Contemplation on Spiritual Gifts

Contemplation on Spiritual Gifts

Introduction  : This book is some contemplation on spiritual gifts given to believers by the grace of God.

For sure God and His saints want us to desire to have these gifts and use them the best way according to God's will , for we find : 1) in "Joel 2:28" God says "… I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh , your sons and your daughters shall prophesy , your old men shall dream dreams , your young men shall see visions" . 2) Our Lord Jesus said in "Mk.16:17,18 17And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." .  3) Moses said in "Numbers 11:29 Oh, that all the Lord's people were prophets and that the Lord would put His spirit upon them".  4) St. Paul said in "1 Cor. 14:1 desire spiritual gifts".  So now, I think we all need to pray and do good effort to gain these gifts.

And so, this book is to help some, to gain spiritual gifts , and those who may already have gifts, this book may guide them to improve what they have . For we surely know that good knowledge is very important specially with these spiritual gifts, which, if not used rightly and perfectly, may lead to destruction, but if used the best way can produce the most and best fruits. 

So now we need to pray to the Holy Spirit our Lord to guide and direct us, and pray to the Holy Trinity our God , that we all may use these gifts and these talents , for His glory and the glory of His name , for the edifying of His people and His church and for the salvation of the whole world. 

Verses on Gifts

Mt.4:24 Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them    

Mt.7:22,23 Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'    

Mt.8:16  When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick   

Mt.10: 1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.   

Mk.3:8-12  and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him. 9So He told His disciples that a small boat should be kept ready for Him because of the multitude, lest they should crush Him. 10For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him. 11And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, "You are the Son of God." 12But He sternly warned them that they should not make Him known. 

Mk.6:7 And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.   

Mk.9:38-40 Now John answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us."    39But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. 40For he who is not against us is on our side.  

Mk.16:17,18 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."  

Lk.8:2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities--Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance. 

Lk.10:17-21 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name."  18And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." 

Acts19:12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.

Rom.16:20 and the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. 

1Cor. Chapters 12,13,14   

1Cor.14:1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

2Cor.11:13,14 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.   

2Cor.12:7-10 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

Kinds of Gifts :  Some of them are : casting out demons , speaking with new tongues , healing the sick by the laying on of the hands , prophesying , seeing visions and dreaming dreams, and if we drink or eat anything deadly it will not hurt us.

Important Summary

(It is good to read it now and then read it again after you finish the whole book)

This summary is about what should be done and said while performing miracles (using our gifts) , then in every story we shall contemplate on details . Or in other words , if anyone likes to know in advance the aim of this book and how it will help us , here is the conclusion . But please remember that in all the following cases it is important to have strong belief whether your belief as a gifted and talented person and/or the belief of any of the surrounding persons (and\or the belief of the sick person in case of healing a sick) .  It is also important for the gifted person to be righteous , full of God's grace , well advanced in prayers and fasting and to love all and do as much charitable deeds as he can. And don't forget "Freely you have received , freely give".

(1) While casting out demons :  use the name of our Lord Jesus Christ , and say for instance "In the name of Jesus Christ come out of him"  or  "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you , you evil (unclean / deaf and dumb) spirit, come out of the man and enter him no more"  or any similar saying (order) . And if a demon has bound any person and left him , like the bent women or if any evil deed or sorcery , we lay our hands on him and pray to God to free him from all evil bonds and evil deeds.

(2) While healing :  if a general disease in the whole body , lay your hand on his head, but if a certain organ or part of the body is bad like his eye or his ear or … , lay your hand on that part, and in all cases pray , saying for example "May the name of Jesus Christ heal u"  or  "Jesus Christ heals your eye" or … . We can also use blessed oil to anoint ourselves and others, but please keep in mind that, in case of a sickness caused by a sin, only priests and bishops can anoint with the oil of the unction of the sick , for they alone have authority on earth from God to forgive sins.

N.B. : using blessed oil and blessed water is very important for all believers, and we shall talk, later, about this in details.

-- Sometimes it is hard to differentiate between a bodily disease and a demon-possessed case , or in other words , sometimes it is hard to say whether that person is just sick or has a demon . So in this case : 1) we can try both ways , first use blessed oil and water with all prayers of healing prayed over them , then if he is not healed try to order all evil spirits to go out . Or , of course you can try casting out demons first then use the blessed water and oil.  2) You can also try talking with the sick person and ask him for instance "Do u want to be healed?" If he said "Yes" so most probably he has no demon , except if the demon is from the kind that comes and goes or from the kind that binds and leaves the person.  3) you can pray with all others using the name of Jesus, if he is troubled and cried out, so surely he has a demon. 

(3) With Nature :  it differs from a case to another, but in all cases we just give the order.   

(4) Raising the Dead :  it is better to be in a room , put everyone out , then pray to God to bring back the soul and spirit of that person in him , touch his body and hold his hand and call him by his name (if possible), and say to him "… rise"

-- Prayers :   For sure everyone who is given spiritual gifts from God must have, in addition to the well known prayers, other prayers for every case and comprehensive general prayers , according to his experience and to his gifts and talents and according to the surrounding circumstances. He should have prayers to pray if he will heal from afar (a sick person in another place), or if he will pray to many people with him in which there are some sick some with demons … , and so on , he should be ready with prayers of every kind. For instance , we can pray on water and oil saying "O Holy Trinity please, O God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, please, heal, cleanse, purify, save and free this person (this boy / this multitude / us …) of and from all his (her / their / our) spiritual, psychological, mental and bodily diseases, sicknesses, illnesses, afflictions and infirmities and of and from all evil bonds and deeds against him (her / them / us)". Then we need to pray for him that God may have mercy on him , and of course pray the Lord's prayer "Our Father…", and continue as required. For instance we can say "O God the Father , please , give all flesh to know You the only true God and Jesus Christ Your Son and the Holy Spirit [Jn.17:2,3] .  O God the son , please , give us Your peace and be with us . O Holy Spirit , please , fill us and give us Your fruit and righteous virtues .  

Sometimes the case is because a certain person prayed against another week one , so we can add in our prayer saying "And please O Lord efface, obliterate, omit and cancel any prayers against him (her / them / us).  

If after all that he is still sick , so he needs to repent and confess his sins before a priest or a bishop , and if possible he must repair and recover what he destroyed and pray to God persistently because God alone is the Almighty and the Merciful.  /  In all this we must give the glory to God . 

Casting out Demons

This is very important, and we do it using the name of our Lord . But here someone may say , if we cast out demons from any one and he didn't repent , that evil spirit may come back to him with other spirits more wicked and the end of that man will be worse than his beginning "Mt. 12:43-45" . Yes, that is right , and that is why there must be good teaching with miracles , and that is what Jesus Christ did , He always taught , He taught everyone and everywhere. So the one that had demon must be followed up with as many religious teachers as possible.

We need here to be careful not to practice this gift in a way that may cause others to blaspheme against God's name , because unfortunately this happens much. So please everyone , whether you do it right or not , you better be trained by another or some others and watch others before you start practicing spiritual gifts . And let us all always pray saying "Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let your glory be above all the earth. Psalm 57:5,11 and Psalm 108:5" and "Always be glorified and hallowed, You and Your Holy name" and "Let no one blaspheme against You or Your name because of me (us)".

Non Christians also have this subject (casting out demons) , it even exists from the time of pharaohs , but it is different in Christianity than in other beliefs, for we, as Christians, have authority from our Lord Jesus Christ to cast evil spirits by mere order using His Holy name.

--- Now let us contemplate in some details of the stories mentioned in the Holy Bible, we will start with the miracles of Jesus the Lord of lords who has all authority in heaven and on earth and by whose name all miracles and good deeds are done.

Stories of Jesus Christ Casting out Demons

Casting out an Unclean spirit in the Synagogue of Capernaum :  Mk.1:21-28     Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. 22And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.  23Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24saying, "Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are--the Holy One of God!"   25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" 26And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him." 28And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee. 

Lk. 4:31-37    Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths. 32And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority. 33Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, 34saying, "Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are--the Holy One of God!" 35But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him. 36Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, "What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out." 37And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region. 

Notes :  this story happened in a synagogue of the Jews which was as a church , so demons can enter churches , and the same happened when Satan tempted Jesus , he took Him on the pinnacle of the temple , and it also happened in the story of Job /  this story also happened on the Sabbath which is Sunday , the day of worship where all people are gathered and are praying  /  and the demon cried out while the people were worshipping or during the sermon /  this kind always cries out , it cried out in the beginning when he spoke and while going out it cried out with a loud voice . Also this kind convulses while going out only, there is another kind which convulses when it comes into a person and while going out / so now you who are gifted, expect these things, that during worshipping or during your sermon , someone will cry out , so don't fear , don't be interrupted, because it is clear from all stories in the Holy Bible that no evil spirit can harm or hurt a believer . And at the same time put in mind that someone may try to deceive you and act as if he is demon-possessed but he is not , so, first order him in the name of Jesus to shut up , if he continued , tell him that you are going to let him out of that place … and see what will happen. You don't have to shout or cry out, for that is what our Lord did , but at the same time your voice should be strong enough, and just have faith in our Lord and deal with everything wisely / also note that the devil complimented (spoke good of) Jesus , so not every good things said about you is from someone who loves you , specially if he appears to be interrupting . / The devil also spoke of the divinity of Christ but of course Jesus didn't need a testimony from devils /  When St. Luke spoke of the moment the demon went out , he said "it didn't hurt him" , we shall see another kind when it goes out it convulses the person and he becomes as one dead , not dead but just as one dead / St. Luke also spoke of authority and power, this authority we have taken from Jesus Christ, as for the power, we have also taken it from Him but still we have to do what we can and gain more power by fasting and prayers and by faith and all righteous means /  some gifted people sprinkle blessed water every time they cast out demons , to make sure they free and save the sick or the demon-possessed from all sicknesses and all evil spirits and deeds /  our Lord never paid attention to the number of demons and always gave his order in singular , to one demon not many / Jesus Christ never breathed on any demon-possessed man  / it is better for whoever will perform a miracle among Muslims , to use the word "Christ" , because Muslims don't know "Nazareth" nor "Jesus" , because His name in ElQuraan is "Eesa" /  

A demon-possessed man (2 men) healed in Gergesenes (Gadarenes):  Mt.8:28-34    When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. 29And suddenly they cried out, saying, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?"    30Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding. 31So the demons begged Him, saying, "If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine."  32And He said to them, "Go." So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.  33Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region. 

Mk.5:1-20     Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. 2And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, 4because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 5And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.     6When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. 7And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me."     8For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!" 9Then He asked him, "What is your name?" And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion; for we are many." 10Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.     11Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. 12So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them." 13And at once Jesus[c] gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.     14So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. 15Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 16And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. 17Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.     18And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 19However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you." 20And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled. 

