Below is a portion of a post concerning miracles I made some time ago on another board. There are three questions at the end of the post. After reading it would anyone like to answer one or more of the questions?...or make further comments?
You know this is a fascinating subject both from a past and present biblically historical aspect and it also makes for good dispensational study. Something else that makes it interesting is individual perspective, especially with you guys/gals. You each have a significant health challenge, as does Glenda. I've spent a lot of time studying spiritual gifts over the last few years, mainly because of people I've encountered and had discussions with that are involved in Prosperity religions and cults.
Before I go any farther, I encourage any following this thread to check out this article:
http://www.matthewmcgee.org/dispensa.html Mari is familiar with this one, but some of you may not be. Matthew McGee does a great job of breaking down the dispensations in Scripture. Did you notice how he shows the overlapping of the previous dispensation with this present dispensation? As right dividers we understand that Acts is a transitional book that records the change from Jesus' earthly ministry that was to the Jews, to the beginning of the risen Christ's ministry that is to the Gentiles.
Paul understood the primary purpose of miracles and their primary audience. He spent some time in 1 Corinthians teaching about this specifically. Take a look at 1 Corinthians 12:3 where Paul says,
"Wherefore I give you to understand that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost."
Did you know that there are over 10,000 different, recorded religions? There are many, many false religions that do not recognize Jesus Christ as Lord. The Mormons think Jesus is the brother of Lucifer; the Muslims think Jesus is just a great prophet; Oriental cults view God as the universe itself; Jehovah's Witness believe Jesus is the archangel Michael; then we have had and continue to have people who claim to be Jesus...and the list goes on....Monotheists, modalists, binitarians, anti-Trinitarians....the variety of beliefs is mind boggling.
During Jesus' earthly ministry the Holy Spirit wasn't present. But, Christ said that when He departed He would send another comforter.
"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that the may abide with you forever."
Jesus isn't talking about just any comforter. He's talking about another Comforter. He is equating the power of that Comforter(hold on a second...typing interruption. One of my cats jumped in my lap and is bathing my face...he's comforting me. LOL)with His own power. He is identifying the Holy Spirit as equally powerful. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter that we look to today, whether our problem be spiritual or medical. In the previous dispensation there were specific gifts that were given to specific men, in that specific time, for a specific purpose. No man today has the ability to perform miracles, and misreading Scripture on this subject has caused and continues to cause tragedy on many levels.
When looking at Scriptural history we see some interesting facts:
1) Miracles covered three main periods, none of them lasting much longer than 100 years. These would include the days of Moses and Joshua, the ministries of Elijah and Elisha, and the time of Christ and the apostles. Other times mentioned in Scripture were supernatural events performed by God, Himself.
2) All three periods of miracles introduced new eras of Revelation.
3) As I said in my previous post, miracles authenticated the messages of these new Revelations. For instance, this was explained in Jesus' time:
"Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
Jesus answered them, 'I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.'"-John 10:24-25
Peter authenticated Jesus here in Acts 2:22 when he said,
"Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:"
The same power was given to the apostles as is evidenced in Scripture,
"Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unot the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands."-Acts 14:3
"Truly the signs of an apostle, were wrought among you in all patience, in signs and wonders, and might deeds"-2 Corinthians 12:12
Specific time and specific men...
4) Miracles were used to call attention to new Revelation. God got the attention of the ones the message was for so they would know it was Him speaking. Moses first did this in Exodus 7 so the Isrealites would believe God and His power.
Now, I've mentioned all these things in order to build the foundation for one of the questions that faces all Christians today.
ARE MIRACLES FOR US TODAY?
God's Revelation is complete and contained in His Written Word. His Word has already been substantiated, wo we have no more need of miracles to convince us of His identity or to authenticate His Word. We now have the Comforter that Jesus promised and He is the Holy Spirit. What do we do with Him?
"...walk in the Spirit"-Galatians 5:25
"...grieve not the Holy Spirit of God..."-Ephesians 4:30
"...be filled with the Holy Spirit..."-Ephesians 5:18
"...quench not the Spirit..."-1 Thessalonians 5:19
"...praying in the Holy Ghost..."-Jude 20
We trust the Holy Spirit to comfort us; to hold us up when we can't stand on our own; to speak for us when we cannot put into words our need when in prayer...
Another point to keep in mind for us today is that miracles were not used to build up believers. In 1 Corinthians 14:22 Paul said,
"Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not..."
Tongues, healings, and miracles all served as signs to authenticate new Revelation. As the apostolic period ended, so did biblical miracles. Early in the apostolic age multitudes were being healed by the apostles. Twenty five years later Paul(the greatest apostle)says in 2 Corinthians 2:7-10,
"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
But as it is written, ye hath not seen, nor ear hear, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."
Near the end of his ministry and life, Paul showed no evidence of having the healing gift as we read in the following passages,
To Timothy-
"...use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities."-1 Timothy 5:23
To Trophimus-
"...but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick."
To his friend Epaphroditis-
"Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditis, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but you messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
For indeed he was sick nigh unto death..."
Even though I often ask God for healing for others and occasionally for myslf, I add to my prayer, "...if it be thy will..." I believe Scripture says we are to find comfort in the Holy Spirit that is within us as believers. Earlier I asked the question,
ARE MIRACLES FOR TODAY?
The more appropriate question might be,
MIRACLES OR PROVIDENCE?
Providence is the foresight and care which God manifests for his creation and is evidenced by His divine direction. This prompts another question,
HOW DOES GOD TAKE CARE OF OUR MEDICAL INFIRMITIES TODAY?
Think about these questions. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
ybiC,
Kab
Grace Teacher Ministries
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