The Gifts of Healing: A Gift for Some or a Sign for All?

Summary

Summary prepared by Acts 2:38 Life from the transcript below — the preacher’s words follow in full.

The Tension — and the Short Answer: Both

• The question posed: in previous episodes we've talked about the gifts of the Spirit — specifically the gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians chapter 12. That chapter says not everyone is used in every gift — so not everybody would be used in the gifts of healing. However, when we look at Mark chapter 16, Jesus is talking about signs that will follow believers, and he specifically mentions that believers will lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover — which would indicate that anyone could be used in the gift of healing. So there seems to be a contrast between the words of the chapter and the words of Jesus. So: can anybody be used in the gifts of healing, or only certain people? And what is the gifts of healing?
• The short answer is both — he discusses this in his book, Spiritual Gifts. As you rightly point out, 1 Corinthians 12 lists nine gifts of the Spirit; I don't think they're exhaustive, but they're illustrative, and I believe anyone who is filled with the Spirit could potentially exercise any one of the gifts. I do believe the gifts are for the benefit of the body, and they're resident in the Spirit, not in the individual. So certain people are used in certain gifts, such that it could be said they have this gift, as 1 Corinthians 12 mentions. But I think we do well to remind ourselves that actually the gifts belong to the Spirit, and he uses people as he wills — and so 1 Corinthians 12 also says that. So if you're filled with the Holy Spirit, you're probably not going to be used in every gift, as 1 Corinthians 12 says — but you could be used in any gift, as the need arises, and as you have faith to receive it.
• But then the contrast, as you've already indicated — Mark 16: Jesus said, 'These signs shall follow those who believe,' and it talks about: they shall lay hands on the sick, they shall recover.

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 12; Mark 16

Healing Is Resident in the Church

• Also James says — James 5: is there anyone who's sick? Let him call for the elders of the church; let them pray; let them anoint him; let them pray in the name of the Lord, and they'll be healed. So I think healing is resident in the church. I had someone ask me one time in this context: so if you believe some people receive the gifts of healing, not others — if there's somebody sick here today, do we have to wait until a recognized healer is present, and he or she will pray for the person, or can we just pray? And I say we can just pray — because James says: if any sick, call for the elders of the church.
• So putting this together, I would say: if you're a believer, and you're in a situation where maybe you're witnessing to someone — a neighbor, a friend — or you're at home, and your child gets sick, you can pray for healing: any believer can pray for healing, and I think that fulfills what Jesus said. Or in a church setting, if someone is sick, we usually have leaders — the pastor, or others he's designated — to come and pray for them, and they could be healed. So in any church service, we believe that someone could be healed. And the reason for that is: the gifts are ultimately resident in the Spirit, and in the church, and they can be used by any Spirit-filled person, as the need arises.
• However, going back to 1 Corinthians 12: in practice, we recognize some people are used greatly in certain areas. So there are some evangelists who are known that many healings accompany their ministry, or some pastors; there even may be some lay leaders who are especially known that when they pray for people, they just seem to have an ability to inspire faith to receive the Holy Spirit — I would call that the gift of faith — or they seem to have an ability that they inspire people, and when they're prayed for, they're healed. And so what I would say is: not everyone is going to have that special focus of ministry of healing; in that sense, not everyone has the gift of healing. However, I would then hasten to add: as there is a need, and you are on the front lines as a believer, you could pray for someone to be healed; or if you're in church, the leaders, or the ministry of the church, can pray for anyone in that church, and we can expect healing — because the key is the Spirit moves as the Spirit wills, and the key to receiving — the number one key — is faith: actually believing and trusting in God for that.

Scriptures: James 5

'Gifts of Healing' — Plural

• So I believe there's a balance: certain people are used specially in this area, but there's also the general healing that's available to all believers, and to all churches, at all times. And I think that is the best way of interpreting everything the Bible has to say on the subject.
• Notice it says in 1 Corinthians 12, 'gifts of healing' — so that's plural, indicating there may be diversities of healings. Is it talking about for different diseases, or different kinds of healings, or different means of healing? But that gives you enough latitude that you can realize it's not just one-size-fits-all. The bottom line is: if we're sick, we should pray for God to heal us; if we're ministering to someone who's sick, we should pray for God to heal them — and leave the results in God's hands, but firmly believe for healing, recognizing that God has selected certain individuals that are unusually gifted in the practical aspects of inspiring faith, and praying for healing.

Scripture index: 1 Corinthians 12; Mark 16; James 5.