Results 161 - 180 of 3692
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Results from: Notes Author: Makarios Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
161 | gift of healing same as prayer of faith | 1 Cor 12:9 | Makarios | 159810 | ||
Greetings Tim, I appreciate your responses to this topic, but I believe that I will just be repeating myself over and over again.. I hoped that we could have come to some common ground on this topic, but I now believe (as you did before) that this discussion is really going nowhere.. I remain comfortable with my position, but I believe that there is little fruit that can be shared by continuing. I apologize if I was a bit sharp in some of my responses. Many times when I write posts, the posts actually write themselves without any help from me! :-) When that happens, I act a lot on instinct, which is not always completely sinless.. :-) But I do appreciate your contributions, as always, and I'm sure that your ongoing posts will continue to be rich with the truth of the gospel message that we hope to advance in every way. Blessings to you dear Brother, Makarios |
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162 | gift of healing same as prayer of faith | 1 Cor 12:9 | Makarios | 159804 | ||
Greetings Mark and Tim! Mark, I forgive you. This entire discussion really is going nowhere, and I'm finding that I am restating myself over and over again, to no avail.. The issues have been presented, but very little is happening after that. My initial reaction is to continue responding to this topic, but as I now see that there is little point in continuing, I think that I will put this to rest, even though I still disagree and remain comfortable with my position. But I appreciate your responses! Blessings to you, Makarios |
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163 | gift of healing same as prayer of faith | 1 Cor 12:9 | Makarios | 159803 | ||
Greetings Bows44, The simple fact of the matter is that the present day church does not have the healing "powers" as exhibited by Christ and the apostles. A simple comparison of the healings that are accomplished in Scripture with what is claimed today does not show that the gift of healings exists today. Blessings to you, Makarios |
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164 | Should a woman pursue a man? | 1 Cor 7:39 | Makarios | 159709 | ||
Greetings SoldieroftheCross1993, Bows44 gave a great answer that stated that Ruth pursued Boaz for marriage (see Book of Ruth), and she is also listed as part of the genealogical line of Christ (Matthew 1:5). Blessings to you, Makarios |
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165 | gift of healing same as prayer of faith | 1 Cor 12:9 | Makarios | 159705 | ||
Greetings Mark, I personally know that God continues to heal people today. But I believe that He heals through the Holy Spirit, not through anyone that has the gift of healings. It is not due to any kind of "unbelief" that I do not have the gift of healings. I simply and truthfully do not have the gift, as exhibited by Christ and the apostles. I can pray for people to get well, but I do not have the gift. It is your position that is arguing and puts so much weight in support of experience, not mine, since I have no such experience as you that this gift exists today. Here is some food for thought: let us examine the gift of healings as Christ and the apostles administered it, and see if that same gift truly exists in this present day and age. Blessings to you, Makarios |
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166 | gift of healing same as prayer of faith | 1 Cor 12:9 | Makarios | 159701 | ||
Greetings Tim, You state: "1) You use the word 'temporary again though it is not found in Scripture. This is the crux of the debate. :-)" No, that is not the crux of the debate. The crux of the debate is that the gift of healings is not exhibited today as it was at the time of Christ and the apostles. And even though I have already conceded that the word "temporary" is not used in conjunction with the gift of healing in any Bible verse, there are several verses that point to the Scriptural veritability of my position even though it is not spelled out word for word in Scripture (Luke 9:1-2, Mark 16:20, Matthew 10:1, 2 Cor. 12:12, etc, etc, etc..). And my argument is NOT from silence. You state: "2) Because of the way you define the gift, no evidence of the gift today would suffice. If someone is healed, you would say that it is an answer to prayer, not a 'gift of healing'. :-) Where does Scripture define or describe how a 'gift of healing' must occur?" All we have to do is look at the examples given to us in Scripture of how Christ and the apostles carried out the gift of healings to know that what happened then does not happen today. 4) As for your 4th point referencing Acts chapter 4, verse 31 actually says, "And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness." Verse 31 does not say anything about anyone healing anyone, and it most certainly can't be used to make the entire chapter reflect on the entire church instead of simply to Peter and John, which is exactly what it states.. Now, I can accuse you of 'arguing from silence' in this instance. You state: "5) Could it be that these events are not more common because many in the church do not believe in the gifts anymore? Many who do have turned them into nothing more than natural talents and abilities, not supernatural workings of the Holy Spirit." Now, who is 'fishing' for something that is not stated in Scripture? You state: "By the way, why does our experience have to support the Word? God's promises are true whether we receive them or not." You are the one who is seeking to justify your position based upon experience. If you use the Bible as your basis, you know that the healings expressed therein do not happen today. As for addressing all of my points, you will need to go back and read my posts in this thread because there are too many points for me to quote in one post. One answer that I would like to know is your interpretation of 2 Cor. 12:12. Blessings to you, Makarios |