Lk.8:26-39   Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. 28When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!" 29For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.     30Jesus asked him, saying, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion," because many demons had entered him. 31And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.     32Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. 33Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.     34When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. 35Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 36They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. 37Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.   38Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 39"Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you." And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him. 

Notes :   the evil spirits knew Christ by His name Jesus and that He is the Son of God   /   they also cried out  /  why did Jesus allow them to go into (enter) the swine? Or why did He let them do what they wanted?! I don't know exactly but it reminds me with the story of temptation when Jesus let Satan tempt Him the way he wanted , but of course in all cases he was ashamed and confounded . And for sure if the demons had asked Jesus to enter any other man , He would have refused /  notice that demons may enter animals also , not only human beings , but when this happens , will this animal hurt human beings , and shall we be able to cast them out from these animals ?! I think yes /  demon-possessed men never ran away from Jesus / the demons gave that man extraordinary power / why did he wound himself?!  /  although the demons were too many and very strong , yet our Lord dealt the same way as in any other case   /  Jesus asked him about his name, and he answered, so we know that whatever questions we ask they will answer, but why did He ask it this question?!  / Jesus asked only 2 questions in all stories of casting out demons , this one , and "For how long has this been happening to him?" in another story , so does the length of time or the name of the devil differ anyway?!  /  unexpectedly, the people there feared Jesus and asked Him to depart from their region  / after the man was healed , he became a good preacher , and this happened also with Mary Magdalene from which Jesus had cast 7 demons / in "Lk. 8:29 was driven by the demon into the wilderness" , so some demons not only speak through men or let them act the way they want, but can also take them to any place / in "Matthew", he spoke of 2 demon-possessed men, so does this mean that sometimes evil spirits enter two men together and when they go out they must be cast out of both of them together not separately?! 

Healing 3 different but similar cases :  Mt.12:22-25    Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw

Mt.9:32,33  As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. 33And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, "It was never seen like this in Israel!"

Lk.11:14  And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So it was, when the demon had gone out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes marveled.

Notes: be very careful and watch your tongue , never say about anyone who is casting demons , that he does so using evil spirits , lest you blaspheme against the Holy Spirit, even if you don't know that man or even if you think he is a sinner , you will never know for sure what is what. Nowadays many non Christians say about gifted Christians that we are sorcerers / these demons were quite, didn't cause any trouble, and it was the people who brought them to Jesus /

    Important Notes

 (1) In Mt.12:43-45  our Lord Jesus says "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. 44Then he says, "I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation."  So does this mean that absolute fasting (abstaining from food and water) is very important to overcome and subdue demons, surely yes. And as we said before , if we heal any one we must let him repent and do every good deed.

 (2) It is much better if a gifted man has open eyes to see the spiritual world as our Lord was and as Elisha the prophet was "2 Kings 6:15-17" . We don't know how to have it except to ask God "pray".

 (3) If you deal strongly or with strong personality with demons , be ware lest this affects your relations with men negatively.

 (4) Note that no one ever cast out any demon by the laying on of hands , except the case of the bent women whom Satan bound , but Jesus laid His hands on her because Satan caused her a bodily disease and then left her , i.e. made her sick bodily .

 (5) from the kinds of the evil spirits: 1- unclean spirit.  2- a spirit of divination.  3- distressing spirit.  4-a spirit of infirmity. 5- deceiving spirits.(1Tim.4:1) 6- spirits of demons, performing signs (Rev.16:13,14)

 (6) the faith of the gifted person and all others is very important..

 (7) To get or gain this gift , first ask God, then it comes by the laying on of the hands on you , also learn and study everything about it , and , pray and fast much.

 (8) it is important for the gifted person in order to have more protection against all evil powers to have blessed oil and blessed water : 1) to anoint himself by them daily.  2) drink of the water and put the oil in his food daily .  3) and anoint his house , his car and all what he has by them.

 (9) 2 Thes.2:8,9 the lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth … the coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan with all power, signs and lying wonders.  / this is about the false christ.

 (10) Some , while casting out demons , use blessed water to sprinkle on the demon-possessed , together with what they say . Over that blessed water they had prayed prayers of healing and loosing from all evil bonds and deeds.

 (11) Keep in mind that the reaction of every sick or demon-possessed man is different than the others, so don't haste to determine the case or to say whether that man is a deceiver or not. And know that time experience is very important with spiritual gifts.

 (12) expect that, for sure there will be cases which you will not heal , for this even happened to the 12 apostles . And at the same time if you healed a severe case don't be overly glad nor accept much compliment from people , for this will affect you negatively.

 (13) If you are not sure of the case whether it is a demon or just sickness, try talking with that person .

 (14) It is well known that demons exist in defiled desolated places, so don't let anyone go to such places, and even you who are gifted don't go there . God gave them the permission to have their own places.

 (15) It doesn't matter to cast out demons at night or in the morning or in a house or in the church or any place , as long as we have just said we don't go to evil places where they , for instance, worship Satan.

 (16) Having gifts and talents is more profitable to others than to yourself , so you must be full of love toward God and men.

 (17) if someone's voice changes , so for sure he has a demon not a bodily nor psychological sickness.

 (18) Sometimes a demon does not obey you from the first time, it even happened with our Lord Jesus with the demons in Gaderenes, they argued with Him and asked Him to give them the permission to enter the swine, so try with the demons as much as you can.

Now let us continue the miracles of Jesus casting out demons

Healing the daughter of the Canaanite woman :  Mt.15:21-28 21Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed."     23But He answered her not a word, and His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us."     24But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."  25Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, help me!"  26But He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs."     27And she said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table."     28Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Mk.7:24-30     24From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden. 25For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet. 26The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27But Jesus said to her, "Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs."     28And she answered and said to Him, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children's crumbs."     29Then He said to her, "For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter."     30And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed. 

Notes :  Here our Lord cast out the demon from afar and just by a mere order / He cast it out as a reward to the gentile women because of her great faith and humbleness .

Healing a bent woman :  Lk.13:10-17  10Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. 12But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, "Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity." 13And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.    14But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, "There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day."     15The Lord then answered him and said, "Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? 16So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound--think of it--for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?" 17And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him. 

Notes : this case is a little different than other cases because here Satan has bound her and caused her a bodily disease, so she became bent and she had a spirit of infirmity / it is clear that there was no evil spirit of infirmity in her because Jesus didn't order any spirit to come out of her , so probably her spirit became week and she despaired ,  and Jesus talked to her not to a spirit and loosed her from her infirmity and healed her . So this miracle is both healing from a sickness , but at the same time this sicknes is done by Satan , so most likely it was because she sinned and that is why our Lord said "you are loosed" , and so, such a case may need only a priest who has the authority to forgive sins as given to him by our Lord "John 20:22,23" , but still anyone can try to heal her but must have in mind not to transgress the authority of priests to forgive sins./ So the one who has the gift can say "The name of Jesus Christ loosens you from your infirmity"

Deaf and dumb spirit : Mt.17:14-21  14And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, 15"Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him."     17Then Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me." 18And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.     19Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?"     20So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."

Mk.9:14-29  14And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. 15Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. 16And He asked the scribes, "What are you discussing with them?"    17Then one of the crowd answered and said, "Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. 18And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not."     19He answered him and said, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me." 20Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.     21So He asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood. 22And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."     23Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."     24Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"     25When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!" 26Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, "He is dead." 27But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.     28And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?"     29So He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting."

Lk.9:37-42  37Now it happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met Him. 38Suddenly a man from the multitude cried out, saying, "Teacher, I implore You, look on my son, for he is my only child. 39And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out; it convulses him so that he foams at the mouth; and it departs from him with great difficulty, bruising him. 40So I implored Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not."     41Then Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." 42And as he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him. Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father. 

Notes : the apostles couldn't cast him out , but still he didn't hurt them / although the spirit was deaf but still it obeyed Jesus' order , how was that?! Did Jesus , while giving the order made a sign by his hand or pointed to it ..?! Or , do spirits understand and perceive people's intention?! Or, the angels of the Lord forced the evil spirit to go out?! Remember , Jesus cast out demons from afar which most likely means that His angels did that . / we may call this spirit "a spirit of convulsion", because it always convulses the person when it enters him and when it goes out of him / when it came out of the child , he became as one dead , not dead but just as one dead , so Jesus simply took him by the hand and lifted him up , so if this happened with you who are gifted , don't fear , he will not die , just have faith in our Lord , and do the same as Christ did and lift him up / this kind comes in and goes out every now and then , so that is why Jesus said to it "and enter him no more", and we should say the same in similar cases / this is a strong demon , so it needs more faith and more prayers and fasting , and this proves that even after we have taken these gifts from God , still we need to strengthen ourselves spiritually and do every righteous deed we can do / our Lord didn't perform the miracle from the very first moment , but He was as a movie producer , He first increased the father's faith , and waited for a while until more people came and then He rebuked the unclean spirit , and we should do the same because such things increase the greatness of the miracle and so God is glorified much more , and more people will believe in Jesus, and the church will be edified much better / usually when Jesus rebuked demons , he didn't add any unimportant things , like for instance , He never said "don't move" or "don't hurt him" or "let no other spirit come to him" or .. / notice the signs and indications of convulsion .

The Apostles

St. Paul and a Spirit of Divination :  Acts 16:16-20      16Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 17This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." 18And this she did for many days.    But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour. 19But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. 

Notes : It is a spirit of divination but an evil one, although it spoke good of St. Paul and those with him . There are good spirits that can also foretell things , but usually they are not called spirits of divination , but are sometimes called the spirits of the prophets or just a righteous spirit from God , and that person who has this gift is usually a prophet or a man of God. The differences between the good and the bad giftes persons, is that the righteous gifted person does not take any fee or money but gives freely and he does not seek his own glory but the glory of God. So if that spirit was righteous the girl would enter with Paul to pray with them  /  Although the spirit was in a girl (a female) , yet the Holy Bible spoke of it as a male spirit and said "he" / St. Paul did exactly as our Lord Jesus always did : 1) he didn't cast it out from the first time , but after many days .  2) Although the spirit spoke good of Paul yet Paul didn't accept testimony from evil spirits / the order was "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." / this miracle caused a lot of trouble to St. Paul and those who were with him / 

Seven Brothers and an Evil Spirit :  Acts 19:11-20  11Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 12so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. 13Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches." 14Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.     15And the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?"     16Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. 19Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed. 

Notes : this is the only case where the demon beat and wounded those who tried to cast them out , but wait , this can never happen to a baptized anointed faithful Christian supported and protected by our Lord , His holy name and His holy angels . It happened to seven who were not Christian , not baptized nor anointed with the Holy Spirit, they didn't believe in Jesus nor in His name , but only said "…by the Jesus whom Paul preaches" . And also they were exorcists / after this the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 

If we collect the orders said by our Lord Jesus and by St. Paul : 

1) In the synagogue of Capernaum "Be quiet and come out of him"

2) In Gadarenes "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!" / "Go"

3) A deaf and dumb spirit "You deaf and dumb spirit , I command you ,come out of him and enter him no more"

4) The daughter of a Canaanite woman (from afar) "O woman , great is your faith , let it be to you as you desire" / "For this saying go your way , the demon has gone out of your daughter"

5) The bent women (bound by Satan) "Woman , you are loosed from your infirmity" and He laid His hands on her.

