↑ HEALED EVERYONE: When the soldiers came to arrest Jesus in Gethsemane, one of those who was with Jesus drew his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest's servant. But Jesus touched the servant’s ear and healed him.
About Jesus it is written:
“And He healed them all.”
Matthew 12:15
About the apostles it is also written:
“And they were all healed.”
Acts 5:16
Our goal must therefore be the same. We have not received any counter-order!
Since the apostles after the day of Pentecost experienced the same results as Jesus, it is clear that this is also God's will for the time after Jesus' ascension. According to Jesus, his disciples should perform “greater works” than those He did (John 14:12). That likely means more than He did – because we are many. We are to take the baton from Him and aim for the same results.
An Adjusted Theology
The danger is that we try to put together a theology and practice that is weaker and more “comfortable” than the Bible suggests. We adjust and dilute the message according to today's experiences. Our view of healing then becomes a mixture of what God's word says and what is the usual belief and practice in our congregations and churches. An “adjusted” theology on healing, one that people find “reasonable” and “palatable” – so we do not need to strive for what God actually wants. A “tailored” and “adjusted” theology on healing. “God – anno 2025.”
Is it not better to say it as it is, as the Bible describes a time in the prophet Samuel's days:
“The word of the Lord was rare in those days.”
1 Samuel 3:1
The standard is what the Bible says. Jesus' teaching and actions are the Truth we must strive for – in faith and in practice. Jesus' life and teaching are our supreme theology: What He said and what He did – and how He did it. Of Himself and His teaching, Jesus says:
“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.”
John 4:34
Jesus said:
“I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life.”
We must strive and complete Jesus' teaching and practice, proclaim the truth about healing, and promote it. Otherwise, we remain stuck in the same rut as before without moving forward!
“The Nazareth Syndrome”
Paul had miracles in his ministry, but it was not perfect. He experienced limitations because not everyone was healed. Paul is okay, but Jesus is best. We must build on a theology that goes straight to the Source: Jesus' teachings and actions, for His teachings came from the Father Himself. The goal is therefore to see everyone for whom we pray, become well. Something to strive for. Over ten times in the Gospels it is stated that everyone was healed in His works. Only once did He fail: In His hometown of Nazareth. He was disappointed and “marveled because of their unbelief.” (Mark 6:6). “And He could do no mighty work there.” (Mark 6:5) He wanted so much, but the negative spiritual power that lay over the town prevented Him from healing the sick there. “He could not” – when miracles do not happen among us, “The Nazareth Syndrome” (as I usually call it) can be the reason for the absence of God's healing power. A spiritually dead state.
↑ IN FAITH AND IN PRACTICE: The standard is what the Bible says. Jesus' teaching and actions are the Truth we must strive for – in faith and in practice.
A Theology Tailored to Us
The danger for us today is that we settle down when we see few healings occur, and then we create a “suitable” theology that is fitting for our church and the times we live in. Instead, we should mourn over the weak spiritual condition in the West and wholeheartedly seek the Lord until His Spirit fills us with “power from on high” – and miracles begin to happen.
The congregations must give room for healing preachers, their radical preaching of the gospel and their practice of prayer for the sick. We must learn to have more faith in Dr. Jesus than in “Dr. Olsen”. In Norway and elsewhere in the West, I believe the majority of all Christians trust more in “Dr. Olsen” than in Dr. Jesus – if they were to become ill! And that is regrettable and a result of “spiritual malnutrition.”
Offer of “Spiritual Medicine”
Of course, we believe in healing through “conventional medicine” and “natural medicine”. Thousands have received help through these God-given methods. Thank God for doctors and healthcare workers of various types! But here I focus on God's power through “spiritual medicine”, the power to heal that the Holy Spirit can provide us with through faith and prayer. Time and again I have experienced that it is a thousand times stronger than the other methods of healing and is without side effects. We must learn to use “God's medicine” through His word.
We should also have a theology about death, but that is another important topic which I cannot address here.
The key is: Back to Jesus – His view on sickness and healing. We must seek the Lord with all our heart, pray for the revelation of His miracle-working power until He reveals His life and power among us. There is no other way than the Jesus-way. Back to Jesus!