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167 | gift of healing same as prayer of faith | 1 Cor 12:9 | Makarios | 159698 | ||
Greetings Tim, Faith healing and the charismatic movement have grown up together. Acts 19:12 speaks of how Paul's handkerchiefs were taken to the sick.. Paul and the other apostles had been given unique power. Nothing in the New Testament suggests that anyone else could send out handkerchiefs to work healing miracles. The likes of Kenneth Hagin can give all kinds of outlandish examples on television of various healings that occurred from any kind of gimmick that you can think of. The Lord Jesus Christ was the great miracle worker, performing miracles to point to the fact of His deity (see John 2:11; 5:36; 20:30-31; Acts 2:22). Jesus healed people and raised people from the dead, He cast out demons, and He performed miracles of nature - such as multiplying loaves of fish, quieting the sea, and walking on water. Once Christ's work was finished, the apostles had the task of proclaiming and recording His message in Scripture. To authenticate the apostles' work, Christ gave to them the ability to cast out demons and heal the sick (Matthew 10:1). Matthew 10:1 is a single promise from Jesus to the twelve. But as the Spirit was given and the church age began, the apostles continued to manifest the gift of healings. In fact, they were so associated with this gift that Paul reminded the believers at Corinth that "the signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles" (2 Cor. 12:12). These miraculous healing powers were then limited in scope and restricted to the apostles, the seventy, and a few close associates, such as Philip. They were not given to the average Christian (Luke 9:1-2, Mark 16:20; Hebrews 2:3-4), though some who were commissioned by an apostle shared in this ministry of miraculous healings (such as Philip, Acts 8:6-7). I believe that these miraculous gifts of healing were distinctively given for the authentication of the apostles. And, since no new Scriptural revelation is being given (Rev. 22:18-19), then there is no need for the presence of these miraculous powers of healing to authenticate a new Scriptural revelation. If every common disciple of Christ could perform the miracle of healing, then why is there a distinction that is noted in Mark 16:20, which says that the apostles' message was confirmed by "accompanying signs"? I also note that Mark 16:20, which is admittedly a highly disputable portion of Scripture, confirms that there is a link between the gospel message and the miraculous healing signs that accompanied them. If the gospel message has already been preached in every part of the world, then what need is there for any further accompanying sign, now that we have the Word of God in Scripture? To make a comparison between the gift of healing being claimed today and that which the Bible teaches, we simply need to take a look at Jesus' ministry. When Jesus healed, He healed disease to demonstrate His deity. He always healed with a word or a touch (see Matthew 8:6-7,13 and Mark 5:25-34). He always healed instantly (Matt. 8:13, Mark 5:29, Luke 5:13, 17:14, John 5:9, 9:1-7). He always healed totally (Luke 4:39-40), it was instantaneous and total. Jesus healed everyone. He did not leave long lines of disappointed people who had to return home in their wheelchairs. And the apostles were able to heal people with a word or touch, instantly, totally, and they could heal anyone. In fact, the apostles were even able to raise people from the dead. People who claim to have the gift of healing today do not spend much time in funeral parlors, funeral processions, or cemeteries. The reason is obvious. No one today is truly exhibiting the healing traits that were exhibited by Christ and the apostles in Scripture. So Tim, how many funerals have you had to conduct because you were not able to use your gift of healing to raise the person from the dead? Blessings to you, Makarios |
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168 | gift of healing same as prayer of faith | 1 Cor 12:9 | Makarios | 159564 | ||
