Category: Discipleship Foundations

Come, Follow, Fish, and Teach Others to Do the Same

Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” Matthew 4:19 (NLT)

Many people are called by God to become disciples, but Jesus said that few are chosen. (Matthew 22:14)

When we truly hear the call of God through the words of the Gospel and the inner voice or prompting of the Holy Spirit, we are immediately faced with a choice. We can resist, ignore, or surrender to God’s call.

Many people are sifted out immediately because they will not obey the call to come, but even more are left behind by the next requirement. People initially come to Christ because he is wonderful, loving, generous, and offers everything a person would ever truly need, including everlasting life. The consumer in us thinks that this is a “deal” too good to pass up, and we are correct.

However, once we come to Christ and spend time with him and begin to read the Bible, it dawns on us that there is a cost to following him. In fact, following Jesus will cost us everything.

A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26  “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27  And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:25-27 (NLT)

Jesus laid down his life for us and asks us to show our allegiance to him by doing the same. It is one very important way we glorify God. But out of stubbornness, selfishness, fear, pride, or for some other reason, it is at this point that many turn back and make the decision not to follow him. They eliminate themselves from the ranks of the “chosen.”

For many are called, but few are chosen. Matthew 22:14 (NASB) 

Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14  "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14 (NASB)

Jesus promised that he would transform those who follow him into fishers of men and telling others about the Gospel makes us just that.

This means that every true follower of Christ shares the Gospel with others. We may not be evangelists or preachers holding large meetings, but we can share one-on-one with people as the Lord directs and provides us with opportunities.

Followers of Christ are called disciples. They make the commitment to follow Jesus and, with the help of his Holy Spirit, obey his teachings and share the gospel message with others. When our hearers respond to the Gospel, a new responsibility confronts us.

Jesus wants us to teach these new followers to do as we do. This is called making disciples.

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)

Discipleship is a journey that begins with a call, which prompts us to come to Jesus the Savior. If we continue on the journey, we must decide to follow Jesus the Lord. Along the way, Jesus will teach us how to fish for people. Some of those who hear our message will also respond to his call to come and follow and fish. We are responsible to make them into disciples, too. This is the discipleship journey.

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Can We Be Disciples without Being Part of a Local Church?

Can those who profess to be Christians and do not participate in a local church be called disciples? It is a sad commentary on the state of the church that many who say they are believers are not connected with any local church. Some wear their aloofness as a kind of badge of  honor keeping them above the pettiness and corruption of the church. Maybe it is because of a judgment lodged against their previous church’s wrong priorities, values, or traditions. But probably most often pain is the reason. Many have been hurt, some quite significantly, by church leaders or members.  At the root of many people’s going it alone is a deeply embedded determination that no one is going to tell us what to do.  Many such people live in clear opposition to Christ’s teachings, but do not want to be held accountable.

Whatever the case, for a believer to be disconnected from a local church for any significant period of time is not good.

I think we can agree that becoming a child of God has nothing to do with church membership. Going to church cannot make anyone a Christian. Placing our faith in Christ and his finished work on the cross and submitting to his Lordship is what includes us in the family of God. God has no grandchildren; so, we cannot claim membership in the family of God just because our parents were believers or we attend a church. Each individual must engage the Spirit for him or herself and be born again spiritually.

Faith is a very personal thing when it comes to the new birth; but, our life as believers also has a corporate aspect.

Faith is not merely a matter of surrendering to Christ and believing the promises of the gospel: what we believe must be put into practice to prove its genuineness, and this is where we need the local church.

Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” James 2:18 (NLT)

We grow stronger by associating with those who instruct, encourage, and challenge us to follow Christ and his teachings.

Even though it is possible for a person to come to know Christ without belonging to a local church, I believe very strongly that it is impossible to be a disciple Christ that way. God created us to be dependent upon him and interdependent with one another.

Any attempt to “go it alone” is rebellion against God’s created order and the specific command to assemble with other believers.

