THE THREE GIFTS OF POWER AND DEMONSTRATION.

The gifts of power and demonstration consist of the gift of faith, gifts of healings, and workings of miracles. The gifts of action and power rely on the gifts of revelation for information, the gifts of revelation rely on the gifts of power for action, the gifts of inspiration build up character and love, and spiritual strength for the manifestation of the other gifts. The three gifts of power give the Church the authority to fulfil it's commission, they are gifts that deliver people from sin, sickness and Satan, and meet material and spiritual needs.

Those who have closed-shop religious attitudes, usually resist the workings of the Holy Ghost; just as the tradition-bound persecutors of Christ and the prophets did. The last revival movement is often the most outspoken opponent of a new revival, because they won't admit that they have lost God's power. Religious leaders often refuse to believe that God has passed them by, and has chosen someone else to manifest His power through, just as the Jewish religious leaders refused to recognise the ministries of Christ and His apostles, and attributed their miracles to the Devil. Jesus warned those who attributed His works to Satan; that they were committing the most serious sin possible, the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Mk.3v22-30. Mt.12v22-32,43-45. It is a staggering fact that demons said that Christ's authority and power were from God; whereas, most of Israel's religious leaders said they were from Satan; and wilfully and determinedly went on to eternal judgement. Jn.15v18-25. 8v24. Some people scoff, ridicule, oppose and blunder on, where even wicked angels fear to tread. Worldly power-hungry religious structures, have brought disgrace on the Gospel, not the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

THE THREE SPHERES OF OPERATION OF THE POWER GIFTS.
The gifts of revelation fall into easily recognisable departments, and their spheres of operation are easily distinguishable from each other; however, the areas of operation of the power gifts need more careful thought. The important thing is to have the gifts of power in operation, for possession of the gifts is far more important than a correct definition of them. However, as a correct definition of the gifts helps us to experience them, we will now consider the areas of operation of the power gifts.

1. The three power gifts operate in three different spheres of authority.
The gifts of revelation give us the knowledge that we need to possess of the spiritual, physical and material world; the gifts of power give us authority and power, as we need them, in these same areas. A gift of healing obviously only deals with the healing of the body, and physical well being, so the other two power gifts cover all the other needs for the power of God, that a Christian requires in the other areas of his life and ministry. If we say that the workings of miracles produces miracles in the unseen spiritual world as well as the material world, we are left with no reason for the gift of faith, as its area of operation would be covered by the workings of miracles. I suggest that the workings of miracles operates directly upon man's environment, that is, upon material things and nature. I suggest the following reasons why Paul calls the gift of faith by this name.

a. Because the gift of faith deals with the spiritual realm and spiritual things.
This is the area where only faith can see and minister. Man being a creature with a spirit and capable of having faith and communing with God, is in a different category and sphere of authority than animals, vegetables and material substances.

b. Because faith describes both the nature, and the area of operation, of the gift of faith.
It trusts God to manifest His power in us, for us, and on our behalf, rather than through us in miracles visible for all to see, as in the workings of miracles and gifts of healings. The gift of faith in the areas of protection and provision causes God's power to act on our behalf, rather than as an open demonstration of power through us. The gift of faith will protect a child of God by clothing them with supernatural power, but does not change material things or alter natural law; the workings of miracles protects by altering material things and influencing nature. The gift of faith provides for a child of God by dealing directly with men or angels, the working of miracles provides by directly affecting nature, either by creation, alteration, or direction. I am not dogmatic over these areas of operation of the power gifts, but after many years of study and consultation with godly teachers, I feel that these arguments are reasonable and Scriptural.

2. Christians vary considerably in the authority they manifest through the power gifts.
Paul's list of ministries in 1Cor.12v28., informs us of the order of spiritual authority in the Christ's Church. Christian authority, "exousia", is proved in the New Testament by power, "dunamis," and the miracles that God's power performs. The authority given to the apostles to bind and loose in Heaven and Earth, definitely goes beyond the authority given to the seventy evangelists, who were given "power over all the power of the enemy." Mt.16v18,19. 18v15-19. Jn.20v21-23. Lk.10v19. Both groups had the authority in the spiritual realm over evil spirits, but the apostles had the additional authority to raise the dead and execute judgement, which the seventy did not have. Mt.9v1,2. 10v1,7,8. with Lk.10v1,9,17. Acts.5v1-11. 13v6-12. 1Tim.1v20. This authority to discipline, which was given to apostles as individuals, could only be manifested in the local church by Christians acting as a body. Mt.18v15-19. with 1Cor.5v1-7. Indeed, the higher ministries of the Church have the greater gifts operating through them at a greater level of power through one person, than the local church will manifest as a body. It is one thing to have a prophecy, a revelation, or even a miraculous provision of one's needs, it is quite another thing to raise the dead, or to judge a nation by God's power as the two witnesses will in Rev.11v3-6.. We see from 1Cor.12v28. and other Scriptures, that a Christian may have the authority from God to have a regular ministry of one gift, but no authority to have a regular ministry of another gift. Christian authority can only be kept by fervent prayer and abiding in Christ, as the apostles found to their shame and sorrow. Lk.9v1,2,40. with Mk.8v28,29. Jn.15v7.

3. The three power gifts are all acts of power that produce miracles.
All three power gifts could be called "energemata dunameon," that is "acts of power;" however, it is the sphere of operation of the power of God that decides what name each particular operation of power is called by. All three power gifts can be manifested on one occasion in one burst and display of God's power. However, Paul tells us that they can be looked upon as separate gifts operating in different spheres of authority, and producing totally different effects.


4. The three power gifts are all manifested through a divinely increased faith.
With all the gifts, and particularly the gifts of power, there is a deepening and impartation of faith through the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In Mk.11v22., "Have faith in God," is "echete pistin theou;" "echete," the present imperative of "echo," "to have, possess, be furnished with." It is the objective genitive, as in Rom.3v22. "By faith of Jesus Christ." And Gal.2v20., "the faith of the Son of God." And Gal.3v22., "by faith of Jesus Christ." This would make Mk.11v22., read, "Have the faith of God," and interpret it as speaking of a divinely imparted faith, given to us through God's presence and indwelling. In Gal.2v20., Paul states that he lived the life he did through the faith that Jesus imparted to him. God's faith is an imparted faith that is nourished by a life of prayer and love. God wants us to operate on the same principle by which He made creation, He said, and it was done; however, this demands a life of communion with God, and a divinely imparted authority, and a special filling of the Holy Spirit to manifest His gifts. Exod.28v3. 31v3. 35v31,35. Lk.1v41,67. Acts.2v4. 13v9,52. 4v8,31.

To summarise, then, we can say; that the gift of faith, believes, commands and directs in the unseen spiritual realm, and deals directly with men and angels. The workings of miracles, believes, commands and directs in the material realm, it deals directly with mans environment. The gifts of healings, believe and command in the physical realm, and deal directly with illness, disease, infirmity and sickness.