6) St. Paul and the spirit of divination, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come of her"

 In the Old Testament

King Saul and a distressing spirit :  1 Samuel 16:14-23  (after Samuel anointed David as king instead of Saul) 14 The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul , and a distressing spirit from the Lord troubled him. 15 and Saul's servants said to him … seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp … and so it was , whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul that David would take a harp and play it with his hand . Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.

1 Samuel 18:7-11  so the women sang as they danced, and said "Saul … and David …". Then Saul was very angry and the saying displeased him … on the next day the distressing spirit from God came upon Saul .. so David played music with hid hand .. and Saul cast the spear .. but David escaped …  (see also 1 Samuel 19:8-10)

Notes :  this story happened in the Old Testament before we are given authority from the Lord of all authorities our Lord Jesus to cast out demons by a mere order using His holy and glorious name. At that time they used to sing spiritual songs to cast out demons. And nowadays hymns and spiritual songs may also help a spiritually week believer to cast out some kinds of evil spirits / it was of the kinds that enters a person and goes out of him  / it was a distressing spirit which caused trouble more than usual , it came to Saul because he had no love, he envied and hated David / when Saul tried to kill David , it was Saul not the spirit , because as we said an evil spirit cannot attack or hurt a saint, just because he is trying to cast him out.

Sorcery and Evil Deeds (and oil and water)

Introduction : this subject is too big , it is a completely different world , we deal with things that we don't see nor feel nor hear . But still we know a little about this world , with this little knowledge we can defend ourselves and others . Sorcery and witchcraft and such things are done by the power of Satan and his followers (all evil powers). The Holy Bible confirms the existence of such things and forbids us from doing any evil deed and from dealing with any evil power or spirit. There are many kinds of these spirits and these evil deeds, we don't know exactly their details or limits , and even if the same evil deed is done to two different persons it will affect them differently, and so by turn, while healing them we need different ways or …. But in all cases we must depend on and have faith in, the power of God the Almighty which prevails against and overpowers all things everywhere in the whole universe.

Some Verses That Forbid Sorcery and Evil Deeds

1) Exodus 22:18,19 You shall not permit a sorceress to live.

2) Leviticus 19:26,27 You shall not eat anything with the blood nor shall you practice divination or soothsaying.

3) Leviticus 19:31 Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits, do not seek after them to be defiled by them

4) Leviticus 20:6 and the person who turns after mediums and familiar spirits , to prostitute himself with them, I shall set my face against that person and cut him off from his people.

5) Lev. 20:27 A man or a woman who is a medium, or who has familiar spirits, shall surely be put to death , they shall stone them with stones . Their blood shall be upon them .

6) Lev. 21:5 They shall not make any bald place on their heads, nor shall they shave the edges of their beards nor make any cuttings in their flesh.

7) Deuteronomy 18:10-12 There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord. 

See also : 2 Kings 9:22 \ 2 Kings 23:24 \  Nahom 3:4  \  Is. 19:3  \  Jer. 27:1-11  \  Rev. 22:15  

In the Holy Bible we Have Three Stories About Sorcerers

1) The Story of Moses With the Sorcerers (magicians) of Egypt : It is in the book of Exodus starting from the seventh chapter. Moses and Aaron used their rod in some of them.

2) Simon the Sorcerer :   4Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. 5Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8And there was great joy in that city.   9But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the great power of God." 11And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. 12But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. 

    14Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.     18And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit."     20But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity."     24Then Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me." 

Notes : St. Philip preached and taught while performing miracles /  Simon was a great sorcerer who astonished the people of Samaria. He didn't say nor do anything against Philip but believed and was baptized and continued with him , so we also must expect that an evil person may in no time be a good believer / but still because he had no good knowledge , he sinned when he thought he could buy the authority of the apostles with money , but when Simon peter reprimanded him , he repented and asked them to pray for him.

3) Elymas the Sorcerer : Acts 13:6-12  6Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10and said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? 11And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time."     And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done

Notes : Elymas was a sorcerer and also a false prophet who perverted the straight ways of God , and taught false teachings , and he withstood Paul , which means he was very bad so that Paul called him "son of the devil" , and that is why St. Paul was very firm punishing him , but at the same time he said "for a time" , in case Elymas might repent 

Important Information

As we said and as we know there are many kinds of evil spirits , some of which are : familiar spirits, mediums, authorities, demons, powerful , which cause convulsion, … . It is clear that in most of the times, evil deeds look and sound the same as good deeds , like for instance we use blessed oil and blessed water to do good things , and also the evil doers use oil and water with certain sayings and writings over them to achieve evil deeds against others. And as Moses used a rod (staff) to do God's will , the magicians also used their rods to do similar deeds. And as our Lord Jesus did many miracles, likewise God permits Satan to do extra ordinary works , and as Elijah let fire come down from heaven so also the false christ will do the same. But surely righteousness is always more powerful and endures because we get our power from the Almighty God , for we know that the serpent of the rod of Moses swallowed the serpents of the magicians , specially that Moses was a man of fasting and prayer, and, if we sprinkle water on someone or in a place or anointed someone or something with oil it overpowers and cancels any evil powers caused by evil water or oil, specially if the one who prayed over that blessed water and that blessed oil is very strong in fasting , prayers, faith and righteousness. We need to know that evil deeds and evil doers do exist widely in all countries and everywhere , so let us be very careful, always seek God's help, and help others if we can. May the Holy Trinity our God keep us safe from every evil , give us His peace and help us to do His will and be righteous.

We know that envy , jealousy  and hatred cause a lot of harm , they started in Satan against Adam and Eve , then we read about Joseph's brothers, and then Saul the king against David. Physically it is said that envy, jealousy and hatred produce certain poison inside the body that hurts much and uses the energy needed for that person to think and live effectively and successfully. It is also said that the eyes may affect a thing whether to the good or to the bad , i.e. if someone looked at someone or something , his eyes may bless or harm that person or that thing , according to the intension of the one who looks.

In some countries there are national and international societies and unions of astrologers and parapsychologists, their boards and members have supernatural powers and they achieve fame and popularity /  a man may have a covenant or testament with a demon using his blood and then worship Satan / as sometimes God's angels appear to saints, also sometimes evil spirits appear to evil people, and may also appear to a righteous man to deceive him, so if a spirit appears to anyone, he must first make sure that the spirit is sent from God before he does what the spirit wants because as it is written in the biblical verse "2 Corinthians 11:14" a devil may transform himself and appear as an angel of light / to differentiate between a righteous person and an evil one , the evil : 1) will take money or fare or a fee in a bad way .  2) sometimes commits adultery with women as if he cures or heals her.  3) he seeks his own glory.   4) he may give an evil consult to someone to hurt others or to cause others to sin /   Calling up the dead (the spirits of the dead) , spread much  in many countries and they have their rites and rituals, which they do in places like churches, but as we have seen it is forbidden by a commandment from God "Deuteronomy 18:10". They proclaim that what they do is a certain materialistic or physical science , if so it may be right but if they consult the dead and deal with them , it is forbidden.

How to Protect Ourselves From Sorcery and Evil Deeds

Briefly we can say that we can protect ourselves from every evil person or deed , by requesting God's help and protection by prayers and fasting by reading and meditating in the Holy Bible by praising God and glorifying Him by using the name of Jesus Christ and the name of the Holy Trinity , the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, by being righteous, by doing as much charitable deeds as we can , and , by blessed oil and blessed water, and by praying over all drinks and food we drink and eat.

If someone, seeks or takes refuge in, a sorcerer to protect him or solve his problems , even if he succeeded in doing that , that one will be under Satan's authority from that time on, he will be away form God's shelter, because, he, by his own free will did that. We need to know that as long as we seek God with all our hearts , no evil thing or creature will hurt us / seek the prayers and intercession of God's angels and saints / if an evil deed affects a person because of a sin he did , he needs to repent first, then to be healed after that with the blessed oil and water and/or by a gifted person / sometimes sorcerers use Psalms from the Holy Bible to do evil deeds , but they use it in strange ways , not as we use them.

Some Other Important Notes

1) It is very important to pray, teach and preach before , during and after performing miracles or healing others, and always be humble in heart, be wise, and love all.

2) Be ready to all kinds of people, sorcerers, magicians, false prophets, false christs, false apostles, false teachers, those who conjure spells, who call up the dead, who hate you, who may speak good of you to hurt you, deceivers, … , and also be ready that you may change psychologically in a minute for any reason, you may fail to perform a miracle, you may be aroused by anyone or anything, …. .

3) Casting out demons by the name of Jesus Christ confirms and assures that He is God the Almighty by whose name every good thing happens .

4) If a man has a demon together with a lying spirit, and you are trying to cast them out , the lying spirit will not lie on you because it can not lie on those who use God's name.

5) While you are casting out demons and healing , you may better ask the congregation to hymn and sing spiritual songs, first that your and their faith become stronger , and second that you may perform your good deeds better.

Water and Oil

To bless oil and water and make them effective and powerful to overpower and cancel any evil water or oil , we need to pray over them , good and certain Psalms and prayers , specially while fasting and better if we pray the same prayers 3 times. Then we keep them (the blessed water and blessed oil) with us to always use them : 1) drink and eat from them daily.  2) anoint ourselves with them daily.  3) And every now and then (whenever it is necessary) we sprinkle the water in our house our car and everything we have and on us, and anoint all these things with the blessed oil. And better wash our whole bodies with this water  /  we better use olive oil because it is the only oil God commanded us to use , or we can say it is the only oil mentioned in the Holy Bible /  Also while praying over the water and oil , you better put your hand in them (at least touch them by your hand) / the prayers of blessing the oil and water in the Orthodox Churches are very good , we better contemplate and meditate in them / and if anyone likes to pray for himself or his family, here is an example of a prayer you can pray "O Holy Trinity please, if there is any sorcery or any evil deed is done against me or is causing me any harm or any trouble , please , rebuke it, cast it out from me and never allow it to come back to me , and also heal me, release me, … from … . 

About water in the Holy Bible :  "Heb.10:22 our bodies washed with pure water" / Ezekiel 26:25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean , I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and …"  /  In "2 Kings 5" we see how Elisha the prophet healed Naaman's from his leprosy by letting him wash himself seven times in the water of the Jordan river  /  And also our Lord Jesus healed the born blind man by letting him wash his eyes in the pool of Siloam "John 9" / and in the story of the man healed at the pool of Bethesda, how the angel went down and blessed the water so that whoever touched it first was healed. 

