First Corinthians 12 Part 6 The Gift of Faith And The Gift of Healing

All spiritual gifts are dispensed by the same Holy Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 12:8-9  For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9)  To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 

Notice the phrase "by the same Spirit" is used four times in two verses. The phrase "by the Spirit" is used once.

This reminds us that each of the gifts from the Holy Spirit are under His control. He exercises His sovereign will in giving gifts to the church.

They are dispensed according to the good purposes of God's will and plan.

The first two spiritual gifts of the Spirit are connected with ministering the scriptures. They are Word oriented gifts.

The gift of wisdom was direct revelation from God about doctrines and function of the newly formed Church.

As we noted, there is also a practical outworking of wisdom in us when we make choices in life that comply with our knowledge and understanding of God's Word.

Knowledge originally was a gift to Christ's apostle's whom the Spirit of God guided to record the New Testament scriptures. 

Knowledge is still available to pastors, teachers and evangelists who dedicate themselves to studying God's Word. 

The knowledge these men gain in their Bible studies is to help them understand what God is saying and to accurately teach that truth to us. 

God will use their teaching and preaching to help us grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The gift of knowledge is for those whom God calls to preach, teach and evangelize, to be able to plainly say what God says to us and how it applies to our lives.

Each Christian must pursue knowledge from God through Bible study.

Psalm 119:66  Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

In this verse the Psalmist tells us that we must ask the LORD to teach us His good and right judgments.

We must ask Him to give us understanding and knowledge in these things.

This is appropriated by faith because without faith it is impossible to please God. 

The basis for the Psalmists request for teaching and knowledge from God is because he believes God's commandments.

He sees that the law of God is good and holy and beneficial. If we do as God commands then we will enjoy rich blessings (See Psalm 1:1-6; 119:1-8). 

John 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 

There is the practical gift of knowledge as the Holy Spirit guides each Christian into all truth. 

He is the Author of the scriptures and He will teach all things to us. 

He will help us remember all things that Jesus said and did and taught. 

John 16:13-15  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14)  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15)  All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Jesus promised that the Spirit of God, here called the Spirit of truth, will be our guide into all the scriptures.

The Holy Spirit will say what God says because He is the third member of the Godhead, along with the Father and the Son. 

He will bring honor and glory and shine His illuminating light upon the Lord Jesus Christ. 

The Spirit of God helps us as He illuminates our heart and minds (See Psalm 119:18; 105; 130). 

The gift of knowledge helps us connect the law and the prophets to the Works, Words and Person of Jesus Christ.

The gift of faith points to another kind or class of spiritual gifts.

1 Corinthians 12:9  To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 

The word translated "another" means a gift of a different kind from the preaching and teaching gifts of the Spirit. 

Faith is the first of these gifts and it indicates a special faith necessary for dispensing these gifts.

For this reason, these particular gifts were limited to the apostles and other early leaders in the church.

This is the most widely used Greek word for faith. 

It means believing that God is the Creator and Ruler of all things, the provider and giver of eternal salvation through Christ.

In this sense, faith is belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God.

Paul is speaking of a special faith whereby the apostles were able to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons and restore sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf and speech to the dumb.

This is why faith and healing are connected in this verse.

This faith is not doctrinal faith but a faith in miracles from having confidence in God. It is a discerning faith from His Spirit, to enable them to perform any required miracle. 

Its nature is the same as that of saving faith, namely, reliance on God and His supernatural power (See Ephesians 1:19-20). 

Saving faith does not save by its intrinsic merit, but by the merits of God who is it's object.

A lack of faith hindered the disciples from helping a demon possessed boy.

Matthew 17:14-21  And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15)  Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. 16)  And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 17)  Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. 18)  And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. 19)  Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20)  And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21)  Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. 

A distraught father brought his son to the Lord Jesus seeking His help. Some of Christ's disciples were unable to cast the devil out that harmed the boy so greatly.

After Jesus cast out the devil, His disciples asked why they were unable to help the boy.

First, Jesus stated that the crowd of onlookers, perhaps even the boy's father, were lacking faith. They were filled with skepticism or unbelief.

Jesus' answer gives insight into the gift of faith mentioned by Paul. Their unbelief got in the way of helping the boy. Unbelief is the opposite of faith. 

Jesus said if they had faith the size of a grain of mustard seed they would be able to move mountains. Nothing would be impossible to them.

A seed of mustard is one of the smallest of all the herbs, but when it is planted, it grows into one of the largest of the herbs. 

If they had a grain of true faith, though small, they would do wonders. 

The faith required here is connected with the instruction Christ gave His disciples to work miracles in His name (See Matthew 10:5-15).  

Such signs were granted to them for confirmation of the doctrine they preached. 

They either doubting the validity of their commission, or feared that it expired.

Peter used the gift of faith to heal a man born lame and unable to walk.

Acts 3:1-10  Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 2)  And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; 3)  Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. 4)  And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5)  And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 6)  Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. 7)  And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8)  And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. 9)  And all the people saw him walking and praising God: 10)  And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. 

Here is a miracle recorded of an adult man who was crippled since he was born. His whole life was that of being dependent upon the care others had for him. 

