Saturday 25 January 2014

HEALING - a bible study using Strong's (Part 2: New Testament)

Yesterday, I studied the topic of HEALING using Strong's Exhaustive Concordance. Keyword of "heal" was used. In the Old Testament, "heal" was seen in the context of healing of sickness/illness, healing of wound, healing of land, healing of nation, healing of people. Old Testament books that have "heal" are Numbers, Deuteronomy, 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Hosea, and Zechariah. Today, I am studying the "heal" as found in the New Testament.

Ref 3)  http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?q=heal&t=kjv&s=Bibles&p=3

Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”
And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.
10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! 11 And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour. (Matthew 8:5-13) (NKJV)

Passage of Matthew chapter 8 verses 5-13 is about Jesus healing the Centurion's servant. Here, we can see the strong faith of the Centurion. The Centurion had such a high faith in Jesus that he believed that if Jesus commanded the healing, his servant would be healed; not necessary for Jesus to lay hands on the servant.

And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was[a] Thaddaeus;Simon the Cananite,[b] and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead,[c] cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food. (Matthew 10:1-10) (NKJV)
Passage of Matthew chapter 10 verses 1-15 is about Jesus sending out the Twelve Apostles to heal the sick and cast out demons. Healing ministry is the earliest ministry in my opinion. Ministry of healing by the believers was started during the lifetime of Jesus Christ.

Ministry of healing is a good service to the public, and a good testimony to the goodness of Jesus Christ, and the power of our God. Casting out evil spirits is part of the healing ministry.
Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue. 10 And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—that they might accuse Him.
11 Then He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other.  (Matthew 12:9-13) (NKJV)

Passage of Matthew chapter 12 verses 9-14 is about Jesus healing on Sabbath day. Healing is an urgent matter. Healing should be done on any day of the week. There should be no restriction that healing is done during the weekly prayer meeting, for instance. If there is sickness and hence urgent need of healing, this ought to be done right away.


10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”
11 He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:
‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,
And seeing you will see and not perceive;
15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should[a] heal them.’[b]
16 But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; 17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. (Matthew 13:10-16) (NKJV)

Passage of Matthew chapter 10 verses 10-16 is about Jesus explaining to his disciples about why He spoke in parables. God's healing will be for those could see and hear the "mysteries of the kingdom of heaven", understand and turn their hearts to God.

And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.[a]  (Mark 3:1-5) (NKJV)

Passage of Mark chapter 3 verses 1-6 is about Jesus healing a man with withered hand on a Sabbath day in the synagogue. Jesus healed on a Sabbath, which was something offensive to the Pharisees. The Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the teachers of law at that time were pious and very religious people that observed and obeyed the laws and commands of God which were handed by Moses. They were so religious and so compliant that they believed that totally no work including healing should be done on Sabbath day. They were hence very offended to see Jesus healing on Sabbath day, which they deemed as not observing the rule on Sabbath day as a rest day.

To Jesus, healing was an urgent need/work which had to be done when the need arose. From this example, for those involved in the ministry of healing, they must be willing to do the Healing for the sick when the need arises...not only during special Healing Service, not only during Prayer Meeting. Believers who are in conventional healing/health industry, such as physicians, medical specialists, therapists, nurses, must also remember this principle: Heal and administer health treatment/diagnosis when the need arises; be empathetic.

13 And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. 14 Then He appointed twelve,[b] that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, 15 and to have power to heal sicknesses and[c] to cast out demons16 Simon,[d] to whom He gave the name Peter; 17 James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, “Sons of Thunder”; 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite; 19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. And they went into a house. (Mark 3:13-19)(NKJV)

Passage of Mark chapter 3 verses 13-19 is about Jesus appointing the Twelve Apostles (also known as the Twelve Disciples) and sending the out on a mission to heal the sick and cast out demons.

Duties of apostleship include the ministry of preaching to outside the church, and the ministry of healing - healing the sick, casting out evil spirits. Just TALK is not enough. Preaching of the gospel and the knowledge of Christ should also be accompanied with service/ministry of healing.

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,[j]
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed; (Luke 4:18) (NKJV)


Passage of Luke chapter 4 verses 16-30 is about Jesus being rejected at his hometown of Nazareth, the place where he grew up. Jesus read a passage in Isaiah, which was a prophesy about Jesus Christ. He was belittled, and not accepted by those in Nazareth. A prophet is often not respected in his own place; this is universal. A preacher is normally appreciated more when he preaches overseas, or in other churches, as compared to preaching in his own church. A layperson who could be a good teacher or preacher but he is as well regarded in his own home church.

Among Jesus Christ's missions are healing the broken-hearted, setting free the captives of sin, and recovery of sight to physically blind, and "opening the eyes" of the spiritually blind. Healing the emotionally troubled and healing the depressed are also part of the Healing ministry.

23 He said to them, “You will surely say this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum,[l] do also here in Your country.’” 24 Then He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. 25 But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; 26 but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath,[m] in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”  (Luke 4:23-27) (NKJV)

Based on the examples in this passage, Jesus, Elijah and Elisha, many people who will be serving the Lord full-time will be sent far away from their respective hometown/neighbourhood. Maybe that's why the concept of missionary. A missionary is often sent to a faraway land to evangelize, set up churches, teach, preach, educate, and service of healing and deliverance.
17 Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.[a] 18 Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. 19 And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus.
20 When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”
21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”
25 Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. 26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!” (Luke 5:17-25) (NKJV)

17 One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. (Luke 5:17) (NIV)

Passage of Luke chapter 5 verses 17-25 is about Jesus forgiving and healing a paralyzed man. Sometimes an infirmity could be caused by an earlier sin by himself (or sometimes, by his parent, grandparent, or ancestor). Before prayer for healing, an ill person shall pray for forgiveness of sins. Faith of the ill person and his family/friends/relatives are also important. In this passage, we could see the faith of that paralyzed man and his friends/relatives who carried him on the bed/stretcher.

http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?q=heal&t=kjv&s=Bibles&p=4 

Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered. So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him. But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he arose and stood. Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?”[b] 10 And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man,[c] “Stretch out your hand.”And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.[d
(Luke 6:6-10) (NKJV)

Passage of Luke chapter 6 verses 6-11 is about Jesus healing a man with withered hand on a Sabbath day in the synagogue. This story is also in the book of Matthew, and the book of Mark.

For healing to happen, it is important to have faith, and to obey and do the actions as instructed. Jesus instructed the man with withered hand to arise and stand up. The man arose and stood up. Jesus instructed man to stretch his withered hand. Although the man knew his withered hand had too little strength to stretch out, he had faith, he believed; without hesitation, he stretched out his hand. "Faith with action" is important for healing to occur.

Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.”
Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.
When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” 10 And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.[a]  (Luke 7:1-10) (NKJV)

Passage of Luke chapter 7 verses 1-10 is about Jesus healing the Centurion's servant. Bear in mind that this Centurion is not a Jew nor an Israelite; he was a Gentile. Faith of the Centurion had played a part in the healing of the Centurion's servant.

For those who pray for healing of a sick person, they must really have faith and truly believe that God is able to heal. If a parent brings a sick child to be prayed over for healing, that parent must have the faith and truly believe that God could heal.

Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.
“Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”
So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. (Luke 9:1-6) (NKJV)

Passage of Luke chapter 9 verses 1-6 is about Jesus sending out the Twelve Disciples on a Mission to preach the gospel and heal the sick. We learn from this passage that a mission trip should comprise two major elements: (1) preaching the gospel, (2) healing. Ministry of healing should include healing the sick, and driving out evil spirits.

In contemporary context, in addition to prayer for healing, the ministry of healing could include provision of general physicians to treat the sick, dentists to examine the health of teeth, pharmacists to dispense medicine and vitamin, masseurs and chiropracters for massage therapy, chinese physicians for acupuncture and traditional medicine, psychologists and counsellors for emotionally depressed, motivational speakers for emotionally depressed and the stressed-out persons.

We should restrict the ministry of healing to miraculous healing and prayers for healing and deliverance only. Ministry of healing should also include western medical practices as well as traditional/complementary medical practices. Bottom line, is that the people with sickness and infirmities, whether physical or emotional/mental, could be healed and cured.

After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also,[a] and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’  (Luke 10:1-9) (NKJV)


Passage of Luke chapter 10 verses 1-12 is about Jesus sending out the Seventy on a Mission to heal the sick and proclaim/share the gospel. This event happened after Jesus sent out the Twelve Disciples.

First batch of missionaries was the Twelve Disciples. Second batch of missionaries were these Seventy; buddy system (two persons per team) was employed. For this reason, missionaries are at best two-persons team, rationally a husband and wife team. With two persons in a team, they can encourage each other when one is feeling down. They can also help each other. They can complement each other with differing skills (musical instrument, song leading, preaching, teaching, prayer for healing, bible study, counselling, casting out evil spirits).


Now it happened, as He went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath, that they watched Him closely. And behold, there was a certain man before Him who had dropsy. And Jesus, answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”[a]
But they kept silent. And He took him and healed him, and let him go. Then He answered them, saying, “Which of you, having a donkey[b] or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?” And they could not answer Him regarding these things. (Luke 14:1-6) (NKJV)

Passage of Luke chapter 14 verses 1-6 is about Jesus healing a man with dropsy on Sabbath day. Jesus dared to be different. The Pharisees strictly observed the rest day of Sabbath, to the extent that they would not do healing on Sabbath. Jesus showed to be different.

Although Sabbath day was to be sacred and reserved for rest, certain urgent work such as healing need to be done on any day of the week, including Sabbath. Sabbath as rest day was meant to be a good practices for people to take a rest after six days of work. However, we should not be so extreme in implementation, to the extent that even urgent work such as healing is not done on Sabbath day.

46 So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.”
49 The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!”
50 Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. 51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!”

52 Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” 53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” And he himself believed, and his whole household. (John 4:46-53) (NKJV)

Passage of John chapter 4 verses 46-54 is about Jesus healing the nobleman's son. Miraculous healing of the sick is a very good testimony for Jesus Christ. Because of the healing of his son who was so sick nearing death, the nobleman believed in Jesus Christ, and his entire family (maybe including his servants and workers).

In order for us to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ, the healing ministry plays a vital role. When the sick recovers, the healed person and his family will be somehow feel the conviction, and have faith in God Almighty.


37 But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke:
“Lord, who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”[f]
39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:
40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts,
Lest they should see with their eyes,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.”[g]

41 These things Isaiah said when[h] he saw His glory and spoke of Him. (John 12:37-41) (NKJV)

Passage of John chapter 12 verses 37-41 is about the Isaiah's prophesy about Jesus Christ being fulfilled. If the Jews/Israelites were to see and hear Jesus, they would be healed and delivered. For God's healing upon us, let us pray that our eyes could see clearly and our ears could listen carefully to God's words.


27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:27-31) (NKJV)

Passage of Acts chapter 4 verses 23-31 is about Prayer For Boldness. The believers in the early church were persecuted, and prayed for boldness in preaching the gospel. Healing, sings and wonders were accompanying the preaching of the gospel.

For the Healing Service, it is not the preacher who does the healing but God's Hand that does the healing. The preacher is merely an instrument of God praying for the sick person and laying hands on the sick person. Glory be to God!

All believers who are given the gift of healing (being one of the gifts of Holy Spirit) must remember that ultimately the healing comes from the Lord God. Those with gift of healing must avoid becoming proud and haughty for being used God to deliver healing to the sick, the those with infirmities, but must glorify God and acknowledge God's Hand in all healings.

Another important point is that Healing and Miracles are to be done in the name of Jesus Christ. Emphasize that when doing the healing prayer....IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST.


23 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. 24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our[b] fathers, 26 saying,
‘Go to this people and say:
“Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand;
And seeing you will see, and not perceive;
27 For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.”[c]
28 “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” 29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.[d]
30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him. (Acts 28:23-31) (NKJV)

Passage of Acts chapter 28 verses 17-31 is about Paul speaking to leaders of the Jews in Rome. Among others, Paul also spoke about Isaiah's prophesy about Jesus Christ, which Jesus had earlier read aloud in the synagogue.

Those who believed would be healed by God. Those who believed were those who saw the truth, who heard and understood.

Saturday, Jan 25, 2014.
Michael Yeap.

Earlier references for Old Testament:
Ref 1) http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?q=heal&t=kjv&s=Bibles&p=1
Ref 2) http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?q=heal&t=kjv&s=Bibles&p=2

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