Results 1 - 7 of 7
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | gift of healing same as prayer of faith | 1 Cor 12:9 | Makarios | 159430 | ||
Greetings Mark and DAW, There is actually a valid point that BradK and I have made in regards to this "gift of healing" spoken of in 1 Corinthians 12:9 and whether or not that gift is available today. What I quoted loosely from at first, I now quote in full: "12:9 healings.. A temporary sign gift used by Christ (Matt. 8:16,17), the apostles (Matt. 10:1), the seventy (Luke 10:1), and a few associates of the apostles, such as Philip (Acts 8:5-7). This ability was identified as a gift belonging to the apostles (cf. 2 Cor. 12:12). Although Christians today do not have the gift of healings, God certainly still hears and answers the faithful prayers of His children (see James 5:13-16). Some people feel that healing should be common and expected in every era, but this is not the case. Physical healings are very rare throughout the OT record. Only a few are recorded. There was never a time before the coming of Christ when healings were common. Only in His lifetime and that of His apostles was there a veritable explosion of healing. This was due to the unique need to accredit the Messiah and to authenticate the first miracles of the gospel. Jesus and His apostles temporarily banished disease from Palestine, but that was the most monumental era of redemptive history and called for such authentication. To normalize healing would be to normalize the arrival of the Savior. This gift belonged to the sign gifts for that era only. The gift of healings were never used solely for bringing people physical health. Paul was sick but never healed himself or asked another human to heal him. His friend Epaphroditus was near death (Phil. 2:27), and Paul did not heal him. God intervened. When Timothy was sick, Paul did not heal him, but told him to take some wine (1 Tim. 5:23). Paul left Trophimus "sick at Miletus" (2 Tim. 4:20). Healings were not the everyday norm in Paul's ministry, but did occur when he entered a new region, e.g., Malta, where the gospel and its preacher needed authentication (see Acts 28:8,9). That healing was the first mention of healing since the lame man was healed in Lystra (Acts 14:9) in connection with the arrival of Paul and the gospel there. Prior to that, the nearest healing was by Peter in Acts 9:34, and the resurrection of Tabitha in 9:41, so that people would believe the gospel Peter preached (9:42)." (1) In addition, Hebrews 2:3-4 also states that these supernatural powers of healing demonstrated by Jesus and by His apostles were the Father's divine confirmation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, His Son. The purpose for these miracles of healing was to authenticate the message of Christ. That is why you do not see these deeds being performed in the church today. Blessings to you, Makarios (1) The MacArthur Study Bible, pgs. 1747,1748, 1997 Word Publishing. |
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2 | gift of healing same as prayer of faith | 1 Cor 12:9 | Morant61 | 159456 | ||
Greetings Makarios! It is good to see you back on the forum my friend. I notice that Dr. MacArthur begins his statement with the following: "healings.. A temporary sign gift used by Christ (Matt. 8:16,17), the apostles (Matt. 10:1), the seventy (Luke 10:1), and a few associates of the apostles, such as Philip (Acts 8:5-7). This ability was identified as a gift belonging to the apostles (cf. 2 Cor. 12:12). Although Christians today do not have the gift of healings, God certainly still hears and answers the faithful prayers of His children (see James 5:13-16)." In which of the verses that Dr. MacArthur cites are 'healings' called a temporary gift? The only verse in the Bible that speaks of any gifts ending is 1 Cor. 13:8, and it speaks only of prophecies, tongues, and knowledge ending at some undefined point. I know of no Scripture that calls 'healings' a temporary sign gift. :-) Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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3 | gift of healing same as prayer of faith | 1 Cor 12:9 | Makarios | 159483 | ||
Greetings Tim! Thank you for your response! True, the word "temporary" is not part of any verse, specifically not in 1 Corinthians 12:9 or Hebrews 2:3-4 or any following. But we know that we are not presently experiencing anything near the outpouring of healings today as that which was experienced in the time of Jesus and the apostles. Also, if we are to say that this 'gift of healings' still exists and is given by the Holy Spirit today, would there not also be evidence of that gift in use in the church? Another problem with the position that we have the gift of healings today is 2 Cor. 12:12 and Hebrews 2:3-4. If these 'healing' miracles are not what is being referred to in these verses when they state "the signs of a true apostle," "signs and wonders and mighty works," then what exactly would these phrases in 2 Cor. 12:12 and Hebrews 2:3-4 be referring to, if not to the gifts (and signs) of miraculous healing, which apparently were performed by at least some of the apostles? I appreciate your input, as always! Blessings to you, Makarios |
