Healing For Today: The Authority Of God’s Word And The Power Of Faith

➤ by Pastor Andy Fulson

The Authority of God's Word

Scripture lays the foundation for healing for today. All Scripture is prophetic (God-breathed) and Holy Ghost inspired: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works, 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

God's unchangeable attributes are applied to His word: God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Numbers 23:19.

God spoke and it was, So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it, Isaiah 55:11.

If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth, Mark 9:23

The New Testament is a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Isaiah foretold of the coming Messiah, His birth by a virgin (Is 7:14), that He would open blind eyes, make the deaf hear, that the lame shall leap like a deer, and the dumb shout for joy (Is 35:5-6).

Further, that Messiah's shed blood and death was assigned for the total forgiveness of all sins and total healing by the wounds inflicted upon Him (Is 53:5).

Isaiah's prophecies were fulfilled exactly as stated. Jesus' birth, His ministry and redemptive work was completed through His death, resurrection, and seating to the Father's right-hand side. Pentecost revealed the Holy Ghost (the promise of my Father, Luke 24:49), who came with 'empowerment' (Acts 1:8), that the works which Jesus did (Jn 14:12) would continue on as foretold, including healing for today.

God's Will is to Believe and Receive Healing for Today

God's original plan to reinstate His fellowship with man has not changed since the Fall of Adam and Eve. He used the prophet Isaiah and the disciple John, among many others, to make this known: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God, John 1:12-13.

Notice that the 'to become the sons of God' fulfills the will of God.

The 'decision 'to become the sons of God' is salvation, having eternal life through one's confession of Jesus: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved [sozo]. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation [soteria], Romans 10:9-10 [Brackets added and bolded for emphasis].

salvation = soteria (Greek g4991) includes deliverance, and health

saved = sozo (Greek g4982), meaning to heal, preserve, do well

Side note: To see the Hebrew/Greek words & meanings for yourself, use Olive Tree (free) with KJV Strong's. Hovering over the English words, the Hebrew/Greek translation with meanings will show.

Salvation includes deliverance and health, which is healing for today, by the sin-atonement of Christ on the Cross for the deliverance from Satan's power, who comes as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour [with sickness and disease]: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, 1 Peter 5:8-9 [brackets added].

God's promises come from not just one Scripture but many, and are conditional upon the reader accepting them by faith, and acting on them (Jos 1:8). Truth is revealed on the evidence of two or more Scripture references being in agreement (2Cor 13:1).

Faith - comes by hearing the Gospel: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, Romans 10:17, which reveals the required steps toward wholeness from sickness and disease.

Health and healing - were prophesied by (1) Isaiah, (2) Jesus healed those who came to Him, and (3) the disciple Peter and others confirmed what Jesus achieved, in that Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins... by whose stripes ye were healed, 1 Peter 2:24 [bolded for emphasis].

Notice the 'being dead to sins' emphasizes that Jesus died for our sins, making us sinless. And Christ's bloody scourging, 'stripes', granted us healing as a fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy.

Jesus further prophesied that what He did (Jn 14:12) other believers will do likewise by the authority given to them on the basis of their salvation: And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues... they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover, Mark 16:17-18 [bolded for emphasis].

Healing by Grace, Miracles, and Faith

God's healing power works in believers and is recognized as coming either (1) through God's grace, or (2) by a Holy Ghost imparted gift-endowment, or (3) on the knowledge of Scripture that reveals healing for today as a promise and accessed by personal faith: If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth, Mark 9:23.

1. GRACE – Healing through God's grace

Healing can be received by grace (God's unmerited favor) without the knowledge of Scripture or the authority of a believer.

Take a 'determined step of faith' having heard that healing is available, as did the woman with the issue of blood (hemorrhaging) (Lk 8:43-48) or the 10 Lepers calling out to Jesus (Lk 17:12-19).

This type of healing works for young believers. Further or additional healing requires insight into Scripture, maturing and exercising faith-responsibility for oneself.

For every one that useth milk [relies on grace] is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe, Hebrews 5:12-13 [Brackets added and bolded for emphasis].

2. MIRACLE – Healing through the enabling giftings of the Holy Ghost

Jesus at the time of His water baptism (Mt 3:16) received the power-anointing of the Holy Spirit that came down upon Him. It enabled Him to present Kingdom healing-power (Lk 7:22) over all the oppressive affliction of Satan.

The Roman Centurion, who came to Jesus on behalf of his slave, said: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed, Matthew 8:8. Jesus did, and the servant was healed in that very hour.

