tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post6601580824309154388..comments2023-12-22T08:29:29.230-08:00Comments on WHAT IS TRUTH: Should We Pray for the Sick?Kent Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13419354741455959191noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-51042751284933684032019-07-20T12:30:29.200-07:002019-07-20T12:30:29.200-07:00Kent,
Thanks for the honesty, time and effort in ...Kent,<br /><br />Thanks for the honesty, time and effort in your article. All sickness is a result of original sin and will be with us until all things have been restored. Sickness because of personal sin is of a particular matter spoken of in James 5 and 1 Cor. 11:30. There is a sin that leads to death, and this too may or may not be due to sickness. These are special N.T. cases of judgement because of personal sin, James 5 being one, and therefore should not be included in a discussion of general sickness and healing unless sin is the culprit if sickness. In James 5, verse 15, the periphrastic perfect active subjunctive third class condition seems to assume that this subject did commit sin(s) and the sickness was a result of sin. Verse 16 supports the fact that sins were committed. I won't quibble over the use of "kamnos" here because as you stated correctly it is used with the idea of affliction in other uses. <br /><br />That leaves the accounts in the gospels and Acts which all deal with the confirmation of Jesus Christ as the Son of God (The Eternal God, the Son, Incarnate)and the apostles as his chosen ambassadors, first to Israel and then to the whole world. A casual reading of Acts demonstrates this (Acts 2:22; cf. also, John 1:1; 20:30,31; Heb.2:3-4). So, if all of the miracles of Jesus and the apostles, healing included, were divinely designed to confirm His identity then where does that leave us? It leaves us with a vast misapplication of healing from these accounts. I am not saying that Jesus was not compassionate in His healings, but that was not the point. The point was to vindicate Himself, His words and His works and point to His complete, future restoration of all things including physical sickness through His death, resurrection, ascension and bodily return. <br /><br />So, where then does that leave us with the notion of praying for the sick today? We have little if any N.T. instruction to pray for the sick or healing for that matter. All direct references to prayer in the epistles deal almost entirely with spiritual and not physical issues, and we should be taking our church praxis from the epistles. The epistles are silent on the issue of praying for the sick except where previously noted as a result of sin. Common sicknesses will always be with us. We will recover from most as the body naturally heals itself. But eventually our bodies will break down and we will die as a part of God's plan after the fall. I think we should use our down time to seek God's will for our lives, to learn what we can through sickness for His glory. That is really why we exist.<br /><br />Doug <br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05673299754819687914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-12449417844875603322018-01-04T09:07:14.829-08:002018-01-04T09:07:14.829-08:00Excellent treatment. As a Pastor, I get sick (pun ...Excellent treatment. As a Pastor, I get sick (pun intended) of hearing 99.9% of people's prayers about physical illnesses. Even if (and I agree with you that James 5 is talking about spiritual weakness... not physical sickness).. but even if James 5 is talking about physical sickness, that is one occurrence of our praying for the sick. Compare that to all the other NT prayers for boldness and love and insight and other spiritual matters, you'll see that prayers for the sick is not an emphasis of the New Testament.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09052796882309721936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-64186473519336584652012-11-08T13:21:29.549-08:002012-11-08T13:21:29.549-08:00Hello there,
Why you guys talking something so di...Hello there,<br /><br />Why you guys talking something so different bringing your own wisdom and knowledge<br /><br />Talking about healing, <br />I got my open heart surgery in critical way and but even though Doctor said I can't leave any longer in this world (life) but from last 24 years I am alive because God is Alive. why because my parents faith has answered by God, every day I am healed in physical way. I am still alive because God is alive. In his name(Jesus) every disease will run away and in his name(Jesus)everything should bow down.<br /><br />There are people in this world who had great faith and they have healed in physical way, Cancer, heart diseases, brain disease, bone disease and Ear disease because they prayed in faith and they God healed because they believe in his name Jesus. Amen<br />God bless you <br /><br /> <br /><br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-7149620517131446282012-11-03T11:04:22.417-07:002012-11-03T11:04:22.417-07:00Does God/Jesus cause sickness and injury? If so, a...Does God/Jesus cause sickness and injury? If so, and we pray for healing, aren't we asking for something that is against God's will?<br /><br />GOD DOES CAUSE SICKNESS (HEB 12). WE SHOULDN'T PRAY FOR CERTAIN SICK (1 JOHN 5).<br /><br />Can someone save another from sin thru prayer, or must the sinner himself be the one to ask God, thru Jesus to save him?