Understanding Christian Healing, George Jeffreys Healing Evangelist

George Jeffreys (1889-1962) held massive evangelistic and healing campaigns across Britain for seventeen years (up to 1932) and saw tens of thousands of converts and thousands of miracles. He knew that whilst it was prudent to book large premises for his evangelistic campaigns; without the Spirit of God, it would all be in vain. Many of his campaigns broke forth into revival as people were saved and healed. Jesus was exalted, the Holy Spirit brought conviction of sin, and people saw the cross and called upon the name of the Lord who is mighty to save!

In 1929, George Jeffreys wrote: ‘Since the days of the Apostles there has never been a time when so many people testify to being miraculously healed as today. Miracles and healings, just as wonderful as those witnessed in the days of the Apostles are taking place. The news of blind eyes being opened, deaf ears being unstopped, paralysed limbs vibrating with Divine life, cripples walking, cancers, tumours, growths disappearing, and all kinds of diseases healed, is sent broadcast throughout the whole earth.

George Jeffreys wrote: ‘Some of the most spiritual saints who pray for healing feel quite free to cooperate with the natural law of healing in the use of natural curative means. This attitude is sanctioned in Scripture, for Paul prescribed means for Timothy’s “often infirmities.” Prayer and coordination with the natural law of healing, which is inherent in human nature, often results in acceleration, and healing has come with astonishing speed. We have frequently come into contact with saints who have testified to marvellous healing results in this way. Others have felt definitely led of God to abandon all natural curative means, and they too have testified to astounding miracles of healing in answer to prayer. We do not presume to dictate to saints in this matter, for it is one that must be decided by themselves. But we do advise to act wisely concerning the law of cleansing against contagion, and the law of isolation against infection, which were undoubtedly embodied in the “statutes” mentioned in the great Healing Covenant of Exodus 24.’

Things to Remember when Seeking Healing

George Jeffreys wrote: ‘The state of your spiritual life can easily affect the condition of your body.’

Therefore, see that your spiritual life is nourished by prayer, and the reading of God’s Word. ‘Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray’ (James 5:13). ‘This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your Word has given me life’ (Psalm 119:50).
Healing, like salvation, is all of grace; therefore, do not consider your own unworthiness: ‘He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all good things?’ (Romans 8:32).
Do not worry over your little faith, but consider the greatness of the Divine Physician: Jesus said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘be pulled up by the roots and planted in the sea’ and it would obey you” (Luke 17:6).
You must not be overburdened about your long-standing disease. Cases like yours have been healed before: ‘There was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years and was bent over and could no way raise herself…. He [Jesus] laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God’ (Luke 13:11, 13).
You must not be discouraged if not immediately healed. Yours might be a gradual recovery: ‘Then he inquired of them the hour when he got better. And they said to him “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him” ’ (John 4:52).
Due attention must be given to the laws of health as to food, hygiene, bodily exercise and rest: ‘If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you” (Exodus 15:26).
A cheerful heart is a tonic to yourself and to others, therefore cultivate a happy disposition: ‘A merry heart does good like medicine…’ (Proverbs 17:22).
God is glorified and His works made manifest when the supernatural is in evidence: ‘The disciples asked Jesus, “Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?” Jesus responded, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him” (John 9:2-3).

Instant and Progressive Healing

George Jeffreys wrote: ‘The gifts of healing are amongst the nine miraculous gifts that are distributed to the Church by the Holy Spirit. The word healing suggests a gradual recovery, and many are restored in this way. Another among the nine gifts is the working of miracles, which suggests an immediate Divine interposition so that a person is instantly healed. In our Lord’s ministry, there were these two kinds of healing.’

Jesus touched a man who was full of leprosy and he was instantly healed (Luke 5:12-13).
The paralysed man was instantly healed (John 5-1-9).
A nobleman’s son was at the point of death and he implored Jesus. The boy was healed the same hour in which Jesus had said, “Go your way, your son lives” because ‘the man believed the word’ (John 4:50-53).
Naaman dipped himself seven times in the river before he was healed of his leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-16).
Hezekiah had a boil and was near death. Isaiah spoke the Word of the Lord that he would live 15 extra years and that on the third day he would go up to the house of the Lord. A lump of figs was applied as a poultice on the boil, ‘and he shall recover’ (2 Kings 20:1-11 and Isaiah 38:1-21).
Jesus prayed for a blind man twice. The first time the man saw people walking like trees (Mark 8:22-26).
Jesus told the ten lepers to go on their way and as they did they were cleansed (Luke 17:11-19).

Steps to Healing

1. Obey the commandments of God (John 14:15).
2. If unsaved you should be saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4).
3. Be sure you are in line with God’s will (1 John 5:14).
4. If you are a backslider, get restored (Hosea 14:1, 4 and 2 Chronicles 7:14).
5. If you are saved you should remember the Lord’s death [Lord’s Supper/Communion] (1 Corinthians 11:24-26).
6. If you are saved you should bring your tithes into the storehouse (Malachi 3:10-11).
7. Be sure you confess any wrongdoing to those you have injured (James 5:16).
8. You should manifest love to other Christians (1 Peter 1:22).

Modes to Healing

The direct appeal on the part of an individual. A leper appealed directly to Jesus and received healing (Matthew 8:2).
The cooperation and fellowship of practical sympathisers. The friends who lowered the paralytic man through a hole in a roof. Jesus saw their faith and the man took up his bed and walked away (Mark 2:4-5).
The cooperation and mutual fellowship of prayer warriors. If two agree on earth in Jesus’ name (Matthew 18:19).
The laying on of hands (Mark 16:18).
The anointing with oil (James 5:14).
The going forth of God’s Word. ‘He sent His Word and healed them…’ (Psalm 107:20).
The ministry of prayer in the church. ‘By stretching forth Your hand to heal and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of Your holy Servant Jesus’ (Acts 4:30).