Miracle Healing in Christianity
Miracle Healing in Christianity
Christianity is the world’s largest religion, with around 2.38 billion followers. It is based on the life of Jesus of Nazareth. A major part of the faith is evangelism.
The gospels have many healing stories. These include the story of a deaf-mute man who shouted praises to Jesus. Another is a blind man who runs to Jesus and is healed.
Healings are also a part of the sacraments. Jesus was known to perform miracles and cast out demons. In addition, the apostle Paul was an exorcism practitioner.
The first century Galilee was a place of healing. Many people who were sick or injured sought prayer from “desert fathers” or prayed in private homes.
After Constantine converted in 312, healing was restricted. Several Christians believed that God’s healing power was available only through the sacraments. However, a large number of new converts joined the church after receiving healings.
Some Christians even argued that sickness was a sign of the presence of demonic forces. Others said that a person was free from sickness if he or she had been forgiven.
Although orthodox officials never questioned Jesus’ power to cast out demons, some Christians in the Middle Ages believed that prayer for healing could only be effective if it were accompanied by miraculous proofs. Protestants were challenged by Roman Catholic authorities to prove their new doctrines with healings.
In the twelfth century, the anointing of the sick was renamed extreme unction. This was a ritual used for spiritual preparation for heaven.