He could not work, could not help his family by doing chores.

He could only help his family by begging for money and he was well known for doing this very thing each day at the Temple. 

Peter looked, fastening his eyes upon this lame man who approached him for money. Peter had this special faith believing that Jesus would use him to heal this lame man.

Peter healed him in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and a glorious celebration ensued as he rejoiced because he could walk for the very first time in his life!

Peter used the gift of faith to heal a man named Aeneas.

Acts 9:32-35  And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. 33)  And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. 34)  And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. 35)  And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. 

The apostle Peter used this special gift of faith several times in his early ministry.

He encountered a man named Aeneas who was stricken with a palsy. Using his gift of faith, Peter healed him in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In this same chapter, Peter raised a dear senior saint who recently passed away, named Dorcas, back to life. 

A centurion had faith that Jesus could heal his servant. 

Matthew 8:5-10  And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6)  And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7)  And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8)  The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9)  For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10)  When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 

A Roman centurion approached Jesus with a plea for Him to heal his faithful servant who was stricken with a palsy. 

Jesus readily consented to go the soldier's dwelling place to heal his servant. 

The faith of the centurion is put on vivid display by Matthew.  The soldier confessed he was not worthy enough for Jesus to come to his home. 

Yet he was completely confident that if Jesus spoke the word, his servant would be healed. This is the great faith Jesus spoke of. 

The centurion believed in Jesus and His power to heal the sick with just a word. Jesus commended his faith for this and he healed the centurion's servant. 

Unbelief of the people limited the mighty works Christ would do. 

Matthew 13:53-58  And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence. 54)  And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? 55)  Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 56)  And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? 57)  And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. 58)  And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. 

Faith is the essential element in conversion to Christ and in our walk with the Lord. 

Faith is necessary and without it we cannot study the Bible, pray aright, worship God in Spirit and truth or spiritually grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. 

Paul and Barnabas had special faith for healing and miracles.

Acts 14:1-3  And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. 2)  But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. 3)  Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 

Act 14:8-10  And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: 9)  The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, 10)  Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. 

Paul and Barnabas also had this special faith and did many miracles and wonders.

Notice in the specific account or a certain crippled man at Lystra that Paul set his eyes on him and determined that he had faith to be healed. 

This man's faith connects with the times where Jesus did not heal many because of unbelief. 

This particular special gift of faith is confined to the apostles and other church leaders. 

Later, in his second letter to the Corinthians,  Paul will explain that he had a physical malady, a thorn in his flesh given by the Lord to keep Paul humble.

He prayed three times for the Lord to remove it. The Lord told him that His grace was sufficient for Paul's afflictions. He was unable to receive healing for that affliction (See 2 Corinthians 12:1-10).

Paul had an affliction that was not healed. 

Galatians 4:12-15  Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all. 13)  Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. 14)  And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15)  Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. 

Paul had a vision problem and wrote to the Galatians about his affliction. He was unable to have that disease healed. 

He concludes his letter to them by noting that he had to write it with large letters due to poor vision.

Here he reminds the Galatians that if it were possible, they would have plucked out their own eyes and given them to Paul to help him.

Concerning modern "faith healers" I would strongly recommend you read a book titled "The Faith Healers" by James Randi. His book is a very well documented exposé of many well known faith healers.

In addition, the nephew of Benny Hinn, named Costi Hinn, worked with his uncle for a long time. 

He said if they were really healing people then they should go into hospitals and rehab centers and help them.

His uncle dismissed his plea and Costi Hinn documented their tricks in fooling viewers that people have been healed. 

He has a video and a book exposing the Benny Hinn ministry titled "The Truth About Benny Hinn and the Gospel."

Faith healers prey upon innocent and often desperate people. 

Who would not want to be healed of a serious disease or a debilitating chronic illness? 

Who would not seek healing for a loved one that was dying?

Look at the money and lifestyle of those who claim to be faith healers. 

Benny Hinn's net worth is about $60 million dollars. That number tells you all you need to know about these charlatans.

Benny Hinn has a $12 million mansion in California. He has a $2 million beach home in Florida.

How does Benny Hinn and many others amass such a fortune in wealth and real estate?

Faith healers, televangelists make merchandise of people. 

2 Peter 2:1-3  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2)  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3)  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 

They are false prophets who promote the heresy of a health, wealth and prosperity gospel.

They promote covetousness in their viewers by telling them God wants them to be healthy, wealthy and happy. These are all pernicious and false teachings.

They always insist that people send in money to support their ministry and tell them that if they put in $10 God gives back to them exponentially more. 

The words "make merchandise" means that these false teachers are making money by taking advantage of people, using them to profit financially.

Do not be fooled by false teachers. Many of the spiritual gifts have passed away because God gave them to certify that the apostles were speaking for Him.

The apostles were all deceased by about 100 A.D. The gifts were no longer needed.

These false teachers and so called faith healers have not healed anyone. 

What they have done is absorb astounding amounts of funds so that they live high on the hog at the expense of people who sought healing. 

Thus, we must be discerning and follow the clear teaching and warnings given in the scriptures.  

Bob