About oil : there is a lot about oil in the Holy Bible , it started , or actually it is first mentioned at the time of Jacob our father , but most probably it had started from the time of Adam and Eve. Jacob used it to anoint and consecrate a place to the Lord "Genesis 28;16-19 … this is none than the house of God … and poured oil …" / James 5:14-18 14Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. / Mk. 6:13 13And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them. 

The following are more about oil :

Symbols of oil in the Holy Bible : 1) When anointing with oil , it means we anoint with the Holy Spirit "Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit".  2) the branch of the olive tree has become a symbol of peace since the time of Noah when the dove brought him a freshly plucked olive leaf "Genesis 8:11".  3) the olive tree indicates success and divine blessing "see Hosea 14:6 / psalm 52:8 / Jeremiah 11:16" 

Uses of oil : 1) For the light in God's house "Exodus 25:6 / 27:20 / 35:8"

2) In offerings : which were mixed and anointed with oil "Leviticus 2:4"

3) To cure wounds "Lk. 10:34"

4) To anoint our heads, the whole head not only the forehead "Mt. 6:17"

5) In the holy anointment : a) To anoint and ordain kings , like Saul "1Sam.10:1" and David "1Sam. 16:1-13" and Solomon "1Kings 1:39".  2) To anoint, ordain and consecrate bishops , priests , the house of God and everything in it . This is after the anointment is prepared in a certain way "Exodus 30:22-33 the Lord spoke to Moses saying, also take … make from these a holy anointing oil, an anointment … It shall be a holy anointing oil … with it you shall anoint the tabernacle … and you shall anoint Aaron and his sons and sanctify them that they may minister to Me as priests …" .  And that is why all apostolic churches use it the same way .

6) In some of the sacraments of the church : a) the unction of the sick , "James 5:14-18 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. …" , and "Mk. 6:13 13And they … anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.".  b) to anoint new Christians with the Myron oil after they are baptized that the Holy Spirit may come upon them and dwell in them . This, in the beginning , at the time of the apostles, was done by the laying on of the hands , but then it is replaced by the Myron oil .

Healing the Sick

It is important to pray as the apostles prayed saying in "Acts 4:30 Lord , please, stretch out Your hand to heal, and do signs and wonders through the name of Your Holy Son Jesus. And grant us , Your servants, to speak Your words will all Your divine wisdom"

Some Biblical Verses Related to the Gift of Healing the Sick

Mt. 4:23,24 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. 24Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.

Mt. 8:16 16When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,

Mt. 9:35,36     35Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.

Mt. 10:1 1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease

Mt. 14:14 14And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick

Mt. 14:35,36 35And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, 36and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

Mt. 15:29-31 29Jesus departed from there, skirted the Sea of Galilee, and went up on the mountain and sat down there. 30Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus' feet, and He healed them. 31So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.

Mt. 19:13-15    13Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." 15And He laid His hands on them and departed from there. 

Mt. 21:14 14Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.

Mk. 6:13 13And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them

Mk. 6:56 56Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.

Lk. 4:40     40When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.

James 5:14-18 14Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much

Laying on of the Hands

Now we know specially from "Mk.16:16" that any believer can lay his hands on the sick and heal them for it is a gift and grace from God to all believers . And God also granted every righteous believer to be able to pray over oil , water and any food or place and lay his hands in and on them or touch them, to bless them . But we need to clarify that : 1) If the sickness is because of sin , then it needs first a priest to forgive him, then he can be healed, and even if he was healed before he confessed his sins and repented , still he needs to be forgiven by a priest.  2) Laying on of the hands and anointing with just blessed oil, to heal and to bless things, which is granted to all believers , differ than :

Laying on of the hands and anointing with the Myron oil (the holy anointment) which are given to bishops and priests only, who by this do certain things like :     (1) Blessing the whole congregation and pray for them and/or prophesy to them : a) by laying his hands on each of them "See Mt. 19:13-15"  where Jesus laid His hands on many children and blessed them. "Mk.10:13-16 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; … And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them".   And see also Genesis 48:13-20 where Jacob blessed Joseph's two sons and prophesied to them".  /   B) blessing many people by raising his hands over them "Lk. 24:50 50And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them."

(2) To anoint and ordain Kings, prophets, priests and deacons, that they have the Holy Spirit come upon them, dwell in them and grant them special authority and/or gifts. See uses of oil in the previous chapter, and also "Numbers 27:18-23 And the Lord said to Moses , take Joshua the son of Nun … and lay your hands on him … and you shall give some of your authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient …"   /   Acts 8:14-17   Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit

(3) To give authority and spiritual gifts : "Numbers 27:18-23 … 20 you shall give some of your authority to him …"  "Acts 19:1-7 …6 and when Paul laid his hands on them , the Holy Spirit came upon them , and they spoke with tongues and prophesied"  "2 Tim. 1:6 the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands"

The Healing Miracles Which our Lord did

Healing Peter's Mother's wife :  Mt. 8:14-16    14Now when Jesus had come into Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother lying sick with a fever. 15So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.  16When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick.

Mk. 1:29-32 29Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30But Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. 31So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.    32At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed

Lk. 4:38-40 38Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon's house. But Simon's wife's mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. 39So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them.    40When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them

Notes :  the way He healed her, from the three gospels, is that He touched her hand and rebuked the fever so it left her , and then He took her by the hand and lifted her up / He rebuked the fever and the word "rebuke" is used to cast out demons, so , did He say "Come out of her you fever?" or …?! / but here He also touched her hand which is the main thing in healing the sick, to touch or lay the hand on the sick / He did this miracle before sunset, and then at evening He healed many , so , of course as we all know , every time is good to heal / after she was healed He took her by His hands and lifted her up , may be because she was old (elderly) or to encourage her and increase her little faith, it is not clear , but anyhow the gifted person may need sometimes to do the same / see how good she was , immediately after she was healed she served them.

Cleansing a leper :  Mt. 8:1-4  1 When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. 2And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean."    3Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.     4And Jesus said to him, "See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." 

Mk. 1:40-42    40Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean."    41Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." 42As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed

Notes :  here also Jesus touched him and said "be cleansed" / leprosy was a sickness caused by sin , so it needs a priest so that the leper repent before him , and I think that is why our Lord told him "go … show yourself to the priest" / leprosy is a contagious disease and Jesus touched him and didn't fear that .

Healing ten Lepers :  Lk. 17:11-18 11Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. 13And they lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"    14So when He saw them, He said to them, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.     15And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.     17So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?"

Notes : Jesus didn't touch them and didn't even say "be cleansed", because He is God, He only wills and everything is done / He told them to show themselves to the priest / only one went back to thank him and glorify God / 

The Servant of the Centurion : Mt. 8:5-13 5Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, 6saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented."     7And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him."     8The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. 9For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, "Go,' and he goes; and to another, "Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, "Do this,' and he does it."     10When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! 11And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." 13Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you." And his servant was healed that same hour.

Lk. 7:1-10 1Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. 2And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. 3So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. 4And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5"for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."    6Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, "Go,' and he goes; and to another, "Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, "Do this,' and he does it."    9When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!" 10And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick. 

Notes : these two stories may be the same and may be different , but what is important for us now is how our Lord healed the servant , He healed him from afar . He healed him for the sake of the centurion who had great faith and who built a Jewish synagogue for the Jews .   

A Man healed at the pool of Bethesda :  Jn.5:3-14  In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. 4For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. 5Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, "Do you want to be made well?"     7The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me."     8Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your bed and walk." 9And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath. ……   14Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you." 

Notes :  healing with water after being blessed by the angel, and we also heal each others by praying over water and touch it or put our hands in it to bless it / notice the righteous competition that God likes, whoever went down first into the pool was healed , God wants us to be, spiritually, warm and active, and wants us to do our best to take and receive as much blessings, virtues and gifts as we can, and for sure He, glory be to Him, helps us. But, unfortunately, nowadays many don't understand this point the right way , they fight and hurt others for a penny , and for sure they will lose much , see the difference , here , it was good to do your best to go down first, but of course no one was allowed to hurt any other one, as it is said "live and let others live" , pray to God to give you what you want but don't ask him not to give to others, seek and you will find and knock and it will be opened to you, but don't shut the door in others' face.  /   the sickness made the sick despaired , but as we know , despair is not good in God's eyes , it is considered evil. And hope , hope in God's mercy and love, is as important as love and faith "1 Cor. 13:13"  /  it is obvious from Jesus' warning to him, that his sickness was because he had sinned, so Jesus told him that if he would sin again he would get worse sickness . Exactly as our Lord told us about evil spirits "Mt. 12:43-45 … the last state of that man is worse than the first …" /  usually , our Lord when he healed people from a sickness that had caused them not to move or do anything , He told them to walk or do any effort , because this is good, psychologically and physically, for sick people after they recover .

The Paralytic (the paralyzed) :  Mt. 9:2-8 Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you."     3And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, "This Man blasphemes!"     4But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5For which is easier, to say, "Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, "Arise and walk'? 6But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"--then He said to the paralytic, "Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." 7And he arose and departed to his house.     8Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.

Mk. 2:1-12    1 And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. 2Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. 3Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. 4And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.    5When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you."    6And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 7"Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"     8But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, "Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? 9Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, "Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, "Arise, take up your bed and walk'? 10But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"--He said to the paralytic, 11"I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." 12Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

Lk. 5:17-26   17Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 18Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. 19And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus.     20When He saw their faith, He said to him, "Man, your sins are forgiven you."     21And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"     22But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, "Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23Which is easier, to say, "Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, "Rise up and walk'? 24But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"--He said to the man who was paralyzed, "I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house."    25Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. 26And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, "… . 

Notes :   as we know , paralytic means that his whole body don't move , neither his legs nor his hands / faith of the relatives or friends of the sick may lead to healing and to forgiveness of sins / it is mentioned here that this miracle made all people glorify God , and this must always be our aim in all our deeds, and this is the aim from this book , that God and the name of Jesus be glorified and that all people may come to real salvation through the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ together with the Father and the Holy Spirit / again , because he couldn't move , Jesus , after healing him, told him to do some effort "Arise and walk" "Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house" . May be He told him to go to his house that he may have joy with his family and have something good to eat with them /  Jesus also forgave his sins first / Here, Jesus didn't lay His hands nor touch the sick, so , can we say that the strong faith of the sick and/or of others can substitute or replace the laying on of the hands , specially that we notice similar things in many miracles?! May be, I am not sure.

Restoring a Withered Hand :  Mt. 12:9-14 condemned the guiltless. 8For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."   9Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue. 10And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"--that they might accuse Him.    11Then He said to them, "What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? 12Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." 13Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other. 14Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him. 

Mk. 3:1-6 1 And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. 3And He said to the man who had the withered hand, "Step forward." 4Then He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they kept silent. 5And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. 6Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.

Lk. 6:6-11 6Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him. 8But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, "Arise and stand here." And he arose and stood. 9Then Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?" 10And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. 11But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus. 

