Bible Study: What Does the Assemblies of God Believe About Healing? Your 101 Guide for the 901
- Boundless Team
- 21 hours ago
- 6 min read
The Assemblies of God believes that divine healing is an integral part of the Gospel, provided for in the atonement of Jesus Christ. We believe that God still heals the sick today, physically and emotionally, as a gracious privilege for all believers who seek Him in faith.
When life in the 901 gets heavy, whether it’s a physical diagnosis, a season of chronic pain, or the emotional weight of a broken heart, we don't just hope for the best; we look to the Healer. If you’ve ever walked into a Pentecostal church and seen people praying with hands laid on the sick, or heard testimonies of "miraculous recovery," you might wonder: What exactly is the theology behind this? Is it just wishful thinking, or is it a biblical promise?
At First Assembly Memphis, we stand on a foundation of faith that has empowered the global Church for over a century. Divine healing isn’t a "side dish" in our theology; it’s one of our core pillars. Let's dive into the "101" of what we believe about healing and how it applies to your life today.
Understanding the Basics: Definition Blocks
To understand healing, we first need to define the terms that anchor our faith. These aren't just "churchy" words; they are the keys to understanding God’s heart for your health.
Term | Biblical Definition |
Divine Healing | God's supernatural intervention to restore physical, mental, or emotional health, provided by the power of the Holy Spirit. |
Atonement | The work of Jesus Christ on the cross (His suffering, death, and resurrection) that provides reconciliation between God and man, covering both sin and its consequences. |
Baptism in the Holy Spirit | An experience following salvation where the believer is empowered by the Spirit for life and service, often accompanied by the initial physical sign of speaking in tongues. |
The Foundation: Truth #12
The Assemblies of God holds to 16 Fundamental Truths. These are the non-negotiables that guide everything we do. Truth #12 states: "Divine healing is an integral part of the gospel. Deliverance from sickness is provided for in the atonement, and is the privilege of all believers."
This means that when Jesus died on the cross, He didn't just pay the price for our "soul's ticket to heaven." He addressed the wholeness of the human person. In the 901, where we see so much resilience and so much struggle, this truth offers a lifeline. We believe that the same Jesus who walked the streets of Galilee healing the blind and the lame is the same Jesus walking the streets of Memphis, Cordova, and Bartlett today.
Why the Atonement? (The Biblical "Why")
The most common question we get is: How is healing connected to Jesus dying for my sins?
The answer is found in the prophet Isaiah’s words, written hundreds of years before Jesus was born: "Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering... and by his wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:4–5).
In the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew explicitly links this prophecy to Jesus’ physical healing ministry. When Jesus healed the sick, Matthew wrote that this was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases" (Matthew 8:17).
The Takeaway for You: Healing is not something God does "on the side" if He’s not too busy. It is woven into the very fabric of why Jesus came. If you are a believer, healing is a "privilege", a gracious gift from your Father that you are invited to ask for.
One of the Four Cardinal Doctrines
Not all doctrines are weighted the same in terms of emphasis. In the Assemblies of God, we have what we call the Four Cardinal Doctrines. These are the four big ideas that define our mission:
Salvation (Jesus is Savior)
Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Jesus is Baptizer)
Divine Healing (Jesus is Healer)
The Second Coming (Jesus is the Soon-Coming King)
By making healing a "Cardinal Doctrine," we are saying that a church without prayer for the sick is missing a vital part of its identity. Whether you are joining us in person at FA Memphis or connecting with our global family at Boundless Online Church, you will find a community that expects God to move.
Practical 101: How Do We Pray for Healing?
If you’re new to a Pentecostal environment, the way we pray might seem different. We follow the pattern laid out in the Book of James:
"Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up." (James 5:14–15).
The Memphis Way of Healing Prayer:
Calling for Prayer: We encourage you to reach out. Don't suffer in silence.
Anointing with Oil: The oil isn't "magic." It is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and an act of obedience to Scripture.
The Prayer of Faith: We don't beg God as if He’s unwilling. We pray with confidence in His promises.
Community Support: Healing often happens in the context of relationship.
Common Questions & Misconceptions
1. If God heals, why do we need doctors? We believe God is the source of all healing. Sometimes He heals through a miracle (divine healing), and sometimes He heals through the wisdom He has given to doctors and the restorative power of medicine. We never tell people to skip their meds or avoid the doctor. We pray for the doctor’s hands and for God’s supernatural touch.
2. What if I pray and I’m not healed immediately? This is a hard question, and we handle it with pastoral care. We believe God is sovereign. While healing is provided in the atonement, the timing of that healing remains in God's hands. Sometimes healing is instant; sometimes it’s a process; and for every believer, ultimate and total healing is guaranteed in the resurrection when we receive our new bodies. We don't use "lack of faith" as a weapon to shame those who are still waiting for their breakthrough.
3. Is healing only for "physical" sickness? Absolutely not. In our modern world, and especially in the fast-paced 901, many people are suffering from "soul sickness", anxiety, depression, and trauma. We believe the Holy Spirit is the "Comforter" and the "Great Physician" for the mind and heart as well.
Scriptural Guide for Healing
Scripture Reference | Key Message for You |
Exodus 15:26 | God reveals Himself as "The Lord who heals you." |
Psalm 103:2–3 | We are told not to forget His benefits, including healing all our diseases. |
Acts 10:38 | Jesus went about doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil. |
1 Peter 2:24 | Looking back at the cross, we see that by His stripes, we were healed. |
Living It Out: Healing in the 901 and Beyond
Whether you are in Cordova, Arlington, Bartlett, or downtown Memphis, you belong to a family that believes in the power of God. You don't have to carry your sickness or your sorrow alone.
At FA Memphis, we are a local church with a global heartbeat. We see the 901 as our home, but through Boundless Online Church, we extend that same prayer of faith to people in different states and even different countries. Healing knows no geographic borders.
Practical Next Steps for You:
Read the Word: Spend time in the healing scriptures mentioned above. Let them build your faith.
Ask for Prayer: If you have a need, don't wait. Use the contact info below.
Join a Community: Faith grows in circles, not just rows. Join a small group locally or a digital group online.
Are you ready to believe that God wants to bring wholeness to your life today?
Need prayers? Text us day or night at 1-901-213-7341. (Note: This line is for prayer and pastoral support, not emergency services. If you are in immediate danger or need urgent help, please call 911.)
Want to go deeper?
If you're in Memphis, Cordova, Arlington, Bartlett, or the 901, we would love to welcome you in person for worship and prayer: 🌐 www.famemphis.org
If you're outside our area or unable to attend locally, you are still part of the family. Join our online church community for discipleship and prayer: 🌐 www.boundlessonlinechurch.org
We are here for you. You are not alone.
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