(by pastor Norman)

“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b; NKJV). I believe when Jesus promised us abundant life it included walking in health and wholeness (3 John 1:2). There will certainly be no sickness or pain in heaven (Rev 21:4). In the New Testament gospels there are accounts of Jesus healing all who came to Him (Matt 12:15) and healing every sickness and disease (Matt 4:23). In the Old Testament, Isaiah prophesied that Jesus’ body would be bruised and beaten before He died as a sacrifice for our sins (Isa 53:5) and that by His wounds and stripes He won healing for us. The apostle Peter quoted this scripture verse in his first epistle (1 Peter 2:24). Before the ascension of Jesus, He commissioned His disciples to preach the gospel and said that those who believe would lay hands on the sick and see them healed (Mark 16:15-18). Healings were seen in the early church not only in the ministry of the 11 apostles (Acts 2:43) but also by the apostle Paul (Acts 14:8-10) and the deacon, Philip (Acts 8:5-8). Jesus healed people by the power of the Holy Spirit in Him (Matt 3:16-17), Acts 10:38). This is the same Holy Spirit that lives in each of us as Christians. We therefore have the power of the Holy Spirit to bring healing to our own bodies (Rom 8:11) and others. We live in the continuation of the early church and God does not change, “For I am the Lord your God, I do not change” (Mal 3:6a). Healing is ours!