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Over the last several weeks we have examined healing in the scriptures. At this point you should have a grasp of the five healing styles that we have identified. Hopefully, you have successfully identified a style that fits your God-given gifts and ministry. Each and every believer is called to be a healer. That will not happen by prayer and fasting alone. Studying the scriptures twenty-four hours per day will not bring it about. Prayer and fasting will weaken your flesh and strengthen your spirit. Reading the scripture will increase your revelation and boost your faith. However, you will never be used in healing ministry until you find someone who needs healing and minister to them.
In this final lesson I would like to give you some clarification on each healing style we have studied. I would like to leave you with biblical and modern-day example of these styles. Lastly, I would like to give you some recommendations as to the ways in which each style can be used in everyday life.
PASTORAL STYLE
Biblical Example: Jesus, and the man with Leprosy (Matthew 8)EVANGELISTIC STYLEModern Day Examples: Oral Roberts, Pat Robertson
At the heart of this style is compassion and empathy. Sometimes physical healing will be combined with the meeting of other needs, such as: social or financial. Those who are involved in counseling, nursing home, and visitation ministries have a great opportunity in express the healing gift in a pastoral way. All Christian should be filled with compassion, and need to get in touch with the heart of God.
Biblical Example: Philip (Acts 8)TEACHING STYLE:Modern-Day Examples: Rhinehart Bonke, Peter Youngren, David Hathaway
This style always sees healing as a "means to an end". The "end" being the spiritual conversion of unbelievers. Healing ministry is at the core of the gospel. It is also the tangible proof of the gospel. In many of the unreached areas of the world, people are convinced of the Truth because of healing ministry. Healing ministry has the potential to convert the intellectual as well as the uneducated. Those who minister in prisons, high schools and on the streets have the opportunity to use the evangelistic style. Every presentation of the gospel should include healing. It can not be separated from the gospel.
Biblical Example: Moses Being Healed of Leprosy (Exodus 4)PROPHETIC STYLEModern Day Examples: John Wimber and the "Vineyard Model", Randy Clark
Many times this style will accompany teaching on healing, although it may not. This is the best style to use to bring children into healing ministry. Those with a teaching style will also be more sensitive to those not previously exposed to healing ministry. This makes this style a wonderful bridge to believers who are new to divine healing and healing ministry. This style can be employed in church services, Sunday school classes, Bible Schools, and home fellowships. All Christians should desire to pass on to others what the have learned.
Biblical Example: Jesus, raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11)APOSTOLIC STYLEModern-Day Examples: Mark Chironna, Kim Clement
This style is coming to a new level. Jesus used healing prophetically several times. There are many people in local churches that God is raising up to operate in this style. There are also national and international ministers who will be used this way. If you are an intercessor or part of a prayer team, this style can bring new effect from your intercession as you pray for a citywide or regional healing breakthrough.
Biblical example: Peter in streets of Jerusalem (Acts 5)Modern Day Examples: Kathryn Kuhlman, Benny Hinn
This style is becoming more common as the church comes to new maturity. Each believer is a conduit of God's presence and power. My feeling is that we will grow into this style. The world needs God's presence and power greater than ever before. We need to seek a new level of healing ministry. What we need is apostolic healing.
Commission
There are MANY more names that I could have listed as biblical and modern day examples. I have limited knowledge of most of those that I have listed as modern day examples. In the days ahead, there will be many more names "known" and "unknown" that could be added to the list. I know yours can be one of them.
As you seek God to be used in a greater way as a healer. Understand that He has gifted you and "wired" you in a specific way. You are unique and specially created to be effective and fruitful in a particular style. I hope that as we have examined these styles you have been empowered to be what God has called you to be and do what God has called you to do. You are part of a chosen generation; a generation of healers.
The Miracles Of Jesus And The Styles Employed
I am including, for further study, a list of all of the healing miracles of Jesus in scripture. Take time to study the list. Please ask the Lord how you can be more effectively used in healing ministry.