Notes :  only one hand here is withered so the saying of healing was "stretch out your hand" , unlike the paralytic who was completely paralyzed and so Jesus said to him "Arise and walk" / also Jesus didn't touch him nor laid His hand on him , so it might have been that His conversation with the Pharisees and that He said to the man "Arise and stand here", all this increased the faith of the man and of all who were attending (on the Sabbath), to be healed , and I think also that since the man obeyed Jesus so , he had already had good faith .

-- Someone may say , what is this , what are you saying?! Jesus is the Lord and God , and He is able to do everything with just a word . I say, yes you are absolutely right , Jesus Christ is God, the Son of God, and the power and wisdom of God, He is the Almighty, but, it is, that He created the world with certain rules , and He in His incarnation on earth, and with His humanity, was obedient and subject to the rules He made , and He said in this to St. John the Baptist "It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness Mt. 3:15", and even more the Holy Bible said about Jesus when He went to His city (Nazareth) that He could not do mighty work there … because of their unbelief "Mk.6:5 / Mt.13:58". So , simply it is not that He couldn't because He was unable but because He wanted it to be so.

The Right ear of  Malchus the Servant of the High Priest :  Lk.22:49-51 When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" 50And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.     51But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this." And He touched his ear and healed him.  "See also Mt.26:51 / Mk.14:47 / Jn.18:10" 

Notes : it is a good miracle , for the ear was cut off, not only a wound./ And it shows how our Lord is merciful even with His enemies.

One who was Deaf and had an Impediment :  Mk. 7:31-37  Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee. 32Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him. 33And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue. 34Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened."     35Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. 36Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it. 37And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak." 

Notes :  As I understand , "had an impediment" does not mean that he was dumb, but just that he could not speak plainly and so Jesus said "be opened" / Jesus touched the sick parts or organs which were his ears and his tongue / there was just one order for both , and so both were healed together  /  why did Jesus took him aside from the multitude, He did the same with a blind man , and in both cases He spat . So, is there any relation between spiting and being aside from the multitude?! I don't know , but I think we never have to spit except … /  Jesus commanded them that they should not tell anyone , and He said this to many others in many other cases.

-- Details : Christ, in "Mk.16:17-" said "these signs will follow those who believe … they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover" , of course this is a general saying , but as we have seen , the details are important , so we lay our hands on the head of the sick if it is general sickness, but if a certain part or organ in the body that is sick like a hand or an eye , so we need to touch it or lay our hands on it. And if the sick person needs help we may need to take him by the hand and lift him up . If his faith is weak we need to strengthen it . If He was paralyzed or cripple , we need to tell him to walk or do some physical effort. And of course the order or commandment of healing should be with the laying on of the hands, and should suit or be convenient with, the situation.

Healing the Servant of the King from a Fever :  Jn. 4:46-53  46So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. 47When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48Then Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe."     49The nobleman said to Him, "Sir, come down before my child dies!"     50Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your son lives." So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. 51And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, "Your son lives!"     52Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him." 53So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, "Your son lives." And he himself believed, and his whole household.

Notes :  our Lord did this miracle because of prayers of someone for another / it was fever like Simon's wife's mother, and He did it from afar.

Important Notes

1) Don't forget to teach and preach, before, while and after doing miracles , specially on the divinity of Christ and of the Holy Spirit , and the trinity and oneness of the Holy Trinity our one and only God.

2) Always pray and fast and do your best to be righteous in God's eyes.

3) To lay one hand or two hands , is not so important , but I think whenever it is possible, lay your both hands and lay your whole palm of your hand.

4) know that angels and saints who have fallen asleep , help us , so honor them , for by this we honor Christ Himself "Mt. 10:40 / 18;5 / Lk. 9:48 / 10:16 / Jn 12:44". But surely we need to glorify God before all and even before ourselves.

5) God may let you be sick , and leave you sick for some time, it will be for your good , for so He did with St. Paul , with Job and with many others of His saints.

Healing the Blind

Opening the Eyes of two Blind men :  Mt. 9:27-31 27When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, "Son of David, have mercy on us!"     28And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."     29Then He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith let it be to you." 30And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, "See that no one knows it." 31But when they had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country.

Notes :  Jesus touched their eyes and said "according to your faith let it be to you" , He said so because He noticed that their faith was strong because they kept crying out to Him that He may heal them / if a gifted person has similar situation , he may ask "Do you believe that Christ is able to heal You?" if they say "Yes", so he can say "In the name of Jesus Christ, let it be to you according to your faith.".

The Blind of Bethsaida :  Mk. 8:22-26   22Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. 23So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.     24And he looked up and said, "I see men like trees, walking."     25Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. 26Then He sent him away to his house, saying, "Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town."

Notes : for sure we shall not do as Jesus did , but can just do as usual , touch the eyes and say "… be opened" . I think our Lord did it this way to teach physicians some scientific knowledge, for may be the spit (the saliva) includes certain elements that can heal certain blind people. What may support this opinion is that in the end Jesus healed him also by laying His hands on his eyes.

The Born blind man :  Jn. 9:1-39 1 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"     3Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. 4I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. 5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."     6When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. 7And He said to him, "Go, wash in

-- No comment , I think we all notice how great is this miracle , all preachers and ministers teach much about it. There is a lot of contemplation about it , he who wants may pray to the Holy Spirit .

Bartimaeus the Blind :  Mk. 10:46-52    46Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 47And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"     48Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 49So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, "Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you." 50And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.     51So Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight."     52Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. 

Lk. 18:35-43 35Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. 36And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. 37So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. 38And he cried out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"     39Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"     40So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him, 41saying, "What do you want Me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, that I may receive my sight."    42Then Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." 43And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

Notes :  again , healing not by touching his eyes but because of the faith of Bartimaeus which appeared in his crying out much. And I think Jesus let him cry out for some time to increase his will and faith to be healed.

-- Notice that Christ our Lord never said to a demon-possessed person "your faith has made you well" , although He cast out a demon from the daughter of the Canaanite women because of the faith of her mother , but never because of the faith of the same demon-possessed person. 

Two Blind men :  Mt. 20:29-34  29Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. 30And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!"    31Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!"     32So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, "What do you want Me to do for you?"    33They said to Him, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened." 34So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him. 

-- Same as before

The Apostles Healing the Sick

St. Peter Heals Aeneas the Paralyzed :  Acts 9:32-35     32Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. 33There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bed ridden eight years and was paralyzed. 34And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed." Then he arose immediately. 35So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. 

Notes : he was paralyzed for eight years / St. Peter did the same as our Lord, after he healed him he let him make his bed, some effort that are good physically and psychologically, for a paralyzed, after being healed .

St. Peter Heals a man Lame From his Mother's Womb :  Acts 3:1-9  Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2And 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 from those who entered the temple; 3who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us." 5So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." 7And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them walking, leaping, and praising God. 9And all the people saw him …

Notes :  he had been lame for 40 years , so all the multitude knew his case / the length of the sickness did not hinder the power of the name of Jesus Christ to heal the man / St. peter again told him to walk after he healed him , only to walk because he was lame not totally paralyzed. And he took him by the right hand and helped him to stand up / he walked and praised God.

St. Paul Heals a Cripple :  Acts 14:8-10 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother's womb, who had never walked. 9This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10said with a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet!" And he leaped and walked

Notes : big similarity between this miracle and the previous one : both were blighted by sickness in their legs , both had been like that for many years , and,  in both cases the man leaped and walked after he was healed .  

St. Paul Heals Many :  Acts 28:8,9 And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. 9So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed

Notes :  he healed them by praying and laying on their hands / the healing of one person caused the rest to come, with faith, and be healed 

Nature

The wedding in Cana of Galilee :  Jn. 2:1-11 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine."    4Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come."     5His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it."     6Now there were set there six water pots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 7Jesus said to them, "Fill the water pots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. 8And He said to them, "Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast." And they took it. 9When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10And he said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!"     11This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. 

Notes : this was the first miracle Jesus did , he was not in a hurry to minister and do miracles or use His spiritual gifts , but waited for the best time (His time) to come, and even this miracle He did for the sake of His Mother our Lady the Virgin Mary / He didn't lay his hand nor touch nor do anything but just gave an order, and this is the way in all the miracles related to nature , they are done by a mere order.

Jesus walks on the water :  Mt. 14:22-33  Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.     25Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear.    27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."     28And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."    29So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"     31And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.     33Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God." 

Notes :  Jesus prayed by Himself on the mountain / seeing Jesus walking on the sea reminds us with the verse about God "Job 9:8 He … and treads on the waves of the sea" / notice how Peter doubted and feared, although he had already walked and this happens to all of us /  our Lord not only walked on the sea but also caught Peter .

Wind and Sea Obey Jesus :  (see Mt. 8:23-27 \ Lk. 8:22-25)

Mk. 4:35-41 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side." 36Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"    39Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" 41And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!" 

Notes :  the Holy Bible used the word "rebuked" with the wind , as it is used while casting out demons, it is said that in the Hebrew language, the word "spirit" is the same as the word "wind" or may be they can be both used the same way , I remember things like this in the book of "Revelation" , it is written that four angels were holding the four winds of the earth "Rev. 7:1" / Jesus said to the sea "Peace , be still" / He considered the fear of the disciples , unbelief.

The Unfruitful Fig Tree :  Mt. 21:18-22   Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. 19And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, "Let no fruit grow on you ever again." Immediately the fig tree withered away.    20And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither away so soon?"     21So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, "Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. 22And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." 

Mk.11:12-26 Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. 13And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14In response Jesus said to it, "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again." And His disciples heard it.    …..  19When evening had come, He went out of the city.     20Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21And Peter, remembering, said to Him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away."     22So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. 23For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, "Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them

Notes :  we need to know , that we are not allowed to curse , we are commanded to bless , only Jesus has the authority to do what He wants , He can describe any people as being brood of vipers but we cannot insult , He does what He wants any time , this is like a judge who can decide that anyone sent to prison or be put to death or .. but no one else can kill or hurt judge any other one / and if we bless trees , for sure their fruits will be more and better , and even if sometimes , in the Holy Bible a tree is a symbol to a man , still we have to bless everyone / if anyone has a piece of agriculture land or takes care of any plants , he can bless them , pray over them and talk to them saying for instance "May God the Lord of all the earth bless you to bring forth the most and best fruits" , and he can pray to God to bless them and pray over water and sprinkle it on them / to adjust the story from both gospels , it can be as follows : Jesus Christ in the morning went back from Bethany to the city , when He didn't find any fruit in it He said "let no .." , so immediately its leaves (only the leaves) withered away , but then in the following morning they found that it had dried up from the roots.

-- One more time Christ speaks about faith and that it can do miracles, here we remember two verses "Lk. 17:5,6 And the apostles said to the Lord , increase our faith , so the Lord said , if you faith as a mustard seed , you can say to this mulberry tree , be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea and it would obey you" "see also Mt. 17:20 / 21:21" / "Mk. 9:23 … all things are possible to him who believes" . So we pray to God saying "Lord please, give me (us) strong faith, and increase it" 

Fish miracles 

-- While calling Simon Peter as a disciple :  Lk. 5:4 "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." 