<br /><br />THE SINNER MUST REPENT AND BELIEVE. <br /><br />If the sickness or injury is because the person has sinned, then shouldn't the prayer be to save the person from their sin rather than to heal them?<br />And isn't saving people from sin the role of Jesus?<br /><br />WE PRAY FOR SOMEONE SPIRITUALLY. IT DOESN'T MEAN WE DON'T PRAY FOR PHYSICAL NEEDS, JUST THAT IT ISN'T AN EMPHASIS IN THE BIBLE.<br /><br />If God answers prayers of healing, then wouldn't ALL people be healed when they are prayed for?<br /><br />TRUE.<br /><br />What are the criteria for being healed thru prayer?<br /><br />GOOD QUESTION. THE BIBLE DOESN'T GIVE CRITERIA. YOU WOULD THINK IF A SPIRITUAL PROBLEM WAS CAUSING IT, YOU WOULD DEAL WITH THE SPIRITUAL PROBLEM FIRST. IF IT IS SICKNESS, YOU CAN PRAY FOR THE PERSON, BUT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE OF PHYSICAL HEALING, SO I PRAY FOR SOMEONE TO HAVE GOD'S GRACE IN THE SITUATION, TO GET THROUGH, BECAUSE HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT.Kent Brandenburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13419354741455959191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-84481434613010991542012-11-02T10:02:54.756-07:002012-11-02T10:02:54.756-07:00Often, I receive requests to pray for someone'...Often, I receive requests to pray for someone's friend or family member who is sick or injured but I have questions about this.<br /><br />Does God/Jesus cause sickness and injury? If so, and we pray for healing, aren't we asking for something that is against God's will?<br /><br />Can someone save another from sin thru prayer, or must the sinner himself be the one to ask God, thru Jesus to save him? <br /><br />If the sickness or injury is because the person has sinned, then shouldn't the prayer be to save the person from their sin rather than to heal them?<br />And isn't saving people from sin the role of Jesus?<br /><br />If God answers prayers of healing, then wouldn't ALL people be healed when they are prayed for?<br /><br />What are the criteria for being healed thru prayer?<br /><br />Thank you,Russellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-49150375819563555682008-12-01T15:35:00.000-08:002008-12-01T15:35:00.000-08:00Hi Anonymous,We shouldn't interpret Scripture base...Hi Anonymous,<BR/><BR/>We shouldn't interpret Scripture based on our experiences, but interpret our experiences based upon Scripture. I stand by the post I wrote. I think it answers what I believe I would say to your comment. We can't invent new doctrine based on what we think is an answer to prayer. We are to understood the passage how the people in that day would have understood it. That means we must find out the meanings of the word, including the Greek word translated "anoint" in this passage, and the word translated "sick."Kent Brandenburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13419354741455959191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-16742058762848852512008-12-01T14:03:00.000-08:002008-12-01T14:03:00.000-08:00Hrrrmmm,Just thought I'd add my churches' experien...Hrrrmmm,<BR/><BR/>Just thought I'd add my churches' experience with anointing the sick. We had a deacon whose wife was barren. The doctors told her she could never have children. Our pastor had been praying for her, and he asked the deacon if he would like do what is instructed in James 5.<BR/><BR/>So they did. Got the deacons wife, anointed her and prayed over her. She ended up getting pregnant soon after and has 5 kids now. The doctors thought it was a miracle.<BR/><BR/>I know it's just experience. We're not charismatics. Our church is cessationalist. We're independent Baptists. No tongues, no prophecy, no rock music, no CCM. We don't go prayer walking or demon hunting. We don't have experiences like that every day, we don't have healing meetings or start swinging the anointing oil any time someone sneezes.<BR/><BR/>It just ... well... I guess our Pastor just read that literally, decided to take it on faith and God worked. Maybe we did wrong and God decided to bless the lady anyway? You decide. I'm not sure we've used oil since, just posting this here to see what Pastor Brandenburg thinks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-7005516934402590072007-02-06T15:28:00.000-08:002007-02-06T15:28:00.000-08:00In the context, that would be the best application...In the context, that would be the best application. In light of Elijah's prayer for rain, it could be more, but I agree in the context.Kent Brandenburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13419354741455959191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-13284829222541260542007-01-19T05:36:00.000-08:002007-01-19T05:36:00.000-08:00“True prayer isn’t a matter of executing a script;...“True prayer isn’t a matter of executing a script; it’s an intention of the heart.”<br />~Alan CohenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-70521082713059603882007-01-18T03:20:00.000-08:002007-01-18T03:20:00.000-08:00Always, but always you should pray.."Not my will b...Always, but always you should pray.."Not my will but Thine be done"...<br /><br />I believe it comes from the model prayer. I did not take it as a "do not pray for the sick". I never choose to miss the point. There are some things that just need a little clarification so I would not read more into the subject than is actually there.