THE CLOSE CO-ORDINATION OF THE GIFTS OF POWER ON SOME OCCASIONS.
God's Word reveals many cases of several gifts of the Holy Spirit being manifested in one burst and display of God's power.

1. The gift of faith and the workings of miracles often gave Israel victory in war.
On many occasions the power of God protected the Israelites and worked miracles to defeat their foes. The operation of the power gifts through Moses was greater than Israel's military might. Ex.17v11-13. Joshua conquered Jericho through the power gifts. Josh.6v20. Samuel's power gifts frightened the Philistines more than Saul's picked army. 1Sam.7v4-14. with 13v1-23. Elisha's power gifts and God's compassion delivered Jehoahaz and Israel when they did not deserve it. 2Kings.13v1-6. Time would fail us to tell of Abraham, Gideon, Samson, Jonathan, David, Asa, Jehoshaphat, and many others, who defeated "invincible" foes through the grace, power and gifts of God. Gen.14v1-17. Judges.7v16-25. 15v7-20. 1Sam.14v1-14. 17v11-58. 2Chron.14v9-13. 15v6. 17v3. 20v1-25.

2. The gift of faith and gifts of healings may be manifested in one burst of God's power.
A person who is sick and demon oppressed or possessed can be delivered physically and spiritually, by what we could call two gifts, in one burst of God's power. Paul's aprons. Acts.19v11,12. Elisha's bones. "Kings.13v20,21. Lk.4v17-19.

3. In deliverance from danger or death.
When the apostles were delivered from prison by angels, we could say that there were two gifts of power and three gifts of revelation in operation, but it was really one display of God's power and ability. Acts.5v16-24. 12v1-17. The resurrection of the dead operates at least two of the power gifts. The return of the spirit and soul to the body, and the healing, or recreation of the body can take place in one burst of God's power. 1Kings.17v17-24. 2Kings.4v32-37. Lk.7v11 Mk.5v22. Lk.8v41. Jn.11v41,47. Mt.28v1-10. with Mt.27v51-53. Acts.9v36-42. 20v9-12. 14v19,20. N.B. Acts.26v8. and Lk.16v19-31. Even this great miracle will fail to win some people to God, for if people don't want to believe, nothing will make them believe, some people fight God to the bitter end. Jn.12v37-41. 15v22-25. Rev.19v19,20.

4. THE GIFT OF FAITH. "Pistis."
This is third in the list in 1Cor.12v8-10.. It is both the greatest and the most frequently manifested power gift, because it is automatically brought into operation when we pray in love for God's blessing on people. It deals with spiritual forces and realities and man's spiritual condition. The greatest operations of God's power take place through the operation of the gift of faith, because it operates in the unseen spiritual world, and releases heavens armies on our behalf, and restrains satanic opposition. Like all the power gifts, the gift of faith can be brought into operation by the invocation of the Divine names. Faith is the only thing that is mentioned in both the fruit and gifts of the Spirit. There are several different kinds of faith.

1. We must distinguish the gift of faith from other kinds of faith.

a. It is not the faith of a Heathen.
The Heathen have the faith to live a normal life; for example, to sow seed, conduct work and business, etc., they know there is a God and a judgement day, Rom.1v18-32., but this is not Christian faith. 2Thes.3v2.

b. It is obviously not a demon's faith.
James tells us that demons believe in God and tremble, but they resist God's power, purposes and ministries. They tell men to doubt what they firmly believe. James.2v19.

c. It is not saving faith.
Saving faith is miraculous in its effect on the human personality, but it is not in the sphere of the gift of faith. Saving faith is personal faith in Jesus as Saviour, it brings us salvation and forgiveness. Jesus told us to rejoice more over saving faith than over miracle working faith. Lk.10v17-20. All the gifts and blessings that come to us, are the result of this primary gift of salvation in Jesus. Eph.2v8. Rom.6v23. 8v32. 1Cor.8v9. 9v15. The gift of faith is limited to the area of supernatural miraculous power, it is a temporary faith given to produce a specific miracle; whereas, saving faith is a continuous faith, and if we are faithful, an eternal faith, which like God's kingdom, endures forever.

d. The gift of faith is not the fruit of faith.
The fruit of faith is the natural growth of the seed of saving faith, it is the extension of our faith in Christ's death, to faith in God in all the other areas of our lives. 1Pet.1v23. Rom.1v17. The fruit of faith mentioned in Gal.5v22., is speaking of both passive and active Christian faith; whereas the gift of faith is speaking only of a special area of active faith, it is an occasional and temporary impartation of the Holy Spirit's faith and power to us, to fulfil a specific purpose of God.


The gift of faith needs the fruit of faith and Christian character to sustain it. 1Cor.13v2. The gift of faith, which is an act of spiritual power, needs the basis of the fruit of faith, which is a quality of character. Great spiritual power inevitably bring great stresses and spiritual conflict into a Christians life, and this demands some measure of Christian fruit and maturity. The more of the fruit of faith you have, the easier it is to manifest the gift of faith and the other gifts.

The fruit of faith is an attitude of mind that trusts God daily in every area of life, and this spiritual frame of mind is essential for a powerful exercise of the gift of faith. Certain manifestations of the gift of faith can only take place through a prayerful, consecrated Christian who is at the peak of spiritual power through prolonged prayer, Bible study and abiding in Christ. Jn.15v7. 14v12-14. Mk.9v20-29. Paul declares in 1Cor.13., that we cannot divorce character from spiritual power without tragic consequences for ourselves and others; those who do so, end up with a shallow ministry of the gifts, or even in complete spiritual shipwreck; like Judas, Balaam, Demas, and some of the Corinthians.

e. The gift of faith is not the prayer of faith.
The prayer of faith is a manifestation of the fruit of faith, and the prayer of faith often precedes the operation of the gift of faith, and the other gifts of power. The fruit of faith, the prayer of faith, and the gifts of power, are all vital partners in Christian experience. Elijah's earnest prayers of faith brought into operation the power gifts. We read that Elijah prayed "seven times," before the rain came in answer to his prayers. 1King.18v41-46. Elders should pray through for the sick, oppressed and depressed, like Elijah prayed for rain. Jam.5v14-18.

f. The difference between personal faith and a faith to minister to others.
The Centurion and the Syrophenician woman of Mt.8v10-12. & 15v21-28., both had a great personal faith in Christ, indeed, Christ describes their faith as "great." Both had a desperation of faith because of a deep concern for one they loved. Both had great faith and great love, but they were not able to meet the needs of their loved ones, it took Christ's faith and the gifts of the Spirit that were manifested through Him to meet their need. It is one thing to believe that God will meet your needs, or other's needs, but another thing to have the spiritual ability or faith to take or receive from God, the power to meet those needs. It takes even more faith, and a Divine call, to believe that God will give you the regular exercise of His power and love to meet other's needs. In Heb.11., we have a catalogue of the three kinds of godly faith; saving faith, the fruit of faith, and the gift of faith, it speaks of faith in general, and shows us the three kinds of faith that please God. Heb.11v6.