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)

Adam’s and Eve’s first sin was to try to do life without reference to God. This is the most fundamental sin of humanity – a prideful and arrogant demand to call our own shots, or, as Frank Sinatra so famously sang, we want to live “my way.” In the Genesis account it was not long before “doing it my way” resulted in murder. Evil grew stronger the more humans selfishly and independently pursued their own agendas. The beat still goes on, even among people who claim to be followers of Christ.

True repentance means we turn away from doing life independently and embrace God’s plan for humble interdependence.

During times of confusion, disunity, and unrest in Israel in the times of the judges and kings, disgruntled Israelites would disavow any connection with appointed authority figures saying, “Every man to his own tent,” meaning “do your own thing.” Unity is one of the most precious results of our properly following the Holy Spirit’s lead in a corporate setting, like the local church. Disunity results when we go it alone, seeking our own way. Where there is disunity, all manner of evil takes up residence, and, if we are not connected to people who will lovingly confront us, we will continue in that vein to our own loss and shame. We need each other.

Paul used the analogy of the human body to describe how church members are to view and relate to one another. Even though each part of the body has a different function, each is precious and needed. We can live without some parts of our body, but there is always sorrow when we lose some part we were designed by God to have. The body operates as a unit directed by its “head.” The church functions in the same way. It would be odd for a few body parts to suddenly leave with the intention of going it alone. Likewise, the church needs every part.

When we opt out of the local church, we reveal that we have an independent spirit. Life has a way of sorting us out and revealing what is inside us.

Have you ever heard someone say, “I love God. It’s just people I don’t like?” It is humorous line with which we can all identify, but the Bible clearly teaches us that our love for people actually reveals whether or not we love God.

If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 1 John 4:20 (NASB)

Just as absentee parents have difficulty in communicating how much they love their children, absentee church members cannot express their love for the body in practical ways, nor can they receive as they should. Absence does not make the heart grow fonder in this case. Rather it cuts us off from the ones we should be loving and from whom we should  be receiving love. If we have difficulty with people, it just shows how much work needs to be done in our lives, and that work cannot happen if we are out of relationship with the people God has put into our lives to help us.

And what will happen to us if we go “off the rails” and have no one to correct us?

When we remove ourselves from regular contact with people who can speak the truth in love to us, we set ourselves up to be deceived.

None of us are immune to the tricks and traps of the devil. We need one another to bring correction, balance, and sometimes discipline. Discipline is one of the most important functions of the church, but it is one to which we do not like to submit. Without discipline, however, we will not mature and learn obedience.

And what about the nurturing aspect of the body? God has placed apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers in the church to feed the sheep and help them grow to maturity. When we isolate ourselves, we cut ourselves off from this ministry and opt for stunted growth. Some might argue that it is possible to hear all sorts of great teaching via various media. But Paul warns us of the importance of knowing and being known by those who minister to us.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:17 (NASB)

We cannot know a person well enough to properly “shepherd” them from long distance. That can only happen when we do life together in the context of a local church.

The Holy Spirit works through the various people and ministries in the local church to care for and encourage us.

Guidance and protection are two other functions of the local church. Pastoral input can preserve us from much harm and wasted energy. Good leadership does not seek to “lord it over” our faith. Instead its purpose is to confirm, guide, and protect. If we remove ourselves from the “umbrella of protection” provided by being properly related to church authority as vested in the pastor and elders, we once again set ourselves up to suffer. The devil, like a wolf, always goes after the sheep  who are straying from the flock. Don’t be one of them. Get back with the group. Remember: the banana that stays with the bunch doesn’t get peeled.

In conclusion, separating ourselves from the local church reveals that we are self-seeking and independent.

One who has isolated himself seeks his own desires; he rejects all sound judgment. Proverbs 18:1 (NET1)

Instead, let us forgive past offenses, put aside our differences, repent of our selfish independence, and embrace the God-given provision of the local church. We can be a very important part of the whole, receive ministry, grow, and participate in the church’s mission to go and make disciples. Otherwise, our story may become a sad footnote referencing how our great potential was wasted because we were determined to go it alone. Remember: we can be a Christian alone, but not a disciple.

