The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-09

Sf1ItTW11ttGS,
sSckresses. ''-MGtthesO old, II.
Today's study follows closely the one
of a week ago. When Jesus left the
Capernaum synagogue He went to ST.
Peters home. There st. Peters mother
in-law lay sick of a fever. 1t was the
work of but 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 hu-
man mind than the miraculous power
of healing disease. No one enjoys dis
ease, pain and suffering. People would
be glad to be healed of disease, even If
they were assured that the cures were
performed by the power of Satan him
self 1t should not surprise US today
that many false doctrines, wholly out
of harmony with Gods Word, commend
themselves to the poor, groaning crea-
ton by promises of relief from physical
ailments.
But since these healers hold various
and antagonistic doctrines, it is mani
fest that all are not of God, if any OF
them are. To our understanding, the
Bible teaches that no miraculous heal
ing at the present time is authorized
by Gods Word. st. Paul declared by
inspiration that the gift 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 establish
ment of the early church
Neither the Lord Nor the Apostle
Healed Believers.
1t 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 hea1eth
all thy diseases was applicable physi-
callv to the Israelites under the Law
Covenant. 1t has also a spiritual app1i-
cation to the Church, the New Crea-
ton.
But the healing of the New Creature
and the healing Of his flesh are differ
ent things The New Creatures 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
it's interests, as living sacrifices
Romans xii. 1.
Nor is this any change from the
Lords dealings with the church from
the very beginning. So far as the rec
ords 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
any 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,
!
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
that for Gods cosecrated people to
ask for physical healing would be to
attempt to take back again what they
have specifically consecrated to the
Lord.
A CIeansed Leper Thankful.
Today's lesson mentions another
case of healing. Leprosy was regard
ed by the Jews as an incurable dis
case, and as type of sin. The power
of this study had faith ia the power
fore Him and entreated healing,
cleansing. His prayer was answered.
Jesus admonished the leper not to
make known so great a miracle; but
in his thankfulness he could not re-
strain himself; he told it everywhere.
The result was that Jesus could not
thereafter visit the large cities be-
cause He would be overwhelmed
with the number brought to Him for
healing.
But alasi they were more appreci-
ative of the restitution blessings than
the great privilege which our Lord
specially offered them of becoming His
followers and joint heirs in His King
dom, which, by and by, will dispense
restitution blessings and healing far
and near to every member of Adams
race, condemned through the fall of
Adam, and redeemed by the precious
blood of Calvary.