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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: gifts of Healing and Miracles for today. |
Bible Note: Hi Van, Is it not miracle enough that every new heart given to those saved, because of belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, Savior of All men, give rise to shouts of Hallelujah. Sometimes it is hard to see the miracle of re-birth in a new Christian until one has spent enough fellowship time with them. Once the obvious signs of the Fruit of The Spirit are seen in their lives, as defined in Galatians 5:22, we should be able to declaratively say we have witnessed another miracle. The miracle of re-birth is pretty awesome. And blessed is the man or woman who does not see but still believes in Jesus. Many times I would think that requiring a sign before belief is acknowledged would be a dangerous continued gage, for babies in the faith, to know if they are walking the narrow path to salvation. I have even been privileged enough to have witnessed what I would term minor miracles more akin to witnessing Gods unfolding plan. And I have had prayers answered. Both did lead me to a stronger faith, but, I think that the really unbelievable miracles, as accomplished by Jesus and the Apostles, were provided as a means for God to really get the ball…a rolling concerning the church. In engineering terms it takes a lot of energy to change the inertia of an object. And as an object the Jews of Jesus’ day were definitely a stiff-necked and perverse generation. The priests running the show liked the status quo. So in order for God to change the course of His people I think it was necessary to provide a lot of power in the miracles performed by Jesus. An even lesser degree of power was used in those miracles performed by the Apostles. Jesus started the ball a rolling with lots of power, the Apostles provided some less powerful thrusts of energy to help pick up the speed, and as Acts so vividly portrays it was no time at all before thousands of small miracles of regeneration were powering the Christian juggernaut. The church grew by leaps and bounds to the point where Luke stopped even trying to count the number of new believers after 5000. So in engineering terms we find that for any body in motion it requires a lot of energy to start moving but less energy to keep that body in motion. My experience at the church I attend testifies to the truth that new believers are being added daily in my community. After Easter 2007 we have seen some remarkable growth with lots of new babies in Christ. We the Saints must train them up in the way they should go but certainly their miraculous addition adds power to the Christian juggernaut. Why would bold audacious miracles be required at this day and age? Might we still be searching for a sign from God? Can’t we be witness to all those miracles written about in the bible by opening our minds and our bibles? What I am not so sure about would be the need for miracles as a means to encourage the church? I am sure that people still have prayers answered and are sometimes privileged to take note of the perfect timing of God as his plan unfolds. But, I suppose I would be somewhat afraid if I started seeing lots of miracles performed by WHO??? I can read and am warned to beware of those who might mislead the very elect through the use of miracles. Have the Saints slacked off in keeping the churches inertia? If so and the churches inertia were starting to fall away and God, desiring revival, might be so inclined to pump up the energy through some well timed and placed miracles then I suppose it would be Gods prerogative. But, I don’t think so unless it is found in the prophecy of things to come as already written in the bible. I know there are a lot of hurting people out there who desire healing. I have a son with cerebral palsy and would love for physical healing to come upon him so that he could leap and caper like a deer. But, more than that I love to see how he is changing since his salvation and the knowledge of Jesus comes into his mind. At the end of my days I want to look back and say with confidence to my son…”See you in heaven”. If anything more is added to that it is just extra gravy on the mashed ‘taters. MARANATHA MWLaine “Yours in Christ” |