DIVINE HEALTH: Soundness for the Sanctified.

By Venerable Dr Ifechukwu U. Ibeme

Websites: http://www.scribd.com/ifeogo ; http://priscaquila.6te.net ;

ON HEALTH
The human being (body, soul and spirit) was created by God to be His IMAGE and LIKENESS to represent Him on
earth as His vicegerent (Gen 1:26). After the fall, the human spirit, soul and body have been redeemed IN
CHRIST to be God’s LIVING SACRIFICE (Rom 12:1-2) and TEMPLE (1Cor 6:19; 2Cor 6:16). This is why we must do
all we should to be healthy and holy, un-diseased and undefiled (Lev 11:44-45; 1Cor 3:16-17; 3Jon 2).

HEALTH is wellbeing of body and mind.

HEALTH is wholeness (normalcy of functions) of the body, mind and spirit.
TRUE HEALTH refers to all natural and spiritual healings from God.
Divine HEALTH is true and real freedom from disease and damnation and demons which is achieved by:
 Divine Hygiene for PREVENTION (wise practical cleanliness in agreement with God Lev 11-15, 18-19),
 Divine Immunity for PREVENTION, (Natural and Supernatural Exo 15:26; Mk 16:18; Act 28:3-6) and
 Divine Healing for CURE (by Natural and Supernatural means Exo 15:26; Psa 103:3; Mat 9:12).
Physicians have learned from Divinity and therefore bring HEALTH through hygiene measures, immunity
measures and natural healing medicines, mendings and measures.
FALSE HEALTH is hoodwinked exchange of feeling of wellbeing with state of bondage. False health counterfeits
and mimics Divine Health.

ON PHYSICIANS
Physicians and Medical Sciences have THREE OBJECTIVES:
1. PRIMARY PREVENTION of DISEASES by Hygiene and Immunization (PREVENTIVE MEDICINE).
This involves
(a). At Risk screening/check-up for Early Diagnosis and Risk removal BEFORE SYMPTOMS
(b). Symptomatic Diagnosis for Adequate Treatment AFTER SYMPTOMS
2. SECONDARY PREVENTION of SYMPTOMS by Primary Cure (CURATIVE MEDICINE).
3. TERTIARY PREVENTION of COMPLICATIONS by Secondary and Tertiary Cures (CURATIVE MEDICINE).

NOTE:
Physicians know that Medical Sciences bring chemical medicines and physical measures against natural
disease processes but it is God Who does the physical healing process which the body possesses by its
created nature. This means that scientific medical healing learns from God and submits to God and so it
belongs to Divine or True Healing, but there are other types of healings.

ON HEALINGS
HEALINGS ARE OF TWO MAIN TYPES – True or Divine healing and False or Diabolical healing.
1. True and Divine healing which leads to divine freedom from iniquity and infirmity (Psa 103:3)
(i) Supernatural Healing
(a). Spiritual healing from sin and guilt unto salvation and assurance in Christ through
evangelistic counselling and preaching.

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 (b). Faith healing where one receives healing by one’s own faith and personal prayer.
(c). Power healing where one receives healing by manifestations from someone who is
divinely endowed with Healing GIFTS (Grk=charismata) and miraculous WORKINGS
(Grk=energemata 1Cor 12:9-10) or OPERATIONS (Grk=energemata 1Cor 12:6).
(ii) Natural Healing – Scientific Medical healing by administration of pharmaceutical medicines, use
of mending skills or application of physical and hygienic measures that are scientifically proven
to prevent or impede, repair or revert disease processes. Luke was personal physician to Apostle
Paul (Col 4:14) from whom Paul must have learned his “little wine” prescription to Timothy
(1Tim 5:23). There are “all sorts of wine” (Neh 5:18), but fresh juice or “must” of grape called
“new wine” is Christ’s choice sort of wine for the Kingdom (Mat 26:29).

