Bible Question:
Greetings Rowdy! You wrote: "What I'm saying we must apply the same standard we see in our Bibles, thus the need for absolute proof. According to the Bible, there were two ways to get these powers: 1) directly from the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 and 10 and 2) laying on of the Apostles hands. So since we don't have anyone about 2000 years old, there's very little likelihood of human beings have such powers." Where exactly does the Bible say these things? Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
Bible Answer: If you'll study these verses and their contexts, you can only draw the same conclusion. Acts 8:18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, Acts 8:19 saying, "Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." 1 Tim 4:14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. 1 Tim 5:22 Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin. 2 Tim 1:6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. Heb 6:2 of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. Also it goes without saying that the Lord DOES emphatically expect us to use our intellect and figure out some basic conclusions on matters such as these. If you check the Greek meaning behind the word defense in the following verses, you'll see that it includes the use of our logic and our intellect. Philippians 1:7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; God bless. --Rowdy |