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Chapter 92: The Priesthood of the Believer

One of the great errors that has crossed over from the old covenant into the new is the idea of a clergy-laity divide that limits ministry to the ordained clergy. The Protestant Reformation addressed many of the doctrinal errors and abuses of Roman Catholicism, among which was the establishment of an ordained priesthood, whose were privileged to offer the “unbloody” sacrifice of the Mass, forgive sins on behalf of Christ, transform bread and wine into the actual body and blood of Christ, and otherwise act in mediatorial ways between God and the people. I have written more about the heresies connected to Roman Catholicism in another series of articles. For now, we will focus on the priesthood.

The Reformation reestablished the doctrine of the priesthood of the believer, which teaches that, after Christ fulfilled the priestly duties of Aaron’s line, all believers share in the priestly ministry of the new covenant.

And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. 10 “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”  Revelation 5:9–10 (NASB95)

Jesus is the one and only mediator between God and humans (1 Timothy 25). No longer is there a need for old covenant like priests to act in this regard. After Jesus died on the cross to secure forgiveness for us, the massive curtain in the temple, which prevented God’s Holy of Holies from being accessed, was supernaturally torn in two from top to bottom (Mark 15:38), signifying that all believers all can now approach God directly.  

19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  Hebrews 10:19–22 (NKJV)

Before, only the high priest had such access only once a year on the Day of Atonement.

In the New Covenant God has given us priestly duties to offer specific sacrifices and to go before God in prayer for others. These New Covenant sacrifices include the sacrifice of praise, doing good, and sharing. (Hebrews 13:15-16) We can also offer our own bodies in service to God as a living sacrifice. (Romans 12:1) The bloody sacrifice of animals is forever finished because their purpose was to point to Christ’s perfect once-for-all-time sacrifice. Once our Lord accomplished that, the need for the shadow came to an end. This is one reason God saw to it that the temple was destroyed in 70 AD.

Grace and forgiveness come directly to us from Christ via the Holy Spirit. We have no need for human mediators any longer.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,  Ephesians 1:3 (NKJV) 

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,  2 Peter 1:2–3 (NKJV)

In Old Covenant times, those called to the “ministry,” priests and Levites, were born into their roles and held their position or status exclusively. Commoners or laity were not allowed to participate by law. In the New Covenant, all believers are born into the priesthood of the believer.

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God... 1 John 5:1a (NKJV)

Those who are uniquely called to the “five-fold ministry” – apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher, are responsible to equip the rest of the church to do the work of ministry.

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.  Ephesians 4:11–12 (NLT)

God wants New Covenant ministers to have the attitude of John the Baptist, who was willing for his own ministry to recede in order for Christ’s to expand.

He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.  John 3:30 (NLT)

God wants us to have the point of view expressed by Paul in his letter to the church in Philippi when he exhorted them to consider others more important than themselves.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.  Philippians 2:3–4 (NLT)

Jesus described ministry in the New Covenant as humble service to others.

Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. 11 “But the greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.  Matthew 23:10–12 (NASB95)

It is true that God calls some to function in leadership and ministry roles, but it is never for self-aggrandizement or to secure an enduring position. Rather, we are to invest ourselves in others so they can become all that God desires. Then we are to release them and move on to discipling others.

Paul made this clear in his description of the five-fold ministry.

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.  Ephesians 4:11–16 (NLT)

Each of these ministries is to impart to the church what God has given to them. Success is when the church becomes apostolic, prophetic, evangelistic, pastoral, and competent to teach God’s Word.

Whatever God has given to us, we are to reproduce in others.

Disciples are the basic building blocks of the kingdom of God, “living stones” that the Holy Spirit builds into a fitting “house” or temple for God. Jesus called us to make disciples. When disciples are made, churches are sure to follow.

When churches are planted without disciple-making being the top priority, we miss the mark.

The church is not a building. It is a living, moving “body,” which has the capability to reproduce itself at the discipleship level. Disciples are living beings, who have the ability, through the Spirit, to multiply themselves. In fact, that is our primary responsibility. Just as God commanded Adam and Eve, and afterwards Noah and his descendants, to multiply and fill the earth, so Christ mandated the church to “go and make disciples.”

