What does the Assemblies of God believe about divine healing?
- Boundless Team
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
The Assemblies of God believes divine healing is provided in the Atonement and is a privilege for all believers, meaning God still heals today through prayer, by the power of the Holy Spirit, because of what Jesus did on the cross. We seek healing with faith, follow Scripture (especially James 5:14–16), and also value wise medical care, because God is the Healer, even when He uses doctors.
Why this matters in the 901: sickness, pain, and anxiety about our bodies hit every home in Memphis, from Cordova to Bartlett to every zip code in between. Our mission is to point people to Jesus with practical, biblical help and compassionate prayer, locally at FA Memphis and globally through Boundless online.
Where does “divine healing” fit in Assemblies of God belief?
In Assemblies of God doctrine, divine healing isn’t a side topic, it’s a core conviction. It’s also one of the four Cardinal Doctrines (alongside salvation, baptism in the Holy Spirit, and Christ’s return).
Fundamental Truth #12 (Assemblies of God):Divine Healing The heart of it is simple: God heals. He heals because He is good, because Jesus has authority over sickness, and because the Holy Spirit still works in power today.
Definition Block: Divine Healing
Divine healing is God’s supernatural work of restoring health, physically, emotionally, or spiritually, through prayer and faith in Jesus Christ. It’s not “mind over matter,” not a formula, and not a guarantee that every sickness ends instantly. It is God acting in response to faith-filled prayer.
Is divine healing actually biblical, or just a church tradition?
It’s biblical, and it runs through the whole story of Scripture.
1) Healing in Jesus’ ministry
The Gospels show Jesus healing the sick repeatedly (Matthew 8–9; Mark 1–2; Luke 4). Healing wasn’t just compassion (though it absolutely was compassion). It was also a sign of the Kingdom, evidence that God’s rule was breaking into human brokenness.
2) Healing in the early church
Healing didn’t stop at the cross. In Acts, the church prays, lays hands on the sick, and people are healed (Acts 3; Acts 5; Acts 14). The consistent message: Jesus is still alive, still powerful, still saving and restoring.
3) Healing in the instruction of the Epistles
James doesn’t treat prayer for the sick as unusual. He treats it like normal church life:
“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…” (James 5:14–15, NIV)
That passage is one reason Assemblies of God churches still practice prayer for the sick with elders, anointing with oil, and faith.
What does “healing provided in the Atonement” mean?
This phrase is central to Assemblies of God teaching, and it needs clear, Bible-101 language.
The Assemblies of God teaches that Christ’s atoning work (His death and resurrection) provides the basis for healing, often connected to Isaiah’s prophecy:
“But He was wounded for our transgressions… and by His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5, NKJV)
The New Testament points to this hope as well (see also Matthew 8:16–17; 1 Peter 2:24).
Definition Block: Atonement
Atonement is what Jesus accomplished through His death and resurrection, making forgiveness of sins possible and reconciling us to God (Romans 5:8–11). In Assemblies of God teaching, the Atonement also provides a basis for praying for physical healing, because Jesus’ victory addresses the whole brokenness of sin’s effects.
Important balance (firm and pastoral):
Assemblies of God churches confidently preach God heals today, while also acknowledging that not everyone is healed immediately (or in the way we want). That tension isn’t a faith failure, it’s part of living between the already and the not yet of God’s Kingdom. We keep praying, keep trusting, keep loving.
Does the Assemblies of God teach “if you have enough faith you’ll always be healed”?
No. Assemblies of God teaching emphasizes faith, but rejects turning faith into a harsh scoreboard.
Here’s what faith is and is not:
Topic | What Assemblies of God teaches | What we avoid |
Faith | Trust in God’s character and power (Hebrews 11:1; Mark 9:24) | A “magic force” that guarantees outcomes |
Prayer | A real means God uses to heal (James 5:14–16) | A formula or performance |
Results | God heals in many ways, instantly, gradually, medically, miraculously | Blaming the sick when healing isn’t immediate |
God’s nature | God is good, compassionate, and wise (Psalm 103:2–3) | Treating God like a vending machine |
Definition Block: The Prayer of Faith
The prayer of faith (James 5:15) is confident, God-centered prayer that asks boldly while surrendering to God’s wisdom. It’s faith in who God is, not faith in a guaranteed timeline.
What does an Assemblies of God church do when someone is sick?
James 5 gives a clear pathway. Here’s the “Bible 101” practice that many Assemblies of God churches follow:
The sick person calls for the elders (James 5:14)
The elders pray over them (not just a quick mention, real prayer)
They anoint with oil in the name of the Lord (a biblical symbol of consecration and the Spirit’s work)
They pray in faith, trusting God to heal
They invite confession and spiritual care when needed (James 5:16)
They keep caring, because people are not prayer projects; they’re precious children of God
Why oil?
Oil isn’t magic. It’s a biblical sign, a physical reminder that we’re asking God to do a spiritual work. The power is not in the oil; the power is in the Lord.
Is it okay to go to the doctor if you believe in divine healing?
Yes. Assemblies of God teaching does not pit medicine against faith.
