Evergreen Faith : Divine Healing

A Message from FA Memphis

Divine healing is a core belief of the Assemblies of God, stating that deliverance from sickness is provided in the atonement and is the privilege of all believers. Rooted in Isaiah 53:4-5 and James 5:14-16, it emphasizes that Jesus’s redemptive work covers both spiritual salvation and physical restoration, offering hope and wholeness through the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives today.

Bible Verses

• Isaiah 53:4-5: "Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."

• Matthew 8:16-17: "When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 'He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.'"

• James 5:14-16: "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. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

• Mark 16:17-18: "And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons... they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

Explanation

When we talk about faith, we often focus on the "big picture", our eternal destiny and our relationship with God. But at Boundless Online Church, we believe that God cares about your "right now" just as much as your "forever." This brings us to a beautiful and powerful cornerstone of our faith: Divine Healing.

In the Assemblies of God (AG) tradition, this is our 12th Fundamental Truth. It’s not just a nice idea or a relic of the past; it is a living, breathing reality that we see in action every day. If you’ve ever wondered if God still heals or if your physical pain matters to Him, the answer is a resounding "Yes."

More Than Just a Miracle

For many people, the word "healing" conjures up images of dramatic stage performances or ancient history. But when we look at the Gospel, healing isn't a side-show. It is an "integral part" of the message Jesus brought to the world.

When Jesus walked the earth, He didn't just preach sermons; He touched eyes that couldn't see, spoke to ears that couldn't hear, and restored bodies that were broken. He did this to show us what the Kingdom of God looks like. In God’s Kingdom, there is no sickness, no pain, and no decay. By healing people, Jesus was giving us a "proleptic" expression, a fancy way of saying a "sneak peek", of the total restoration that will happen when He returns.

Provided in the Atonement

This is where the theology gets really practical. The AG teaching on healing is rooted in the "Atonement." This refers to the work Jesus did on the cross. We believe that when Jesus died, He wasn't just paying the price for our sins (though that is the most important part!). He was also dealing with the consequences of a fallen world, which includes sickness and disease.

The prophet Isaiah told us that "by His wounds we are healed." This means that the provision for your health was "bought and paid for" at Calvary. Just as we don’t have to work to earn our salvation, we don’t have to "earn" God's compassion when we are sick. It is a gift provided through Christ.

A Privilege for Every Believer

Sometimes, we think healing is only for the "super-Christians" or the people with the most "faith points." But the Bible tells us that healing is the "privilege of all believers." It belongs to you because you belong to Him.

This is why we encourage our community to pray for one another. Whether you are part of our Bible Study Club or just joining us for the first time, you have the right to ask God for healing. James 5 gives us a very clear "instruction manual" for this: call for prayer, be anointed with oil, and pray in faith. It’s a community effort where we stand together and believe in God's goodness.

Faith, Medicine, and Sovereignty

We often get asked: "If I have faith, does that mean I shouldn't go to the doctor?" At Boundless, we believe that God is the source of all healing, whether it comes through a miraculous touch or through the skilled hands of a surgeon and the advancement of medicine. We are thankful for doctors and treatments!

Faith isn't about ignoring reality; it’s about trusting in a Higher Reality. We pray with confidence, but we also rest in God's sovereignty. We acknowledge that while some are healed instantly and others gradually, God’s grace is sufficient in every season. We live in the "already but not yet", we already have access to God's power, but we haven't yet reached the day where all sickness is permanently gone. Until that day, we keep praying, keep believing, and keep supporting one another through every health challenge.

Living it Out

So, what do you do if you’re struggling today? First, don’t carry the burden alone. Reach out. Whether it’s a chronic condition, a sudden illness, or mental and emotional pain, God’s provision for healing covers the whole person, body, mind, and spirit.

You can find more resources on living out your faith in our Faith & Discipleship category or learn more about what we believe by checking out our post on what it means to belong to this community.

Remember, you are not a number; you are a child of God, and your well-being matters to your Father.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we thank You that You are the Great Physician. We thank You that You carried our pains and bore our sicknesses on the cross so that we could find wholeness. Right now, I pray for anyone reading this who is in pain or facing a difficult diagnosis. I ask for Your healing touch to rest upon them. Give them peace that passes understanding and the strength to trust You in the middle of the struggle. We believe that You are able, and we thank You for Your constant love. Amen.

Call to Action

If you’re navigating a health journey right now and need someone to stand in faith with you, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We believe in the power of prayer and would be honored to pray for you.

Need prayers? Text us day or night at 1-901-213-7341. (message & data rates may apply). Not for emergencies.

If you want to dive deeper into these truths and grow in your walk with God, we invite you to join our I'm New Q&A Welcome Center or browse our online programs to find a group that fits your schedule.

Boundless Online Church is a ministry of FA Memphis.