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 | Are miracles for today? | 1 Cor 13:8 | Country Girl | 132980 | ||
I suppose you've heard the expression "There's no such thing as a coincidence," especially for a christian. I'd be the last person in the world to put any limitations on God and His Magnificent Power to intervene in our lives literally in any way He sees fit. But on the other hand, the Bible very, very clearly teaches us as God's children to be cautious and "test the spirits." In areas that are highly questionable such as miracles manifested by human beings in today's world, again IMO, the Bible clearly teaches we should inspect and be "a doubting Thomas." As I've already mentioned, childbirth, healing of a cancer patient and all other events which simply CANNOT be explained by natural forces indeed are most likely examples of miracles. BUT they are directly manifested from and by God directly to the recipient with no other third human person intervening. So again I would say since the Bible clearly teaches all this AND the "signs and wonders" from the first century were done to confirm the word, there's no reason to believe in miracles from or performed by human beings. BUT the most important thing I would encourage people to do in this regard is to compare miracles of today with miracles in the Bible. Those in our Bible were so great and magnificent that there was no question as to where they came from or Who was behind them. Also the Bible clearly teaches those performing miracles in the first century acquired that ability by ONLY one of two ways: 1) directly from the Holy Ghost as in Acts 2 and 10 or 2) from the Apostles laying their hands on them. Once those folks all died, that era ended in accordance with 1 Cor 13. It all fits together like a puzzle and thus one fact endorses the other. The "miracles" from human beings in today's are so inferior to the Biblical standard they're insulting to God Almighty and I shudder to think of such a person entering into Judgment without repenting of such deception. And yet, we should love them enough to approach them and try to help them climb out of their pit of self-deception. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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2 | Bible ... be “a doubting Thomas."? | 1 Cor 13:8 | Pastor Glenn | 132991 | ||
Country Girl, Why do you apply this scripture to miracles through a third party? You quoted: “…"test the spirits."…” 1Jo 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 1Jo 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 1Jo 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 1Jo 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1Jo 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 1Jo 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. In light of Jesus’ teaching concerning miracles performed in His name: Mar 9:38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. Mar 9:39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. Mar 9:40 For he that is not against us is on our part. Is there any difference in how to interpret Christ’s words today? “… miracles manifested by human beings in today's world, again IMO, the Bible clearly teaches we should inspect and be "a doubting Thomas."“ In your “opinion“, where does the bible clearly teach to be “a doubting Thomas."? “As I've already mentioned, childbirth, healing of a cancer patient and all other events which simply CANNOT be explained by natural forces indeed are most likely examples of miracles. BUT they are directly manifested from and by God directly to the recipient with no other third human person intervening.” Does this mean that we should not apply this scripture these days? Jam 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: Jam 5:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he hath committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Jam 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Please show at least one example where the bible teaches us to doubt. Pastor Glenn |
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3 | Bible ... be “a doubting Thomas."? | 1 Cor 13:8 | Country Girl | 132994 | ||
I think I've presented my case rather thoroughly so I would answer your question with more questions. Why do you think the episode of Thomas' doubting the ressurected Lord and verifying Christ's nail prints and wound in his side was included in our Bible? If I were to show up at your door claiming to be Jesus Christ, would you not expect to see some sort of Godly endorsement of such a claim just as in the first century? It seems the same principle should be applied to anyone who claims to have powers reserved for someone actually representing God as all Bible prophets did. Naturally you know my answer to your question frin James 5 so I won't address it at all. It's curious that you would question my encouraging the practice of "testing the spirits" as commanded, especially in this day and age where deception has become very common throughout the business AND the religious world. What narrow parameters would you suggest that we invoke this guidance from 1 John? I would have to say that God through the Bible does indeed expect us to be fruit inspectors and check out one another's relationship with Him as the Father of us all. Here on earth, when a brother or sister goes out and misrepresents the family name, bringing shame and reproach on that family, don't you know each family member is motivated to approach that misbehaving family member and attempt to rectify the situation. The same is true with God's family as we really ARE our brother's/sister's keeper. The Lord really DOES expect us to love our christian brother/sister enough to approach them and attempt to rectify the wrong that going on in their life, in this case the deception. Now of course, this must be done with genuine Agape type love and concern for that person's soul. We should study and show that person the truth as displayed in God's Word, showing them what real Biblical miracles are all about. In this regard, Jesus Himself said in Matt 10:16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." I hope this is a little clearer to you. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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4 | Bible ... be “a doubting Thomas."? | 1 Cor 13:8 | Pastor Glenn | 133012 | ||
Hello, Country Girl, You said: “Why do you think the episode of Thomas' doubting the resurrected Lord and verifying Christ's nail prints and wound in his side was included in our Bible? If I were to show up at your door claiming to be Jesus Christ, would you not expect to see some sort of Godly endorsement of such a claim just as in the first century? It seems the same principle should be applied to anyone who claims to have powers reserved for someone actually representing God as all Bible prophets did.” OK, now I understand that you are referring to “fake” healings, fake miracles, and fake “healers”. “Naturally you know my answer to your question frin James 5 so I won't address it at all.” No, I do not know your answer. Please address this scripture: Jam 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: Jam 5:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he hath committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Jam 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. If I must gather from your previous posts, you seem to believe that “Jam 5:16 …pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” … was only for the first century church. I am honestly not sure if this is your position concerning this scripture. “Why do you think the episode of Thomas' doubting the resurrected Lord and verifying Christ's nail prints and wound in his side was included in our Bible?” Thomas was without excuse. Jesus had already told them that He would rise from the dead. Mark 16:14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. John 20:25 The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." John 20:29 Jesus said to him, "Thomas because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Why did he say “…Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Blessings to you too, Country Girl, Pastor Glenn |
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5 | Bible ... be “a doubting Thomas."? | 1 Cor 13:8 | Country Girl | 133110 | ||
Generally, we should always strive to obey ALL of God's commands, including those by clear direction as in James 5 or by examples throughout the NT, whenever it's within our power to do so. I praise God that He saw fit to include this story about Thomas' doubt for it means Christ really was ressurected in bodily form. So once again, the Bible really does deliver what God's Word should and that is solid reasons to believe in God and His Desire to have us come join Him in Heaven is real. Now the tough part for us here on earth is to figure out what's NOT real. I would have to definitely include those deceptive acts called miracles by those doing the deceiving when those miracles DON'T meet the high standards as set forth in God's Word. But this kind of determination is a rather personal one but we can encourage one another to stay true to His Word and use It as the standard for measuring such activities as we're directed in 1 John 4. Blessings to you. Country Girl |
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6 | Bible ... be “a doubting Thomas."? | 1 Cor 13:8 | Pastor Glenn | 133145 | ||
"Now the tough part for us here on earth is to figure out what's NOT real. I would have to definitely include those deceptive acts called miracles by those doing the deceiving when those miracles DON'T meet the high standards as set forth in God's Word. " Exactly. By definition a "deceptive act" is not a "miracle" at all, but it is in the catagory of "lying wonder": 2 Thessalonians 2 9The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. Blessings to you too, Pastor Glenn |
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7 | Bible ... be “a doubting Thomas."? | 1 Cor 13:8 | Country Girl | 133153 | ||
Good response. Well put and Amen. Blessings to ALL those who study AND obey His Words. Country Girl |
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