Gifts of Healing in the Bible

The "gifts of healing" are listed by the apostle Paul among the spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit for the building up of the church. He writes that "to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:9), and again names them among the offices God has set in the church: "first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing" (1 Corinthians 12:28). The plural form, "gifts of healing," suggests not a single permanent power resident in a person, but particular Spirit-given moments of healing granted as God wills, always for the common good and never for personal display. Healing in Scripture flows from God's compassion and points to his kingdom. The apostles healed in the name of Jesus, as when Peter said to the lame man, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk" (Acts 3:6), and crowds gathered so that "they were healed every one" (Acts 5:16). The risen Christ promised that signs would accompany believers: "they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" (Mark 16:18). These acts confirmed the gospel and revealed the mercy of God. The New Testament also weaves healing into the ordinary life of the church through prayer. James instructs, "Is any sick among you? 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" (James 5:14), with the promise that "the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up" (James 5:15). Here healing is tied to faith, the laying on of hands, anointing, and the forgiveness of sins. Christians hold this gift with both faith and humility. God still heals, sometimes wonderfully and instantly, sometimes through patient care, and sometimes he grants grace to endure suffering for his glory. The gifts of healing remind the church that the same Lord who bore our sicknesses cares for the whole person, body and soul, and that final, perfect healing awaits in his coming kingdom.