Making disciples is our mission given by God, which supersedes every other sub-mission that the local church may adopt along the way.

The question facing every missional church, then, is how are we to teach, train, and equip disciples who will go and make other disciples? What vision, information, understanding, wisdom, and ministry skills need to be imparted to them that will enable them to become effective disciple makers?

It is part of the human condition for those in leadership to carve out a secure niche for themselves, and it is convenient for the rest of us to consign ministry responsibilities to the clergy instead of accepting our own role as ministers.

The best way a church can effectively multiply disciples is by acknowledging and promoting every disciple’s duty to be a representative or minister of Christ in his or her own right.

This does not mean that everyone is part of the five-fold ministry. Rather, the job of the five-fold ministry is to equip the rest of the church to do the work of the ministry. Just as parents train their children to be responsible adults with their own families; so, we are to prepare disciples who will take responsibility to serve others.

In other words, those in five-fold ministry are increasingly successful as they move more to a coaching role, allowing their disciples to take on more and more responsibility.

In my experience, a small percentage of senior ministers make the commitment to do this. We convince ourselves that without extensive formal Bible training, people are not to be trusted with the Scriptures. We set the bar higher than did our Lord, who turned over the church to men with whom he had spent three years training, but who still did not understand many basic things. The “seminary trained” Pharisees criticized these disciples, as well as Jesus himself, for being “unlearned” men. Jesus knew that the Holy Spirit is a more than adequate on the job instructor.

Disciple-making churches are willing to give “average” people ministry and leadership responsibilities and make the commitment to stand with them as they get “on the job” training from God.

Any gospel movement that rapidly expands must think this way.

The genius of the Great Awakening in the Carolinas, where I live, was the willingness of church leaders, such as Shubal Stearns with Sandy Creek Separate Baptist Church, to equip and commission average people to be preachers, ministers, and leaders, trusting the Holy Spirit to develop them along the way. This is no small thing. It takes a radical commitment to the priesthood of all believers to properly develop and launch disciples and to be an effective disciple-making church.

The other side of the coin is that “average” people must be willing to accept the responsibility to lead and minister.

It is far easier for us to accept the clergy-laity divide because it divests the rest of the church from stepping up their responsibility to serve the church. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit still calls people to ministry and leadership. Perhaps many are simply waiting for someone to invite them to be discipled. Jesus took the initiative to call the ones he chose for development. We who are already in leadership and ministry roles should ask the Holy Spirit to show us who to invite.

Many people do not consider themselves to be adequate to be in ministry, which is why they need encouragement from someone who sees their potential.

This gift of encouragement was found in Barnabas, who was responsible for seeking out Paul and inviting him to take on greater ministry responsibilities. Just as in the case of John the Baptist, Barnabas was willing for Paul to become the main leader in their joint ministry. He eventually moved on to developing another young man named John Mark, who would eventually write his Gospel. Paul learned from Barnabas how to develop people. He called young men to join him, such as Timothy, whom he discipled and launched into ministry. This chain of disciple making has never been broken. Let’s do our part to keep it going.

Click here to see all the articles in this series.
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Are We Willing to Be Considered Morons?

If God had more morons in his service, the world would likely be a much better place.

Paul was such a person, at least according to his own account of things.

We are fools (Greek: morons) for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.1 Corinthians 4:10 (ESV)

When I think of a moron, my mind immediately goes to an image of a buck-toothed idiot sitting on a stool with a dunce cap on his head. How cruel. Being considered a fool is something many people genuinely fear and will go to great lengths to prevent, even to the point of refusing to stand for truth and what is right, if it goes against the commonly accepted position approved by society at large. Adam and Eve were made to feel foolish by the serpent for simply trusting God’s word instead of figuring things out for themselves. They opted for the serpent’s good opinion over trusting God. 

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:6 (ESV)

The Corinthians fell for the same ruse. Trying to avoid being considered foolish in men’s eyes, they apparently distanced themselves from Paul, who did not shy away from being called a fool, if need be, in order to be loyal to Christ.

Following Christ asks us to accept that ungodly people, and sometimes misinformed or carnal Christians, may hold us in disrepute.

