Does God Heal Today? -- By: John G. Mitchell

Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 122:485 (Jan 1965)
Article: Does God Heal Today?
Author: John G. Mitchell


Does God Heal Today?

John G. Mitchell

[John G. Mitchell, Pastor, Central Bible Church, Portland, Oregon.]

There are many of God’s people today who are disturbed about the question of physical healing. They are confused by men who claim to have the gift of healing, or who teach that the healing of the body is in the atoning work of Christ for us. I personally believe that God can heal, and does heal. I think each one of us who know Him can testify to the fact that He has manifested His healing power in our lives many times. I believe, too, that many times He does not heal. There are many of God’s dearest saints who are frail and suffering. Let us consider the Scriptures concerning this, and I am sure we will find that which will bring peace and comfort and blessing, and will clarify the truth.

Is Healing in the Atonement?

First of all let us look into this doctrine of healing in the atonement. Those who teach this believe that Christ died for our illnesses as well as for our sins. On this basis they declare that every Christian should be healed.

Now certainly it is true that all the blessings we receive are ours because of the atoning work of our Lord. Christ died for the whole man, body, soul, and spirit. We know that one day we will have redeemed bodies. We will stand before God conformed to the image of His Son because of His work at the cross. This is our glorious hope for the future.

In that day our bodies will be freed from the sentence of death by the Spirit of God who lives in us. We will have redeemed bodies free from sickness and pain and sorrow, but this will not be until our Lord returns. Paul tells us in

1 Corinthians 15:51–52; “Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” Indeed, we read that the whole universe will be reconciled because of Calvary. “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled” (Col 1:20–21).

Today we are in weak, frail temples. “We have this treasure in earthen vessels,” but we look forward to the time when this corruptible shall put on incorruption (1 Cor 15:54), when He shall change these bo...

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