4. Divine Healing is received by Faith
The primary way individuals received healing during the earthly ministry of Jesus was by faith. There are numerous examples of this in the Gospels and many are listed in the Healing Scriptures section later in this booklet.
Obviously, there were some who were healed with no faith on their part, but it is important to note that not one person who came to Jesus in faith failed to receive their healing. Not once did He turn someone away and tell them it just wasn’t God’s will to heal them. If that was true then, I believe the same is true today. Healing is still offered today; Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and faith still works today.
James calls prayer for healing “the prayer of faith”:
“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.” (James 5:14-15)
James explains in the first chapter of his letter that faithless prayers are unanswered prayers (James 1:5-8).
Notice how crucial faith was in the healing of two blind men:
“When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, ‘Son of David, have mercy on us!’ And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, ‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?’ They said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord.’ Then He touched their eyes, saying, ‘According to your faith let it be to you.’ And their eyes were opened.” (Matthew 9:27-30)
They received from God “according to their faith.” In God’s Kingdom, we get what we believe for. Even though the blessings of God have been freely given to the world through Jesus, each person receives what they believe for. I have much more
teaching on this subject in my book, “God Likes Faith.”
The woman with the issue of blood received her healing solely by faith. Jesus didn’t know she was coming that day; she had no invitation, she didn’t know anyone. She just chose to believe that what God had done for others, He would do for her as she touched the hem of His garment. Jesus explained to the crowd why this woman was healed while others were not, and it was not because she was more special or more loved by God than everyone else.
“And He (Jesus) said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.’” (Mark 5:34)
This should be an inspiration to everyone because if her faith could make her whole, your faith can make you whole!
One New Testament encounter stands out above the rest in the area of faith for healing. It is the centurion who came to Jesus for the healing of his
servant. This man’s faith caused Jesus to marvel and serves as an example to us today.
“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.’” (Matthew 8:5-7)
I would have gladly accepted Jesus’ offer to come to my home and heal a loved one, but the centurion realized that only the word of Jesus was necessary to heal his servant. This is the primary way we receive today: by believing in and standing on God’s word.
“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.’” (Matthew 8:8)
The centurion was interested in results and efficiency; he didn’t need a personal visitation or an outward sign. His faith was solely in the word of Jesus. This is the kind of faith that receives from God.
“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!’” (Matthew 8:10)
This is one of the highest compliments Jesus gave to anyone during His earthly ministry. Needless to say, the man received his answer.
“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 8:13)
This method of receiving healing by faith continued after Jesus ascended and gave His church the Great Commission and it worked everywhere. Mark 16:20 says, “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.”
We’ll close this section of teaching with an example from the ministry of the Apostle Paul:
“And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, ‘Stand up straight on your feet!’ And he leaped and walked.” (Acts 14:8-10)
This man didn’t have access to the resources we have, such as the many scriptures covered in this book, yet he had faith for his healing and received it. These principles continue to work today for people all over the world, and they will work for you.
I would like to encourage you to read and meditate on the scriptures that follow and begin to build your personal faith for healing. You are capable of believing everything the people in the Bible believed. If their faith could make them whole, then your faith can make you whole.
For additional teaching on the subject of healing, check out these two audio series at gregfritz.org: “Getting Armed with Truths of Divine Healing” and “Healing for All.” Both of these series consist
of four audio messages and are available in CD, USB, and MP3 download.