2. The gift of faith is not to be confused with the workings of miracles.
The gift of faith deals with the spiritual realm and areas where faith is necessary to see, it gives authority and power in the spiritual realm. Workings of miracles gives authority and power over our material environment and material things.

3. The gift of faith does not remove a Christian from spiritual conflict.
When Jesus received the authority to manifest the gifts of power, Satan made a violent attack upon Him. Mt.4v1-11. While the power gifts operate, we are full of God's faith through the anointing of the Holy Spirit, but as soon as this anointing has gone we can have a great spiritual conflict. The supernatural extension of faith that comes with the power gifts is usually of a temporary nature, and we are not immune from fear, failure or doubt, after even the greatest manifestations of God's power, as the stories of Elijah and Peter demonstrate. 1Kings.18v37-46. 19v1-18. We always need the grace of God and the fellowship of other Christians. Acts.28v14,15. 1Cor.12v12-25.

4. The gift of faith often works in co-ordination with the gifts of revelation.
The gift of faith and a discerning of spirits often operate together for both deal with the spiritual world. The gift of faith is often needed to bring to pass the purposes of God revealed by a word of wisdom, or the needs revealed by a word of knowledge.

5. The gift of faith is certainly not a ceremony, ritual, or mere pretension.
We can go through all the motions, and say all the right words or prayers, when praying for a person and impart absolutely nothing to them, and as a result diminishes their faith in God and His promise. In the same way a person can be excommunicated in the name of God, when God has had nothing to do with it, and has in fact considered the excommunication a sin. Jn.9v32-41. 16v1-4. Gen.12v3.

A DEFINITION OF THE GIFT OF FAITH.
The gift of faith is not natural faith, saving faith, the fruit of faith, or even the prayer of faith, it is an act of Divine power. It is a supernatural confidence and power imparted by the Holy Spirit to meet a specific need. It is the operation of God's power in the spiritual realm, upon angels and men. It is not my faith struggling, it is God's faith and power working through me, it is an outshining of the indwelling Holy Spirit's faith and power. It is God's faith poured into our souls. It is the pure mustard seed fruit of faith impregnated with Divine miracle faith and power. It can bestow blessing and healing comfort to the souls and spirits of needy men and women. It can occasionally be the means of judgement upon determined enemies of God, who harm the children of God. It can enable a child of God to be protected when in danger, and provide for them when in need. It gives a Christian the power to cast out, restrain, and constrain evil spirits. It can defend us from evil angelic foes, and direct good angelic powers to our aid to meet our needs. This gift can enable us to overcome all natural and evil powers that come against us, by delivering us out of, or from, great trials; or by giving us a supernatural faith, strength and comfort, which can overcome all trial, persecution and physical pain. On its higher levels of power and authority, it is the greatest of the power gifts.

SOME EXAMPLES AND USES OF THE GIFT OF FAITH.

1. The gift of faith can give Divine protection in danger and persecution.
The gift of faith in the areas of protection and provision causes God's power to act on our behalf, rather than as an open demonstration of power through us. The gift of faith will protect a child of God by clothing them with supernatural power, but does not change material things or alter natural law; the workings of miracles protects by altering material things and nature.

The enveloping protecting power of God would seem to come within the sphere of the gift of faith. God's power protected Moses from Pharaoh's wrath, Exod.3v10. 7v10. 14v19,20.; Jonah in the whales stomach, Jonah.3v4,9.; Samson, and many others, from swords and spears, etc., Judges.15v9-20. 16v1-21. N.B. v20.; Daniel from the lions, and his friends from the fiery furnace, Dan.6v16-23. 3v17,18,25.; Christ from the angry mob from His own town, and from others who tried to kill and arrest Him. Lk.4v29,30. Jn.7v44-46. 10v39. 11v8-10. In Jn.8v58,59., when the Jews tried to stone Jesus, we read, "Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by." God either made Jesus invisible, or took Him outside of time; these operations come within the scope of the gift of faith. Gen.19v11. When the apostles were set free from prison by an angel, what we would call several gifts were operated through the one angel. Remember, it is the operation, and not mere definition of the gifts, that is of prime importance. Acts.5v17-26. 12v1-11.

2. The gift of faith can give Divine comfort, strength and peace in persecution and need.
In Heb.11v35-39., we read of those who were miraculously upheld by God in times of persecution, trial and need. God does not always deliver us from trials, but He always upholds us in them by His power and grace, as He did Stephen. Acts.6v15. 7v54-60. James reminds us of the patience in sufferings of the prophets, Job, and the Lord Jesus, God upheld them all. James.5v10,11. Lk.9v27-36. 22v42-44.

3. The gift of faith can meet our material needs.
Some think that Elijah being fed by the ravens was a gift of faith, I feel that as God's power operated directly upon the ravens it was a working of miracles. I feel for the same reason that the feeding of Israel by the quails, and the coin in the mouth of the fish were also workings of miracles. I think that miracles of provision met by human and angelic channels come within the scope of the gift of faith, as in Ps.78v24,25. Lk.8v1-3. and 1Kings19v4-8., and George Muller's orphanages. However, it is foolish to be dogmatic over this, the gifts do fringe upon one another in certain areas, and make definition difficult; the important thing is to enjoy God's miracles of provision, not just define them correctly.

4. The gift of faith can bestow spiritual blessing and comfort.
The gift of faith is often manifested in the ministry of the laying on of hands, and in the ministry of the prayer warrior. It can remove wounds, hurts and scars, and bless and change the personality for good. 1Sam.10v6,11. 16v12,13. Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. Gen.17v27-41. Heb.11v20. Jacob. Gen.47v31. 48v8-28. Heb.11v21. Christ blessed children. Mk.10v13-16. Moses blessed Joshua and the 70 elders. Numb.11v24-29. 27v18-23. Deut.34v9. Exod.18v25. Christ imparted power and authority to the twelve apostles and seventy disciples. Mt.10v1-8. Lk.10v1-24. Acts.13v1-4. 2Kings2v9-14. Even the baptism and gifts of the Spirit can be imparted by the laying on of hands. Acts.14v19. 9v17. 19v1-6. A revival outpouring. Acts.4v23-31. 10v44-48.

5. The gift of faith can bring curses or judgement upon people.
This occurred in the Scriptures on a large scale on several occasions, the death of Egypt's first-born, and the boils upon the Egyptians. Ex.9v8-12. 11v1 to 12v36. Elijah bringing fire from Heaven upon men. 2Kings.1v8-16. Gehazi. 2Kings.5v25-27. The New Testament has several cases of judgement through this gift. Acts.5v1-11. 12v1-5,21-24. 13v6-12. 1Cor.5v5. 1Tim.1v20. This gift was only used in judgement at the express command of God, for He loves to restore and bless, not judge. 2Cor.2v1-8. The ministry of Jesus appears to have consisted entirely of mercy gifts; for He came to save and bless, not to judge or to condemn, and so the manifestation of any gift in judgement in this age of grace has been rare. God's emphasis is upon blessing not cursing. Mt.5v44. Rom.12v14. 1Cor.4v12. Judgement is God's "strange act," Is.28v21.; however, this age will close with a widespread manifestation of gifts in judgement. Rev.11v5,6. 14v16. As Christians, we never need fear Satanic cursing, There is no enchantment against God's people. Numb.23v23. Gen.12v3.

6. The gift of faith casts out, and restrains evil spirits.
It is difficult to put the casting out of demons under any other gift than the gift of faith, for though Mk.9v38,39., tells us that the casting out of a demon is "an act of power," every power gift is "an act of power," it is the area of operation that decides which gift it is. The gift of faith certainly describes best the operation of God's power in the unseen spiritual realm against demons. Jesus sometimes forced demons to give details about themselves, on another occasion He asked details of a relative. Lk.8v30. Mk.9v20-22. We read that some of these demons had caused various sicknesses, such as deafness, blindness, dumbness, madness, and epilepsy. Mt.4v23,24. 8v28-34. 9v32-34. 12v22-24. 15v21-28. 17v14-21. with Mk.9v23. However, demons are NOT the cause of the vast majority of these sicknesses. God puts a hedge about His children so they cannot be possessed by demons. Job.1v9,10. The exorcism of Christians is an Exorcise of Many Christians exorcise imaginary evil spirits, but we have to live close to God to exorcise real evil spirits, as even the apostles found out. Lk.9v1,2,37-42. with Mk.9v14-29. Acts.19v11-17.t is often more difficult to set people free from demon inspired doctrines, than it is to deliver them from demons; for people can only be delivered from false doctrine, when they desire to know and follow the truth. Jn.8v32-44. Israel's religious leaders did not want to be delivered from the doctrines that Satan used to captivate their minds.

N.B. The gift of faith operates God's unlimited power against the powers of darkness.
We read in 2Kings.13v14-19., that Elisha, while on his death bed, subdued the powers of darkness that aided the Syrians for several years, by a remarkable single operation of the gift of faith, when king Joash shot, at Elisha's command, "The arrow of the Lord's deliverance." Just as Elisha with God took hold of the bow of Joash, so the Holy Spirit takes hold with us against, not only our limitations, but also against the powers of darkness, and as we humble ourselves under God, and take His armoury, and resist the Devil with God's power and gifts, Satan flees from us. Rom.8v26,27. James.4v5-7. The faith and power gifts of Moses took away the evil spiritual defences of the Canaanites, as faithful Caleb said, "they are bread for us, their defence is departed from them." Numb.14v9. This is why the unseen prayer warrior is usually the real cause of revival.

The major attack of the powers of darkness is upon the minds of Christians, but all these attacks can all be dealt with by the fruit and gift of faith, and the Word of God. Christians who have the gift of faith can fight for others, who are too weak to fight for themselves against Satan's lies and power. 2Cor.10v1-5. Let us all earnestly desire this greatest of the gifts of power.


5. THE GIFT OF WORKINGS OF MIRACLES. "Energemata dunameon."
The workings of miracles comes fifth in the list in 1Cor.12v8-12., just after the gifts of healings, however, being a work of greater spiritual power and authority than gifts of healings, it is put before them in the list in 1Cor.12v28.

1. The gift of workings of miracles should not be confused with the other power gifts.
The words "workings of miracles" are a translation of "energemata dunameon," both words are in the plural. Robinson says this means, "operations of miracles, i.e. put for miraculous effects, the gift of working miracles." Arndt and Gingrich say it means, "activities that call forth miracles." "Dunameon" is the plural of "dunamis," which is usually translated as "power," as in Acts.1v8.. "Workings of powers," could obviously refer to the operation of all the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, but this gift works in a specialised area of miracles. It is not in the realm of knowledge, edifying gifts, physical healing or the gift of faith. The gift of workings of miracles is an operation of God's power that changes natural law and material things, and produces seen miraculous effects. It produces miracles in man's material environment.

2. The workings of miracles is the least common of the gifts of power, for the following reasons.
It is placed on a higher level of authority than gifts of healings in 1Cor.12v28., so it will not be manifested as regularly. It demands a very close walk with God; and human sin and failure have hindered God's plans and desires. Christ's miracles of protection and provision show God's will and desires, not the many centuries of Old Testament backsliding when all the power gifts were lacking because of mankind's sin and failure. People seldom need a power miracle to deal with their environment, whereas people often need gifts of healing, and the gift of faith to bless and help them in their spiritual conflicts. Most of people's material needs can be met by human resources, it is only in severe emergency that miracles of provision become necessary. The Lord Jesus sent His Church to deal primarily with people's need for spiritual and physical healing, however, Jesus did care for the poor and needy both naturally and supernaturally. Jn.12v4-8. 6v1-13.

In the Old Testament the working of miracles was often used in judgement, however, in this age of grace, it has been almost totally used in blessing. The emphasis is upon forgiveness of sin and healing of the body. Mt.10v8. Lk.9v1,2. 10v1,9,17. Mk.16v17-20. It is not until the end of the age that working of miracles is used regularly in judgement. Rev.11v5,6.

A DEFINITION OF THE GIFT OF WORKINGS OF MIRACLES.
The gift of workings of miracles is a supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit, to interrupt, suspend, or control the laws of nature. It is the operation of the power of God upon material things; it operates upon man's environment, as a sign and wonder. God usually manifests this gift in blessing, but sometimes also in judgement.

SOME EXAMPLES AND USES OF THE GIFT OF WORKINGS OF MIRACLES.
1. As a sign. John.14v9-12.
a. To cause people to see the might and majesty of God.
All spiritual gifts are intended to reveal the majesty and glory of God, but miracles that effect nature have a particularly profound effect on people. The magicians of Egypt were empowered by evil spirits to create serpents, and do other striking miracles, and they withstood the gifts of the Holy Spirit through Moses. Ex.7v10-12,20-22. 8v6,7,16-19. 2Tim.3v8,9. However, even Egypt's Satan inspired magicians were terrified at God's acts through Moses, and had to admit, "This is the finger of God." Exod.6v6,7. 8v19. 9v16. God hardened Pharaoh's heart by letting him off, and by allowing a lying spirit to deceive him. 2Chron.18v20-22. and Rom.2v2-6. with Exod.7v13,14,22. 8v15,19,32. 9v7,12,34,35. 10v1,20,27. 11v10. 14v8. 4v21. 7v3. 14v4,7. These signs were also for the benefit of surrounding nations. Exod.15v11-16. Deut.4v34. 5v15. Joshua. 2v9-11. 5v1. The working of miracles was often used by God to confirm His message to a nation through a prophet. The prophet in 1Kings.13v1-10.. Samuel. 1Sam.12v16-25. Elijah's remarkable sign at Carmel. 1Kings.18v36-39.

b. To confirm God's word and call to a person.
Gideon. Judges.6v1-40. 7v9-14. Hezekiah. 2Kings.20v1-11. Aaron's rod. Exod.7v10. Numb.17v8. Elisha. 2Kings.2v13-15. Christ's future apostles were convinced to help Jesus by a miraculous catch of fish. Lk.5v1-11. Sometimes angels gave miraculous signs to confirm the truth of their words. Lk.1v20-23,63,64. 2v10-12,34. Heb.2v3,4.

c. To establish faith and confirm the preaching of the Gospel. Mk.16v15-18.
Miracles in Jn.2v1-11,23. Multitudes fed. Jn.6v1-14,26,27. Mt.15v32-39. Walking on water. Mt.14v22-36. Jn.5v19,20,36,44.

