from The Beginner's Guide To Spiritual Gifts by Sam Storms
The Gift Of Faith
Before I say anything about healing, a few words about the gift of faith are in order. Generally speaking, the New Testament mentions three kinds of faith: conversion faith, continuing faith and charismatic faith.
Conversion faith is the faith through which we are justified. This is the faith identified in Scripture as that trust or confidence or belief in the atoning sacrifice of Christ that occurs at the moment of conversion.
Continuing faith is the faith we exercise daily as we look confidently to God to do in and through our lives all that He has promised to do.
Charismatic faith is the faith that appears to be spontaneous and functions as the divinely enabled condition on which the more overtly supernatural activities of God are suspended.
Linking Faith And Healing
I believe that there is a close connection between gifts of healings and the gift of faith. The role of faith in healing is crucial, and it is manifest in a number of ways. On occasion, the faith of the person needing healing is instrumental; while at other times it is the faith of a friend or family member. Sometimes the focus is on the faith of the person praying for the one who needs healing.
Five Kinds Of Faith For Healing
- Faith that God is your sole source for blessing
- Faith in God's ability to heal
- Faith in God's heart for healing
- Faith that God does heal
- Faith that it is His will to heal right now
