Miracle Healing

[AnOrangeCat]

7 minutes ago, Cyoder said:

What do you all think of Healing services at a church?  I attended a local church for the first time about two months ago and they said they have a healing service once a week.  Several people gave testimony about being healed.  Only one I felt was legitimate.  I have no doubt Jesus can heal through others, but I am very skeptical of this.  I also have no doubt that people coming together to pray for healing works, but putting hands on people and screaming "YOU ARE HEALED" and they flop around on the ground like a fish?  I'm not buying it.  I guess it could happen through your own faith, but not through the snake oil salesman preacher. Some of these are so bad that I wonder if the evil one is involved.  I think these things make Christianity look bad.

I have mixed feelings. Prayer for the sick and infirm is Biblical. People should probably be able to use their own styles of prayer and worship so long as they aren't conflicting with the Bible. I think the highly dramatized healings (or "healings" in some cases) have been done by so many dubious televangelists who have been caught up in scandals that invites skepticism.

Paul spoke of "debatable matters" in Romans and said not to get caught up in them. He mentioned eating meet and observing certain days specifically, but I think it covers a lot of ground with things that aren't explicitly covered in the Bible. There was a catch, though. He warned strongly against causing fellow believers to stumble. I had a lot of exposure to this sort of very dramatic healings growing up. From my experience it was often linked with the Prosperity Gospel/Word of Faith movement, which I'd prefer to guide people away from.

I definitely believe that God still heals people today, sometimes even miraculously so. But I'm skeptical about the baggage that can come with this particular style.

[Neighbor]

Well what if I am not healed of my own eye vision issues after reading of an eye issue healing? Just asking.

I have serious knee issues yet a specialist doctor just showed me  xrays that show I have no issue. I'm good  to go. Okay!... pop grind twist and lock up,  I'm good  no problem, it's a miracle.

My own sense of certainty is placed in Jesus  his willing sacrifice made at the cross of Calvary, it is not in whether my knees pop or not.

BTW if a medical team first told me I need medical attention, and then later said  I don't, I'd be looking for yet another team to confirm just where I am  now as far as  the medical condition is concerned.

 I would ant to know - Did I ever really have a problem, is it healed or does it still exist, or has it reoccurred?

[Marathoner]

I never had prior exposure to what @AnOrangeCat describes (faith healing, word of faith, et al). I was never offended by it when I encountered such things but then again, I also didn't pay attention to it. I continue to not be bothered nor offended by it because truly, that is their religion, and they receive the desire of their hearts. Who am I to preach about the sincerity of others?

Do I know the hearts and minds? No? Then the matter is settled. If there is a matter that concerns me, it's this: the tendency of some to behave as if they know the heart and mind of their neighbor. Having assumed the seat of judge, they pass judgment upon their neighbor; in the commission of this wicked deed, they wipe their mouth and say, "I have done nothing wrong." 

How much better it is when one focuses upon their own conduct, so as to show forth the life of Christ given to them by the Lord of glory. Even the archangel Michael didn't level a railing accusation against Satan when contending for the body of Moses (Jude 9). As the Lord Himself declares,

"Let the one who does wrong still do wrong, and the one who is filthy still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous still practice righteousness, and the one who is holy still keep himself holy.” (Revelation 22:11 NASB)

There is no mistaking the power of God. Even the unbeliever who witnesses the power of God knows what they witness. Only scoffers and mockers refuse to believe what they witness. Am I claiming that so-called faith healings and the like are genuine? I am not making such a claim. However, I am not condemning others. That is not my place. 

Edited October 5, 2024 by Marathoner

[Marathoner]

I'm blessed to learn of your report, @Biblican! Our God is in heaven, and He does whatever He pleases. The Lord is not a man-pleaser like those idols that men and women prop up, speaking with their own voices because idols are mute and unthinking. I've shared how the Lord chose to display His power in me on more than occasion, only what the Lord accomplished wasn't requested by any man or woman. What the Lord did, He did because it pleased Him; just like you wrote, it was not for my sake alone. There were witnesses.