2. To provide for those in need.
There are many cases of miraculous provision in the Scriptures. Water. Exod.17v1-7. Manna and Quails. Exod.16v13,15-35. Numb.11v31. Elisha's miracles. Kings.2v19-22. 4v1-7. 38v44. 6v1-7. 2v13-15. Our Lord's miracles. Mk.6v32-44,48. 8v1-9. Lk.5v1-11. Jn.21v3-11. Mt.17v24-27. Supernatural transport could be under this gift, and the gift of faith. Elijah, Ezekiel, the apostolic band, and Philip experienced this supernatural transport. 1Kings.18v11,12. 2Kings.2v16-18. Exek.3v12-15. 8v3. Acts.8v39,40. Jn.6v20,21.This still happens today, David Duplessis records an instance of it in his life, and I have heard of others. This is a gift for the last days. N.B. Rev.12v14.

3. To deliver from danger.
Pharaoh's chariot wheels. Exod.14v16,21. 15v23-25. Samson's lion. Judges.14v5,6. 16v1-3. Goliath. 1Sam.17v37,45-50. Storms stilled. Lk.8v22-25. Mt.14v24-33. 6v18-21. Earthquake freed Paul and Silas. Acts.16v25-34. Harmless snake poison. Acts.28v1-6. with Mk.16v18.

4. To bring judgement.
Most of the plagues of Egypt came through the gift of workings of miracles. Exod.8v1 to 10v29. The sons of Korah. Numb.16v19-35. Joshua's long day. Joshua.10v6-14. Elijah's famine. 1Kings17v1. 18v1,42-46. James.5v14-20. The cursed fig tree. Mk.11v12-14,20-24. As we have said before, the emphasis during this age of grace is upon God's love and mercy, and not upon judgement. However, at the end of this age the Two Witnesses will have authority and power given to them to bring judgement upon their evil foes. Rev.11v1-8. This kind of power will be absolutely essential to deal with the wickedness in the world due to Antichrist and his followers.


6. THE GIFT OF GIFTS OF HEALINGS. "Charismata iamaton."
This is fourth in the list in 1Cor.12v8-10.; and is in the plural, "gifts of healings," or "grace gifts of healings."

1. Gifts of healings should not be confused with medical care.
However, Christians should be the very last to disparage the work of doctors and nurses, who are dedicated to the relief of suffering. There is a definite place for natural healing, indeed, God Himself gave the Israelites sound medical advice.

2. Gifts of healing must not be confused with healing through Spiritualists.
We must not confuse gifts of healings from God with Spiritualism, or Christian Science, etc.. These as we have seen, are forbidden by God. Lev.19v31. 20v6,27. Deut.18v8-20. 2Kings.21v2,6. Exod.22v18. with 1Sam.28v6,7. and 1Chron.10v13,14. Is.8v18-20. 19v3. 47v13. Mt.3v5. Acts.13.v1-11. 16v16-18. 19v19. 1Cor.10v20,21. Gal.5v19-21. 1Jn.4v1-5. Rev.21v8. 22v15. They oppose and deny vital Christian doctrine and experience, and the Scriptures state that those who go to them for healing are in the most serious spiritual danger.

3. In this age it is the most common sign given through the gifts of power.
In this present age, signs manifested by gifts of healings are more common than signs through the other power gifts. The gift of faith is operated more in private prayer, but nowhere near as much as a public sign and wonder. Divine love longs to meet the needs of suffering humanity, and this is probably why gifts of healings are placed before workings of miracles in 1Cor.12v28., even though Paul states in 1Cor.12v28., that workings of miracles is an act of greater spiritual authority.

4. Gifts of healings should not be confused with the other gifts of power.
All miracles of healing come within the scope of gifts of healings, whether they are simple healings, or the removal of cancer, or even the recreation of organs that have been removed by surgery or injury, or even missing at birth.

5. Gifts of healings do not enable a Christian to heal everybody who is sick.
At the floodtide of our Lord's and the early Church's ministry, everybody who was prayed for was healed, and Mt.8v16-18. tells us that this is the extent of God's promise. However, Christ only healed one out of a multitude at the pool of Bethesda, which shows that many did not come to Christ for healing, and also that Christ could not heal at will. Jn.5v1-14.

WHY HEALING FROM CHRIST MAY NOT OCCUR, OR MAY BE DELAYED.

a. Because some preachers boldly state that Divine healing is not for today.
Many congregations believe their unbelieving preachers, and so they pray to God with doubts, fear and despair instead of faith. 1Jn.5v14,15.Many today, like the multitude at the Pool of Bethesda, are persuaded by their religious leaders, that healing from Jesus is not safe or desirable. Jn.5v1-24. Such preachers can expect severe judgement from God. James.3v1.

c. Because of an unwillingness to earnestly seek God.
Some people will not make any kind of spiritual preparation and yet they expect a miracle of healing. God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Heb.11v6. Scriptural teaching is also vital. However, if the sick are not healed under our ministry, we should first of all check our faith and ministry, not the faith of the sick one. Mk.9v14-29.

d. Because a sick person is not prepared to get right with God.
There is a definite connection between forgiveness and healing. Exod.23v25. Mk.2v1-12. Jn.5v1-9,14. Ps.66v18. Prov.28v13. A person who is not a Christian may be healed by God in order to appeal to them to become a Christian; a failure by them to repent after their healing, can result in Satan giving them an even worse affliction, and also in eternal damnation. Jn.5v14. Acts.10v38. Mt.11v20-24. Fellowship with God brings and keeps healing. Rom.8v11. Exod.15v26. Before some people can be healed, they have to repent of sins of the flesh and spirit; bitterness, back-biting, and an unforgiving spirit can hinder healing just as much as moral failure, dishonesty, lying, stealing or unpaid bills. Ps.34v12-22. Prov.6v16,17. Mt.6v14,15. 18v21-25. Col.3v12-16. James.3v1-18. Multitudes were baptised showing their repentance and faith in Christ, they spent days listening to Christ's words and watching His works, it is no wonder that all that He prayed for were healed. Mk.6v35-56. Jn.4v1,2. Christ's preaching kept away those who did not want to get right with God, there were some who preferred their traditional approach, because it made no spiritual demands upon them. Jn.5v1-15. Sometimes people who are under the discipline of God, like Gehazi, come into meetings for prayer and expect to be healed, we must remember that there is Divine sickness as well as Divine healing; the purpose of this discipline is reformation of character. Ps.73 all. 119v67,71-75. 1Cor.11v28-32. It is the unrepentant, world-surfeited heart that finds it difficult to believe in the light of signs, wonders and miracles. Jn.5v44. 12v42,43. 15v22-25. Faith is a natural thing in a repentant heart that is controlled by God's love.

