Subject: Scriptural Support? |
Bible Note: Greetings Rowdy! I would strongly encourage you my friend to not use the phrase 'Scripture says' unless Scripture actually says it. If you have concluded something from various Scriptures, simply say, 'I have concluded such and such'. In this case, you claimed that Scripture said that the power to perform miracles could only be given through the laying on the Apostle's hands. Yet, there is no Scripture which actually says this. I am concerned about one point from your previous post. 1) Do you believe that the Gift of the Holy Spirit ceased after the time of the Apostles? In the verses that you cited, you used several that referred to the Gift of the Holy Spirit being given after the Apostles layed their hands on someone. Yet, as I pointed out in my previous post, Acts 2:38-39 makes it clear that the Gift of the Holy Spirit was extended far beyond the time of the Apostles. It was to be given to them, their children, and all who would call upon the Lord a far off. As far as miracles go, we are in agreement that there are many 'fakes' today who claim to do miracles. Yet, they 'do' them on a stage, not in a hospital or a morgue! :-) But, we are not in agreement that miracles have ceased. Our God has promised us that we will receive what we ask for (Mt. 21:22, Jn. 16:24), but we do not receive many things because we do not ask (James 4:2). I firmly believe that one of the greatest weaknesses in the Church today is that we lean on our own power and not God's. Instead of allowing God to minister through us with His spiritual gifts, we try to accomplish things through programs. Instead of proclaiming to the world a God Who makes a difference in our lives, we proclaim a God Who used to answer prayer. :-( If you look at most spiritual gifts inventories today, they don't really measure spiritual gifts, but natural talents or interests. From your time on the forum, you have probably noticed that I don't tend to be an emotional person. :-) I tend to be logical and restrained. But, I am convinced that in ministry we need to 'let go and let God'! :-) Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |