grcotr/ws123015
In
conclusion of our 2015 study of the book of Mark, we now come to a passage of
scripture which has been the topic of scholars for many years. Some
translations of the Bible indicate that the last dozen verses of chapter 16 are
not original to the writings of Mark. Some believe these verses were added as
footnotes to clarify, compliment or conclude the intent of the writer.
With
respect to the diverse opinions as to the arguments put forward on either side
of this issue, I wholeheartedly believe in and hold to the verses we are about
to read as the Word of Almighty God. Every scripture, properly interpreted by
scripture in light of the one story being told by the Holy Spirit, is
confirmed. Now, let’s conclude our 2015 study of Mark.
Mark 16
14 ¶ Later Jesus appeared to
the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness
of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had
risen.
15 And He said to them,
"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 "He who believes and
is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
17 "And these signs will
follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak
with new tongues;
18 "they will take up
serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them;
they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
19 ¶ So then, after the Lord
had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right
hand of God.
20 And they went out and
preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word
through the accompanying signs. Amen.
So
often the above scriptures are quoted in support of the doctrine of divine healing. The doctrine of divine healing is well
founded in the undisputed testimonies of both the Old and the New Testaments as
the divine will of God.
The
latter portion of verse 18 is the favored passage upon which authority and
instruction is given to Believers in Christ to prayerfully lay hands on the
sick in the Name of Jesus and fully expect the sick to recover from their
sickness, disease or infirmity. This practice is in agreement with the
teachings of Jesus demonstrated by Him and testified by the many witnesses
thereafter.
From
the Four Gospels to the book of Acts and all through the Epistles healing is a
dominant part of the work of the Church and its ministers. God responds to our
prayer for others and expects us to be moved with compassion and call upon Him
for help. Divine healing is second in the scriptures
only to the work of salvation. I say this not to discount justification, sanctification or the
infilling of the Holy Spirit. However healing was sought after and performed
more than any other work of Christ in the Gospels. The Old Testament is also
filled with scriptures and accounts concerning divine healing.
The
first time the word “healed” is mentioned in the
Bible, (Hebrew: Rapha), was in respect to
Abraham’s prayer for another man.
Genesis 20:17 So Abraham
prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants.
Then they bore children;
Moses
also mentions healing while preparing the Children of Israel with instructions
for life:
Exodus 15:26 "If you
diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His
sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none
of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am
the LORD who heals you." (Jehovah Rapha)
King
David also appealed to the mercy of God when he was sick.
Psalms 6:2 Have mercy upon
me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.
Psalms 30:2 O LORD my God, I
cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.
David
believed healing was one of the many benefits of being a child of God.
Psalms 103
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from
destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth
with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Everyone
who reads the Bible and accepts it at face value would attest to the fact that
God is a healing God. God’s intent to heal is clearly seen especially in the
Messianic prophecy spoken through Isaiah.
Isaiah 53:5 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.
This
prophecy is repeated and confirmed as New Testament Church doctrine by the
Apostle Peter.
1 Peter 2:24 Who Himself bore
our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live
for righteousness — by whose stripes you were healed.
Believers
know that God can heal but the question is: how does a person obtain healing?
What is the prescribed and most effective course which can be taken to receive
healing from God?
The
Word of God gives us several solid and well documented approaches to healing.
The Bible is filled with people who were successful in pursuit of healing for
themselves and for others. Although there is no formula we nonetheless can see
some common threads which connect each instance of divine healing in the
scriptures. These threads help us to establish a solid foundation on which to
stand and participate in this God process.
A
first element of healing is:
·
The General Will of God which is clearly established in the
scriptures and is in agreement with the whole counsel of God’s Word as a major
part of the One Story told by the Bible.
·
Healing is included in the Will of God and is a part of every Believer’s inheritance.
·
Even though it is the General Will of God for
His Children to walk in divine healing and health, each Believer has the
potential to live and die sick because The General Will of God is
Conditional.
·
Some Believers live and die sick due to:
o Lack of knowledge
o Personal disregard
o Irresponsibility
o Lifestyle choices
o Unbelief
o Ungodliness
o Refusal to participate with other God given remedies
o Tiredness (Weariness)
o Desire or Decision (Decide to die)
o Sabotage (The power
of the tongue)
o Subversion (The
wrong influence)
o Attack (The devil)
·
These
reasons do not change the Will of God but they often affect the outcome.
If/when
I found myself sick or diseased and in need of divine intervention for healing
the first things I would/did do is:
1. Check myself
a. Do I believe healing
is the will of God for my life?
b. Am I right with God?
c. Am I living and
making responsible lifestyle choices?
d. Have I earnestly
prayed in faith?
e. Have I asked others
to agree with me in prayer?
f. How can I better
educate myself to fight this sickness in faith and practice?
g. Am I doing
everything I can reasonably do to participate with my God given spiritual and
medical advisors to facilitate my healing.
After
I check myself to insure I am not giving any room for this sickness or disease
to exist, I then:
2. Challenge myself
a. Increase and
discipline my prayer life
b. Increase and
discipline my Word intake
c. Increase and
discipline my faith filled confession
d. Increase and
discipline myself to sow seeds of healing in the lives of others
Here
are a few truths concerning the Child of God:
·
You
are the healed and not the sick
·
Some
sicknesses are physical, others mentally based while still others have an
active demonic root such as spirits of infirmity.
·
We
fight our enemies from a position of victory
·
Our
ultimate victory is in Christ and throughout eternity
·
There
is a difference between the general and the specific will of God
The
Specific Will of God is clearly seen in the scriptures as a part of God’s
overriding plan to accomplish a specific purpose often known only to God. Instances
of the specific will of God are seen throughout the Bible in the lives of
faithful followers of God. More about this later …
Next
week will begin our New Year with a fresh study of the scriptures concerning
divine healing each Wednesday evening during the month of January. If you or
someone you know is in need of healing these Wednesday evenings will make the
difference. Each week we will hear the Word of God and apply it to our lives
for ourselves and for others. Signs, wonders, miracles and healings are waiting
for us in 2016. Happy New Year!!!