The disciple, Peter, raised up a dead woman named Tabitha (Dorcas), but first had all unbelievers leave the room: But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up, Acts 9:40.

Paul to the Corinthian Church taught on the Holy Ghost imparted gifts such as healing and the working of miracles: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will, 1 Corinthians 12:11.

Notice that these miracle giftings operate not by the will of man but as the Holy Ghost wills. For that reason, many will follow a travelling 'faith-healer' expecting healing for today, just as with Jesus – where He went, people followed.

3. FAITH – Healing through personal faith by the God-imparted authority

Jesus taught specifically about the believer's authority: Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you, Luke 10:19 [bolded for emphasis].

He further taught: And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover, Mark 16:17-18 [bolded for emphasis].

God has assigned health to every believer through Jesus who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption [healing for all body affliction] through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins, Colossians 1:13-14 [Brackets added and bolded for emphasis].

God expects believers to use faith, operate in faith, and act with faith in order to do what Jesus did: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father, John 14:12 [bolded for emphasis].

What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them, Mark 11:23

Applying the God-imparted Authority

Jesus’ teaching, on using the imparted authority of a believer for healing, contains the following main points:

  1. Have faith in God (Mk 11:22) – trusting God for your salvation
  2. Speak to the mountain (Mk 11:23) – identify the problem by name
  3. Without doubting (Mk 11:23) – have confidence in your authority of speaking God's word
  4. Believe your spoken word (Mk 11:23) – assured that you will have what you say
  5. Receive what you say (Mk 11:23) – having declared the healing (Rom 4:17)

The application of this teaching is what Jesus demonstrated in speaking to the fig tree (Mk 11:13-14; Mk 11:20-22).

His command, spoken to the tree, ended its life, starting at its roots. The next day, the tree was totally dried up to its outermost branches. Notice, it took time. The tree immediately died at its roots but continued to show its green leaves. Then, after 24 hours, it was totally withered.

A sick person speaking to disease, or a fracture, or to a pain and not experiencing immediate relief may wonder if anything is happening – THAT'S DOUBTING.

James describes the act of doubting as: But let him ask [speak] in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord [experience a healing], James 1:6-7 [brackets added].

These points are summed up in the following: Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray [speak], believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them, Mark 11:24 [brackets added].

Example – Declaring a Healing Outcome

Jesus' teaching is prophetic and will work for everyone who believes.

  • Believe the Scriptures for your healing for today (Is 53:5; 1Pet 2:24)
  • Speak to the sickness, pain, etc., to leave you. Jesus assigned authority to you.
  • Do not doubt what you say! As you've believed, it shall be done to you (Mat 8:13).
  • Receive your healing, either immediately or in time. Hearing the Gospel stirs your faith to believe what Scripture says. Your response to act on what you've heard and read will bring the healing results, according to your faith: All things are possible to him who believeth, Mark 9:23.

This will work for every believer who relies upon God's word in the same way as salvation is received by saying: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved [healed]. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness [healing]; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation [restoration]. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed [shall have what he says], Romans 10:9-11 [brackets added + bolding for emphasis].

Hindrances To Receiving Healing

Several factors obstruct healing to manifest. Failure to receive healing is not God withholding it, in fact, He prophesied ahead of time that the coming Redeemer would impart healing results by what He would suffer (Is 53:5)

  • Your own doubt and unbelief hinders healing to be manifested: Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth, 3 John 1:2.
  • Overcome ignorance and an unwillingness to renew your mind. Become knowledgeable in the Scriptures: be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God, Romans 12:2 and be in health.
  • Surround yourself with believing people. Unbelieving people will hinder your own conviction and prevent healing to manifest. Jesus and Jairus' daughter was such an example: ...and they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked, Mark 5:40-42. Peter in raising the dead woman, Tabitha, back to life, first put everybody out: But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.saying Tabitha arise, Acts 9:40.
  • Know and exercise the imparted authority given to you: Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you, Luke 10:19.
  • Do what Jesus did in His ministry: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you, James 4:7. Jesus in the Temptations resisted Satan with Scripture…And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season [another opportunity], Luke 4:13 [brackets added].

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever [the believer] shall say unto this mountain [sickness], Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have [health] whatsoever he saith, Mark 11:23 [brackets added + bolding for emphasis].

Allow the Holy Ghost to stir you up to live in health and victory.

Yes, healing for today is available for you!

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If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth, Mark 9:23

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew 28:19-20

Unless stated otherwise, all Bible passages quoted in orange are from the KJV translation.

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