Many Christians firmly believe that they or someone they know, or know of, have been miraculously healed. Are healings for Christians today, or for non-Christians, or both?

“This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will”—Hebrews 2:3-4 NIV

In the first century, God gave the Apostles and some of their Christian associates the power to heal. But who did they heal? Were these healings performed on other Christians, or on non-Christians? Or were both healed? Let’s examine the Bible to find out.

But we also need to keep in mind Biblical warnings, such as the following, because Jesus foretold there would be many counterfeit Christian healers:

“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. away from me, you evildoers'”— Matthew 7:22-23 NIV

BIBLE EXAMPLES OF HEALINGS AND NON-HEALINGS

The following are Biblical examples of healings, and non-healings:

“Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses”(1 Timothy 5:23 NIV). Rather than being advised to seek miraculous healing for his stomach trouble, Christian leader Timothy was encourage to ‘drink a little wine’. 

“”I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me” (2 Corinthians 12:7 NIV). Paul endured an unknown “thorn in the flesh,” possibly some type of disability, but was not healed. Why? He was probably the best example ever of a Christian.

“Epaphroditus, my bother, co-worker and fellow soldier, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for you all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him (Philippians 2:25-27 NIV) Exemplary Christian Epaphroditis was very sick and he almost died.) But there is no mention of his healing. Why wasn’t he healed? He was a believer.

A lame temple beggar was healed who was not yet a believer. (Acts 3:2-8)

Peter and John prayed for God’s healing power. An earthquake confirmed God’s approving answer.  (Acts 4:29-31)

The Apostles performed many healings, but no Christians were healed. (Acts 5:12-16)

Crowds, who were not yet believers, were healed. (Acts 8:5-7))

Prior to baptism as a Christian, Saul was healed from blindness. (Acts 9:7-18)

Aeneas, a non-Christian, was healed. (Acts 9:32-35)

There were many miracles at Iconium, but no Christians were reported to be healed. (Acts 14:3)

A cripple was healed at Lystra, a non-Christian. He recovered instantly and completely. (Acts 14:8-10)

God gave Paul power – for healing non-Christians. (Acts 19:8-9-11)

Paul was sick when he first preached to the Galatians. (Galatians 4:13-14 ) He never healed other Christians or baptized believers, and there is no mention of him praying for their healing, either.

CONCLUSION

“This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will”—Hebrews 2:3-4 NIV

So, as we can see from the scriptures, the healings in the first century were performed on non-Christians by the Apostles and their associates. There is no record in the New Testament of any healings being performed by Christians on other Christians. Why? Because healing was a confirmation for non-Christians that the Apostles and early Christians were directed by God through his holy spirit (Hebrews 2:3,4).