Jesus told his followers to beware when all speak well of us (Luke 6:26). Following the Spirit and the Word of God will often put us at odds with the world system, which uses mockery, persecution, threats, and outright lies to try to intimidate us into being silent regarding the truth and Jesus.

It all boils down to whether we look to God or men as our source for validation.

The fear of God teaches us that his opinion is the only one that matters. Because the Father validated Jesus as his only Son in whom we was and is well-pleased, our Lord was able to endure the scorn and persecution of those who rejected his lordship.

Unless we choose to regard God’s opinion more than man’s, we will likely succumb to the fear of man, which is a snare that leads to death (Proverbs 29:25).

Paul wrote:

But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 1 Corinthians 4:3 (ESV)

Unless we choose to endure the judgments and scorn of men, we will not be very effective servants of Christ. Unless we embrace the apparent foolishness of doing what God says and standing for his truth, we may crumble before hostile opponents who are prepared to call us fools and ostracize us. Paul wrote:

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 (ESV)

The kingdom of God needs more people who are willing to look foolish in men’s eyes in order to bring glory to God. May God help us all to be willing to be thought of as “morons” for Christ and truth!

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Chapter 91: The Laying on of Hands in Ordination and Ministry

The laying on of hands is one of the first principles of the doctrine of Christ, which indicates its importance doctrinally and practically. The Lords wants us to thoroughly understand its meaning and application.

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.  Hebrews 6:1–3 (NKJV)

In ordination, laying on of hands can impart spiritual gifts, grace, and authority. It also symbolizes an identification or union between the minister and the one upon whom hands are laid. The one receiving the ministry may also act as a substitute for the one or ones doing the laying on of hands.

Identification and Substitution Relating to Christ’s Sacrificial Death

As an example of identification and substitution, in the Old Testament, offerers laid their hands upon the animals they brought to be sacrificed by the priests, thereby symbolically imparting their sins and offenses against God to the animal, which died in their place. A good example of this is when the “escape” goat was released into the wilderness bearing Israel’s sins. May believe this foreshadowed our Lord carrying our sins into hell after his crucifixion.

21 Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, concerning all their sins, putting them on the head of the goat, and shall send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a suitable man. 22 The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to an uninhabited land; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness.  Leviticus 16:21–22 (NKJV)

When Jesus the Lamb of God was crucified, God placed our sins on him. He was completely identified with us and our sin. When he died, we died. Since he paid the penalty for our sins, so did we because we were in him. There can be no double jeopardy in God’s justice system.

5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 6:5–11 (NKJV)

Jesus also acted as our substitute by dying in our place. Because God the Father accepted his offering on our behalf, we received the gift of his right standing with God (justification) through identification or union with Christ.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.  2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB95)

We were placed “in” Christ so that when he died, so did we. When he rose, we did, too.

For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.  2 Corinthians 5:14–15 (NASB95)

The identification/substitution aspect of the laying on of hands must be understood if we are to grasp the nature of the finished work of Christ on our behalf, but it also relates to ordination into ministry and the impartation of gifts and blessings.  

Identification and Substitution Regarding Ordination to Ministry

In the Old Testament, every firstborn son belonged to the Lord. Instead of requiring them to enter service to the Lord’s tabernacle, God set apart men from the tribe of Levi to substitute for the first born.

Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the sons of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine. 15 “Then after that the Levites may go in to serve the tent of meeting. But you shall cleanse them and present them as a wave offering; 16 for they are wholly given to Me from among the sons of Israel. I have taken them for Myself instead of every first issue of the womb, the firstborn of all the sons of Israel.  Numbers 8:14–16 (NASB95)


God used the laying on of hands to symbolize, formalize, and communicate the grace needed for the Levites to carry out this service.

and present the Levites before the Lord; and the sons of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites. 11 “Aaron then shall present the Levites before the Lord as a wave offering from the sons of Israel, that they may qualify to perform the service of the Lord.  Numbers 8:10–11 (NASB95)

This concept carries over into the New Testament. When the Holy Spirit called Paul and Barnabas to take the gospel to foreign lands, the leaders of the church recognized this calling by laying hands upon the two.

