Abstract
M.Th.
There is still great uncertainty about the role of healing in proclaiming the Gospel and in
church building and development. For many Christian denominations this is still a
contentious and controversial subject. Especially the differences in the theories on healing
and the way in which these theories should be applied, cause many problems to come to the fore in obvious and unsettling ways. In the past few Pentecostal theologians have tried to make contributions that help to identify and solve these problems.
By doing this study from a Pentecostal viewpoint, the student is hoping to aid the church in
developing a theory and praxis for the healing ministry that is based on Scripture. This study is unique in the sense that it approaches the issue from the standpoint that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are an absolute necessity in developing a Scriptually sound theory and praxis for the healing ministry.
It was therefore necessary first to stress the important role of the gifts of the Spirit in the
ministry of Christ and the New Testament church. The study then looks at the role and
influence that the gifts had in the emergence of the modern Pentecostal movement and of the AFM of South Africa. To discover whether this ministry is still functioning effectively, a
questionnaire was given to believers in eight different assemblies. The information was then used to compile a list of guidelines that might be adhered to in order to maximise the
usefulness of the gifts of the Spirit.