Objection: If Healing Were in the Atonement, James Would Not Have Said to Call for the Elders Because You Could Get Healed Without Them

You CAN get healed without calling for the elders by acting on Mark 11:24, but if you are still “laid up” you should get help from them.  When you are at your worst physically, it is good to have others come agree with you, as it can be a challenge just to pray and read the Word, especially if you are drugged up.

I understand where the objector is coming from – if we are legally healed already, why get prayed over?  However, James never indicated that we aren’t legally healed, and in fact, his instructions prove that we are.  He mentioned that the prayer of faith would raise up the sick person, and it is impossible to pray the prayer of faith when you don’t know God’s Word on a matter.  If healing were not forever settled, provided in Christ’s atonement, it would be impossible for the elders to pray the prayer of faith!

The fact that the sick person is still laid up shows that he has not received his healing based on Mark 11:24.  Young believers may not be at a point where they’re ready to do that, and that’s where the elders can help.  Also, James wrote to a combination of believers and unbelievers (as easily demonstrated by some of the other things he said to proud boasters and rich oppressors).  An unbeliever would generally have a hard time applying Mark 11:24.  Even believers from denominational backgrounds where they were taught that divine healing passed away with the original apostles will also have a hard time just acting on Mark 11:24, especially if they are new to teaching on divine healing or have never even heard it preached properly.

For more thoughts on this matter, see Objection: James Did Not Teach That Healing Was in the Atonement in His Instructions.