Question: Why do you believe that "by His stripes we were healed" only refers to healing from sin, not physical ailments?" | thebereancall.org

TBC Staff

Question: Contrary to what you’ve said, “By His stripes ye were healed” does refer to physical healing. Matthew:8:16-17 quotes Isaiah:53:4 and does indeed show that it is physical. I pray our LORD will show you this truth. God warns of a form of godliness, denying its power.

Response: I believe in miracles and have seen God do many. God still heals in answer to prayer. I have been instantly healed myself and have seen others, for whom I prayed, instantly healed.

The Bible, however, does not promise anyone physical healing from sickness in this life “by His stripes” in the same way that it promises spiritual healing from sin. I can assure anyone who will believe the gospel that he or she will be instantly saved from the eternal penalty of sin and receive eternal life as a free gift of God’s grace. I cannot give anyone the same assurance of being perpetually healed from physical ailments. Can you?

If we have physical healing through the cross of Christ in the same way we have spiritual healing, then Christians ought to live much longer than non-Christians and there ought to be at least some Christians who have lived 100, 200, 300 or more years. But this is not the case. Our souls and spirits have been redeemed and as proof we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians:1:13-14), but we together with “the whole creation groan and travail…[until the redemption of our body (Romans:8:18-25).

You correctly say that Matthew:8:16-17, when it speaks of the healings by Jesus before He went to the cross, quotes Isaiah:53:4 (“he that hath borne our griefs [sicknesses] and carried our sorrows [pains]”). It does not quote Isaiah:53:5 (“by his stripes we are healed”). That verse, which deals with sin (“wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities”), is quoted in 1 Peter:2:24 (“bare our sins…by whose stripes ye were healed”). Isaiah:53:4 was fulfilled by Christ’s healing ministry: Isaiah:53:5 was fulfilled at the Cross.

As for “denying the power thereof,” Paul reminds us that the gospel “is the power of God unto salvation” (Romans:1:16). I do not deny the power of God in any way today. I simply oppose those who profess the “power of the Spirit,” claim healings that don’t occur, and destroy the faith of many with unbiblical promises of healing, which bring guilt when not realized.