ABSTRACT
Through this topic, the researcher discussed the implications
of the exegesis of Mark 5:25-34 from divine healing in Christ Apostolic Church,
Agbala Itura, Oyo State. Unusual healing was highly and regularly recorded in
the ministry of Jesus Christ, one of the fastest way man believes and accepts
in world religions. Globally, healthy living is celebrated and even government
spends much on it. Medical practitioners care while God cures; therefore, no
physician could heal but God. Almost all world religions believe in healing. African
traditional religion especially in Yoruba land is a close example in
traditional religion. There are cults or movements which focus on sickness and
healing. Traditional healers had been playing some roles in healing the sick
before the advent of Christianity, which brought about Western medicine by
medical missionaries. However, people were mixing religious method of healing
with Divine healing, and people knowingly or unknowingly became ritualist in
the name of Divine healing. This is common in Africa, even Christians are
affected. A church can easily overflow when healing is constantly happening
without caring about the source. A researcher recently discovered that those
who are into traditional method of healing are into church business in order to
get more customers. In this research, orthodox medical and African traditional
perspectives on healing were discussed. The focus in this research is to
discuss the Divine healing standard through scriptures for the church to
emulate. The methodology used is the historical survey type combining library
and field works. The library work patronized relevant books, journals,
information from the internet. The research discussed and recommended
scripturally based healing method.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background to the Study
Right
from the fall of man: Adam and Eve, healing has been a necessity for every
mankind, generation to generation, and this has been a primary demand.
Therefore, everyone is in need of healing, either physical, mental, social and
so on. Even most of the world religion believe in healing to cure diseases.
Though, it shall be discussed later in the research. Presently, the church is
facing a lot of problem, thus so many were healed in the church that is not
divine. The question is, is it every healing services done in the church that
is from God? And what are the people mindset towards healing? The association
of religion with medicine continued well into the eighteenth century. The
Catholic Church had tried, from the time of the middle ages, to stop priests engaging
in medicine for gain. The reformation had stopped Protestants from healing by
means of sacraments which was regarded as popish by superstition (the age of
miracles being thought to be long past). But, until the processes of
secularization in eighteenth century began to reduce the significance of
religion, Christianity remained a powerful force to be appealed when ill, rich
and poor alike had recourse to religion even when they were using naturalistic
medicine. There is nothing bad in naturalistic medicine but it has
replaced God in the hearts of people.
The supernatural act which resolves a
physical, emotional or spiritual problem is called divine healing and the
supernatural element is God. Most of the major world religions believe in some
supernatural healing to cure disease by countering black magic and casting out
Jinn. Islam uses Rugya, Tibeton. Buddhists use GSO-waRigpa, which includes
elements of medicine, mantra and meditation. Modern
pantheism such as New Age philosophy or cosmic humanism use a wide variety of
techniques from ancient religions and the occult. The most reliable, permanent
and powerful among all these views of healing is divine healing which Christian
believe in through the name of Jesus. Healing in the non-Christian religion’s
view, requires a physical ritual to coerce a deity into action or to manipulate
an impersonal healing force.
Healing
(literally means to make whole) is the restoration of health from an unbalanced
diseased or damaged organism with physical damage or disease suffered by an
organism: Healing involves the repair of living tissue, organs and the
biological system as a whole and resumption of normal functioning. It is the
process by which the cells in the body regenerate and repair to reduce the size
of a damaged or necrotic area and replace it with new living tissue. The gospel
narrative is approximately one fifth of Jesus’ healing ministry. Jesus went
throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of
the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people through a
command.
The
aim of this research is for people to know that using herbs and western
medicine are parts of Divine healing. And everyone should depend on God for
healing through the name of Jesus Christ than thrusting in healing elements
created by God
1.2 Statement
of the Problem
Divine
healing is becoming a big problem in the church of God to the extent that many
that were not gifted in divine healing are seeking it with evil forces. The
researcher discovered that those who know herbs medicine or traditional method
of healing are establishing churches for more customers in the name of
membership. This practice has stained the church of God. Many notable healings
were done which made people believe in things used for healing than the great
healer (Jesus Christ). This research work attempts to address the questionable
practice of healing in the name of Divine healing.
1.3
Purpose of the Study
The
purpose of this research is to probe into the questionable approach to healing.
The probing is to be done in the light of exegesis of the selected text using
the platform of the church and the quest for her growth.
1.4
Significance of the Study
This
research work is of great significance with the understanding that it will be
beneficial to the following; Churches, Spiritual Leaders, Pastors, Teachers of
the Word, Scholar and every individuals that desires to seek the truth.
1.5
Delimitation of the Study
The
scope of this study is confined to the exegesis of Mark 5:25-34 and the Christ
Apostolic Church, Agbala Iwosan, Ondo.
1.6
Research Procedure
The
methodology in carrying out this research is the historical survey type
approach. Using library and field works. The library work is done by reading
textbook, Bible commentaries, Christian literatures, internet, library
information, personal experience and sampling.
1.7
Limitation of the Study
Some
challenges were encountered by the researcher when gathering relevant data due
to logistics.
1.8
Definition of Terms
The
researcher here gives common definition of some words that relate with the
theme and body of this work.
Divine:
Divine
is an adjective related to divinity is the state of things that are believed to
come from a supernatural power such as the Supreme Being.
Healing:
It
is the curing resulting in good health; promoting closure of wound and ulcers;
also the process of a return to good health.
Health:
According
to White Kevin, the earliest definition is attributed to Pericles in the fifth
century which enable a person to face any crisis in life with the utmost grace
and facility. At times health and healing are used interchangeably.
African:
A
person from Africa, especially a black person.
Antibiotic:
A
medicine that inhibits the growth of or destroys microorganisms