The Lord, who returned me to strength and vigorous health when I was almost dead, promised to teach me so I would never stumble blindly again. When I asked Him why He chose to display His power in me, He directed my attention to the 9th chapter of John: the man born blind. This man was born blind so that the power of God might be displayed in him. I am no different than he was. To those who witnessed my impossible return from the threshold of the grave, it was a demonstration that nothing is impossible to the Lord God Almighty. Those who counseled my adopted mother to cast me out before I perished in her house witnessed the folly of their uncharitable ways, and my adopted mother learned that the Lord is the One who not only loves her but provides for her every need.

The significance? My adopted mother had been mistreated and abandoned by her children and family, all of whom are Christians. Over the years she became bitter and railed against the Lord, but no one was privy to the hidden counsel of God. He reversed what was killing this flesh for her sake, so she would witness the power of God who loves her like no other. He raised me up so those who clamored for my abandonment would witness the power of God who loves the rejected and the abandoned. 

Just as I pay no mind to the religions of men, I also pay no mind to scoffers and mockers. Let those who scoff continue to scoff, yes?

[Cyoder]

20 minutes ago, Marathoner said:

I never had prior exposure to what @AnOrangeCat describes (faith healing, word of faith, et al). I was never offended by it when I encountered such things but then again, I also didn't pay attention to it. I continue to not be bothered nor offended by it because truly, that is their religion, and they receive the desire of their hearts. Who am I to preach about the sincerity of others?

Do I know the hearts and minds? No? Then the matter is settled. If there is a matter that concerns me, it's this: the tendency of some to behave as if they know the heart and mind of their neighbor. Having assumed the seat of judge, they pass judgment upon their neighbor; in the commission of this wicked deed, they wipe their mouth and say, "I have done nothing wrong." 

How much better it is when one focuses upon their own conduct, so as to show forth the life of Christ given to them by the Lord of glory. Even the archangel Michael didn't level a railing accusation against Satan when contending for the body of Moses (Jude 9). As the Lord Himself declares,

"Let the one who does wrong still do wrong, and the one who is filthy still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous still practice righteousness, and the one who is holy still keep himself holy.” (Revelation 22:11 NASB)

There is no mistaking the power of God. Even the unbeliever who witnesses the power of God knows what they witness. Only scoffers and mockers refuse to believe what they witness. Am I claiming that so-called faith healings and the like are genuine? I am not making such a claim. However, I am not condemning others. That is not my place. 

I agree to a point.  There have been many cases of people flat out lying and doing this to take money from people.  I don't judge the people who believe, I question the "preacher".  Especially those on TV.  I don't even think this is about judging others, more trying to help people from being taken advantage of.  The small church I attended wasn't asking for anything or preying on anybody.  I think they are just trying to help people.  I think the bad people taint this for everyone else.  It just puts the question in your mind. 

[Marathoner]

20 minutes ago, Cyoder said:

I agree to a point.  There have been many cases of people flat out lying and doing this to take money from people.  I don't judge the people who believe, I question the "preacher".  Especially those on TV.  I don't even think this is about judging others, more trying to help people from being taken advantage of.  The small church I attended wasn't asking for anything or preying on anybody.  I think they are just trying to help people.  I think the bad people taint this for everyone else.  It just puts the question in your mind. 

Is there any reason to believe them? If there isn't, then pay them no mind and go on your way. If you haven't noticed, there is no shortage of charlatans and those who scoff at them in this world. Are you aware that both the charlatan and their scoffer are no different? One makes a display of deceit while the other hurls railing accusations. Both are equally to blame. 

Consider the hubris of the scoffer, who proclaims in their insolence that they know the mind of God. Ah, but the Lord resists the proud and make no mistake: God mocks the mocker! Therefore, neither the deceitful nor the prideful know the will and purpose of the Lord, who is pleased to withhold the truth from both. For the deceiver, they have received their reward (ill-gotten gain) and as for the scoffer, they have also received their reward (coals heaped upon their head).

