↑ HEALED THEM ALL: When the soldiers were about to arrest Jesus in Gethsemane, one of those 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.
It is written about Jesus:
“And healed them all.”
Matthew 12:15
It is also written about the apostles:
“And healed them all.”
Acts 5:16
Our goal must therefore be the same. We have not received any contrary message!
Since the apostles experienced the same results as Jesus after the day of Pentecost, it is clear that this is also God's will for the time after Jesus' ascension. According to Jesus, his disciples were to do “greater works” than he did (John 14:12). This likely means more than he did – for we are many. We were to take the baton from him and aim for the same results.
A tailored theology
The danger is that we try to create a theology and practice that is weaker and more “comfortable” than what the Bible prescribes. We adapt and dilute the message according to today's experiences. Our view on healing then becomes a blend of what God's word says and what is common belief and practice in our congregations and denominations. A “customized” theology on healing, one that people find “reasonable” and “palatable” – so we do not have to strive for what God truly wants. A “contrived” and “tailored” theology on healing. “God – anno 2025.”
Isn't it better to say it like it is, as the Bible describes a time in the prophet Samuel's era:
“The word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.”
1 Samuel 3:1
The benchmark is what the Bible says. Jesus' teaching and ministry are the Truth we must pursue – in faith and practice. Jesus' life and teaching are our supreme theology: What he said and what he did – and how he did it. About 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 to complete Jesus' teaching and practice, proclaim the truth about healing, and cultivate it. Otherwise, we are just treading in the same rut as before without making any progress!
“The Nazareth Syndrome”
Paul had miracles in his ministry, but it was not perfect. He experienced limitations because not everyone was healed. Paul is OK, but Jesus is best. We must build on a theology that goes straight to the Source: Jesus’ teaching and his ministry because his teaching came from the Father himself. The goal is therefore to see everyone we pray for be healed. Something to strive for. Over ten times in the Gospels it is stated that all were healed during his ministry. Only once did he fail: In his hometown of Nazareth. He was disappointed and “marveled because of their unbelief.” (Mark 6:6). “He could do no mighty work there.” (Mark 6:5) He truly wanted to, but the negative spiritual power that lay over the city prevented him from healing the sick there. “He could not” – when miracles do not happen among us, “The Nazareth Syndrome” (as I tend to call it) might be the reason for the absence of God’s healing power. A spiritually dead condition.
↑ IN FAITH AND PRACTICE: The benchmark is what the Bible says. Jesus’ teaching and ministry are the Truth we must pursue – in faith and in practice.
A theology tailored to us
The danger today is that we become complacent when we see that there are few healings, and then we create a “suitable” theology that is fitting for our denomination and the times we live in. Instead, we should lament 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 make room for healing preachers, their radical proclamation 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 most Christians trust more in “Dr. Olsen” than in Dr. Jesus – if they should become ill! And that is regrettable and a result of “spiritual malnutrition.”
An offer of “spiritual medicine”
Of course, we believe in healing through “conventional medicine” and “natural medicine.” Thousands have been helped through these God-given methods. Thank God for doctors and healthcare workers of various kinds! But here I am focusing on God’s power through “spiritual medicine,” the power for healing that the Holy Spirit can provide us through faith and prayer. Time and again I have experienced it as a thousand times stronger than the other methods for healing and 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 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, ask for a revelation of his miracle power until He reveals His life and power in our midst. There is no other way than the way of Jesus. Back to Jesus!
Svein-Magne
It is written about Jesus:
“And healed them all.”
Matthew 12:15
It is also written about the apostles:
“And healed them all.”
Acts 5:16
Our goal must therefore be the same. We have not received any contrary message!
Since the apostles experienced the same results as Jesus after the day of Pentecost, it is clear that this is also God's will for the time after Jesus' ascension. According to Jesus, his disciples were to do “greater works” than he did (John 14:12). This likely means more than he did – for we are many. We were to take the baton from him and aim for the same results.
A tailored theology
The danger is that we try to create a theology and practice that is weaker and more “comfortable” than what the Bible prescribes. We adapt and dilute the message according to today's experiences. Our view on healing then becomes a blend of what God's word says and what is common belief and practice in our congregations and denominations. A “customized” theology on healing, one that people find “reasonable” and “palatable” – so we do not have to strive for what God truly wants. A “contrived” and “tailored” theology on healing. “God – anno 2025.”
Isn't it better to say it like it is, as the Bible describes a time in the prophet Samuel's era:
“The word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.”
1 Samuel 3:1
The benchmark is what the Bible says. Jesus' teaching and ministry are the Truth we must pursue – in faith and practice. Jesus' life and teaching are our supreme theology: What he said and what he did – and how he did it. About 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 to complete Jesus' teaching and practice, proclaim the truth about healing, and cultivate it. Otherwise, we are just treading in the same rut as before without making any progress!
“The Nazareth Syndrome”
Paul had miracles in his ministry, but it was not perfect. He experienced limitations because not everyone was healed. Paul is OK, but Jesus is best. We must build on a theology that goes straight to the Source: Jesus’ teaching and his ministry because his teaching came from the Father himself. The goal is therefore to see everyone we pray for be healed. Something to strive for. Over ten times in the Gospels it is stated that all were healed during his ministry. Only once did he fail: In his hometown of Nazareth. He was disappointed and “marveled because of their unbelief.” (Mark 6:6). “He could do no mighty work there.” (Mark 6:5) He truly wanted to, but the negative spiritual power that lay over the city prevented him from healing the sick there. “He could not” – when miracles do not happen among us, “The Nazareth Syndrome” (as I tend to call it) might be the reason for the absence of God’s healing power. A spiritually dead condition.
↑ IN FAITH AND PRACTICE: The benchmark is what the Bible says. Jesus’ teaching and ministry are the Truth we must pursue – in faith and in practice.
A theology tailored to us
The danger today is that we become complacent when we see that there are few healings, and then we create a “suitable” theology that is fitting for our denomination and the times we live in. Instead, we should lament 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 make room for healing preachers, their radical proclamation 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 most Christians trust more in “Dr. Olsen” than in Dr. Jesus – if they should become ill! And that is regrettable and a result of “spiritual malnutrition.”
An offer of “spiritual medicine”
Of course, we believe in healing through “conventional medicine” and “natural medicine.” Thousands have been helped through these God-given methods. Thank God for doctors and healthcare workers of various kinds! But here I am focusing on God’s power through “spiritual medicine,” the power for healing that the Holy Spirit can provide us through faith and prayer. Time and again I have experienced it as a thousand times stronger than the other methods for healing and 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 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, ask for a revelation of his miracle power until He reveals His life and power in our midst. There is no other way than the way of Jesus. Back to Jesus!
Svein-Magne
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