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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 | 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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2 | 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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3 | 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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4 | 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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5 | 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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