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4 | gift of healing same as prayer of faith | 1 Cor 12:9 | Morant61 | 159487 | ||
Greetings Makarios! The main problem that I have with Dr. MacArthur's position is that it relys upon too many assumptions. 2 Cor. 12:12 does refer to the signs of an apostle, but is this meant to imply that only the apostles could do them? Apparently not, since Scripture mentions other people, who were not apostles, doing the same things. Acts 6:8 uses the same words in reference to Stephen, "Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.'. Acts 14:3 uses the same words in reference to both Paul and Barnabas, "So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders." Acts 8:6 uses the same word to describe Philip, "When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said." The early church even prayed for this 'ability' in Acts 4:30, "Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." Though a disputed text, Mark 16:17 speaks of these signs following those who believe. Heb. 2:4 certainly doesn't limit these signs to only the apostles, but says that they were distributed according to His will. Given that there is not a single verse that actually says that these 'signs' were temporary, it seems to me to be a major stretch to say that there were indeed temporary. I think that our impressions of how common miracles were in the 1st century may be quite higher than actuality. Certainly, Christ did many miracles. However, there are not overwhelming references to the Apostles or anyone else doing miracles. Do they still occur today? I know that I have seen them. :-) My point is simply this: I cannot hold to a doctrinal position that is never once stated in Scripture. :-) p.s. - Happy upcoming anniversary my friend! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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5 | gift of healing same as prayer of faith | 1 Cor 12:9 | rachiero | 159496 | ||
First off, Tim I commend you for your thorough and thoughtful handling of this subject. I line up with you in that I too have experienced the gifts of the Holy Spirit (in fact just ten minutes ago) and they have been apart of my life for twenty years. It seems incredulous to me that folks would believe that the gifts were only for that 1st Century church, as if the intital establishment of the church was all that required the open, visual, evidence of the power of God. What about today? What would be/could be the state of the church here in the United States if the genuine supernatural flow of God was commonly evident? Instead to a large degree we have many churches that do not flow in power, nor the gifting, yet seem to be the very ones who excuse their weakness on the fact that the gifts went away 2000 years ago. Friends, I read yesterday that the ACLU is backing a Wiccan priest in a lawsuit in Virginia to be able to operate as Christians and Jews in leading prayer before city board meetings. In California there is a referendum before voters that asks 'should be parents be notified before their children have abortions?'. And people do not think we need the gifts of the Holy Spirit today? Where is the fear of God in the public arean? Miracles of God caused fear to the people, since they knew that the apostles in that case were not whistling dixie. The evidence was real - and palpable, which is just what the Lord intended. The church in many cases (not all) become easy, country clubish, and very soft on sin. We need to not only challenge people with the gospel, we also need to preach and teach the shed blood of Christ; but we also need to share that comfort and power of the Holy Ghost as promised by Jesus, and prophesied by Joel and many others. We must impact the culture with the good things of God. The miracle working power of God is just the tool to do that. God bless all of you - Rich |
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6 | gift of healing same as prayer of faith | 1 Cor 12:9 | Morant61 | 159500 | ||
Greetings Rich! Thanks for the kind words! I am concerned about both the abuse and the disuse of the gifts of the Spirit. I have seen the gifts in my own ministry many times in ways that are consistent with Scripture. I can recall times that God has given me knowledge about things that I could not have know otherwise in order that I might be able to minister to individuals. God's gifts are powerful weapons for ministry, but they can also become the 'focus' rather than Christ. This is exactly what happened in Corinith. May the Holy Spirit work His gifts through us to glorify Christ! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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7 | gift of healing same as prayer of faith | 1 Cor 12:9 | rachiero | 159502 | ||
Excellent point Tim - that's a good example of why anyone desiring leadership needs strong, solid, word based counsel. Thank you. Rich |
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