Here’s a simple way to say it: God can heal directly, and God can heal through means. Either way, He is the Healer. Using medical care is not a “lack of faith.” It’s often wisdom, stewardship, and humility.
A practical Memphis/901 way to think about it
If a friend in the 901 says, “We’re praying, but we’re also following the doctor’s plan,” the response isn’t judgment, it’s: “Good. Let’s pray harder and walk with you through this.”
What if healing doesn’t happen right away?
This is where a church’s theology has to stay both biblically firm and pastorally gentle.
Assemblies of God convictions that steady us in the waiting:
God is still good (Psalm 34:8)
God is still present (Psalm 23:4)
God still heals (Exodus 15:26; James 5:14–16)
God’s timing is not our timing (Isaiah 55:8–9)
Suffering is real, but not meaningless in Christ (Romans 8:28; 2 Corinthians 4:16–18)
The final healing is guaranteed in the resurrection (Revelation 21:4)
This is also where the church family matters. Healing prayer in the Assemblies of God isn’t meant to be a one-time moment and then silence. It’s ongoing support, meals, rides, check-ins, Scripture, presence, and consistent prayer.
Can divine healing include emotional and mental healing?
Yes, while being careful and responsible with language.
God cares about the whole person. Scripture speaks to inner restoration (Psalm 147:3). At the same time, Assemblies of God churches should be wise: mental health challenges can be complex and often require counseling and medical support in addition to prayer.
Definition Block: Sanctification (why it matters here)
Sanctification is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life, helping us grow in holiness, healing patterns of sin, renewing our minds, and shaping us to look like Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:3; Romans 12:1–2). It doesn’t replace medical care, but it does remind us: God is committed to your wholeness.
How should a believer pray for healing (without getting weird about it)?
Keeping it simple is often the most biblical approach. Here’s a helpful pattern:
What are common misunderstandings about Assemblies of God and healing?
A little clarity helps everyone breathe.
Misunderstanding #1: “Divine healing means you never get sick.”
No. Christians live in a broken world and still face sickness. Divine healing means God can intervene, and we are invited to ask Him.
Misunderstanding #2: “If you weren’t healed, you didn’t have faith.”
That’s not a biblical way to care for people. Scripture shows faithful believers who suffered, and it never makes cruelty a spiritual gift.
Misunderstanding #3: “If we pray, we shouldn’t seek medical help.”
Assemblies of God teaching allows for and appreciates medical care. God’s provision can come through many channels.
Misunderstanding #4: “Healing services are about spectacle.”
Healthy Pentecostal practice is Christ-centered and orderly, pointing people to Jesus, not personalities (Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 14:40).
A simple “Divine Healing” Bible guide (for study or Life Groups)
Question | Scripture | Anchor truth |
Does God heal? | Psalm 103:2–3 | God forgives and heals |
Should we pray for the sick? | James 5:14–16 | Call elders, anoint, pray in faith |
Did Jesus heal? | Matthew 8:16–17 | Healing is part of His ministry |
Does God still work through the church? | Acts 3:6–8 | Jesus heals through Spirit-empowered believers |
What if healing is delayed? | Luke 18:1; Romans 8:28 | Keep praying; God is at work |
What’s our ultimate hope? | Revelation 21:4 | Final healing is coming |
Directions: what to do next (two pathways)
If you’re in Memphis / the 901 (local pathway)
Bring your need into the light. Don’t suffer alone, let the church pray and walk with you.
Submit a prayer request through www.famemphis.org/prayer-and-praise.
If you’re new and want a low-pressure next step, start here: www.famemphis.org/i-m-new.
If you’re outside Memphis (Boundless / global pathway)
You can still receive prayer and join in with what God is doing. Start with messages and teaching to build faith and Scripture confidence: www.famemphis.org/messages.
Then reach out for prayer through www.famemphis.org/prayer-and-praise.
Related articles to read next (cluster links)
What is the baptism in the Holy Spirit (and why do Pentecostals talk about it so much)?
What does the Bible say about praying in faith?
How should Christians think about suffering and God’s goodness?
(Draft note for Layne review: If these cluster posts don’t exist yet on the site, they should be created as follow-ups rather than linked.)
Safe Feedback Loop (HOLD mode)
Doctrinal verification: Aligned with Assemblies of God Fundamental Truth #12 (Divine Healing), Scriptural authority, and Pentecostal practice (James 5).
Engagement review: Audience targeted: curious Christians exploring Pentecostal belief.
Legal review: No medical claims; encourages appropriate medical care.
Layne approval: Required before publishing.
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.)
Two next steps (choose one):
Local (FA Memphis / 901): Visit www.famemphis.org/i-m-new and submit a request at www.famemphis.org/prayer-and-praise so our team can pray with you.
Global (Boundless Online Church): Watch and share messages at www.famemphis.org/messages, then send your prayer request through www.famemphis.org/prayer-and-praise so we can stand with you wherever you are.
So good to be reminded of God’s healing provision. It has always been good for me to “Bring your need into the light”. Every time God has healed me physically, He has also done a work in me spiritually. Thanks for the encouraging article.