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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
There is no doubt that God has the power to heal anyone at any time. The question is whether He chooses to do so through those who are called "faith healers." These individuals typically convince t...
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Michael Tinsley
Supporter
Michael, I remember watching Oral Roberts on TV and asking my uncle to take my aunt Virgie (Virginia, his wife) to see Oral Roberts to heal her very advanced rheumatoid arthritis. I had gone with my parents to visit and they explained to me then that what I was seeing on TV wasn't real, so I learned at an early age (eight or nine) not to believe those things. Ernest Angley is still around on television but I don't look for his broadcasts so I don't know if they're available in my area. He performs the same 'healings' on TV as Oral Roberts did, and has claimed that prayer and the laying on of hands can cure AIDS. He even produced a couple of 'former' AIDS patients with 'documentation' of their cures on one of his broadcasts, according to media reports. Its important you brought up these false healers so people can be made aware of scams in the name of Jesus, since a lot of people visit the eBible site and some may be newer Christians who haven't had time or the experience to understand there are crooks who use claims of Christianity to take advantage of innocents. This is not to say that God doesn't perform miracles and heal people of incurable diseases. We see that occasionally on news programs. He may also choose to heal by the laying on of hands by believers. He heals whether those He heals believe or not. As Michael said above though, He wouldn't require a donation to some TV evangelist's 'ministry' and His healings can be proven by examination unlike the 'go home and continue to get better' versions. Also in the news are the tragedies of children (and adults) dying because their parents were/are faith-healing believers and refused to take their children to a doctor. These people are taking scripture out of context to the harm of others which is especially grievous considering one of the Gospels along with the book of Acts was written by Luke, the Physician.
rich w
Supporter
Healing is still being done by God today. I personally have experienced Jesus work through me and on my own infirmities. I had a 400 pound man approach me for prayer who could barely walk and after an intense 30.minutes of prayer he began doing jumping jacks. I had a woman who had breast cancer approach me and as I prayed, I felt the lump dissappear beneath my hand. I personally had hip problems so bad I couldnt walk, and a group of men layed hands on me and I walked with no pain. I was supposed to be dead from cancer in 2008, and I turned to the Lord and WITHOUT medical treatment I am still alive. I believe that the Lord heals when and who and where He wants. He is the Lord. Faith healers as typically seen on TV or in traveling shows take credit for the healing they claim and place glory on themselves. Only the Lord deserves glory. Healing can occur and will occur anytime God wants it to, and only then.
Billy P Eldred
Supporter
To answer your question literally, the answer would be no. Faith healers have no power of their own as Jesus did. In the same way that the prophets in the Bible had no power of their own. This does not mean that they are not called by God to accomplish His will. This is why not everyone who goes to one of these Faith healers are healed and because someone is not healed it does not necessarily mean that the Faith healer is not called by God. This also does not mean that people are not healed in the ministries of Faith healers. I believe that there are miracles in these crusades and even in church services of self proclaimed Faith healers. I will get to why in a moment. First, I need to say that not all Faith healers are necessarily called by God. Even when this is the case, there can be healing during their services. In Mark 9: 38-40 even Jesus said "Do not stop them... For whoever is not against us is for us." Now as to why I believe that people are actually healed. First, we know that the Bible teaches that the Apostles and others healed others. Not of themselves but through prayer and annointing from Jesus. There is no reason to believe that God does not call ministers of healing today. Secondly, I attended a Crusade style service some years back and what I found was that the service leader was by far the best worship leader I have ever seen. He had the 60000 in attendance whipped into the most devout spirit of worship and love for God I have ever witnessed. This, I believe, was the real power of the service. When you have 60000 plus pouring out their hearts in worship and love, something miraculous can and I believe does happen.
BITRUS DANIEL
Supporter
Faith healers are real and do heal with the same Power as Jesus. The Name Jesus bears the same power regardless of who uses or called upon it. And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us. Luke 9:49-50 Every true healing is real, but most of us failed to understand the difference between miracles and healings. Anyone can performs miracles with all kinds of powers and means but healing must be done skillfully, through the use of medicine or faith in the name of Jesus. Though not all claimed healings are true but every true healing is real. And anyone who calls himself a faith healer and try to proves it, is hiding something. A true believer will never struggle to prove any healing, because the healing should speaks on its own. And it will not matter whether others believe it or not, what matters is, the one who needed it, now has it.
Lawrence wong
Supporter
The question is: “Are faith healers for real? Does a faith healer heal with the same power as Jesus?” I have a few thoughts: (1) Are faith healers for real? Yes. They exist. The question is what are their motives – money? All disciples of Christ should live under the command: “Freely have you received, so freely give” (Mt 10:8) (2) Does a faith healer heal with the same power as Jesus? I can identify three sources of power. (i) The 1st source is Christ: “iEsous christou is the same yesterday to day and forever” (Heb 13:8). The power in the New Covenant is the Greek word “dunamis” which is the base word for “dynamite”, “dynamic” The source is Christ. (ii) The 2nd source is Human. As some illnesses are pyscho-somatic meaning caused by the mind then the power of suggestion can bring about healing. On the medical level, this is why there is such a pill as a “placebo” – a nothing pill may be prescribed to the patient. (iii) The 3rd source is Satan. If Satan had no power then why would anyone follow him? While He is the enemy of Christ people who tap into Satanic power can impress people e.g. Simon the sorcerer of Samaria (Ac 8:9-13 who became a disciple of Christ. (3) We must have a child-like faith to simply believe the scriptures which give ample evidence that “iEsou christou” heals. The New Covenant is full of Christ healing people out of compassion, not for fame and fortune (Mt 9:36). In fact His name “iEsou” means “ He will save His people from their sins (Mt 1:21) and “christou” means “Christ” the “Messiah” – “Anointed” (Jo 1:41). (4) Save, or Salvation is the Greek word “sozo” which embraces three actions: (i) Deliverance/ transportation from this sinful world system of hatred and darkness into the new world of forgiveness of sins, agape love and Light (ii) Healing of body mind (soul) and spirit (iii) Deliverance from demons, or unclean spirits. Casting out of demons a ministry which put Christ a cut above all others. (5) Signs and wonders will follow those who believe (Mk 16:14-20). Disciples of Christ are given all authority (Grk ‘exousis’) by Christ (Mt 28:18-20) to go out into the world as His ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20) endued with power (Grk ‘dunamis’) from on High. In obedience, the disciples waited in Yerushalayim (Lk 24:49) for this dunamis to come upon them. And it did on SHAVUOT, Pentecost 30-31 CE. All we have to do is agape iEsou, believe and be obedient (Jo 14: 21). Praise the Lord! Lawrence NZ
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