Divine healing of soul and body

Author's Preface

In sending forth this volume for the benefit of suffering humanity, it is hoped that many who are bound down by sin and r kness, and oppressed of the devil, will be enr 1 „d to better understand the will of God concerning themselves; and by a closer walk with him, can by faith unlock the rich treasure house of the Lord, and enjoy the blessings of his love as never before.

Many volumes have been written on the subject of Divine Healing, yet most people — even professing Christians all over the land — are skeptics regarding the same, because they have been taught from their youth up that " the day of miracles is past." Such has been taught at home, from the press and the pulpit; inasmuch as to say that the Lord's power is limited; making Him a finite being, instead of infinite

It is the aim of this work to show forth the principles of salvation, and how to reach the highest attainments; and encourage people to believe the Word of God, and not fear to walk out upon His promises. As the subject treated upon is one against which there is much prejudice, I trust no one will

in iv AUTHORS PREFACE.

lay the book aside until the whole of it is read and compared with the sacred Word.

God forbid that any one whose name is mentioned in this book should receive self-praise or glory for the works wrought through them by the power of God; but may He only be adored, who is worthy of all honor and praise. May the Lord bless the dear ones who have so kindly aided in this work by sending in their testimonies; also a dear brother who kindly contributed the chapter on " The Use of Divine Healing." For want of space we have had to omit many precious and wonderful testimonies which were sent in for publication.

That our heavenly Father will bless each reader of this book, with a fervent trust in Him, and enable them to enjoy the blessing of health, and full salva tion, is the earnest prayer of your humble servant. Yours in Him.

E. E. Byrum.

Grand Junction, Mich., April 7, 18Q2.

CONTESTS.

Part I. — Divine Healing of The Soul. The Darkness of Sin

The Way Out .

The Sinner's Call .

Conviction

Consecration

Faith ....

Conversion .

Sanctification

The Two Works of Grace

Part II. — Divine Healing The Doctrine of Healing Is The Day of Healing Past?

The Use of Divine Healing Old Testament Witnesses New Testament Witnesses .

The Apostasy .

The Evening Light The Promise of His Power The Gifts of Healing .

Who Are The Elders?

What Kind of Oil to Use .

Anointing and Consecration Can I Be Healed?

Sick For The Glory of God The Use of Medicine .

of The Body.

Paffe.

VI

C0NTEN7S.

Means Which God Blesses

The Prayer of Faith

Walking Out Upon His Promises

Resisting Temptation .

Resisting The Truth

Hindrances to Healing

Casting Out Devils .

Sending Anointed Handkerchiefs

Spiritualism ....

Christian Science . .

Witnesses Since The Apostles

Part III. — Witnesses of To Day. A Wonderful Deliverance

The Blind Eyes Opened .

Nine Years an Invalid .

Corroborating Testimony

Physicians Baffled for Eleven Years

Deliverance from Disobedience

Healed, Soul, Body and Eyes

Motherhood ....

He Healeth Our Diseases .

Touched with Divine Power

A Trial of Faith .

Marvelous Healing of The Soul

The Family Physician .

Healed of Rheumatism and a Stiff Joint

A Crushed Arm Healed

Healed of Tumor ....

At Death's Door . ..".'*.

Heart Disease Cured

Healed of Catarrh ....

Healed of Cancer ....

Restoration of Eyesight

135 142

145 149

151 152

157 163 165 170

Contents

VII

Nasal Catarrh Instantly Healed

A Wonderful Cure of Consumption

Chapter I. The Darkness Of Sin

pN reading the sacred Word, we find that God has made provision for the healing [of both soul and body. The Psalmist 'says it is the Lord "who forgiveth all I thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases." — Psa. 103: 3.

When man was first placed here on earth he was on a plane with God; was in a holy state, without sin or sickness; but through his disobedience "sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." — Rom. 5: 12. This death was a spiritual one, and was the result of the seed of sin which the enemy of souls planted in them causing them to be driven from the garden of Eden.

