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NASB | 1 Corinthians 12:9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 12:9 to another [wonder-working] faith [is given] by the same [Holy] Spirit, and to another the [extraordinary] gifts of healings by the one Spirit; |
Subject: gift of healing same as prayer of faith |
Bible Note: 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 |