Topic(s): Denominationalism, Miracles

We live in an age of specialists, and their presence complicates life. Who has not heard of the maid who proudly proclaims, “I don’t do windows.” No longer can you just go to the doctor; you must find one who treats exactly what ails you. There are doctors who treat feet, those who work on the head, those who work on the nerves, and doctors for almost every part of the body. Believe it or not, such specialization has entered the realm of “faith healers.” Lewis Grizzard related an experience at one of the “healing” meetings he attended.

It seems that one of the faith healers (Ray Dodd Hembree) had come to his home town, and a school teacher, Miss Inez Pickett, came to him with a kidney disorder. Following his prayer, she began to jump around the platform, rejoicing over her “cure.” She became so excited that she fell off the platform and broke her leg. When someone suggested that an ambulance be called, another remarked, “No need for that, just get Brother Ray Dodd to heal her.” When they turned to him, his reply was, “I don’t do broken bones, just vital organs.” What a golden opportunity missed! One broken bone mended in the sight of the audience could be worth thousands of unseen kidney-ailment cures.

What a contrast between modern “faith healers” and those of the first century. “...All they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them!” (Luke 4:40). Why can’t men see such differences? Will they ever learn the difference between the counterfeit and the genuine? —Dan Jenkins

“...whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away” —1 Corinthians 13:8-10