Introduction

Divine healing is one of the four cardinal doctrines of the Assemblies of God. It means that we believe divine healing of the sick is a privilege for Christians Today and is provided for in Christ’s atonement (His sacrificial death on the cross for our sins).

This crucial doctrine is subject to many false teachings today. In my sermon tonight I want to refute the three most common false teachings about this important doctrine. These are: (A) Sin prevents us from being healed (B) Divine healing was limited to the NT era. (C) Christ alone could heal the sick.

1. Salvation earns our healing as Well

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes, we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

A. Although it was through sin that sickness and death entered this world, according to the prophet Isaiah we are already healed because of Christ’s atonement.
B. The suffering and death of Christ provide atonement not only for the soul but for the entire physical body and the mind.
C. How do we release healing? James 5:16 says confession of sin brings healing. Then none can say sin prevents us from being healed. This refutes the first false teaching.

2. God is still in the business of Healing

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. (Hebrews 13:8-9)

A. Divine healing is looked upon with at least some skepticism, if not outright doubt in the modern world.
B. But Paul the Apostle, the author of Hebrews assures us of the ever-changing nature of Christ and warns us against diverse and strange teachings (false teachings).
C. This refutes the teaching that divine healing was limited to the NT era. In fact, the countless number of testimonies of people being healed today indicates that God is still in the business of healing.

3. Christ has given us the Power to Heal

They will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:18)

A. Divine healing could have been discontinued after the ascension of Christ. But to those who believe in him, he has given the power to heal the sick in his name!
B. Emotional and physical healing are important aspects of his mission. In Mark 16:5 He commanded us to continue the mission he began until the end of this world.
C. This refutes the false teaching that only Jesus could heal the sick. It takes away all our excuses for not praying for the sick.

Conclusion

At times healing may take longer than we desire. Sometimes people die without being healed at all. When such things happen it’s for the glory of God. Not because he doesn’t care, (John 11:4; 33-35). God is sovereign and he is not obliged to heal us. It doesn’t mean though we should not pray. In fact, Jesus told us to pray without ceasing, (Luke 18:1-8).

In closing, I want to emphasize, that healing is rightfully ours because Christ earned it for us on the cross. Any teaching in contradiction with this is a lie uttered by the devil himself.

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