He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24

By His wounds you have been healed. The final portion of this verse may be familiar to those who have heard it referenced when talking about the promise of physical healing in the here and now. This was a common verse I remember claiming and reciting over myself and others when it came to sickness and disease. Many times, there was a focus on the number of stripes Jesus bore on His body and how those stripes represented the number of disease categories identified in the earth today. This is one of several verses used to validate the belief of healing in the atonement.

If I had taken the time to read the entire passage years ago, I would have noticed the context of this passage and how verse 25 goes on to say, “For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” There is a far greater sickness from which I needed healing, and it was the spiritual sickness of sin and death. Thank God for the truth of His Word and for Him allowing me to have eternal life and righteousness in Him.

In addition to numerous verses utilized for this teaching, the act of receiving communion was also implemented in order to declare healing from God in every organ system and function in the physical body. No stone was left unturned, including our mental state. We were encouraged to receive communion often and to speak over ourselves in any area of need while receiving communion. Essentially, this was a tool to use in order to claim and obtain prosperity that is said to be guaranteed in Christ’s death on the cross. Physical health and well being is to be realized now.

What is healing in the atonement? It is the belief that when Jesus Christ died on the cross, He atoned not only for our sins but for our sicknesses. As a result, believers should not be sick or suffer with disease. If someone does, then that individual lacks faith in being healed or there is hidden sin in the life of that person. To be sick is to be outside the will of God because His people are not to be sick. The act of even receiving a doctor’s report is viewed by many as lacking faith for the healing Jesus paid the penalty for us to receive.

What is the problem with this teaching? When we view communion as a means to an end based on our own understanding or our will, we risk abusing communion while not rejoicing in what Christ Jesus has indeed done for us on the cross- the forgiveness of sins and perfect righteousness. The sufficiency of His broken body and His blood poured out for our sins seems to be lost in the bustle of decrees, declarations, and spiritual warfare. I would defend the stance that a view such as this places the focus on the individual’s actions rather than on the Lord.

Another thing that has occurred in this belief is a demonic spirit becomes the central focus. The act of taking communion now becomes a weapon to wield against the enemy, rather than humbly acknowledging our need for Christ and remembering His finished work on the cross. In the midst of trials and suffering, we have tremendous hope in Christ, and communion rightly received helps us to keep Him as the central focus in our lives.

When appropriating the Lord’s Supper in such a way, I believe that someone can focus so much on physical healing or a legitimate need in life that they will miss the true meaning behind it. If someone takes communion with the belief that healing is promised now, what happens if that individual never gets healed? Does this now become the gauge of God’s love for them? Does this have the potential to shipwreck someone in their faith? I would say that it does.

Paul tells the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 11 what was told to Him about the Lord’s Supper by Jesus Himself, “And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you, Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:24-26)

Communion needs no additional meaning to it in order for it to be powerful or effective. It is effective in its meaning by pointing to Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins. For those in Christ, we have been forgiven and reconciled to the Father. We have been washed clean, and His death is part of the gospel to which we have eternal hope. Is healing in the atonement? When we stand before the Lord in eternity after this life is finished, we will be physically healed and whole. There will be no more sorrow or pain. There will be no more death or decay. In this truth, we can rejoice, knowing that though we are not guaranteed physical healing now, we have all of eternity to be whole with Him.

John Piper said this about communion, “The purpose of the Lord’s Supper is to receive from Christ the nourishment and strength and hope and joy that comes from feasting our souls on all that He purchased for us on the cross, especially His own fellowship.” May He be our focus and the object of our faith in receiving communion as we remember what He has done for us through salvation in Him alone.

Listen to this episode regarding a recent teaching on receiving communion and being delivered from a spirit of affliction: The Lovesick Scribe Podcast: Does the Lord’s Supper Provide Healing in the Atonement? on Apple Podcasts