What is the Gift of Healing?
Both the words “gifts” and “healing” (1 Corinthians 12:9) are in the plural in the Greek. Some take this to mean that there are a variety of forms of this gift. Some of these take it that certain individuals are gifted to heal one sort of disease or sickness, some another sort. Philip, for example, was used especially in the healing of the paralyzed and the lame (Acts 8:7). Others take it that God gives one a gift of a supply of healings at a particular time, and another supply is given at another time, perhaps to someone else, most probably in the ministry of the evangelist. The healing of the lame man at the Gate Beautiful is taken as an example (3:6, 7) Still, others take it that every healing is a special gift—that is, the gift is for the sick person who has the need. Thus, in this view, the Spirit does not make men healers. Instead, He provides a new ministry of healing for each need as it arises in the Church. For example, the power that flowed into the body of the woman wi