e. Because God will not enable us to avoid the consequences of intemperate living.
God will not give us the strength to break the laws of rest that He has laid down. Many Christians make themselves ill by putting too much stress on their bodies with overwork, lack of rest and sleep, and foolish diet. The Bible tells us that we have to take care of our bodies or reap the consequences. Ps.127v2. 107v17-21. Phil.12v25-30. We read in Ps.103v3,5. that God expects us to eat good food to renew our health, as well as to look to God for healing. Finney said that one of the things that could bring a revival to a halt was Christians placing too great a strain on their bodies. Sometimes God may heal us when we have been foolish, at other times He may give us a long rest and allow natural healing to take its course. Col.2v27. 1Cor.6v20. Eph.5v29.

f. Because of a wrong attitude to the person who is praying for the sick.
This can take two forms. A sick person may come for prayer with no real respect for the person praying for them; and may have real doubts and criticisms about them, and come to them as a last resort. Our Lord experienced this at Nazareth. Mk.6v1-6. The opposite is also true, the sick person may put the person praying for them on a pedestal, and look to them for healing instead of the Lord; and God will not give His glory to another. Is.42v8. 48v11,12. 44v6. with Rev.1v8,17. 22v13. Acts3v12. 1Cor.1v26-31. with Jer.9v24.

g. Because God may desire to try or improve a Christian's character.
There may be nothing wrong with a Christians life at all, as in the case of Job. Job.2v4-10. Some Christians have suffered great trials of physical sickness, even when large numbers of people were being healed through their ministries. Is it to make people realise that God is the healer? Sometimes only God knows if a sickness is a natural thing, a trial of faith or a spiritual discipline? We know He disciplines those who do well, as well as those who do badly. Heb.12v4-12. Prov.3v11,12.

h. Because of the shocking spiritual state of some churches.
In many churches Christians are at sixes and sevens and have a bitter spirit towards each other. These problems should not be allowed to fester, Jesus commanded us to put them right. Mt.18v15-35. Mk.11v22-26. Jn.13v34,35. 15v12-14. 1Cor.3v1-3. Sometimes there may be not only sin in the sick person's life, but also sin in the elders, or even some great sin, like Achan's sin, which has never been put right. Joshua.7v1-26. 8v1. Very often churches are too spiritually lazy and too worldly to defeat Satan, the elders certainly do not follow the command of James to pray through for the sick, they merely go through an undemanding form. James.5v13-18. Elders praying for the sick are instructed to follow the example of Elijah. Often the untimely premature death of a Christian is not "God's will" at all, it is often due to spiritual laziness, spiritual failure and worldliness. We thank God that it is always "gain" for a Christian to die, even if they die prematurely because of the lack of power and faith in Christian elders Jn.17v24. 2Cor.5v6-10. Phil.1v20-25. This brings us to our next point.

i. Because a person's allotted span of life is reached.
We read in 2Kings.13v14,20,21., that Elisha fell sick and died, even though he was so full of the power of God, that a dead man could be raised to life by touching his bones, Elisha was not healed, his time had come to die. We read in Ps.90v10,12., that we can normally expect to live 70 years, it also states that the infirmity and weakness of old age can be a burden; few have had the experience of Caleb and Moses of physical vigour and strength in old age. Deut.34v7. Joshua.14v7-15. N.B. v10,11. Doubtless this was due to their deep communion with God and their obedience to His law. Exod.23v24-26. 15v26. Even a youthful healthy body is frail and liable to problems, and can cause us to groan and long for a heavenly glorified body, like that of our Lord Jesus. Is.40v29-31. Phil.3v20,21. Prayer can, and does, stop people dying in agony, who would normally suffer greatly because of the nature of their disease. Sickness is primarily due to the loss of the tree of life through Adam's sin, sickness and death will not finally cease until the tree of life is again restored. Gen.2v9. 3v22-24. Ezek.47v6-12. Rev.22v2,14,15. We read in Is.57v1,2., that God allows the young to die to save them from evil to come. 1Kings.14v11-13.

j. Because God desires us to be healed by natural or medical means.
We read in Ps.103v3,5., that healing can come through correct diet as well as by Divine miracle. Those who neglect rest and a good food will certainly suffer for it, as even godly Epaphroditus found out. Phil.2v25-30. Ps.107v17-19. 127v2. Those who despise doctors and medicine, and say that they are trusting the Lord for healing, will find that will have need of both doctors and medicine, to cure them of their spiritual pride, as well as their sickness. Let us remember that a medicine, like a happy disposition, promotes healing, and medicines are even used in the heavenly kingdom. Prov.17v22. Ezek.47v12. Rev.22v2.

A DEFINITION OF GIFTS OF HEALINGS.
Gifts of healings are the supernatural workings of the Holy Spirit, by which the sick are healed of ailments of every kind, from reasonably mild general and occasional sickness, "malakian," to severe, dangerous and chronic disease, "nosos." God longs to heal all bad cases, "tous kakos echontas," and those compressed and straightened by severe sickness or tormenting malady, "poikilais nosois basanois sunechomenous," and mental and physical disorder. See Mt.4v23,24., where these words occur. Creative healings take place through this gift, e.g., the maimed, "kullos," Mt.15v30,31.; the blind from birth. Jn.9v1-41.

1. THE SCRIPTURES REVEAL GOD'S DESIRE FOR OUR HEALING AND GOOD HEALTH.
Sickness may be due to heredity, Satan, sin, neglect, overwork, natural ageing of the body, worry, the pressures of life, emotional stress, infection and disease, industrial poisoning, injury, accident or war, etc. The Scriptures reveal.

a. The original creation shows God's desire for mankind to enjoy perfect health.
The fall and sin of Adam made creation subject to sickness, death and unreality, "mataiotes." Gen.2v9. 3v22-24. Rom.5v12. 8v19-22. God not only made the human body self-healing, He also gave the tree of life to preserve perfect health. Adam's sin deprived mankind of the tree of life and physical well-being, and by breaking God's moral and health laws, mankind has suffered further physical deterioration. Deut.28v15-29,45-48,58-68. Prov.13v2,15. Gal.6v7. Jesus came to redeem us from the curse of a broken law, and by accepting Him as our Saviour, we can be saved and healed. Gal.3v13,14. When God's kingdom of love comes to earth, all God's redeemed creation will enjoy perfect health forever. Rev.21v3-5. 22v2.

b. God looks upon sickness and death as enemies of mankind and His perfect will.
Sickness, like any other trial, may produce spiritual strength in us, when we overcome it by God's grace, but it is still an evil thing. 1Cor.15v26. 1Thes.5v23. 3Jn.v2. God speaks of sickness as an oppression of Satan, a curse, and a bondage and captivity, from which Jesus has come to deliver us. Lk.4v17-21. 13v10-17. Acts.10v38. 1Jn.3v8. Job.2v7-13. 42v10.

c. God gave the Israelites sound medical advice to preserve their health.
God desired the Israelites to enjoy good health, so as well as the moral Law, He gave them laws containing sound medical advice on rest, food, hygiene, sanitation and quarantine, to preserve their health. Prov.4v20-22. Lev.23v1-44. 25v1-24. Mk.2v23-28.; Lev.11v32,39,40. 15v1-33. Deut.23v12,13. Lev.13v1-59. Numb.5v1-4. Lev.11v1-47. God also promised them Divine healing. Ex.15v26. Ps.103v3. 105v37.

