“Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits– who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.” Psalm 103:1-6 (NIV)

Novation, a church father living from 210 to 280, wrote: “This is He who places prophets in the Church, instructs teachers, directs tongues, gives powers and healings, does wonderful works, offers discrimination of spirits, affords powers of government, suggests counsels, and orders and arranges whatever other gifts there are of charismata; and thus make the Lord’s Church everywhere, and in all, perfected and completed.”

We can see here that there is no doubt healing occurred in the third century A.D.

Here is more evidence from the writings of Novation: “They were henceforth armed and strengthened by the same Spirit, having in themselves the gifts which this same Spirit distributes, and appropriates to the Church, the spouse of Christ, as her ornaments. This is He who places prophets in the Church, instructs teachers, directs tongues, gives powers and healings, does wonderful works, often discrimination of spirits, affords powers of government, suggests counsels, and orders and arranges whatever other gifts there are of charismata; and thus make the Lord’s Church everywhere, and in all, perfected and completed.”

Antony, who lived from 251 till 356, wrote: “We must not boast of casting out devils, not be elated at the healing of diseases, nor should we admire only the man who casts out devils, and account that one useless who does not. A man should observe carefully the discipline of each monk, and either imitate it, strive to excel it, or correct it. To work miracles is not ours; that is the Saviour’s work. At any rate, He said to His disciples: ‘But do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; rejoice rather in this, that your names are written in heaven.'”

Back to Hilarion, living in the 4th century: “A charioteer, from Gaza also, was struck by a demon while in his chariot and his whole body so completely stiffened that he could neither move his hand nor bend his neck. He was carried on a stretcher to the saint, able to move only his tongue to indicate his petition, but he heard and understood that he could not be healed until he believed in Jesus and renounced his former occupation. He believed, he promised, he was cured, rejoicing more in the salvation of his soul than in the cure of his body.” (The Life OF Saint Hilarion, 15:254).

Miracles have never stopped. How could it be otherwise? We were promised the Holy Spirit: “But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:7 (NIV) and “You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached– how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” Acts 10:37-38 (NIV)

We have never been left alone. Our Heavenly Father has always tried to reach us, for He loves us incredibly, and one of the ways He shows His love towards us is by healing. Isn’t He amazing?

Rob Chaffart

(To view the entire “Miracles From the Past” devotional series, please click here.)