All the above FOUR METHODS OF TRUE HEALING are all parts of God’s healing mission to humanity. All
these four healing provisions come from God and work hand-in-hand and so should be promoted
together and utilized together.
It is important to note that God’s promise to shield and heal Israel from diseases is on the condition that
they follow His holy, healthy and hygienic instructions; observe His sanitary laws, dietary laws and
sabbatical rest laws in addition to wholehearted commitment to worship and trust Him.
Christian wisdom is to understand that Egyptian lifestyle brings Egyptian diseases, whereas holy and
hygienic lifestyle brings divine health and healing.
Exodus 15:23-27
(23) And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for
they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.
(24) And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
(25) And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, and he cast it into
the waters, and the waters were made sweet. There he made for them a statute and an
ordinance, and there he proved them;
(26) and he said, IF THOU WILT DILIGENTLY HEARKEN TO THE VOICE OF THE
LORD thy God, AND WILT DO that which is right in his eyes, and WILT GIVE EAR to
his commandments, and KEEP ALL his statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon
thee, which I have put upon the Egyptians: FOR I AM THE LORD THAT HEALETH
THEE.
(27) And they came to Elim, where were twelve springs of water, and threescore and
ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

2. False and Diabolical healing which leads to diabolical bondage.

(i). Psychic healing – mystical “faith” methods through auto-suggestion, mind energy or
manipulative hypnosis.
(ii). Magical healing – occultist “power” methods through enchantments or demon-worship that
enlists and conjures familiar spirits.
(iii) Quack healing – use of spurious concoctions and superstitiously purported remedies.
All these false and diabolical methods of healing must be avoided at all cost because they are detestable
to God.
Deuteronomy 18:10-13
(10) There shall not be found with thee any one that maketh his son or his daughter to
pass through the fire, one that useth divination, one that practiseth augury, or an
enchanter, or a sorcerer,
(11) or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
(12) For whosoever doeth these things is an abomination unto the LORD: and because
of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

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 (13) Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.

FOUR METHODS OF TRUE AND DIVINE HEALING FOR CHRISTIANS

METHOD OF HEALING MEANS OF HEALING
SPIRITUAL-MORAL HEALING Preaching, Penitence and
Isa 53:5, 10; 2John 2; 1Pet 2:24; Absolution.
Mat 9:1-8 For moral infirmity of the spirit
due to depravity and personal
sin which may also bodily and
emotional symptoms.
FAITH HEALING Prayer of petition to God, and
Jas 5:14-15; Mk 6:13; Encouragement to believe God
Faith puts (casts the burden of) or Instructions to obey God.
sickness into God’s Hand. May be accompanied by rites of
Every believer could be laying-on of hands, washing with
encouraged or taught to do this. water and anointing with oil.
For sickness of the spirit, mind
and emotion (stress, hurts,
oppression and imbalances),
which may come from or lead to
bodily effect.
POWER/SIGN HEALING Word of command or
Mk 16:18-19; 1Cor 12:9-10; Mk pronouncement
13:10-13; Lk 5:17 For bodily, emotional, mental
Power brings the healing from spiritual or demonic sicknesses.
God’s hand. Ministered on request, or for
Not every believer has this Gift. compassion or by divine impulse.
MEDICAL HEALING MEDICATIONS: Pharmaceutical
Isa 1:6; Isa 38:21; Jer 8:22; Jer treatment with topical
30:13; Ezk 47:12; Lk 10:34; Rev applications, oral ingestible and
22:2 parenteral injectables e.g.
ointments, balms, drugs,
infusions, vaccines.
MENDINGS: Surgical treatments
with, repairs, replacements,
removals.
MEASURES: Physical therapies
like radiotherapy and
physiotherapy; and Hygienic
measures, Behavioural-Cultural
modifications, Sanitation, Rest,
Diet, and Exercise.
BASIS AND GOAL OF HEALING
The Atoning Work of Christ.
Brings Regeneration, Remission
of sins, Reconciliation to God,
and Deliverance from satanic
bondage.
May bring Good Health if illness
or symptoms are sin-related.
Covenant promises of God’s
mercy to grant us healing and
deliverance.
May be hindered if infirmity is
divinely used for preparatory or
pruning purposes e.g. David Psa
38:1-8; Psa 41:3-10; Paul 2Cor
12:7-10; Trophymus 2Tim 4:20;
Epaphroditus Phil 2:27;
or for punishment purposes e.g.
2Sam 24:13ff; Jer 14:12
Spiritual Gifts of Healing,
Exorcism, and Miracles.
Serves as necessary signs to
vindicate God’s rule,
authenticate the Word’s truth,
and illustrate the Gospel’s
power.
Repairs and Remedies by the
scientific, technological and
skillful exploitation of physio-
chemical properties of matter,
vis-a-vis the biological behaviour
of the body in the face of
diseases.
Brings healing by helping the
body’s physiology to deal with
pathological challenges of
disease processes.