Greetings Tim! You stated that we may just have to agree to disagree on this topic.. Why is that? :-) Let me give some answers to your points from my position: 1) This temporary gift of healings was 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). According to 2 Cor. 12:12, this ability was identified as a gift belonging to the apostles, and Scripture tells us that a few subordinates had this gift as well (ex. Philip). However, Scripture is completely SILENT in regards to the common people that Peter, Paul, John and Philip presented the gospel to as also having this gift of healings. Therefore, even though Scripture did focus on the doings and dealings of Christ and the apostles foremost, you would expect that there would be some evidence or mention that this gift of healings was performed by someone else outside of the select "group" of Christ, the apostles, and their subordinates mentioned in Scripture, but there isn't any to be found! Even the gift of speaking in tongues has evidence that suggests that people were actually doing and using this gift (1 Cor. 14), but Scripture is strangely silent in regards to the gift of healings outside of the "select group" that I have restated above. 2) As for cessesionism, I am not promoting the complete cessation of spiritual gifts spoken of in 1 Corinthians 12, only this gift of healings, which was miraculous at the time, but today even more miraculous, since there is no evidence of this gift happening on a broad perspective in the church today. Perhaps if your stance were true, then we would not do a double take when a Christian takes the hand of someone who has been lame since birth and healed them so that they can now walk.. But as we presently live in this day and age, this type of healing is completely devoid in the church. 3) Your question #3 was really a restatement of your question #1, so please refer to that answer for the answer here. 4) Concerning Acts 4:30, yes! Yes, it is really taking it out of context to say that this prayer applied to more than just the apostles. And I say this with the full knowledge of Acts 4:31 in mind. Acts chapter 4 begins with Peter and John being arrested. Verses 5-12 speak of them addressing the Sanhedrin. Verses 13-22 speaks of the Sanhedrin and how they are unable to deal with the testimony of Peter and John. Acts 4:23-31 speaks of what happened when Peter and John were released, and the brethren begin praying for them in verse 24, but they end their prayer in verse 31. The entire chapter has to do with the arrest and release of Peter and John. 5) Mark 16:17 speaks that these signs and wonders will follow those who believe. However, I present this argument to you in light of Mark 16:17: Who do you know in the church today who can speak a word and a person is healed by that word? (Acts 9:32-35) Who lays their hands on people and can heal people almost immediately? Therefore, since there is a great lack of this gift of healings actually being performed and carried out in the church today, would it not be prudent to ask the Holy Spirit why He does not distribute this gift to the present church if Mark 16:17 says that we should have this gift? So, as you can see, I have made some valid points, and I am actually still waiting for you to address a few of mine. But I am in no rush. :-) I pray that you have a refreshing day and that the Lord's blessing is with you, my friend. Makarios |
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169 | Questions for a Pretribulationist | Matt 24:22 | Makarios | 159543 | ||
Greetings Mark! I appreciate your response regarding the Prewrath position my friend, and I am glad that you have spent so much time and effort into attempting to understand Biblical eschatology. I believe that we can understand eschatology in a straight-forward way by examining what the Bible says, without any hindrances or hiccups along the way, and the Bible means what it says. Even so, I hardly take seriously such matters and the minutiae of every apect that Biblical eschatology presents, since it demands thorough research, and I would most certainly not be standing at the finish line saying "I told you so" when all is said and done.. :-) With that said, I agree that it would be a good experience to interpret verses to see where they 'should go' in regards to the last days, and to see what the Bible clearly says about all verses, not just a few or favoring a few verses over others. If you die believing in a Pretribulation view of eschatology, that is most certainly small potatoes compared to knowing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior! Blessings to you, dear Brother! Makarios |
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170 | gift of healing same as prayer of faith | 1 Cor 12:9 | Makarios | 159542 | ||
Greetings Mark! I appreciate your response, dear Brother, and I appreciate the patience that you have shown with me in presenting your arguments. However, I still disagree. :-) If you were in the 1st Century A.D., how would you know that the church in 2005 A.D. would largely be devoid of the gift of healings or, if you will, laying on of hands? You simply could not know, unless you were given special revelation from God. Therefore, I can completely see how Paul would write 1 Cor. 12:9 to the Corinthian church and include the gift of healings in his passage, because that gift was in effect at that time! But today, you do not largely see this gift of healings, or laying on of hands, widely exhibited.. Why is that? You know my friend, I wish that I could believe as you do, that the gift of healings exists today. If that were so, then I could empty out every single hospital, heal every disease, take away every infirmity, and help to bless every single third world nation who is struggling with death and disease as we speak. But I honestly confess that I do not have this gift of healing, and there is very little that happens when I lay my hand on another person. :-) The only thing that I can do is to pray for sick people, so that God will intervene and heal them. And if they do indeed get well and are healed, then was the healing due to my part? No, it was God who did all the healing, even though I prayed for the person to be healed. Yes, I believe that since we do not see the gift of healing being widely exhibited today, that DOES negate the possibility that this particular gift is given out freely by the Holy Spirit. You may not see anything in Scripture that says that these gifts end after the 1st Century A.D., but by all factual evidence and truth, this gift has left us humans, only to be governed by the will of God through the Holy Spirit. Blessings to you, Makarios |
