Miracle Healing in Christianity
Miracle Healing in Christianity
Christianity, the Abrahamic monotheistic religion, is the world’s largest religion, with 2.38 billion followers. It is based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.
Christianity has a long tradition of evangelism. The church added about half a million new converts every generation for three centuries. Missionaries fanned out across the world. Christians also had a strong emphasis on prayer. Church leaders grouped saints and identified those in need of healing. People in need of prayer would seek the prayer of desert fathers or go to the shrine of a martyr.
During the Middle Ages, many Christians believed that healing was very rare. However, the practice of anointing the sick with oil became a sacrament. Healing was only allowed when there was a need to save a person’s life.
Jesus and the apostles performed miracles and healed people. They were able to rebuke demons. Several gospel writers mention Jesus’ healings. These writers also describe his self-authenticated teachings.
In the twentieth century, charismatic faith developed as a third wave in Christianity. This group crossed the boundaries of denominational groups, including mainstream evangelicals and Pentecostals. A core group of evangelicals included Ted Haggard, George Otis, and Charles Kraft.
Charismatic Christians are not concerned with ritual conversion, but with an active commitment to the gospel. They know that they are locked in an epic end-times battle with demonic powers. Those who have accepted the gospel have the opportunity to receive the Holy Spirit and to experience gifts such as visions, prophecies, and speaking in tongues.