One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” 3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.  Acts 13:2–3 (NLT)

By so doing, they sent Paul and Barnabas out as representatives of the local church at Antioch. They also acted as substitutes for the rest of the church, since the entire church was called to spread the good news. The church got behind them in prayer and financial support. In addition, blessings and grace were imparted. They committed these men to the grace of God, just as Paul did later when he ordained elders through the laying on of hands.

Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. 24 Then they traveled back through Pisidia to Pamphylia. 25 They preached the word in Perga, then went down to Attalia.  Acts 14:23–25 (NLT)

Although the laying on of hands is not specifically mentioned, I believe we can assume that they did so. Grace is communicated at the time of ordination.

Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.  1 Timothy 4:14 (NLT)

When we ordain someone, it does not transform them on the inside into new people. Rather, governmental leaders should only ordain those in whom God has already been at work preparing them for ministry. The Lord should have already made clear that he has appointed them to the work.

We lay hands upon those whom God has already laid his hand upon.  

In addition, the laying on of hands does not impart character, only grace and gifting for ministry. Character is an inner ongoing work of the Spirit of God and is vital in the life of anyone ordained to ministry.

God’s gifts and the pressures of ministry can only flourish without crushing us over time if we have a strong foundation of godly character.

Once we ordain someone, they become formally identified with us. Therefore, we should be careful to only ordain proven people. Otherwise, we may become identified with their failures and sin. The reputation of God’s church is at stake.

Do not lay hands on anyone hastily and so identify with the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.  1 Timothy 5:22 (NET)

When hands are laid on individuals to ordain them to governmental ministry, authority is conveyed to them by those in authority.

Then Moses said to the Lord, 16 “O Lord, you are the God who gives breath to all creatures. Please appoint a new man as leader for the community. 17 Give them someone who will guide them wherever they go and will lead them into battle, so the community of the Lord will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” 18 The Lord replied, “Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. 19 Present him to Eleazar the priest before the whole community, and publicly commission him to lead the people. 20 Transfer some of your authority to him so the whole community of Israel will obey him.  Numbers 27:15–20 (NLT)

God gives grace and authority to those to whom he gives responsibility.

Responsibility without authority is an exercise in frustration. Authority without responsibility is an ego trip.

Laying on of Hands to Impart Blessings and Spiritual Gifts

The laying on of hands is also used to impart blessings outside of ordination. Jesus laid his hands on children to bless them.

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” 15 And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.  Matthew 19:13–15 (NLT)

It should be our practice to lay hands on people, with their permission, to bless them and pray for them. We never know what God may communicate to them through this gesture. He may impart healing, a miracle, or a sensation of his presence. The baptism in the Spirit is often imparted through laying our hands upon people and praying for them.

As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. 16 The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.  Acts 8:15–17 (NLT)

Jesus laid his hands upon the sick as part of communicating healing to them and setting them free from demonic oppression.

While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them. 41 Demons also were coming out of many, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But rebuking them, He would not allow them to speak, because they knew Him to be the Christ.  Luke 4:40–41 (NASB95)

…they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”  Mark 16:18b (NKJV)

Some people teach that we should not cast out demons by laying on of hands because the demon might enter us, but that is not scriptural. We are protected from demonization by the Lord, unless we open a door by deliberate sin. Often sick people are afflicted by demons, and sometimes it is difficult to discern if the sickness comes from natural or demonic sources. When we lay hands upon the sick, we may find that people are delivered, as seemed to happen when Jesus prayed for the sick and laid hands on them. Generally, we should simply cast them out with a command in Jesus’ name.

Conclusion

In summary, the laying on of hands is one of the first principles of the doctrine of Christ. It carries with it the idea of substitution and identification. Blessings are imparted, responsibility given, and authority communicated. Even those who do not have roles of responsibility and authority in the church can practice the laying on of hands in prayer, blessing, healing, and casting out evil spirits. I believe that the laying on of hands is underutilized by the church as an evangelistic tool. Many people will allow us to pray for them, even if they are not currently open to the gospel. Once we pray and lay hands upon people to bless them, we cross over an unseen barrier that allows us to talk more freely with them about spiritual things in the future.