<br /><br />"Time out", Pastor....I'm sure you are not over the line, nor did you miss the three pointer. Perhaps you came close to "double dribble"..or maybe "over the back".<br />Regardless, you're our man on the clock ....here on..<br /><br />Blessings Hill,<br />RuthRuthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11410800908419272090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-42125890162066725162007-01-17T22:12:00.000-08:002007-01-17T22:12:00.000-08:00I don't know how this is confusing. Are we to pra...I don't know how this is confusing. Are we to pray in His will? How can we know His will? It must be Scriptural; that's how we know it's His will. We may express to God how we feel without actually asking Him for something that is out of His will. God may heal or allow someone to heal (because I don't know), but I don't know if He will beforehand. I know David wanted his baby to live, but the baby didn't. It wasn't in His will. Does that mean God doesn't answer prayer? No. Our goal is to pray in God's will---see 1 John 5:14, 15. We should want what God wants. That's the jist of it. That will help you with prayer. If you make this a don't pray for the sick essay, then I think you might be choosing to miss the point. I'm not hurting you by helping you align your prayers with the New Testament. We are New Testament believers.Kent Brandenburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13419354741455959191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-17211134666248757312007-01-17T18:21:00.000-08:002007-01-17T18:21:00.000-08:00I suppose I am confused as well, Pastor B. I belie...I suppose I am confused as well, Pastor B. I believe that the Bible clearly states in James as you mentioned (Before you took it apart word for word)if there be "any sick among you...call for the elders". The following verse (15) goes even further by stating " the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well...the Lord will raise him up...and his sins will be forgiven"..In this reading it appears to me the sick will be made well, if they believe....and the Lord will forgive their sins. Maybe not all sickness is of sin, but some may be. <br /><br />In my profession we deal with both. Some sickness of the body may be caused by sin or past sins. Likewise some sins of the past cause sickness of the mind..they are so closely bonded togeather. A sick mind most always causes a sick body; again it can be the other way around. Try putting your totally healthy arm in a sling for twenty four hours and see what happens; for thirty six hours? it's even worse; one week it becomes useless. <br /><br />Likewise, put a healthy person in a dark room with only a lamp and book and after twenty four hours, they totally change and are not "feeling well'; thirty six hours..they are changed to the point of being listless and depressed.....much longer they are physically ill.<br /> <br />Therefore, if I am ill be it body, mind or spirit please hear me when I cry out for the elders or any righteous man of God. Have him come , lay hands on me; anoint me with oil, but most of all have him pray for me.....Then, I will feel confident God will answer. Maybe not to heal, but to do His Will in His time...<br /><br />Jermemiah 29:11..." For I know the plans I have for you...(12) then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen..." It was true in David's time and I believe it holds true today.<br /><br />Mountains can be moved, lives changed and the sick made whole....IF you pray believing...at least that's what we believe and practice ...up here on..<br /><br />Blessings Hill,<br />Ruth<br /><br />PS....Yes, Anonymous, thank you. I did write about the friends and their crippled friend (who was healed). Probably need to pick that up and finish the thought.<br />BlessingsRuthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11410800908419272090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-50290029576114309792007-01-17T10:37:00.001-08:002007-01-17T10:37:00.001-08:00Well, Pastor B,
Far be it from me to say your a b...Well, Pastor B,<br /><br />Far be it from me to say your a bit "over the boundaries".However I seem to recall multiple times in the Bible that people that were ill or maimed, etc were prayed for by men of the cloth.<br />I read not long ago on .( I think) Blessings Hill..that blog of Ruth's about the friends that took the crippled man to see Jesus for healing. They walked many miles, fought aganist the crowds, and finally cut a hole in the roof in an effort to get him to Jesus. Correct me, but had not many people prayed for him many years? This trip to see Jesus was a sincere effort by his friends to get him healed. Agreed that Jesus saw the need of the soul above the need of the body..BUT.he was healed.<br />So, am I to believe your church does not pray for the sick? I think we are taught to offer our supplications in prayer to God? <br /><br />Yes, I realize I am leaving myself wide open to the expetise of your knowledge and wisdom.But I gotta do it!!You confuse me "Pastor".<br /><br />Be Blessed of the SpiritAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-19916843030178569662007-01-17T10:37:00.000-08:002007-01-17T10:37:00.000-08:00Interesting take on that subject. Good informatio...Interesting take on that subject. Good information.Nicholas Z. Cardothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13232924424137972195noreply@blogger.com