The key to this promise is understanding what faith is. Note that James does not base this promise on the atonement or tie it to the atonement. Mark 5:28 6:56), and that sense does seem to fit this context best. James 5:15 promises that “the prayer of faith will save the sick.” The word “save, make well” ( sōsei) is used in the Gospels in the sense of “to heal physically” (cf. Since all other benefits of the atonement are contingent upon faith, healing is not an unconditional benefit of the atonement. Wesleyan theologians normally identify three “unconditional” benefits of the atonement to the world: the continued existence of humanity, prevenient grace, and the salvation of infants. Jesus fulfilled Isaiah 53:4a during his earthly ministry. Therefore Isaiah 53:4a does not predict that Jesus through his atonement would provide present, physical healing for all believers. Matthew consistently uses fulfillment language in the sense that there is no further fulfillment of the prophecy to be expected (Matt 1:22 2:15, 17, 23 4:14–16 12:17 13:35 21:4–5 26:56 27:9). However, Matthew tells us that this prediction was fulfilled by Jesus as he healed the sick at Capernaum (Matt 8:17). In Hebrew, Isaiah 53:4a says, “Truly our sicknesses he bore and our pains he carried.” This text unquestionably speaks of Jesus providing physical healing. For example, both Jesus (John 12:40) and Paul (Acts 28:27) quote Isaiah 6:9–10, where Isaiah says Israel will not “return and be healed,” as a reference to spiritual healing (salvation), not physical healing. A survey of Isaiah’s use of the verb “to heal” shows that Isaiah regularly uses “healing” as a metaphor for spiritual salvation. 1 Peter 2:24 NASB says, “and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness for by His wounds you were healed.” Peter’s statement that Jesus took our sins to the cross so that we can die to sin and live to righteousness indicates that he has in mind spiritual healing not physical healing. Peter quotes Isaiah 53:5c, “And by His stripes we are healed,” as a predictive proof text confirming his understanding of Jesus’ saving work on the cross. People for whom I have prayed have been healed by God. I have personally experienced God’s healing. The Bible teaches that God has the power to heal. Is the atonement the basis for the ultimate restoration of all things to health and wholeness? Is present, physical healing guaranteed by the atonement to all who ask for it in faith?ĥ. Is present, physical healing an unconditional benefit of the atonement for all believers?Ĥ. Is Isaiah 53:4 a prediction that Jesus would heal all believers of their sicknesses?ģ. Does Isaiah 53:5c, “And by His stripes we are healed,” refer to physical healing?Ģ. There are at least five ways of stating your question.ġ. The answer depends on what you mean by the question.
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