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Chapter 90: What Defines a Local Church?

Sometimes it is helpful to be able to define what is a local church, especially in the context of rapidly expanding church planting operations that sometimes take place in areas where the Holy Spirit is gathering a mass harvest of souls. The following is my attempt to do just that.

Jesus said that where two are three are gathered in his name, he is with them.

For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”  Matthew 18: 20 (NLT)

Our Lord could have chosen any number, such as ten or twenty, but he chose two or three. He made it clear that small groups are a valid expression of the church. We should not think that only larger churches are legitimate models of church life and ministry. Jesus deliberately emphasized smallness. Not surprisingly, most churches are small, especially in areas of persecution.

However, the greater point he made was that his presence will be where people gather in his name.

The first defining characteristic of a local church is the presence of the Lord.

Paul said that our gatherings should allow for the Holy Spirit to direct ministry.

Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.  1 Corinthians 14:26 (NLT)

From this passage, we understand that a gathering of disciples should include worship, Bible teaching, the gifts of the Spirit, and sharing what God is revealing to various individuals. The goal behind these expressions of Christ’s ministry is to strengthen his people. We are only able to give away to others what we have. Unless the church is strong in the Lord, it will have nothing with which to assist those who are struggling.

The second defining characteristic of a local church is Spirit-led ministry that builds up the people of the church.

The members of the church are referred to by our Lord as sheep. All sheep need a shepherd, which is why God assigns some with the responsibility of watching over the flock.

So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.  Acts 20:28 (NLT)

Therefore, another defining characteristic of a local church is the governmental and pastoral ministry of elders or shepherds, even if they are called by another name.

These shepherds feed and protect God’s people under the guidance and direction of the “Chief Shepherd,” our Lord Jesus.

And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: 2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor. 5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  1 Peter 5:1–5 (NLT)

In a healthy church, the congregation will honor, respect, and follow those God has raised up to shepherd them. Part of their responsibility is to discipline the sheep when needed.

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.  2 Timothy 4:1–2 (NASB95)

A healthy church will maintain proper church discipline that reflects the love and authority of the Lord, not heavy-handed manipulation and control.

Now I call upon God as my witness that I am telling the truth. The reason I didn’t return to Corinth was to spare you from a severe rebuke. 24 But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.  2 Corinthians 1:23–24 (NLT)

Jesus left us with two ordinances which should be carried out by the local church: water baptism and the Lord’s Supper.  

He did not give us specifics regarding the exact way these ordinances should be carried out. I believe that water baptism should be done as soon after conversion as possible. Different churches have various ways they do communion. The important thing is for the local church to faithfully carry these out.

The local church is where the Word of God is taught, the gifts of the Spirit operate, worship takes place, disciples made, the saints affirmed, equipped, and encouraged, the ordinances of baptism and communion are observed, prayer and personal ministry takes place, financial assistance is offered when needed, discipline is administered as necessary, and people find love, acceptance, and forgiveness.

Some Helpful Analogies

It can be beneficial to think of the church in terms of a family, a train, a hospital, a boot camp, and a missional team. None of these are perfect but can give us insight into the nature of the church.

The Body of Christ

One of the best-known word pictures of the church is the body of Christ. This analogy provides us with two important truths regarding God’s people. The body is an integrated whole consisting of a wide variety of parts. Some of the parts are considered “vital” in that we cannot live without them. Others are extremely important to us, but we can live without them. No part of our body is despised or considered worthless.

Therefore, the analogy of the body of Christ teaches us that every person is important in the kingdom of God and should be treated as such.

A vital organ such as the head or heart may have a sense of superiority over a hand or foot, since a body can live without the latter two, but not without the first two. Nevertheless, a handless or footless body will experience a noticeable decline in quality of life and perhaps even die because of a lack of ability to provide for itself.

Every part of the body should strive to acknowledge and honor every other part.