If physical neglect or overwork has made you ill, then you need to observe the practical medical advice given in God's Law, and give your body the correct food, rest, and sleep it needs. Ps.103v3,5. 127v2. 107v4-6,8,17-21. Phil.2v25-30. The Old Testament prophets were told that one of the outstanding activities of the promised Messiah was going to be His ministry of healing. Is.53v4. with Mt.8v16,17. Is.35v5,6., and His manifestation of God's healing and saving power. Is.61v1,2. with Lk.4v14-21,40,41. Deut.18v15-19. Ps.45v6,7. Heb.1v8,9.

d. The character and love of God assure us that God earnestly desires to heal us.
It is the healing of sickness, not sickness, that glorifies God and shows His perfectly loving desires, will and character. Sickness is Satan's will for God's creation. Ps.103v1-22. 146v5-10. Mt.6v25-34. Jn.1v14. Acts.10v38. Divine healing causes people to love and glorify God, it makes them realise God's sacrificial love and care for His creation. Mk.2v12. Lk.13v10-17. Mt.15v31. Jn.11v4,40,45. 1Jn.4v8. Rev.4v8.

e. The cross of Christ shows how earnestly God desires to save and heal us.
We can claim healing for soul and body through Christ's atonement. Exod.15v26. Is.53v4. Mt.8v16,17. Numb.21v5-9. Jn.3v14-16. 1Pet.2v24. God desires to deliver us from sin and sickness and to give us His good gifts. Mt.7v11. Lk.11v9-13.

f. Christ spent a large part of His time ministering to those who were ill.
"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." Jesus gave the same commission to His early Church. Acts.10v38. Mt.10v8. Mk.16v15-20. He revealed His Father's willingness to heal, by healing all that came to Him and His apostles did the same. Mt.8v16,17. 14v13,14. Acts.5v12-16. Christ is alive and He desires to do the same miracles today, through His Church, that He did while He was on earth. Heb.13v8.

2. THE DIFFERENT WAYS THAT WE CAN RECEIVE A GIFT OF HEALING FROM GOD.
a. Through personal prayer. Is.38v1-22. Jn.14v11-15. 15v4-14.

b. Through any believer who is full of faith and power. Mk.16v18. Acts.9v17,18.
Any believer who really believes, and is full of the Holy Ghost, can lay hands on the sick and see them recover. Acts.6v8. However, if we try to bring healing to people when we are spiritually powerless, and have nothing to give, we shall badly discourage both the sick person and ourselves as well. To know ourselves is a very necessary task, when we are dealing with the sick. We need God's power to deliver the sick, a formulae or form will not do. 2.Cor.13v5. James.1v22. The greater miracles come through the greater ministries. Acts.5v12.

c. Through church elders praying a prayer for the sick. James.5v13-16.
One of the essential qualifications for a Church elder, is the ability to pray for the sick and see them healed. Elders should manifest faith and spiritual power as well as godly character. Acts.20v17,28. 1Tim.3v1-7. Titus.1v5-9. 1Pet.5v1-8. James tells us that pastor-elders should be full of the Holy Ghost like Elijah, and pray through with great patience and faith, for those who are sick. The word for "sick" in James.5v15., is "kamno," it is translated as "wearied" in Heb.12v3., and "fainted" in Rev.2v3., the only other two places where it occurs in the New Testament, it speaks of a person being "worn out" by sickness, and does not necessarily mean that they are confined to bed.

Some say that Mk.6v13. gives us no warrant to anoint unbelievers as this was for Israel, who could claim "the children's bread" of healing. Mt.15v26. However, we need to remember that these same Israelites were looked upon in Mt.10v6., as "the lost sheep of the house of Israel," who needed Christ's salvation, so I see no reason why we should not anoint unbelievers with oil. The anointing with oil signifies the healing power of the Holy Spirit, who comes upon both unbelievers and believers to heal them. The important thing is to have the power of God, not just the type of that power. If there is failure to bring healing to the sick in a church, the whole church should seek God until this defect is put right, and the sick are healed. Leaders should see the sick healed or question their ministry, an empty claim to the ministry of pastor-elder, will have to be answered for before the great throne of God. 1Pet.5v1-4. Eph.4v8-11. Jer.23v1-6. Ezek.34v1-34. Mt.23v13-39.

d. Through the other greater ministries of the Church. 1Cor.12v28. Eph.4v8-11.
All the New Testament ministries were usually entrusted with the great manifestations of gifts of healings. Mk.16v15-20. Lk.9v1,2. 10v1-9. Rom.15v18-20. 2Cor.12v12. These ministries had a continual rather than an occasional ministry to the sick. Each gift of healing is a separate gift, if ten people are healed, ten gifts of healings have been ministered. A gift of healing can be ministered by the laying on of hands, Mk.6v5,6.; by a touch, Mt.8v13-17. 9v24,25,29,30.; by a word of commanding faith, Mt.8v8. Acts.3v6.; by someone praying for someone even a great distance away, Mt.8v5-13. Jn.4v46-54.; by a "prayer cloth" sent to the sick, Acts.19v11,12. Mt.14v35,36. 2Kings.13v20.; by reconsecration and obedience to God. Mk.7v32-37. Lk.17v12-19. Jn.9v1-15. Numb.21v5-9. Is.38v1-8.

