Rev. David Holwick EVENING SERVICE
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey (Bible study)
May 13, 1990
James 5:13-20
FAITH HEALING
I. Prayer of Healing in James 5:13-20.
A. Administered by elders.
1) Same as bishops or overseers. Titus 1:5-7; Acts 20:17,28
Also see 1 Peter 5:1-4
B. They pray and anoint.
1) Prayer is primary ministry (main verb).
2) Main emphasis in paragraph is on prayer.
C. Anoint.
1) Not ritual, sacramental anointing (different word used).
2) Application (daub) of medicine.
D. Oil.
1) Commonly used as a medicine. Isaiah 1:6; Luke 10:34.
Also sources outside Bible.
2) Prayer is what makes them well, more than the medicine. 5:15
E. Sins forgiven. (compare Matthew 9:2ff)
1) Not all sickness due to sin: "if". 5:15
2) Sickness can be a discipline from God. 1 Corinthians 11:30
F. Confession. 5:16
1) Mutuality - prayer for each other, confess to each other.
a) Confession is not just to a pastor.
b) It is not just one-sided.
2) Healing will result.
II. Faith healing in New Testament.
A. Faith necessary.
1) Person's faith. Matt 9:22; 9:28-29
2) Other's faith. Matt 9:2
B. Prayer important.
1) Matthew 17:(21)
III. Illustrations of effective prayer. 5:17
A. Elijah. 1 Kings 17:1; 18:42-45.
1) He was righteous.
2) He prayed earnestly. (assumed in 1 Kings 17:1)
3) Any believer can achieve same results.
B. Wandering brothers. 5:19
1) Addressed to believers - "my brothers".
2) Possible to wander from truth.
a) Truth = saving knowledge of Jesus? 5:20
3) They can be brought back. (see also Hebrews 6:4-8
a) They will be saved from (spiritual) death.
1> Either the loss of a genuine Christian.
2> Or, more likely, the loss of a phony Christian.
b) Many sins will be covered.