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171 | gift of healing same as prayer of faith | 1 Cor 12:9 | Makarios | 159541 | ||
Greetings Tim! You state: "But, again we are arguing from what Scripture doesn't say, not what it says. ;-)" You know very well that the context of the verse and the implications in which the verse was written (in this case, Paul is answering the Corinthians' questions) also supports the way the verse is interpreted in regards to translation and study.. ;) The argument that Paul does not state "gift of healing" in 1 Cor. 12:9 still does not give us license to simply ignore the fact that he did not include it.. I believe that that premise in and of itself is a stretch completely beyond interpretation. You state: "Further, there is evidence that the gifts have continued down through the centuries. I have seen the gifts in evidence in my own life and the lives of many others as well." Ok, let's see the evidence! You stated: "I prayed for a kid in youth camp who had broken his ankle, and God healed it on the spot." "I was one of several who prayed for a blind boy in a revival service, and God healed him on the spot." I praise the Lord for these miracles! But the problem with this is is that you did not mention that you laid your hands on the individuals mentioned and they immediately became well with a simple word from your mouth; you said that you, in fact, 'prayed' for these people to become well, and they were healed. Praise the Lord! But this is NOT the gift of healing that we are speaking of that occurred in the 1st Century church A.D. when Jesus laid his hands on the sick (Matthew 8:15), when Peter laid his hands on the sick (Acts 3:7), when Paul laid his hands on the sick (Acts 20:10), when "by the HANDS of the apostles" (Acts 5:12) many signs and wonders were done. What we are speaking of when you pray for someone and they become well is a direct healing intervention that is accomplished by the Holy Spirit. We are not the vessels used for healing, but God the Holy Spirit, hearing our prayer, effects the healing, and not us individualy. Perhaps that is why this gift of 'laying on of hands and healing' as defined so well in Mark 16:17 and Acts 5:12 is not given by the Holy Spirit today - so that we cannot individually take credit for what is actually done through and of the Holy Spirit! However, those select few in the 1st Century A.D. (including Christ) could have taken credit for the healing that they effected through their hands, but they instead chose to follow the example of Christ, "who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." (Philippians 2:6) So, as you can plainly see, there is a big difference between praying for someone to be healed and your prayer is answered, and actually laying your hands on someone and they become healed immediately, or with a few words. And I personally have not seen this gift of healing, this 'laying on of hands' if you will, exhibited widely in the church today. If it were, then you would see if everywhere. But as the present church now stands, there are a few that claim to have this gift of laying on of hands, yes, but for some reason, this gift is entirely devoid of the church at large. Why is that? Why is the gift of healing, or, if you will, the gift of laying on of hands not to be found in the present day church, if you contend that this gift was handed down for centuries and now exists? Just a side note: I do not mean to be rude or condescending in any way, my dear Brother in Christ. But I very sharply disagree with you on this subject, and I believe that I am entirely justified. If I have shown you that you have some serious problems with your point of view, then I am satisfied. :-) Blessings to you, Makarios |
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172 | gift of healing same as prayer of faith | 1 Cor 12:9 | Makarios | 159540 | ||