Adam was born in the likeness of God, but after his fall by sin he begat children in his own likeness, after his own image. Thus all persons thereafter, inherited this evil nature; and as soon as they reach the age of accountability, and know the difference between good and evil, they become transgressors. Although innocent at birth, but few years pass by until this inherited nature leads them into the ways of sin: and the "wages of sin is death."

The person who is traveling the way of sin, and rapidly going the downward road to ruin without a ray of heavenly light, indeed has a sin-sick soul, which only the great Physician can heal.

Chapter II. The Way Out

Through all this spiritual darkness there is but one way out, and that is by the way of the cross. It is through the blood of Jesus Christ, which was shed upon the cross of Calvary, that the atonement was made for our sins. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." — Jno. 3: 16.

The prophets of old foretold the coming of this great Redeemer who would redeem the people from their sins. Yea, even the angel of the Lord, told Joseph that his wife should bring forth a son, and said: "Thou shalt call his name JESUS: and he shall

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save his people from their sins." His life was a sinless one, yet he was reviled and persecuted on every hand, and even suffered the agonies of death upon the cross, that poor vile sinners might have eternal life, and an everlasting inheritance with him in glory. He says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."

We are to take Christ for our example, "who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." — I Peter 2: 22-24.

Chapter III. The Sinner's Call

The Bible teaches us that there is a future home prepared for all mankind where they will dwell throughout eternity. For the wicked, it is a place of endless torment in hell, from whence there is no returning; no future redemption beyond the grave. For the righteous, there is a home of everlasting peace and joy in heaven where they will forever praise God in glory.

We have a gracious God, one whose mercies can not be fathomed; they are boundless, and are extended unto all. We are free moral agents, that is, — it is our privilege to choose Christ as our Savior, or reject him, and whatever the decision may be, our choice is either heaven or hell. It is not the will of the Father that any one should perish, and he commands all men everywhere to repent.

Dear reader, are you burdened with sin, and your life made miserable on account of the lost condition of your soul? Remember that Jesus is the door into the kingdom and he is still calling: "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me: for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls: for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." — Matt. 1 1 : 28-30.

"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness."

"Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.

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"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. "-Isa. 55: 1,2,6,7.

"Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." — Isa. 1: 18.

"Whosoever will may come." O what precious promises! No one is excluded if they will obey the call and do His commands." Seek and ye shall find." "Knock and it shall be opened unto you."

The sinner hears these words of the Lord spoken, and the gentle calls bring conviction upon his soul.

Chapter IV. Conviction

As the sinner begins to realize his condition before God, eternity stares him in the face, and sin weighs heavy upon his soul. The darkness increases and the burden becomes greater until life is miserable. O what a condition! lost! forever lost unless God extends his mercy and offers deliverance to the captive soul. The sentence has gone forth from the mouth of the Lord, " Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish." Yet many harden their hearts, and go on heedless and apparently unconcerned, but that does not change the sentence in tke least. When anyone is arraigned before the courts of justice for some crime or misdemeanor, and is tried according to the laws of the land and found guilty, then the supreme judge passes the sentence of punishment. It then makes no difference whether that person feels that he will be punished or not, the punishment will be carried out just the same. Just so with the sinner who has transgressed the law of God, and disobeyed his holy word: God calls upon him to repent and make restitution. And the refusal of the same, and utter rejection of the commands and laws of the Lord will bring his judgments upon such a person. And when life on earth shall pass away, eternity will reveal the awful fact that the penalty is to be carried out, and the wrath of a just God will forever be upon a doomed soul.

Conviction is not feeling, as many suppose, but conviction of sin generally brings on a feeling of remorse. It is then when mercy reaches forth a helping hand of deliverance, but to reject the proffered help is to drive away the gentle Spirit which inclined the soul to turn to God, and a continual rejection may so harden the heart as to drive away the feeling of remorse; but the case has already been tried before the great tribunal of God and the decision rendered, guilty. The doom is eternal punishment unless repentance is made before life closes the mortal

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scene. There is still hope for those who will yet turn unto the Lord.