-- After His resurrection :  Jn. 21:6  And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. 

-- The Five Loaves and the two Fish :  Mt. 14:13-20 When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. 14And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. 15When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food."     16But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."     17And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."    18He said, "Bring them here to Me." 19Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. 20So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. 21Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Also see "Mk. 6: 30- / Lk. 9 / Jn. 6:1- "

Notes : He commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass in hundreds and fifties /  He took the five loaves and the two fish , looked up to heaven , gave thanks , blessed and broke / he gave the loaves first then the two fish 

-- The Seven Loaves and a few Little Fish :  Mt. 15:32-39  Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way."     33Then His disciples said to Him, "Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?"     34Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" and they said, "Seven, and a few little fish."     35So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. 36And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude. 37So they all ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left. 38Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39And He sent away the multitude, got into the boat, and came to the region of Magdala.

Notes : exactly like the previous miracle , commanded the multitude to sit down / took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks , for sure blessed them, then broke them and then gave to the disciples

-- likewise, if God gives this spiritual gift to any one who has good faith like a mustard seed, he can do the same , hold the food they have , look up to heaven and pray , give thanks , bless them and if you need to break them do it , and then have some others to give to the multitude. / when you pray and bless you may say "O Holy Trinity I thank You … , and now I ask You , please bless this food to fill all this multitude that they may glorify You and believe that You are the only true God"

Miracles in the Acts of the Apostles

Acts 4:29-31 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus."    31And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. 

-- So we all need to pray similar prayer, like for instance "O Holy Trinity grant us to speak Your word with your heavenly wisdom , and stretch out Your hand to heal and do great signs, wonders and miracles that the whole world may glorify You and Your holy name"

Acts 5:12-18 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch. 13Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. 14And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. 16Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.     17Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, 18and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.  

Notes :  all apostles (and the shadow of Peter) did signs and wonders / all surrounding cities came to them / envious people must fight the people of God

Acts 6:8-10 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. 10And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

Acts 9:17-19 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.     19So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.

Notes: Paul was baptized after he was healed / the Holy Spirit descends upon and fills, believers by the laying on of the hands of the disciples.

Acts 19:5-7  When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7Now the men were about twelve in all. 

Acts 19:11,12  Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 12so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them

Saints of the Old Testament and their Miracles

Moses the Prophet :    Read "Exodus"

Saint Joshua :  Joshua 10:12,13 Then Joshua spoke to the Lord … and said in the sight of Israel "Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and moon, in the valley of Aijalon". So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped … so the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day .

-- See how God grants his great saints to do great miracles.

Elijah the Prophet :  1Kings 17:1 And Elijah the Teshbite, … said to Ahab, "As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word".

1Kings 17:14 For thus says the Lord of Israel "The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry , until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth".

1Kings 19:19 (anointing Elisha) … then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him.

1Kings 21:20- (Elijah prophesied about Ahab and what would happen to him)

2Kings 1:9-   (he caused fire to come down from heaven, 2 times)

2Kings 2:1-11 (he ascended to heaven in a chariot of fire with horses of fire)

Elisha the Prophet :  (1) He filled a valley with water : 2 Kings 3:9-18 …now bring me a musician . And it happened when the musician played that the hand of the Lord came upon him. And he said "Thus says the Lord ,make this valley full of ditches, for thus says the Lord you shall not see wind nor shall you see rain , yet that valley shall be filled with water …".

Notes : Hymns and spiritual music and spiritual songs are important / I wander , if dryness (no rain) happened in any region or any country will any one be able to let rain come down or bring water from the ground, I hope so, that God may be glorified in that country and in all countries all over the world.

 (2) He fills 100 people with 20 loaves:  "2 Kings 4:42-   … he said :Give it to the people , that they may eat , for thus says the Lord , they shall eat and have some left over …".

-- This time Elisha didn't do anything , he just commanded others to give to the people and was sure that the food would be enough, I think this time he had known previously from God about what would happen.

 (3) A widower needed money : See "2 Kings 4:1- "  same miracle as that of Elijah but just a little different , because she only needed money (had to pay her debt and to spend the rest)

(4) Cleanses a leper :   See "2 Kings 5: 8-  "

(5) brings iron out from inside water :   See "2 Kings 6:1-7"

(6) Knowing things from afar :   See "2 Kings 6:12- "

(7) He had two open eyes :   See "2 Kings 6: 15- "

(8) Prophesied of what would happen in the future :   A) 2 Kings 7:6,7            B) 2 Kings 8

   (9) His bones raised dead men : 2 Kings 13:14-21

Raising the Dead

The Daughter of Jairus and the Women who had a Flow of Blood :

Mt. 9:18-26 While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live." 19So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples.     20And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. 21For she said to herself, "If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well." 22But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, "Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well." And the woman was made well from that hour.     23When Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, 24He said to them, "Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping." And they ridiculed Him. 25But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26And the report of this went out into all that land.

Mk. 5:22-43 And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 23and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live." 24So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.     25Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. 27When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 28For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well."     29Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. 30And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?"     31But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, "Who touched Me?"'    32And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."     35While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?"     36As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe." 37And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. 39When He came in, He said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping."     40And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. 41Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." 42Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. 43But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat. 

Lk. 8:40-56     …… 42for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying.     But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. 43Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, 44came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.    45And Jesus said, "Who touched Me?" When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, "Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, "Who touched Me?"     46But Jesus said, "Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me." 47Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.     48And He said to her, "Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace."     49While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, "Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher."     50But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well." 51When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. 52Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, "Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping." 53And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead.     54But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Little girl, arise." 55Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. 56And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened. 

Notes : the three evangelists wrote both stories together , raising a dead girl and healing a women who had a flow of blood, and both cases had been like that for 12 years , and both recovered at the same time . So , what relation is there between both cases , or , what is the relation between a flow of blood in someone and the life of another one , I really don't know , is it a spiritual relation?!  is it physical and medical relation?!  I think, so far, no one knows but God alone/  And why specifically 12 years?! / the ruler of the synagogue believed that the laying on of the hands heals and raises the dead. And the women had greater faith that even touching the clothes of a prophet or a saint could heal from any sickness, for she said "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.", and that faith she had, healed her completely / our Lord not only knew that power had gone out of Him but also determined that someone touched His clothes, so if any thought comes to anyone saying , why couldn't Jesus tell who was the person who touched Him , I see that it is now very clear to all of us that our Lord always liked people to share Him , think with Him , do little things with Him ,… for He was a good producer , or actually the best producer of real useful religious movies. / what about the power that came out of Him?! And how did He feel it?! For sure it is spiritual power. But does it also go out of all gifted saints ?! And when does it usually go out ?! I have some possibilities in my mind but I don't like to say them , we better pray to God to give us the right understanding according to His will / here Jesus Christ's clothes healed her , and in "Acts" the aprons and handkerchiefs of Paul healed many and cast out demons and the shadow of Peter healed many and in the Old Testament the bones of Elisha raised up dead men , so , I think all this confirms the creed of being blessed, or of getting blessings from saints whether those who still live with and among us or those who have passed away , but, for sure at the same time , we must not honor saints more than God, we must love God before all other creatures . / Jesus said about the girl that she was only asleep not dead, and He also said the same about Lazarus, and the book says about the righteous who died that they have fallen asleep, so , again we need to ask physicians, scientists and religious people , is death a kind of sleeping , or , are dead people just sleeping?! / was one of the relations between a flow of blood in a person and another person is that whenever the other sleeps the flow of blood stops?! / the way Jesus raised her , is that He put the crowd out and had with Him in the room only her father and mother and James, Peter and John then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise.". Immediately the girl arose and walked, then He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat. / Jesus, many times in His miracles and deeds commanded that no one should know it , but still everyone said it to all he knew , and still Jesus never punished anyone because he did that .

Mt. 27:52,53 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many

Notes  :  see the Holy Bible calls the saints who passed away , not died , but fallen asleep / they were raised by Jesus or by His crucifixion and resurrection and this confirms the verse "Jn.5:28,29"  which says that in the resurrection we will all rise and go out of the graves just by hearing His voice , or in other words by a mere order from Him .

The Son of the Widow of Nain :   Lk. 7:11-17   Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. 12And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. 13When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." 14Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." 15So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.     16Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people." 17And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region. 

Notes :  Our Lord the merciful , had compassion on that widow and raised her only son . It is very important to know and always keep in mind that one of the main aims of the Lord's miracles and deeds is to do good to the poor and needy and to others , His love to mankind and His Mercy on His creatures are always His motive in what He does, He often said "I desire mercy …Hoshea 6:6 / Mt.9:13 / Mt.12:7" / the way He raised the dead was : 1) He touched the coffin , may be it substitutes touching the body of the dead or holding his hands .  2) He said the same thing as in all cases of raising dead "Young man, I say to you, arise." / 

Lazaruth :  Jn. 11:1-46 … He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up."     12Then His disciples said, "Lord, if he sleeps he will get well." 13However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep.     14Then Jesus said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead. ….. 17So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. …..  33Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. 34And He said, "Where have you laid him?"     They said to Him, "Lord, come and see."     35Jesus wept. 36Then the Jews said, "See how He loved him!"     37And some of them said, "Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?"     38Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39Jesus said, "Take away the stone."     Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days."     40Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" 41Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me." 43Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" 44And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go."     45Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. 46But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. 

Notes : Again Jesus likens death to sleep  / here He didn't touch the dead body nor the coffin because the dead was in a grave , so He didn't enter the grave , but He increased the faith of Mary and Martha and others with them, and when He said His order , He cried out with a loud voice /  Jesus cried out with a loud voice only twice , here when He raised Lazarus , and right before He commended His spirit into the Father's Hands Mt.27:50 , Mk.15:37 , Lk.23:46 .  So also we can say that this is the only miracle in which Jesus cried out with a loud voice  / this miracle again confirms the verse "Mt. 5: 28 the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth" , so , in the day of resurrection , He will say to us what He said to Lazarus "All who are in the graves , come forth" , and we all will obey Him /  He usually commands things after doing His signs and wonders , and here He said "loose him and let him go" / We also notice that Jesus, after He raised a dead person , never talked to him   / here He prays a very nice and effective prayer , He first thanked God then asked God to give all to believe in Him . And we all need to always give thanks to the Holy Trinity and always ask Him, glory be to Him, to grant the whole world to believe in Him the only One true God , so , if we meditate in this prayer together with the prayer of Elijah when he raised a dead boy , we can conclude the following prayer : "O Holy Trinity my God , I thank You for everything , and now O Lord , I ask You , that all the surrounding multitude (people) may believe that You are the only true God , please, let this child's (man's / woman's) soul (and spirit) come back to him (her) , to live (that he may live)" , then , I look at the body of the dead , (and if it is possible I touch him or hold his hand or touch the coffin, or raise my voice if he is in a grave (as Jesus did hear) , and say  "… rise" or  "… to you I say rise" or "… come forth"

Peter Raises Tabitha :  Acts 9:36-43 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. 37But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 39Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. 43So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.

