Do relics of the DEAD SAINTS have the power to heal or help people?

Question

2 Kings 13:20-21, "So Elisha died, and they buried him. ....And as a man was being buried, lo, a maurading band was seen and the man was CAST INTO THE GRAVE OF ELISHA; --AND AS SOON AS THE MAN TOUCHED THE BONES OF ELISHA, HE REVIED, AND STOOD ON HIS FEET."

Many people don't believe that relics, bones, etc of the saints have healing or helpful power. They say it's a Catholic, and Orthodox belief only that was man made, and not biblical.

So explain this verse then. There are other biblical examples too.

Answer 1

All I can say is, the Bible does not lie. It is the word of God and the only problem with any book that is read throughout the world is it's translation.
The power of God through Elisha's dead body is what did the trick. Remember Lazarus?
Our American words do not have the same meaning as the original text. The best way to get the answers you seek is to take a bible study class. Kay Arthur is an excellent, national bible study teacher.

Answer 2

I believe that if you believed it strongly enough that it would be possible for a relic to cure.

It's similar to the placebo effect. There has been documented facts about it, When someone believed they were getting the right pill instead of the sugar pill they were able to relieve some of the symptoms of their illness. For no other reason than the strong belief they were getting the miracle pill.

I believe a religious relic would work the same. In fact I had a distant Uncle that put his cancer in remission because of a laying on of hands at a revival.

There was also an article in the paper long ago, where a woman cured herself of a tumor, by having a religious episode the night before surgery, cursed, cried and wailed against God and thing(tumor) she really had a fit. When they xrayed her the next morning the tumor could not be found.

Answer 3

There is no power in the bones or relics themselves .It is possible for God to work through those who have a special place in the kingdom. The Catholic church has perpetuated the "patron" saint of this or that concept which is skeptical to me. 2 Kings shows God in action, not Elisha, but you make a very good point, that could be further debated.

Answer 4

The only reason people don't believe in the healing power of relics and bones is because there isn't any. Biblical verses are not relevant to the real world.

Answer 5

Its all a bunch of morality tales that were made up by the writers of the time to get people into believing and into leading a good life. Somebody's bones aren't going to do diddly. And so many of the bones on display as religious relics are fake that its ridiculous.....some are even things like chicken bones!!!

Answer 6

This is simple.

This miracle was a sign that God's power continued to work in relationship to Elisha even after his death. What God had promised to Jehoash through Elisha when he was alive would surely come to pass after the prophets death in the defeat of the enemy, the recovery of the cities that had been taken, and their restoration to the kingdom of Israel.

Answer 7

Ridiculous

Answer 8

This may have been true at one time. I do not believe this is so anymore. There is a verse in the bible that says in days of old, God communicated to us through the Prophets, but now through Jesus Christ. I believe with the coming of Jesus, we now obtain all communion with God, healing, etc. directly through Jesus. When the curtain of the temple was torn top to bottom when Jesus died on the cross, I believe this signified this truth.

"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ". This is, in all things, including healing.

Peace.

Answer 9

Prophets or even prophet's bones are not pointed out by God unless it is to point out that that person's idea of God is correct to other people.

Reminds me of Swedenborg ha ha.

Answer 10

Jesus said that people were healed by their faith, so it is the faith in relics, not the relics themselves that heal.