A knowledge of the condition of the soul is sufficient, without a worked-up feeling about the matter. But it takes something more to set the heart right than merely being convicted of sin. It requires a genuine consecration, and submission of all things unto God and a willingness to forsake sin and do his will.

Chapter V. Consecration

We would not picture the horrors of hell, nor present the awful doom of sinners and urge them unto repentance, could we not point them to a better place; one prepared only for the redeemed to dwell/with Christ in glory. That place is heaven. A place where no sorrow can enter; and the blood-washed throng enter the joys of the Lord to go no more out forevermore. Such a place is worth gaining at the cost of all things, and it takes an unconditional surrender to God in order to be fitted for entrance. This life is the dressing room for j the future. We must have on the wedding garment and be ready with our lamps trimmed and burning when the Bridegroom comes, otherwise we will be like the five foolish virgins, forever shutout. The soul now begins to earnestly cry out for mercy, saying, " What shall I do to be saved?" The inspired

Word answers, Repent of your sins. Acts 17: 30.

" Repent ye therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out." — Acts 3: 19.

" Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish." — Luke 13: 3, 5.

First, Forsake your sins. Isa. 55:7.

Second, Confess your sins. Prov. 28: 13.

11 If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins." — 1 Jno. 1:9.

" Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." — Acts 16: 31; Jno. 3: 16, 18.

To make the necessary consecration to bring the soul out of the darkness of sin into the light of heaven, requires something more than going through a mere form. It takes a yielding to the will of God; a determination to forsake all sin and follow Jesus; an action in response to his commands.

When persons have done what the Lord requires of them, they will find the Lord true to his promise. He says if you confess your sins he will forgive: if you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ you shall be saved; and many other precious promises are given. To acknowledge your sins and then continue doing the same as before would not be Bible confession, neither would God accept such, for the evil man is commanded to forsake his ways. The moment the consecration is complete, the Lord answers prayer

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by doing the work. But there are too many like Ananias and Sapphira, who try to keep back a part of the price, and hide it away for future use for themselves ; are unwilling to make a complete surrender, just as if they could hide something from the all-searching eye of God, who seeth all things, and knoweth the most secret thoughts. He knows when a consecration is a sham and when it is genuine, and his contracts always stand filled and signed, ready to pass at full value as soon as the conditions are met on our part..

Chapter VI. Faith

Faith in God is taking him at his word, and moving out uponhis promises with all confidence and sincerity without a doubt or fear. It is the " substance of things hoped for, the evidence ofj things not seen." "But without faith' it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." — Heb. n: I, 6.

How often people come to a point of consecration where they say they have done all the Word of God requires of them, and yet cannot claim the blessingof God! What is the trouble? If the consecration is complete the promises of the Word can be claimed without a doubt, whether a person has any outward evidence or not. If we believe God, why hesitate to count his promises true and claim them as our own? There is a lesson which every one must learn who are seeking blessings from the treasure house of the Lord, and that is to believe they do receive that for which they ask; and that God does hear now and answer the request the very moment the conditions of his word are met. Remember the Savior said: "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them. "-Mark 11:24. These promises are to his children; those who walk not after the things of this world, but have forsaken all things that would bind them to the sinful pleasures of life. They are for any one who will forsake sin and obey God.

Genuine faith in God is something more than moving out upon his promises no further than we can see with our natural eyes, and believing only as far as we can see, and as providence performs in our sight. It means a decisive action of belief against all opposing elements and mountains of adversities that may seemingly bar the way to prevent an answer to prayer.The one who prays the prayer of faith calls upon God for the desired favor and leaves the result with him, knowing that according to his word it shall come to pass.

