Miracle Healing in Early Christianity

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Miracle Healing in Early Christianity

By the end of the fourth century, the number of Christians in the world was at its highest. Constantine the Great’s conversion to Christianity, in 312, led to a massive growth in the number of Christians. In addition, the Edict of Milan decreed toleration of Christianity. This marked the transition from persecution to state sponsorship. With this change, the church’s membership increased from five to thirty million. Many of these converts, however, were nominal Christians, attracted by gifts and higher status jobs. Eventually, these people were sent to the martyrs’ shrines.

In addition to healing the sick and raising the dead, Christians believe that Jesus can cure the sick. In the first century, the Bible documents the healing of lepers and a dead child. Various miracles are also recorded in the Gospels. In Luke 5:17-26, for example, a blind man runs to Jesus and hails him as his Lord and Savior. In Matthew 17:14-18, a boy with a demon is freed from a demonic possession by a believer.

Jesus and his apostles were said to have power over diseases and demons. Many Christians believe that this power is still available today. But in reality, miracles only happened when Jesus was in the presence of God.