Miracle Healing in Christianity

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Miracle Healing in Christianity

Christianity is the world’s largest religion, representing approximately one-third of the global population. Its origins are traced back to the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. The faith has grown to a global following of over 2.38 billion people.

Christians have traditionally understood that a part of their mission is to set the world right, which involves relieving suffering. Healings are a part of this. While healings vary in type and location, they generally come with a conversion to the Christian faith.

Christians can receive various gifts of the Holy Spirit, including miracles. These include prophecy, discernment of spirits, and healing. A number of Protestants report a “second blessing” of sanctification, which involves forgiveness from sin.

As a result of the spread of Christianity, the practice of anointing the sick with oil became a sacrament. Although it was originally restricted to those in danger of death, it eventually expanded to anyone needing spiritual preparation for heaven.

In the first century, Jesus performed healings in Galilee. When people sought prayer for healing, they often went to the temple to seek the wisdom of the “desert fathers.” Some desert fathers were reluctant to pray for healing.

Eventually, Christians built clinics to help the sick. There was also a medical school in Pergamum. After Constantine converted in 312 and instituted persecution of Christians, healing was restricted to the margins of the church.

As the Church matured, some committed Christians began to sacrifice their physical health for their spiritual practices. By the fifth century, some serious Christians left urban corruption for the wilderness.