Greetings Tim! I appreciate your response! But I must disagree with your assessment of 2 Cor. 12:12. Only the few people that I have already specified in my former post have had the ability to perform the miracles of healing that we see in Scripture, and nowhere do we see someone who is not prominent in the church, or anyone past the 1st Century A.D. able to perform these miraculous healings. As for Acts 4:30, the believers were actually praying for Peter and John, who were just released from chief priests, to the Lord to "look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." You are taking Acts 4:30 completely out of context if you believe that the believers in this verse are praying for the gift of healing for themselves to carry out. :-) Mark 16:17 does not add to this argument, because we are already seeing this come to pass with the apostles in the 1st Century A.D. Hebrews 2:4 says that "God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will." Have you ever wondered why the gift of healing was not given to anyone except for the apostles, the seventy, Philip and Steven? :-) Now, Hebrews 2:3-4 may not say that there were "signs of a true apostle", but 2 Corinthians 12:12 surely does! :-) I am still waiting on a response as far as what you think that those signs were, if they were not for healing. It is certainly not a stretch to believe that the gift of healing was a temporary sign, which I believe that I have sufficiently supported through the use of Scripture. It seems that the arguments that you present are much more of a stretch than the ones that I have made, based upon the verses that you have presented, and the complete lack of evidence of this gift existing in the church today. True, I do concede that there is no verse within Scripture that tells us that the gift of healing is 'temporary', but at the same time, there is absolutely NO Scripture evidence whatsoever of anyone doing any miracle of healing outside of the select group of Christ, the apostles, and a few others that were close to that group. As for the gift of healing occurring today, I believe that it does and may happen today. But if it does, it is not enacted as a specific gift that is bestowed on any select individual, but the Holy Spirit is in fact the One who instigates the healing, and not any specific individual. So, in that sense, the gift of healing is exhibited, but only through prayer and through the Holy Spirit. And I challenge you to prove otherwise, my friend! :-) You state: "My point is simply this: I cannot hold to a doctrinal position that is never once stated in Scripture. :-)" Ok, in that case, I presuppose that you are having problems with believing in the Trinity, since that is not once stated in Scripture? I presuppose that you are having problems believing in Arminianism, since that is not once stated in Scripture? I thoroughly believe that my viewpoint is supported firmly through Scripture, and I do not agree with the premise that you have presented, stating that the gift of healing is distributed today. Now, I most certainly can be wrong, and if presented with solid, factual evidence that the church today continues to be bestowed with this gift, then I will be the first to admit that I am wrong. So far, I have not been proven wrong. But I remain unconvinced that I am not wrong in this instance, or with the how and why concerning this gift that is revealed through Scripture. Your brother in Christ, Makarios |
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173 | gift of healing same as prayer of faith | 1 Cor 12:9 | Makarios | 159485 | ||
Greetings Tim, The very fact that Paul does not mention the gift of healings in 1 Cor. 13:8 suggests to me that he did not anticipate that gift to be a 'sticking point' for the church, or else, I believe that he would have mentioned it. Also, if the gift of healings were given today by the Holy Spirit, then would that not be just as highly and hotly sought after as the gift of speaking in tongues or prophecy? If it were true that the gift of healings was distributed by the Holy Spirit today, then would not there be evidence to the fact that the church has this gift presently and it has been carried down throughout the centuries? Blessings to you, Makarios |
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174 | gift of healing same as prayer of faith | 1 Cor 12:9 | Makarios | 159484 | ||
Greetings Doc, I most certainly agree, and that is another valid point to make that would need to be addressed. Blessings to you, Makarios |
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175 | 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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176 | Satan Kicked Out of Heaven | Is 14:12 | Makarios | 159433 | ||
Greetings MNNiche, The only other passage of scripture that deals with this is Ezekiel 28. Blessings to you, Makarios |
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177 | Questions for a Pretribulationist | Matt 24:22 | Makarios | 159432 | ||
Greetings Mark, I have examined the Prewrath position very closely, and I know what it means and where Robert Van Kampen comes to the Prewrath position through Scripture. I do not want to sound rude, but instead of taking apart the paragraph that Kalos has posted, I believe that you possibly have not fully examined what we have posted in response to your position in the closest possibly way.. Do you have specific questions about the Prewrath position, and if so, what are they? Blessings to you, Makarios |
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178 | gift of healing same as prayer of faith | 1 Cor 12:9 | Makarios | 159431 | ||
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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179 | 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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180 | gift of healing same as prayer of faith | 1 Cor 12:9 | Makarios | 159429 | ||
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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