Miracle Healing in Christian History

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Miracle Healing in Christian History

The growth of Christianity in the fourth century was marked by a gradual shift from persecution to toleration. After Constantine’s conversion in 312 and the Edict of Milan, Christianity was officially granted toleration, and the number of church members doubled from five million to thirty million. In spite of the widespread growth, many of these Christians were nominal Christians, drawn to Christianity by gifts or a higher social status. While some questioned the existence of the spirit world, others found in the gospel of good news a way to meet practical needs.

In the Christian view, a person is comprised of two parts: body and soul. The purpose of Christ’s mission was to save both. This is why his death and resurrection is called “the resurrection of the dead.” Jesus’ public ministry was characterized by miracles. He healed people in circumstances that stirred his enemies’ anger.

In the Middle Ages, many Christians believed that healing was rare, and church leaders restricted the practice of exorcising demons and praying for the sick. Eventually, the primary purpose of healing shifted from compassion for the sick to proving the holiness of the person who was praying for them. In the eleventh century, the process of anointing the sick with oil became a sacrament, and healing was seen as a spiritual preparation for heaven.

In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus says to Peter that his Father in heaven had revealed that he was the Messiah, and he was to open the disciples’ eyes in his time. The Father in heaven opened Peter’s eyes in his time, so he knew who Jesus of Nazareth was. The demons were frightened to reveal his identity to the disciples, until the day of divine revelation dawned.