3. THE SCRIPTURAL ADVICE FOR THOSE SEEKING HEALING FROM GOD.

a. Call for those with a proven ministry of healing to pray for you. James.5v13-18.
Do not be prayed for by Christians whose ministry is a proven failure, they will only depress your faith. Go to Christians who have positive faith, and if possible to those elders, or other ministries, who have a proven ministry of healing.

b. Repent of all known sin and come in sincere repentance to Christ.
Accept Christ as your Saviour, if you do not know Him as Saviour. Mk.1v15. Acts.3v19. 13v38,39. Jn.1v12. 3v16. 6v37. Heb.7v25. Jesus emphasised the supreme importance of getting right with God and being "born again," He told us that there is a vital connection between repentance, forgiveness, and healing. Mk.2v5,9,10. Jn.5v1-9,14. Rom.12v1,2. 1Jn.3v21-24. 1Cor.11v27-32. If you have any bitterness or enmity against other people, you must put it right, otherwise it could hinder or stop you receiving your healing. Mt.6v12,14,15. 18v35. Mk.11v22-26. Lk.17v1-17. Get right with God and man, and come to God in full assurance of faith for healing, through Christ's shed blood, your sin can be forgiven and your body healed. Mt.5v22-24. Lk.24v47. Rom.8v32. 1Pet.2v24. 1Jn.1v9. Heb.10v19-22.

c. Be absolutely positive in your faith in Christ and the Father.
See Heb.11v5,6. Mk.5v25-34. 6v56. Praise and thank God for His promise to heal you. Mk.11v20-24. 2Cor.1v19,20. Don't go to God with doubting hope, go to Him with positive faith. Don't wait for thrills, feelings and sight, before you will believe; trust God's word and resist Satan's lies, and God will meet with you. God wants you to be well, so reject false teaching that says that God likes you to be sick. 1Pet.5v6-11. James.4v7. 3Jn.v2. Let your confession of faith be as positive as the Word of God. Jn.20v27-29. 2Cor.4v18. 5v7. Rom.4v20. God is faithful, and is able and willing to heal all those who truly repent and come to Him in full assurance of faith; no matter what Satan, church tradition, or circumstances may say. 1Jn.5v9-15. Mk.9v22,23.

d. Continue to trust Christ for a miracle even when healing is not immediate.
Expect an instant miracle of healing, Mk.1v31,41. 2v12. 5v29,42. 7v35. 10v32. Acts.3v7. 9v34., but do not limit healing to an instant miracle; sometimes healing is delayed or is gradual. Jn.4v52. Remember that Jesus promised that real faith never goes unrewarded. Mk.11v20-25. Imitate the persistent faith and prayer of the woman of Mt.15v21-28.; the Shunammite woman of Kings.4v18-37.; The sick woman of Mk.5v25-34.; the blind men of Lk.18v35-43.; the friends of the palsied man of Mk.2v1-12.. Remember, even God's servant Job experienced a delay in healing, and that Paul's friend Epaphroditus was not healed immediately, even though Paul prayed for him. Job.42v10. Phil.2v25-30. Lk.17v11-19. Even Jesus prayed for one person twice, and other people received their healings some time after they were prayed for. Mk.8v22-26. Lk.17v12-19. Jn.9v1-15. Remember to direct your faith to God, and not to the person who prays for you, and give God ALL the glory. Acts.3v11-13. 14v7-21. Realise that God is trying to make a change in you as well as your body. Remember the Lord Jesus never refused either salvation or healing to those who came to Him, and a delay in healing never means denial.

4. PAUL'S "THORN IN THE FLESH."
Paul tells us that when he was in danger of getting over-elated through the abundance of spiritual revelations that he received, God's cure for this was "a thorn in the flesh, a messenger, "angelos," of Satan to buffet me." One cannot see how Paul could have accomplished his missionary journeys if he had been continually sick and ill as some say he was. Paul certainly knew what it was to suffer physically, for no one could suffer eight beatings and a stoning, without suffering some physical pain and after effects. Paul said, "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus," and a thousand scars on his body testified to the truth of that statement. Gal.6v17. with 2 Cor.11v23 to 12v12. Thorns in the flesh in the Old Testament, were personalities or people that were used by God to discipline His children. Numb.33v55. Joshua.23v12,13. I believe Paul's thorn in the flesh was persecution, not sickness. An angel of Satan certainly stirred up tremendous persecution against Paul; he suffered weariness and painfulness, perils of various kinds, necessities, persecutions, distresses, imprisonment, beatings, a stoning, and many other trials as a result of the hatred of Satan-inspired men. God uses various means to test and discipline His children, and sickness was certainly used by God to discipline the wayward Christians at Corinth. If Paul's thorn was sickness the Christians at Corinth had every right to ask Paul if he had been examining himself at the Lord's table. 1Cor.11v30. The idea that Paul was continually sick from one disease after another, is quite without any scriptural foundation, Paul preached and experienced healing. Acts.9v17-19. 28v3-6. Rom.8v11. 15v18-20. 2Cor.4v11.

Paul tells us that people are blinded by Satan and need signs and wonders to see what God is like. 2Cor.4v3-7. The healing of disease and infirmity make a powerful appeal to people to return to such a wonderful and loving God. Mk.3v3-12. Acts.4v21. Paul states that gifts of healings compel unbelievers, not only to listen to the Gospel message, but also to believe it. Rom.15v17-20. They show that Jesus is alive and that the tremendous truths that He told us about Heaven and Hell, and sin and judgement are true. Acts.3v13-26. The gifts of healings certainly turn people to God and really inspire the people of God with a holy boldness to preach the Gospel. Acts.8v5-13. 9v32v35. 4v29-31. Paul did not go around saying that we should patiently bear sickness, he went around preaching deliverance from it, he looked upon this as one of the proofs of his apostolic ministry. 2Cor.12v12. It made all the difference between defeat and victory in his ministry. We need gifts of healings today, for they meet the needs of suffering humanity, and display the wonderful compassion, character and grace of God, and confirm the Gospel message and bring many souls to Christ.

Albert Hibbert, on pages 42 to 44, of his book, "Smith Wigglesworth; The Secret of His Power;" relates how God instantly replaced the two artificial legs of an Anglican Curate with two normal legs. The curate, at Wigglesworth's direction, went to buy some shoes, and requested a pair of size 8 black shoes. When the Curate put one stump of his artificial leg into one of the shoes, a foot and leg instantly formed. Then the same thing happened with the other artificial leg. The Curate walked out of the shop with a new pair of shoes on a new pair of legs. Wigglesworth was not at all surprised at this result; it was what he had expected to happen; he had often said that as far as God is concerned, there is no difference between forming a new limb, and healing a broken bone. We need more of this kind of miracle today.

5. THIS IS A VERY SPIRITUALLY AND PHYSICALLY DEMANDING MINISTRY.
We read in Lk.6v18,19. of power going out of Jesus to heal the multitudes. This meant that the Lord Jesus had to restore His vital spiritual and nervous energies through communion with God the Father. This is one reason for His tremendous prayer-life. Lk.3v21. 5v16. 9v18,28,29. 11v1. 22v40-46. Christians who pray for people in deep need understand what Jesus meant when He said in Lk.8v46., "I perceived that power had gone forth out of me." This kind of spiritual loss has to be experienced to be appreciated. In manifesting the gift of faith in casting out of demons, or healing wounded spirits, etc., and gifts of healings for the body, we have very definitely got to know our limitations. If we do not draw near to God and other mature Christians, we can experience both physical and spiritual breakdown. To maintain a ministry to the sick demands real consecration, and deep communion with God. We should not be satisfied until we see this lovely gift of healing manifested continuously and powerfully in our churches, so let us earnestly desire this precious manifestation of God's forgiving and compassionate love.

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