Notes :  the death of Tabitha was for her good , to meet with St. Peter and that her name be mentioned in the Holy Bible / when he raised her she was in an upper room , as it was when Elijah and Elisha raised the dead boys /  and Peter did as they both did but for sure did also as our Lord did, he put everyone out of the room, prayed, and turning to the body said "… arise", then lifted her up and gave her to her family  / in all these cases, their death was caused by a sickness  /  

Elijah the Prophet Raises a Dead :  1Kings 17:17-24 … 19 he said to her "give me your son" so he took him out of her arms and carried him to the upper room where he was staying , and laid him on his own bed, ... and cried out to the Lord and said "O Lord my God, I pray, let this child's soul come back to him" … 

Notes :  he might have prayed three times / then same notes as before .

Elisha the Prophet Raises a Dead :  2 Kings 4:18-37 ….. the child grew ….. and died . 21 and she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God , shut the door upon him and went out ….. 33 he went in , shut the door … and prayed to the Lord ….. .

Notes  :  same things like the story of Elijah, for he had taken two of his spirit, and did many miracles like him. / one new thing I need to say , in this same chapter and before Elisha went with the woman to raise her son , he told his disciple to go and raise him by his rod (staff) , so he told him that in his way , he shouldn't bless any one , and this reminds me with what Jesus told His disciple when He first sent them , "do not greet anyone" , so why was (is) that , and do we need to do the same if we are going to raise anyone from the dead?!

Ezekiel the Prophet and the Bones :  Ezekiel 37:1-10 ….. 4 prophesy to these bones and say to them "O dry bones , hear the word of the Lord , thus says the Lord God to these bones , surely I will cause breath to enter into you and you shall live , I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you , cover you with skin and put breath in you and you shall live …. 9say to the breath , thus says the Lord God , come from the four winds O breath and breathe on these slain that they may live….. .

No Comment : Everyone can contemplate as the Holy Spirit gives him.

A Prayer : (if ordered by God or if needed)  :  "O Lord, who, through the Prophet Ezekiel, put sinews on dry bones and brought flesh upon them, covered them with skin and caused breath to enter into (to breathe on) them , and they lived . Please do the same now with these bones of … that he may live and (walk in Your way) (do Your will) (…) and that those … may believe in You."

The Gift of Prophesying

Introduction : Prophesying is a great spiritual gift, if used with love to God and men , it will exceedingly glorify God , save many, edify the church and produce much and good fruit . It can be considered, the first gift, or, among the best gifts , for Jesus mentioned it first in "Mt.7:22" and also Paul said "Desire spiritual gifts , but especially that you may prophesy 1Cor.14:1" . Read chapters 12, 13, 14, in the first epistle to the Corinthians , they are very important teaching us much about spiritual gifts and love. The Old Testament also is full of stories and events about good and false prophets and about prophesies. Fore sure the best and greatest prophet throughout all generations, was , is and will be , our Lord Jesus Christ , for, as He is God , the Son of God , the Word, Power and Wisdom of God, He is also a complete and perfect man , a prophet, and the Angel of God. Then after Him , comes John the Baptist, of whom Jesus said "he is greater than a prophet" , and Moses whom the church calls "Arch prophet", and Elijah by whose spirit came the Baptist.

Unfortunately , it is not clear how exactly we can gain the gift of prophesying, but still we are sure that we can ask God to give it to us , and when we prophesy it will be in Jesus name. And it needs that we fast and pray much, and, associate with or be among, other prophets. It is clear that most prophets lived on little food . And they were all guided by the Holy Spirit.

Moses (and Joshua) :  Moses was the best in many fields : 1) He fasted 40 days and 40 nights without food or water, he did it at least twice.  2) his prayers (and Samuel) were the best prayers accepted before God "Jer. 15:1".  3) he was faithful in all God's house. And God spoke with him face to face … Numbers 12:7,8 / Exodus 33:11"  4) And, "Numbers 12:3 he was very humble more than all men who were on the face of the earth"

Joshua : he was Moses' assistant , and was the only one (with Caleb the son of Jephunneh) entered the promised land from among all those who went out of Egypt . He made the sun stand still for about a whole day "Joshua 10:12-14"

Balaam : he was a great prophet of great popularity . when the people of Israel was going out of Egypt, Balak the king of Moab wanted Balaam to curse Israel, in the beginning he refused because he new that Israel was the people of God, but then , for profit and wage, he gave Balak an evil consultant against Israel, for he told him to put a stumbling block before them to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality , and Balak did it and Israel sinned and Balak triumphed over them , but later when Israel were restored they killed Balaam , and from that time on he became a symbol of wicked persons who give evil consultants and of the love of money and earthly authority.  Read Numbers, chapters 22, 23, 24, then chapter 31:8-16 .

-- one of his disadvantages , was that he complimented himself and accepted praise from men, but our Lord taught us saying "woe to you when all men speak well of you Lk. 6:26" . And the apostles when they were first given gifts from Jesus and rejoiced with those gifts , he told them "do not rejoice in this … but rather rejoice that your names are written in heaven Lk.10:20" /  Although Balaam prophesied to many people and about many things , he didn't know anything about his destruction.

In the New Testament About Balaam :  "2Pet.2:15 … gone astray following the way of Balaam … who loved the wages of unrighteousness"  /    "Jude 11 Woe to them , for they …have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit"  /    "Rev.2:14 …Balaam who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality"

Samuel the Prophet : his story starts in the first three chapters in "1 Samuel" / he is considered the first prophet in the Old Testament after the age of "Judges". / was the leader over the prophets in his time "1 Sam 19:20" / he anointed Saul and David to be Kings .

    

The man of God :  Read 1Kings chapter 13 , then notice the following : he prophesied a prophesy which was fulfilled "2Kings 23:15-20"   /  he came from Judah to perform God's commandment to him in Bethel / while he prophesied and was doing his mission he was fasting without food or water /  unfortunately he was deceived by another man who said about himself that he was a prophet, that other man came to him while he was sitting , or in other words while being tired, and let him eat, while God had told him not to eat except at His word to him , … beware / he walked on his feet / why did God commanded him not to return from the same road?! / for sure , this man of God, although he was deceived, yet he is still called by the Holy Bible "man of God" , and although God punished him , yet after that, He fulfilled his prophesy. 

In the Old Testament there are 16 books to 16 prophets : (we can compare them to the captivity of Babylon) :  

1) prophets before captivity (from 785 to 605 B.C. [before Christ] ) , they are : Jonah , Amos , Hoshea , Isaiah , Micah , Nahom , Habakkuk , Zephaniah , Jeremiah  

2) prophets during captivity (from 605 to 520 B.C.) , they are Jeremiah , Daniel , Ezekiel .    

3) prophets after captivity  (from 520 to 400) , they are : Obadiah , Joel , haggai , Zechariah , Malachi .

--  God chose them from among, the rich , the poor , the wise , the simple , the cultured and the illiterate. For instance we had Amos who was just a herdsman and a tender of sycamore fruit "Amos7:14".

--  sometimes righteous kings had seers , for we find Jeduthun the seer of Josiah the king "2Chr.35:15" , and Hanani seer of king Asa "2Chr.16:7-" , and even king David , although he was a prophet but still he had Gad the seer "2Sam. 24:11-". Of course, as we all know , no man on earth knows everything.

Saintly Prophetesses : 1) Miriam the prophetess (sister of Moses and Aaron) , she was a singer (chanter) of God "Ex.15:20,21" / she led other women while going out of Egypt "Micah 6:4" / in Numbers 12 , we read about her sin against Moses , so God punished her , and so we learn that even if any of us is a prophet or is righteous , there will be others who are more righteous or more beloved to God , so be careful.

2) Deborah : "Judges 4:4 to 5:1" she was a prophetess and a Judge , she was married , she used to sit under a palm tree , and the children of Israel went to her for judgment / through her, God declared and commanded that Barak would lead Israel to defeat Jabin's army , he asked her to go with him , and they defeated Jabin's army , and then they sang to the Lord saying "see Judges 5:2-"

3) Huldah : "2 Kings 22:14-" where we find Hilkiah the priest going to her to consult her , and indeed God told her what to say to the priest "Thus says the Lord …" , and what she said was fulfilled.

4) Anna : "Lk. 2:36-" she was a widow of about 84 years , didn't depart from the temple , but served God with fasting and prayers day and night , then when Jesus was circumcised she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

5) The Four Virgins Daughters of Philip the Evangelist : "Acts 21:8-"

-- And nowadays we see and hear of abesses , nuns and other female saints who have good gifts,

Prophets and Prophetesses Often Sang to the Lord :  "Ex 15:20 / Jud.5:1 / and also 1Sam.10:5 / 2Kings 3:15 / 1Chr.25:5-7" where we can also notice that singing spiritual songs to the Lord and saying hymns may help us to prophesy, as it may also help doing signs and wonders, as it also helps that God , the Spirit of God and His holy angels come and attend with us and fill the place.

Kinds of Prophesying

1) Dreams : to have a prophecy in a dream / "Jer. 23:32" /  this is like the dreams that pharaoh had at the time of Joseph, through which God told them what would happen within the following fourteen years.

2) Visions :  a] night visions :"Daniel 2:19 then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision"  "see also Num.22:20"      b] while being caught up in the flesh or in the spirit, or he may be unconscious or not knowing how or what is that happening , this is like what happened to St. Paul "2Cor.12:2 … I do not know …" and to St. John the beloved "Rev.1:10" and to Samuel the prophet "1Sam.3:3-15" .     c] visions while being conscious or while having his eyes spiritually opened seeing the spiritual world , this is like Balaam before he sinned "Num.24:3,4,15" , like Elisha the prophet "2Kings 6:16,17" , like Isaiah "Is.6:1-11 … I saw …" and like "Rev. … I saw …"

3) Informing : where the Lord sometimes says to any prophet "go tell …" , or we can say that the prophet may only hear a voice or get a certain feeling , or that an angel talks to him (specially a spirit of prophesying) , "Isaiah 6:1-11 … I heard … I said …"  "Rev. … I heard …I said …"   "1Cor.14:32 the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets" 

4) the Case of Moses the prophet :  it is a special case "Num.12:5-8 then the Lord came down … and called Aaron and Miriam … He said , if there is a prophet among you , I , the Lord make myself known to him in a vision, and I speak to him in a dream, not so with My servant Moses, he is faithful in all My house, I speak with him face to face, even plainly and not in dark sayings, and he sees the form of the Lord"   /  -- Here, in this verse, appears three kinds of prophesying , visions , dreams and Moses' case

Notes : I think, the first 3 kinds can sometimes interfere together or be similar to each others . And we may find false prophets doing the same as the good prophets but with bad intention ,  "Jer.23:32 … false dreams" "Jer.14" about false prophets, and "Jer.14:14 …they prophesy to you a false vision , divination …"  /  1Cor. 14 is a good chapter about gifts specially the gift of prophecy /  a prophecy is not only to speak about future but it may also be to declare something and/or to teach /  from among the best visions are those of Ezekiel, Daniel and John [Rev.]  /  as evil divination exist , so also there must be good divination , but it is never called divination , but is sometimes called open eyes or visions , I say this because people usually get confused in such things , so we need to know that in general if there is something good , there exist a similar false, bad or evil thing of the same kind , like we have good prophets and false prophets the Christ and false christs … , so now, although the Holy Bible didn't mention plainly the expression "good divination" or "good diviner" , but still we can conclude it from many verses in it [see "Num.22:7" which was about Balaam , the diviner , before he sinned]  /  don't take the spirit of the Old Testament and live with it in the New Testament. 

