Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 95, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 March 1912 — THE SAVIOR'S TEACHINGS BROOKLYN TABERNACIE BIBLE STUDIES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE SAVIOR'S TEACHINGS BROOKLYN TABERNACIE BIBLE STUDIES

HE HEALETH THEIR DISEASES.' Mark i, 29-45—March 10. ■"Himself took our infirmities, and bore our Sicknesses."—Matthew viii, n. CODAY’S ‘STUDY follows closely the one of a week ago. When Jesus left the Capernaum synagogue He went to St. Peter’s home. There St. Peter’s mother-in-law lay sick of a fever. It was the work of but a moment for the Savior to take her by the hand and to raise her up to health. Meantime the fame of Jesus had spread and by evening there were crowds importuning His healing words and touch: “And He healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many demons, and suffered not the demons to speak, because they knew Him.” Nothing is more attractive to the human mind than the miraculous power

of healing disease. No one enjoys disease, pain and suffering. People would be glad to be healed of disease, even if they were assur- 1 ed that the cures were performed by the power of Satan himself. It should not Surprise us today that manj’ false doctrines, wholly out of harmony

with God’s Word, commend themselves to the poor, groaning creation by promises of relief from physical ailments. But since these healers hold various and antagonistic doctrines, it is manifest that all are not of God, if any of them are. To our understanding, the Bible teaches that no miraculous healing at the present time is authorized by God’s Word. St. Paul declared by inspiration that the gifts granted to the early Church, and exercised by Jesus and the Apostles and those to whom they personally communicated them* would pass away. The miracles were merely with a view to the establishment of the early Church.

Neither the Lord Nor th* Apostles Healed Believers. It is quite true that under the Law Covenant which God made with Israel He agreed that sickness would be a penalty for violation of the Law, and health a reward for the obedient. The statement of the Prophet, "Who heaieth all thy diseases,” was applicable physlcally'to the Israelites under the Law Covenapt It has also a spiritual application to the Church, the New Creation. , But the healing of the New Creatfire and the healing of bib flesh are, different things. The New Creature's soul sickness and heart troubles are all cured by the Good Physician—even though his flesh may suffer pain and go down into death. We are to remember that the condition upon which we were begotten of the Holy Spirit to be new creatures was a full surrender of the flesh and its interests, as living sacrifices— Romans xii, 1. ' Nor is this anchange from I he Lord’s dealings with the Church from the very beginning. So far as the records show, all. or nearly all, who were healed

by Jesus and the Apostles, were “sinners.”. Surely there is no record of a single Instance in which nny of the Apostles were healed of any disease. Although St. Paul healed many sick, yet when Epaphroditus was. sick and *nigh unto death” we have no mention

of any attempt to miraculously recover him. Similarly, in the case of Timothy, we find that St. Paul neither sent him napkins nor handkerchiefs for his healing, nor advised him to pray for his own healing. On the contrary, he advised certain medicines, “for thy stomach's sake.” Indeed, we believe that for God’s consecrated people to 'iKSk for physical healing would be to attempt to take back again what they have specifically consecrated to the Lord. A Cleansed Leper Thankful. Today’s lesson mentions another case of healing. Leprosy was regarded by the Jews as an incurable disease, and as a type of sin. The leper of this study had fhlth in the power of Jesus, and came and kneeled before Him and entreated healing, cleansing. His prayer was answered. Jesus admonished the leper not to make known so great a miracle; but iu his thankfulness he could not restrain himself; he told it everywhere. The result was that Jesus could opt thereafter visit the large cities because He would be overwhelmed with the number brought to Him for healing. But alas! they were more appreciative of the restitution blessings than the great privilege which our Lord specially offered them of becoming His followers and joint-heirs in His- Kingdom, which, by and by. will dispense restitution blessings and pealing far and near to every member of Adam’s race, condemned through the fall of Adam, and redeemed by the precious blood of Calvary.

The true healer restoring St. Peter's mother.

The counterfeit healer.