Gifts of healing

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gifts of healing are regarded among Charismatics and Pentecostals to be supernatural enablements to minister various kinds of healing and restoration to individuals through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is generally believed that this cluster of gifts is noted in the plural in 1 Corinthians 12:9 so as to include several or many forms of divine restoration.

In addition to physical restoration, the biblical concept of healing even embraces forgiveness and deliverance from demonic oppression. In the Old Testament, Yahweh heals by withdrawing His judgment, which may be manifested in the form of sickness or calamity (Genesis 20:17; Exodus 15:26; Hosea 6:1; 7:1; 11:3). The prerequisite of healing is the remission of sins, which is dependent on repentance. Healing and forgiveness are closely linked (Isaiah 6:10; 6:2; 29:2; 40:4). In the New Testament, affliction is often associated with demonic activity (e.g., Matthew 12:22 and Luke 13:11).

The context of 12:28-29 suggests that God has appointed certain individuals in the church to function in “gifts of healing,” but not all will function in such gifts.