| ------------------------------------------------------------ ( B ) Jesus' stripes, not meant for physical healing Pt. 2 It has been taught in the Christian church that the scriptural passages of 1 Peter 2:24 and Isaiah 53:5 are promises of God for physical healing of the body which the Christian can use as a confession in order to obtain healing. Such a conclusion however is incorrect. There is not one single New Testament example or direct instruction for the child of God to confess the words of the prophet Isaiah in order to obtain physical healing from God. Peter and John never confess Isaiah 53:5 over the lame man at the Beautiful Gate in order to help the lame man receive healing from God; 1. Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 2. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; 3. Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. 4. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 6. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. 7. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength. 8. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. 9. And all the people saw him walking and praising God: - Acts 3:1-9 The apostle Paul never confesses the Isaiah scripture when he is bitten by the viper; 1. And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. 2. And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. 3. And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. 5. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. 6. Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god. - Acts 28:1-6 Once again, Paul never speaks of the necessity for confessing the Isaiah 53:5 scripture verse in his instruction to an often ailing Timothy; 23. Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. - 1 Timothy 5:23 1 Peter 2:24 and Isaiah 53:5 are salvation scriptures which heal Gods' children who backslide - which means to turn away from Gods' righteous commands and spiritual teaching for our lives - because of sins, transgressions and iniquities. Those passages are not scriptural promises for the healing of the physical body. Going back to the 53rd chapter in Isaiah, as far as Isaiah 53:5 and 6 are concerned, these specific verses are not dealing with physical healing of physical diseases, sicknesses, disabilities and ailments. Physical healing is the issue of verse 4, but not verses 5 and 6. Matthew 8:17 is referring to verse 4 of Isaiah 53; 4. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. - Isaiah 53:4 17. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. - Matthew 8:17 The wording of Matthew 8:17 is citing the words of verse 4 of Isaiah 53 and not verses 5 and 6 of Isaiah 53. Next, in the books of Isaiah and 1st Peter is written; 5. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. - Isa. 53:5 24. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. - 1 Peter 2:24 The word, healed, in verse 5 of Isaiah 53 and verse 24 of 1 Peter 2 is in reference to the salvation of man. As was previously shown from scripture, the 4th verse of Isaiah refers to that which Matthew confirms, in that Christ took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses. When examining the 5th and 6th verses in relationship with other scripture verses, the context is not one which is concerned with the physical healing of the body as is the case of verse 4. But rather the healing of the sinful, backslidden condition of mankind with regard to the soul and spirit. Moreover, let us look at these scriptures with specific regard to Christ as He suffered and was made sin on the cross; 3. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: - Romans 8:3 6. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. - Isa. 53:6 24. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. - 1 Peter 2:24-25 Notice the wording. God laid on Jesus Christ our iniquities. Jesus Christ himself bore our sins in His body on the tree. God condemns our sin and backsliding in Christs' flesh. So with specific regard to sinful humanity and thus the bodily stripes which he had on his back, Jesus is not obtaining physical healing for us. But rather healing from our sin, our iniquity, our transgression, our backslidden nature. Also, let us take particular attention of the wording of verses 5 and 6 in Isaiah 53 and see how it closely matches verses 24 and 25 in the book of 1st Peter chapter 2 in the context of Jesus Christ healing us with his stripes; 5. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. - Isa. 53: 5-6 24. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. - 1 Peter 2:24-25 Again, the focus of healing is not physical but spiritual, it is the healing of our soul and spirit as we repent of our faults and backslidings. Therefore, Christs' atonement on our behalf ( Romans 5:11 ), does not in anyway include physical healing but only spiritual healing, that is to say, salvation. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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