculous ways, but neither should an absence of miraculous
healing in our own lives lead us to question God s power, goodness, and love (see the section God s Character and the Reality of our Sickness below). Should I seek out a faith healer?- This is a complex and sensitive question but here are a few guidelines: (1) The gifts of healing in 1 Corinthians 12 are set within the context of God s Spirit giving gifts to the body of Christ for the building up of the body. We would expect these gifts to express themselves in the church, not in special meetings held in large stadiums or other popular locations. (2) Pride and self-promotion on the part of the person claiming to have a gift of healing should be a major red flag. God humbles the prideful but gives grace to the humble. (3) Scripture reveals a clear course of action for the sick. James 5 says to ask the elders of the church to pray for and anoint you; this section of Scripture also mentions confessing sins. Before seeking some sort of outside faith healer, follow God s directions for humble faith within the local church. (4) If God does provide miraculous healing in your life, respond with wholehearted worship of Him (not worship of the person He used) and use your situation to point others toward the ultimate healing that God will provide through resurrection in the New Creation (see below). Sickness and Sanctification I venture to say that the greatest earthly blessing that God can give to any of us is health, with the exception of sickness. - Charles Spurgeon Don t waste the sickness- Sanctification is simply the process of God making us holy, so that we are prepared to live fully for Him. God doesn t waste any experiences in our lives, and we are commanded to make the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:15-17). Sickness can be a powerful tool to make us holy and prepare us to live fully for God. Don t waste what God wants to do through your illness. Allow us to experience God s strength and the presence of His people- In our health, we can lose sight of our need for God s strength and the presence of God s people. 2 Corinthians 12:9- My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Also, Philippians 2:25-27 reminds us of the power of sickness to reveal the care that God s people have for one another. In our sickness, we are often forced to receive the care of others, when our sinful pride might resist this at other times. Tunes our minds and hearts to what s most important- Attunes our minds and hearts to what is most important, even as it exposes some of the dark corners of our minds and hearts Reminds us to take care of our bodies- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20- Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. Though the context is about sexuality, these verses are a good reminder that we cannot neglect our body. Sickness often reminds us, My body wasn t meant to work this way. We should not pursue actions or habits that will cause sickness or harm our body. Bodily health isn t necessary for Christian service, but neglecting our physical condition and thus increasing the likelihood of sickness isn t wise either.
Sickness and the Gospel Life is short; we need God- We do not have forever to get right with God and live for Him. This life is brief and frail. We should not despair because of this, but simply allow our sicknesses to remind us that this life is not the end of the story. We must turn to God while a day of salvation remains. (2 Corinthians 6:2- Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation; James 4:14- you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.) Danger of the Prosperity Gospel- The prosperity gospel is a false gospel that teaches God s people to expect health and wealth as the sign of God s blessing. God always gives perfect gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11; James 1:17), but God does allow us to face times of sickness and difficulty. No pattern exists in the New Testament or the history of Christianity that should make us equate health and wealth with salvation. The prosperity gospel is probably the greatest threat to a biblical understanding of sickness and healing. Spread of the Gospel- Physical sickness cannot stop the spread of the Gospel. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-30 Paul listed multiple difficulties, but none of those stopped the spread of the Gospel. The clearest picture of this is found in Paul s ministry in Galatia. Galatians 4:13- You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first. We should never view sickness as something that will stop the spread of the Gospel; in fact, God will often use our sickness to help others see the power and hope of Jesus Christ. God s Character and the Reality of our Sickness God's character is consistent, and we can trust that He will always work according to His character. In times of sickness and difficulty, even though our circumstances are not what we might choose, we can trust His character. Daniel 3:17-18- If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. Job 1:21 The Lord gives, the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord 2 Corinthians 12:8-10- Three times I pleaded with The Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Resurrection and Healing Jesus Ministry- The most powerful expressions of healing in Jesus ministry were the resurrections he performed complete reversals of the effects of the sickness. In Mark 5:35-43, Jesus raised the synagogue leader s daughter; and in John 11, he raised his friend Lazarus. These miracles were powerful reminders of Jesus ultimate authority over life and death, and they foreshadowed his own resurrection. In both instances, though, these people presumably died again (so the miracles were more like long-term resuscitations than resurrections). Nevertheless, these miracles were signs of God s power over death.
*We must remember that every healing and every miracle--other than the final resurrection--is temporary; but every healing and miracle also points to ultimate healing available from God. Victory over Death- 1 Timothy 4:8 says, While bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. Bodily health is good for this life, but not sufficient to bring eternal life. The foundational passage in the New Testament for resurrection is 1 Corinthians 15 (part of this chapter is printed below). Our current bodies will experience sickness and death because these bodies are perishable and mortal. No matter how hard we try, our current body will give out. But this is not reason for despair; the present body will be changed into a perfect, resurrection body. Death will be defeated because Jesus has already defeated sin (on the cross) and death (through the resurrection). 1 Corinthians 15:42-44; 53-57 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body...i tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. New Creation and Ultimate Healing Revelation 21:1-4 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Sickness is part of our world that has been affected and infected by sin. One day, though, the re-creation process will be create and God s Kingdom will come in full. Through resurrection and as part of God s new creation, we will live without sickness, pain, and death. We live in the present, knowing God is preparing us perfectly to live as His people in His future kingdom. We pray for healing, knowing ultimate healing will not come until a future place and time. We learn about the world through scientific research and pursue medicine in God-honoring ways, always recognizing that bodily health is not sufficient to bring eternal life only God gives that through His Son Jesus Christ.
Make the most of every day the Lord gives you; do not despair over your health; take care of your body as much as possible to maximize service and glorify Him; ultimately know that He will work all things together good, both now and forever. Revelation 22:20-21- He who testifies to these things says, Surely I am coming soon. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen Resources - Don t Waste Your Cancer by John Piper. Available free of charge at http://www.desiringgod.org/books/dont-waste-your-cancer -Some helpful expansions to Piper s work are available from David Powlison at http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/dont-waste-your-cancer - Visit the Sick: Ministering God s Grace in Times of Illness by Brian Croft. Zondervan, 2014.