Free Is There a Conflict Between Divine Healing and Medicine? by Roger Sapp

 
    Copyright © 2013
     
    Introduction
     
    The Christ Centered Approach
     
    Christ's Behavior Towards the Sick
     
    Christ Speaks Well of Doctors
     
    Guilt by Association
     
    Paul Speaks of Luke the Physician
     
    The Greek Word for "Sorcery"
     
    The Greek Word for "Physician "
     
    Use All Godly Means to Get Well
     
    Natural Healing in the Bible
     
    Medical Science Helps Multitudes
     
    The Danger of Condemnation of Medicine
     
    Misleading Examples Out of the Past
     
    In Conclusion

Copyright © 2013
All Nations Ministries & Publications
    All rights reserved. This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Unless otherwise identified, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New American Standard Version (NASV), Copyright © 1960, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, The Lockman Foundation.
 
Secure website: www.allnationsmin.org

Introduction
    Questions about the relationship between supernatural healing and medicine often come up in various ways. This is not really surprising. Once a Christian has acknowledged that supernatural healing is possible, then he or she is likely to wonder about the relationship between what seems to be two different ways to approach getting well. This is further complicated by widely differing views on this subject.
     
    Some Christians - a vocal minority - take a very negative view of medicine and believe that Christians should never be involved with doctors or medicine. They may accuse Christians of unbelief who seek to get well through medical means. Likewise, they may even accuse people of being involved with sorcery when they use medicine. Other Christians take a less negative view of medicine and doctors and do not believe that God has a problem with medicine. Another group is simply unsure of what to think about this all together and is influenced by what they are hearing in the moment. The way that someone comes to a conclusion is largely dependent upon how they draw their understanding of God's will. 
     
The Christ Centered Approach
    We draw our understanding of God's will in healing from Christ. This approach in healing has borne much fruit over the years. We have seen more than 30,000 supernatural healings, miracles and deliverances occur since 1993. We describe our approach as "Christ-centered." This phrase has come to be a common term but has a distinct meaning to us that others who use the same term may not understand.
     
    Being "Christ-centered" goes beyond being aware of the importance of the cross in the matter of healing. It is awareness that Christ shows us the perfect will of the Father in His actions, attitudes, teachings and commands. Therefore, when serious questions about matters in healing ministry arise, we answer them according to what we see in Christ's ministry. What direct evidence can we draw from Christ's ministry concerning medicine and doctors?
     
Christ's Behavior Towards the Sick
    Perhaps, we can start with what Christ does not do as He heals the sick. Christ never suggests that someone who is seeking healing needs to quit using medicine or refuse medical care. Christ never indicates that there is a conflict between receiving medical care and receiving healing. Some seem to have created a conflict in their own minds that is not reflected in the ministry of Christ. This conflict takes this shape:

If you go to a doctor, then it demonstrates that you do not believe in Christ as Healer. Therefore, in order to receive healing, you must refuse medical care.
     
    Some may even intensify the conflict in their own minds and believe that the use of medicine is sorcery.  This is often accompanied by the related accusation that doctors are sorcerers.
     
    These negative ideas are simply not present in the New Testament. Beyond that, we have seen the Lord heal a multitude of people who were receiving medical care at the same time.
     
    For example, in the past we had a Tuesday night meeting where I would teach each week a Christ