Too many get the wrong idea regarding the nature of faith, and imagine it is for almost anyone else but

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themselves; that in order to exercise faith they must wonderfully and rigorously exercise the mind, and strain and worry, or go through certain performances in order to grasp the promise and secure His blessings. There are just two platforms upon which to stand, and we must take one or the other. The one is belief, the other unbelief. The Word of God is true, or it is not true. He will do as he has promised, or he will not do it. His promises are reliable, or they are not reliable. Then the question is, Will we consider the Word of God true, or shall we believe it to be false? If we consider him to be a true God, why hesitate to obey and move out upon his promises, whether we can seeourway through ornot, onaccount of the adversities and many opposing elements with which we may have to contend? When we are in the order of the Lord and desire a favor of him, it is evidence enough to know he has promised in his word; and, if so, We need not seek after signs and wonders in order to verify his promises, or give evidence that he will not fail to fulfill his promises.

To one seeking a favor of God the point of faith or trust must be reached in which the action of present belief takes place; a positive confidence that he hears and answers just now, for, "This is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he heareth us; and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." — I Jno. 5: 14, 15. " And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name I will do it." — Jno 14: 13, 14.

The sinner must believe that now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation. — 1 Cor. 6:2. And, " If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins." — 1 Jno. 1: 9.

The believer must realize these words as true, demanding immediate attention: "This is the will of God even'your sanctification." — 1 Thess. 4: 3. "Go on to perfection." — Heb. 6: I. The Father will give you another Comforter. — Jno. 14: 16. " Presentyourbodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." — Rom. 12: 1.

The afflicted must remember that " the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up."— Jas. 5: 13-15.

It is generally our own choice if we are bound down, either by sin or the discouragements of life. God promises to break the fetters and set the captive free. Although one may be bound with chains of iron and steel, yet that cannot deprive perfect freedom and joy in the soul.

Suppose a man were bound down hand and foot and cast into prison, and would make an appeal for pardon, and the jailor would come and present the papers showing that his request had been granted by the authorities, would he not begin to feel grateful toward those who had granted the pardon? But the jailor reads the pardon, takes off the fetters and chains, takes down the prison bars, throws open the door and says, <# You are now a free man: go your way in peace." But the man still sits there and says : " I know the pardon reads that I am to be free, and I believe every word of it, but I am yet in prison."

" The doors are open, come out," says the jailor.

11 1 know they are open, and I know I would be free If I were out, but I am not out."

" Well, come out," still insists the jailor; " do you mot believe what I have said and done is all true?

M O yes, I believe every word of it, but it seems as if I never will get out of here."

A pardon would be of no benefit to such a man, because of his own choice he remains in prison and does not act upon the privileges given. That is faith without works. Yet how often we see persons seeking salvation who are in just such a condition. They believe, and yet in a sense they do not believe. They seem to be afraid that God will not do what he has said he will do. Is that not worse than doubting

Thomas? Our Bible teaches us that faith and works go together. While it is not necessary to wait for a certain amount of feeling in orderto exercise faith, yet when our faith is exercised accordingto his word, it will leave its effect; the thing believed for will be received whether it comes in just the way we are expecting it or not. Often people ask God for something, and do not "get it because they will not receive it in the way in which he offers it to them. For instance, a man is seeking the pardon of his sins, and has made up his mind he must have an experience the moment he complies with the Word, such as will cause him to leap and bound and shout the high praises of God; and because he has seen these manifestations in others at the time of pardon, thinks he must have the same manifestations to witness the work done, and thus measure salvation from a standpoint of feeling instead of faith, and is very apt to receive the blessing in quite a different way from what he was expecting it. Persons who "set their stakes," as the saying is, as to some certain way the Lord is to bestow his blessings upon them, are almost sure to have to pull up their "stakes," and become willing to accept it in any way the Lord sees fit to give it.

Faith is the key which unlocks the great treasure house of the Lord, and causes hisi>lessings to shower down in abundance. To the Christian' it is a shield which wards off the darts of the enemy; it removes mountains of opposition and discouragements, and brings a halo of glory about the soul, and the evil one is defeated on every hand.

It is a blessed thing to realize that our faith reaches unto Jesus Christ; for he is the end of our faith and is always ready to honor the same by an immediate answer.