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INSTANCES OF TRUE OR DIVINE HEALINGS
In the OT
1. Personal acts of faith: 2Kin 5:10-14 Naaman asked to dip in the Jordan and be healed; Num 21:7-9 Israel
asked to look up and be healed; Psa 107:20 God’s Word sent to heal Israel.
2. Physicians and remedies: 2Chr 16:12 Asa treated by physicians; Isa 38:21 Hezekiah’s sores treated with
fig poultice; Jer 8:22 Balms prescribed; Jer 30:13 Medicines required; Ezek 47:12 Leaves prescribed.
3. Prophet’s charismatic power: Num 12:10-15 Moses for Miriam; 1Kin 13:6 Man of God for Jeroboam;
1Kin 17:17ff Elijah for the poor Zarephath widow’s son; 2Kin 4:18ff Elisha for the rich Shunammite
woman’s son.
4. Prayer and sacrifices: 2Kin 21:5 Hezekiah prayed for healing; 2Kin 24:25 David made sacrifice to stop
plague.

In the NT
1. Prayer and acts of faith: Mk 5:25ff Woman with issue of blood decided to touch Christ’s garment and
got healed; John 9:7ff Blind man asked to wash in Siloam to be healed; Mk 6:13/Jas 4:14f Prayer and
Anointing with oil for healing; Mat 9:1ff/Lk 5:17ff Paralytic asked to take up couch and go and got
healed; Lk 17:14 Lepers asked to go see Priest for confirmatory test and got healed.
2. Physicians and remedies: Lk 10:34 Samaritan used wound dressing remedies; 1Tim 5:23 Paul prescribe
wine (grape juice) for Timothy’s indigestion?/constipation?; Rev 22:2 Leaves to be used for healing.
3. Charismatic power: Lk 5:12-14 A leper healed with a willing touch; Lk 13:10-13 Bent woman
straightened.
4. Remission of sin (healing of the spirit) with healing of body: Mat 9:1ff/Lk 5:17ff Proclamation of
absolution of sin together with healing; 1Pet 2:23 Remission of sin called healing of spiritual disease.

COUNSEL ON MEASURES DURING INFECTIOUS DISEASE OUTBREAK

What advice from the Scripture could the Church have for herself and the society in event of a spreading
contagion or infectious disease outbreak?
1. Biblical solutions to PREVENT an infectious disease from spreading in the community are quarantine to
keep away from the exposed and isolation to keep the infected from the community (Lev 13) ended
with purification (Num 19), or hygiene and sanitation to cleanse and keep ourselves and the
environment clean from contagions (Lev 14-15).
2. Biblical solutions for RECOVERY/HEALING from all diseases are:
a. Spiritual Ministration e.g. Mar 10:1; Joh 9:11; Jas 5:13-15: presbyterial or priestly ministrations
(prayer of faith, praying and fasting, laying hand, penitential absolution, binding and loosing, casting
out, word of command and declaration, prophetic instruction, and prophetic action) and personal
prayer.
b. Medical Management: Physical Medicinal Measures e.g. 2Kin 20:7; Luk 10:34 and Physician’s
Medical Therapies e.g. Jer 8:22; Mat 9:12.
Therefore Scriptural options to combat a spreading contagion include:
1. The wisdom for penitence, isolation and hygiene;
2. The knowledge of healing medicines; and
3. The power and faith for healing prayers.

Updated September 2, 2016

by Ven. Dr. I. U. Ibeme
Copyright © PriscAquila Publishing, Maiduguri, Nigeria.

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