Here's what I say: don't believe the charlatan and take care to not become a scoffer. Airing one's displeasure is distasteful and does not announce how pure or good the grumbler is to the world. Don't love your own opinion and cherish it to the degree that you are compelled to display that opinion with loudspeakers. There is more than enough of that in this world. 

Edited October 5, 2024 by Marathoner

[Sower]

I've testified here to this before, I was a smoker for over 50yrs, and could never quit.
I tried prayers and everything except hypnotism. I could never quit.
Haven't smoked now for over 10yrs. A friend prayed over me, hands on my shoulders.
I was delivered.
It was God that delivered me, not myself nor my friend. All the Glory belongs to God!

God's promises are true. Accept that God's ways are not man's, nor his timing.

1st,
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

             The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective"
 

[farouk]

3 hours ago, Cyoder said:

What do you all think of Healing services at a church?  I attended a local church for the first time about two months ago and they said they have a healing service once a week.  Several people gave testimony about being healed.  Only one I felt was legitimate.  I have no doubt Jesus can heal through others, but I am very skeptical of this.  I also have no doubt that people coming together to pray for healing works, but putting hands on people and screaming "YOU ARE HEALED" and they flop around on the ground like a fish?  I'm not buying it.  I guess it could happen through your own faith, but not through the snake oil salesman preacher. Some of these are so bad that I wonder if the evil one is involved.  I think these things make Christianity look bad.

Hi @Cyoder The signs and wonders recorded in Acts were particularly relevant to the transitional time when the church, in infancy, still did not have the complete Word of God to confirm the message of the Gospel preached by the Apostles. God can indeed heal still if He chooses, but current conditions are different from those of the early church in Acts because we now have sufficient authority to confirm the Gospel message from the fully revealed Word of God.

[Neighbor]

1 hour ago, Marathoner said:

Is there any reason to believe them? If there isn't, then pay them no mind and go on your way. If you haven't noticed, there is no shortage of charlatans and those who scoff at them in this world. Are you aware that both the charlatan and their scoffer are no different? One makes a display of deceit while the other hurls railing accusations. Both are equally to blame. 

Consider the hubris of the scoffer, who proclaims in their insolence that they know the mind of God. Ah, but the Lord resists the proud and make no mistake: God mocks the mocker! Therefore, neither the deceitful nor the prideful know the will and purpose of the Lord, who is pleased to withhold the truth from both. For the deceiver, they have received their reward (ill-gotten gain) and as for the scoffer, they have also received their reward (coals heaped upon their head).

Here's what I say: don't believe the charlatan and take care to not become a scoffer. Airing one's displeasure is distasteful and does not announce how pure or good the grumbler is to the world. Don't love your own opinion and cherish it to the degree that you are compelled to display that opinion with loudspeakers. There is more than enough of that in this world. 

Bears repeating!

[Cyoder]

1 hour ago, Marathoner said:

Is there any reason to believe them? If there isn't, then pay them no mind and go on your way. If you haven't noticed, there is no shortage of charlatans and those who scoff at them in this world. Are you aware that both the charlatan and their scoffer are no different? One makes a display of deceit while the other hurls railing accusations. Both are equally to blame. 

Consider the hubris of the scoffer, who proclaims in their insolence that they know the mind of God. Ah, but the Lord resists the proud and make no mistake: God mocks the mocker! Therefore, neither the deceitful nor the prideful know the will and purpose of the Lord, who is pleased to withhold the truth from both. For the deceiver, they have received their reward (ill-gotten gain) and as for the scoffer, they have also received their reward (coals heaped upon their head).

Here's what I say: don't believe the charlatan and take care to not become a scoffer. Airing one's displeasure is distasteful and does not announce how pure or good the grumbler is to the world. Don't love your own opinion and cherish it to the degree that you are compelled to display that opinion with loudspeakers. There is more than enough of that in this world. 

If they aren't hurting anyone, I totally agree but what if your grandmother is sending them her life savings?  Then it's not about mocking someone.  I think if we see someone that is obviously taking advantage of people we should try to help.