-- A Notice and a Prayer : Although Balaam prophesied many prophecies , but he didn't know about the way he would die . And also David didn't prophesy that he would sin although he was a great prophet and saint of God . So we conclude that even if any prophet or any person knew or prophesied many things, he will never know everything. Something else , someone may receive a good prophecy but he interprets or understands it wrongly, like Caiaphas the high priest at the time of Jesus who prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation , and to gather together in one the children of God "Jn11:47-52", see , the prophecy was right , and it meant that Jesus would be crucified to save all those who believe in Him, but Caiaphas thought that it meant that they had to kill Jesus . So , if any of us misunderstands any prophecy he receives, he may sin or may even more cause big destruction, such as those who misunderstood important things in the Holy Bible, caused. And so it is very important now that whoever becomes a prophet or wants to prophesy , let him pray much to God the way he likes , but I suggest something like "O lord please , grant me (us) to prophesy good prophecies and please, You give me the right understanding in all my prophecies according to Your will . Do not let me be a false prophet or speak in Your name things You did not command me to speak of, or speak in any other god's name . And keep me from all false prophecies , divination , dreams and visions , and from, going behind or be driven by, any spirit of lying or any evil spirit or any evil one.  And do not let me follow my own spirit or follow any spirit or do anything that You don't like or do any thing You like in a way You don't like." 

False Prophets and Prophetesses 

1) Read Jer.14 and 23 and Ezekiel 13 , they include a lot of information about this .

2) Balaam was not a false prophet but was first a good person , but still because of wage and profit , and may be to please a king , he sinned a great sin against the people of God , which means against God.

3) In "1kings 18:19-" we see Elijah facing 450 of the prophets of Baal and  400 prophets of Asherah, and he defeated them .

4) "Deuteronomy 13:1-5 If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams , and he gives you a sign or a wonder , and the sign or the wonder comes to pass , of which he spoke to you saying , let us go after other gods which you have not known …, you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams , for the Lord Your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord …, that prophet … shall be put to death …"

Notes :  God allows the rising of those liars (false prophets) to make sure that we really love Him  /  the main thing a false prophet does is to let people follow other gods (let people don't follow Christ)  .

5) "Deuteronomy 18:20-22 but the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name , which I have not commanded him to speak , or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die, And if you say in your heart , how shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken? When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord , if the thing does not happen or come to pass , that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken …"

Notes : some liars may speak in the name of the Lord things which the Lord did not command them to say /  we know that he is a liar if the thing didn't happen . ok. But what if the thing happens, will that make us sure that he is a real prophet ? No, for sure not, for here in this paragraph , God only confirmed that if the thing did not happen then he is a liar . So , now , if the thing happens we still have both possibilities , he may be a true prophet and he may be a liar , so let us wait for some time or another situation or another prophecy and see what will happen . And also we need to know his teachings and his doctrines . 

6) Ezek.13:1-22 … woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing … 17 likewise , son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people , who prophesy out of their own heart , prophesy against them … woe to the women who sew magic charms …to hunt souls , will you hunt the souls of My people and keep yourselves alive? And will you profane me among My people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, killing people who should not die and keeping people alive who should not live , by your lying to My people who listen to lies? Therefore …

7) "Mt. 7:15- "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16You will know them by their fruits … 22Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'   /    Notice here that someone may have spiritual gifts and may do good deeds in a certain field , but in general his teachings and his deeds are full of evil or are against God , then he will go to hell fire , he will not be with Christ in His kingdom.

8) As there were false prophets in the Old Testament, there will also be false prophets in the New Testament "Mt. 7:15 / 24:11,24" and false Christs "Mt. 24:5,24" and false apostles "2 Cor.11:13" and false teachers "2Pet.2:1-3" and false brethren "2Cor.11:26" . All these will be followed by many.

9) There is a certain kind of spirits called "a lying spirit 1Kings 22:20-22".  /  A lying spirit can affect a person , if he only wants to appear great in men's eyes not in God's eyes , and if he does not always pray to God to save him from following any spirit away from God "Ezek.13:2"  

-- False Prophetesses :  1) Noadiah "Nehemiah 6:14 My God , remember … and the prophetess Noadiah and …who made me afraid".  

2) Jezebel "Rev. 2:20-22 … Jezebel who calls herself a prophetess , to teach and beguile My servants to commit sexual immorality and … I will cast her into a sickbed and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent … I will kill her children with death"

Contemplation In Some Prophecies

Acts 21:10-12 And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11When he had come to us, he took Paul's belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, "So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles."'     12Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem.

Notes : the Holy Spirits speaks to the prophets or talks to them. Now, we, as Christians believe that the Holy Spirit is one of the three hypostases (persons) of God . He is the One who, speaks, talks to and leads, the prophets , apostles and all saints in the church. / why did the Holy Spirit declared this prophecy to another prophet not to St. Paul , although He had talked to him many times?! And why was the prophecy about a man who owned that belt?! And … ?! I think , we can always say that God is the owner of the whole world and He does what He wants the way He wants.

-- And what does it mean that they asked Paul not to go , does it mean that the prophecy may not happen if things change and if we ask God to change it?  There are two opposite answers to this question , but at the same time they complete each others, but we need to understand first the meaning of "It is written in the book of life , see Rev.3:5 / 17:8 / 20:12 / Ex. 32:32 / Philippians 4:3" .  Very briefly , some say , because every thing is written in a book from the foundation of the world , so what is written will happen to us.  The other opinion says no , God gave us free will to do what we want, even if there are things God has already written , but still for sure we have some area within which we can choose what we want. Yes , I think if we mix both opinions together , we shall reach the best thing , for sure God had written things before the foundation of the world , and for sure we have free will , but for sure also , God had known everything that would happen , God foreknows everything , and the book says "those whom He foreknew , He also predestined Rom.8:29" , similarly we can also say , He foreknew so He forewrote . The foreknowing of God , we can never perceive , so it is hard to speak about, but for sure God is Merciful , Just and lover of all man kind, so He used these perfect and unlimited attributes of His to forewrite things about everyone for his good, even, if he is a sinner . And it is clear that sometimes, among what is written, some things can change if circumstances change or for instance if people change, like when the people of Nineveh repented and so God didn't punish them . So God gave us free will but at the same time He had known what we would choose.   And now , if we speak again about prophecies , and whether or not they can change , we can say, yes a prophecy may change, but , it depends on God , if He wants it to be changed or not , if had written that it would change or not , and , if people and/or things will change or not … .

Jn.11:49-52  And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all, 50nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish." 51Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. 

Notes : he received a good prophecy but didn't understand it the right way , we talked about this before in "Kinds of prophecy" , but again it is important for everyone who has this gift to always pray for it.

Contemplation on Some Verses Related to Prophesying

-- First, remember , chapters 12, 13, 14 of first Corinthians are very important , they tell us much about love and spiritual gifts specially prophesying. We can briefly say, let all things be , for the Glory of God and His holy name , for edifying God's people and His church and for the salvation of many and if possible the salvation of all.

1- Mt. 10:41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward.

2- Mt. 13:57 So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house .   /  so even if you will do great things, you will be rejected by your family and your relatives , and you will not be able to do good miracles with them, and even more they may rise against you and speak evil of you, but remember what our Lord told us "Mt. 5:12 12Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." . And also remember  "Lk. 6:26  26Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets."

3- Acts 13:1-3 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. 

Notes : The Holy Spirit our Lord leads the church  /  prayer and fasting are important  /  the beginning of Paul's ministry

   

4- In Revelation chapter 11 , we see 2 prophets who are also called "God's 2 witnesses" "the 2 olive trees" "the 2 lampstands" , He will give them power , and they will prophesy three and half years , "they have power to shut heaven , so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy , and they have power over waters to turn them to blood and to strike the earth with all plagues as often as they desire 11:6"   . Then when the hour of darkness comes , the beast that ascends from the bottomless pit will kill them , but then after three and half days , the breath of life from God will enter them and they will ascend to God.

-- In Revelation, we read about the false prophet "16:13 / 19:20 / 20:10", it is he himself the first beast which rose up from the sea "13:1,2" . We also read about the false christ , he is the second beast who came up out of the earth "13:11" , it was he himself who made war against the 2 prophets in "Rev.11:7" and killed them . These 2 beasts together with the devil "Satan" , will be tormented day and night forever and ever "Rev.20:10"

-- God , Please , have mercy upon us .

Hail! Great Prophets of God

-- John the Baptist , Moses , Elijah and Elisha . Moses was the one whom God talked with , Elijah had the spirit which Elisha took 2 of , and which the Baptist came with , and John the Baptist was the one whom our Lord spoke of saying that He was greater than a prophet and the best among all men.

--- O Holy Trinity , Please, Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. Let your glory be above all the earth. Psalm 57:5,11 and Psalm 108:5" and "Always be glorified and hallowed, You and Your holy name. Amen.

Index

Page  Title   

1   Introduction   

1 Verses Related to Gifts   

1 Kinds of Gifts   

2 Important Summary   

2 Casting Out Demons   

3 ٍStories of Christ Casting out Demons  ٍ   

4 Remarks   

5 Continue Stories of Christ   

6 The Apostles Casting out Demons   

7 In the Old Testament   

7 Sorcery and Evil Deeds (Water and Oil)   

8 ٍStories in the Holy Bible About Sorcery   

8 Information   

9 How to Protect Ourselves   

9 Remarks   

9 Oil and Water   

10 Healing the Sick   

11 Laying on of the Hands   

11 Jesus Healing the Sick   

14 Remarks   

14 Healing the Blind   

15 The Apostles Healing the Sick   

16    Nature   

17 Fish   

18 "Acts"   

18 Saints of the Old Testament   

19 Raising the Dead   

22 Prophesying   

22 Saintly Prophetesses   

23 Kinds of Prophesying   

24 False Prophets   

24 Contemplatios on Prophecies   

25 Contemplation on Verses related to Prophesying   

25 Hail! great Prophets