Chapter VII. Conversion

Conversion is that change wrought in the soul which changes it from a natural to a spiritual state; from a sinful state to a state of grace. It is regeneration; a new or spiritual birth. It is an instantaneous work, wrought by the power of God which brings a person into a justified relation with God. It is as radical a change as is the natural birth of an infant. A new world to the soul has been reached, a new parentage given, and a heavenly parental arm of love is encircled round about with a wall of salvation to protect the new-born babe in Christ from the fiery darts of the evil one.

But how to solve this great problem and enable the soul to reach the desired haven of tranquillity and peace with God has been the great question of all enlightened people throughout the Christian era.

We are first to believe the Word of God, then act on that belief, which, if we are sinners, will at once bring about the conversion of the soul. The Lord speaks the words of pardon and says, " Thy sins are forgiven; go and sin no more." The burden of sin rolls away, and the peace of God comes in and illuminates the soul. A new era begins, and everything seems changed. So effective is it that what was once pleasure now does not seem to have any attraction; and the things that were formerly hated are now looked upon with admiration, and observed with a holy reverence. A new birth has taken place, and the new-born babe in Christ goes forth to walk in the heavenly light of God's word, and begins to feast upon the manna which cometh from above.

This spiritual birth is something that sinners do not understand, and they cannot because they are unable to discern the spiritual mind. They see the change of life in those who have been born again, and in their own strength and own way begin to try to reason out the ways of salvation. What do they get? They get just such an experience as Nicodemus had, — an experience of morality, and not of salvation. He was quite a prominent, great religious teacher; a ruler among the Jews, and yet confessed his ignorance regarding the conversion of the soul. Christ very plainly told him that his profession and experience would not take him to heaven, and said: "Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." — Jno. 3: 3.

There are too many Nicodemases throughout the land at the present time; persons who are religious teachers, and yet strangers to this heavenly birth.

A man may make up his mind to do right, and determine to make heaven his home, and at once begin to change his ways. He stops swearing, lying, defrauding his neighbor, restores that which he has stolen, leaves off his bad habits, gives of his goods to the poor, attends religious services regular, and people notice a great change in the man, and yet he is only a moral man; and because he has not repented of his sins and been born of the Spirit, Christ says such a one " cannot see the kingdom of God."

There is a vast difference between morality and salvation. Morality does not include salvation; it changes the habits, but does not change the nature. But salvation always includes morality in the strictest sense. This blessed experience can be reached and claimed as our own the very moment we fully decide to forsake all sin, and have repented of all sin and confessed the same to God.

When the soul is converted a person can go about singing, "O happy day! when Jesus washed my sins away." Indeed this is a happy state, for there is peace

26 DIVINE HFALING

with God. "Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." — Rom. 5:1. This gives access, or opens the way of entrance into the standing grace o\ sanctification.

Chapter VIII. Sanctification

The command to the converted person is to go on unto perfection, Heb. 6: 1, "for this is the will of God even your sanctification." — 1 Thess. 4: 3.

"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be presen ed blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." — 1 Thess. 5: 23.

All actual transgressions have been pardoned, but the inherited nature still remains, which is the groundwork of sin in the heart, and in times of temptation and provocation leads into sin. Entire sanctification cleanses all this out of the soul, and it is then that we can claim all the blessings extended to the righteous.

Some one may ask the question, Who can be sanctified? We answer, None but believers; for Christ and his apostles never urged anyone but believers to accept this grace. To the sinners the)- always preached repentance. If persons desire to enter this grace they must first know positively that all their sins have been pardoned, and after they have borne fruit

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of the same, they are then ready to be purged, that they may bear more fruit; ready to offer their bodies a "living sacrifice, "and receive the "abiding Comforter." - J no. 14: 16.

The longing soul, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, cries out with the Psalmist: " Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow;" and can then "serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life."

" To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God," saith the Lord. Rev. 2: 7.

this precious overcoming grace! This places the spiritual condition of the soul on a plane with Adam before the fall, to "eat of the tree of life," to "eat of the hidden manna." Ver. 17.