Miracle Healing in the Christian Religion

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Miracle Healing in the Christian Religion

The Christian religion is rooted in a biblical understanding of the human person, which includes the body and soul. Christ came to save human beings and raise them to new life, and his mission was to redeem souls as well as bodies. Although some of the gospels include stories of physical healing and exorcisms, the emphasis in the New Testament is firmly on the spiritual.

In the fourth century, the church exploded in membership. Despite the persecution it faced from the Roman Empire, it was a successful religion. The conversion of Constantine in 312 was a major turning point in the history of Christianity. The Edict of Milan formally recognized Christianity as a state religion, and the church’s membership jumped from five million to thirty million. At this time, the gospel of good news was more than just a source of hope for the afterlife – it also met practical needs.

In addition to healings, the early Christians had the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These gifts included discernment of spirits and miracles. These gifts enabled the church to add half a million new members per generation for three centuries. Many of these new believers joined the church after experiencing the power of Christ’s healings. Most healings, however, were not public and were usually performed privately.

The nineteenth century was an exciting time for Protestants, with many Protestant revivals sweeping the world. Missionaries were sent to every continent, and many Protestants claimed a “new birth” experience that was accompanied by the “second blessing” of sanctification, or the infilling of the Holy Spirit. The experience was said to give people freedom from the pollution and power of sin. Furthermore, many Christians believed they had been freed from sickness after this experience.