Svein-Magne
About Jesus it is written:
“And He healed them all.”
Matthew 12:15
About the apostles it is also written:
“And they were all healed.”
Acts 5:16
Our goal must therefore be the same. We have not received any counter-order!
Since the apostles after the day of Pentecost experienced the same results as Jesus, it is clear that this is also God's will for the time after Jesus' ascension. According to Jesus, his disciples should perform “greater works” than those He did (John 14:12). That likely means more than He did – because we are many. We are to take the baton from Him and aim for the same results.
An Adjusted Theology
The danger is that we try to put together a theology and practice that is weaker and more “comfortable” than the Bible suggests. We adjust and dilute the message according to today's experiences. Our view of healing then becomes a mixture of what God's word says and what is the usual belief and practice in our congregations and churches. An “adjusted” theology on healing, one that people find “reasonable” and “palatable” – so we do not need to strive for what God actually wants. A “tailored” and “adjusted” theology on healing. “God – anno 2025.”
Is it not better to say it as it is, as the Bible describes a time in the prophet Samuel's days:
“The word of the Lord was rare in those days.”
1 Samuel 3:1
The standard is what the Bible says. Jesus' teaching and actions are the Truth we must strive for – in faith and in practice. Jesus' life and teaching are our supreme theology: What He said and what He did – and how He did it. Of Himself and His teaching, Jesus says:
“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.”
John 4:34
Jesus said:
“I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life.”
We must strive and complete Jesus' teaching and practice, proclaim the truth about healing, and promote it. Otherwise, we remain stuck in the same rut as before without moving forward!
“The Nazareth Syndrome”
Paul had miracles in his ministry, but it was not perfect. He experienced limitations because not everyone was healed. Paul is okay, but Jesus is best. We must build on a theology that goes straight to the Source: Jesus' teachings and actions, for His teachings came from the Father Himself. The goal is therefore to see everyone for whom we pray, become well. Something to strive for. Over ten times in the Gospels it is stated that everyone was healed in His works. Only once did He fail: In His hometown of Nazareth. He was disappointed and “marveled because of their unbelief.” (Mark 6:6). “And He could do no mighty work there.” (Mark 6:5) He wanted so much, but the negative spiritual power that lay over the town prevented Him from healing the sick there. “He could not” – when miracles do not happen among us, “The Nazareth Syndrome” (as I usually call it) can be the reason for the absence of God's healing power. A spiritually dead state.
↑ IN FAITH AND IN PRACTICE: The standard is what the Bible says. Jesus' teaching and actions are the Truth we must strive for – in faith and in practice.
A Theology Tailored to Us
The danger for us today is that we settle down when we see few healings occur, and then we create a “suitable” theology that is fitting for our church and the times we live in. Instead, we should mourn over the weak spiritual condition in the West and wholeheartedly seek the Lord until His Spirit fills us with “power from on high” – and miracles begin to happen.
The congregations must give room for healing preachers, their radical preaching of the gospel and their practice of prayer for the sick. We must learn to have more faith in Dr. Jesus than in “Dr. Olsen”. In Norway and elsewhere in the West, I believe the majority of all Christians trust more in “Dr. Olsen” than in Dr. Jesus – if they were to become ill! And that is regrettable and a result of “spiritual malnutrition.”
Offer of “Spiritual Medicine”
Of course, we believe in healing through “conventional medicine” and “natural medicine”. Thousands have received help through these God-given methods. Thank God for doctors and healthcare workers of various types! But here I focus on God's power through “spiritual medicine”, the power to heal that the Holy Spirit can provide us with through faith and prayer. Time and again I have experienced that it is a thousand times stronger than the other methods of healing and is without side effects. We must learn to use “God's medicine” through His word.
We should also have a theology about death, but that is another important topic which I cannot address here.
The key is: Back to Jesus – His view on sickness and healing. We must seek the Lord with all our heart, pray for the revelation of His miracle-working power until He reveals His life and power among us. There is no other way than the Jesus-way. Back to Jesus!
Svein-Magne
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