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Scripture Reading:    Isaiah 53:4,5;

                                  Matthew 8:17;

                                  Peter 2:24

It is often claimed by "faith healers" that "there is healing in the atonement." This is supposedly based on Isaiah's prophecy where we read, "Surely He hath borne our grief's, and carried our sorrows...and with His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:4,5). Let us test this doctrine by the Scriptures.

Isaiah 53:4 is quoted by Matthew. After the Lord healed Peter's mother-in-law and many other sick folks, we are told this was done "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses" (Matthew 8:17). Notice carefully it says this portion of Isaiah's prophecy was fulfilled right there, not two years later when He died on the cross.

But what about the second part of Isaiah's prophecy which says "with His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5b). "His stripes" definitely points to the suffering He bore at the time of the cross. Again, Scripture interprets Scripture. Peter quotes this verse not in a context of physical healing, but of spiritual healing. "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" (1 Peter 2:24).

Physical health was never guaranteed to the believer of this dispensation. Indeed, "we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body" (Romans 8:23b). If we should be called to suffer physically, let us claim the promise of II Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."