Our natural and unashamed expectation should be that where the gospel of Jesus Christ is preached, healing — miraculous, supernatural healing — should be present. Although it is the case that miraculous healings can and do serve as confirmation of the truthfulness of the preaching, that isn’t the more important reason why gospel preaching and miraculous healing must accompany one another.
Redemption — salvation — is the reversal of the catastrophic consequences of the Fall. Healing is an essential and concrete expression of that restoration of the very-good-ness that characterized God’s intention for his creation and for us human part of his creation. Without the supernatural healing with its visible and miraculous alteration of reality, the gospel remains merely words and ideas.
God calls his people not merely to present the world with some thoughts and ideas. He calls us and empowers us to enact the redemption by the reality-changing power of the Holy Spirit. Healing in all its aspects must be a central part of that world-transforming work, or else the gospel is just words and talk.
“For we know, brothers loved by God, that our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.” 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 [NIV]
Read: Genesis 1:27-31, Genesis 3:17-19, & Revelation 22:1-6
Then, listen to: Healing and the Mission of God: The Healing Purpose of God
Preached at Venice Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Cecil Township, PA on May 31, 2015.
See also: Quotes of Note #1 Healing and Redemption
©2015 Gary A. Chorpenning
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