The second truth associated with the body analogy is that the church is able to move and accomplish much as a living organism. Our being alive not only makes great things possible, it also introduces problems. Living organisms make choices and sometimes have issues with one another. The church as a body introduces the challenge of getting along with one another.

The Church as a Building

The church is also pictured as a building, the temple of God constructed by the Spirit to house the presence of the Lord here on earth.

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.  Ephesians 2:19–22 (NKJV)

The apostle Peter called the church “living stones.”

you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  1 Peter 2:5 (NKJV)

Buildings are firmly immovable and solid, as opposed to mobile easily fractured assemblies of people engaged in activities that have the potential to increase friction among members.

The analogy of the building reminds us that we are cemented or glued together in love by the Spirit of God. The only thing that muddies this picture is the fact that the stones are alive and may decide to disconnect and move away from their places in the structure. This contributes to the challenge of watching over the flock.

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.  Colossians 3:14 (NLT)

When we are tempted to divide from others because of strife or offense, it is helpful to remind ourselves that we are a firmly secured immovable building.

If we couple the idea of the church being a moving dynamic body with that of it being a firmly secured and solid assembly of “living stones,” it will give us a more balanced understanding.

The Bride of Christ

The church as a bride is another very familiar analogy. Men readily understand Christ’s perspective of loving and wishing to protect and provide for his bride, while waiting in eager expectation for the wedding to take place. Women better understand the feminine side of things, being cherished and honored as the bride.

This analogy readily morphs into thinking of ourselves as the “wife” of Christ, as Paul describes the church in Ephesians Chapter 5 and Romans Chapter 7.

In the Ephesians passage, Paul encourages men to sacrificially love their wives as Christ loves the church and wives to honor their husbands as to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:22-25) This shows us how to apply spiritual principles to practical relationships in marriage and in the church. Paul wrote that we should honor one another above ourselves. (Philippians 2:3)

The church as Christ’s bride also refers to fruitfulness.

Just as a husband and wife naturally produce children if everything is functioning properly and no steps are being taken to prevent conception, so our love relationship with Christ will produce good fruit spiritually.

Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.  Romans 7:4 (NKJV)

Fruit bearing, while being extremely important for the continuance of the church and humanity, is not the primary reason for marriage. God’s stated purpose for marriage in the beginning was to provide someone to relieve Adam’s loneliness.

Marriage is first a covenant of companionship and secondarily a means to propagate humanity. Likewise, Christ’s love relationship with the church is primary and making disciples comes in second. Both are important, but we always want to keep first things first.

Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.  Revelation 2:4 (NKJV)

The Bible makes it clear that God often chose barren women to further his kingdom purposes. The husbands of those women were faithful to them, despite their lack of fruitfulness. Eventually they bore miracle children. There is a spiritual lesson here. We do not abandon churches that seem to be barren. We keep loving and believing God to produce fruit in his way and time. We never want to emulate King Henry VIII who either divorced or killed several wives in search of a male heir. Instead, let’s be like Isaac who believed for Rebecca to have children.

Now Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived.  Genesis 25:21 (NKJV)

 

A Family of Friends

I have sometimes described the church over the years as a family of friends doing life together. Families have “blood” ties that go beyond merely liking or disliking one another. Families generally try to be there for each other when things are difficult. Friends, on the other hand, are mutually attracted to one another and genuinely enjoy one another. When family members are true friends, it is a strong bond.

Ideally, the local church is a group of unlikely people drawn together by our mutual devotion to the Lord. We are bonded and made into a family through the new birth and by the shared presence of the Spirit in our lives. We grow to love and appreciate one another and strive to be faithful friends as we share life together, which always includes encountering difficulties along the way.

Local churches ideally provide us with a loving family of friends to support and love us as we live out our days.

One of the primary purposes for marriage is to have children, to be fruitful and multiply. When God blesses a couple with offspring, they care for them, teach them how to be self-governing successful adults, and launch them to start their own families. This is a model of discipleship. A successful parent encourages his children to leave home at the appropriate time and recreate what they experienced in their parents’ home.

Churches are meant to train and equip their people and launch them to start new families of friends.

A Train

In our country people do not ride trains very often, but we understand how they operate. Perhaps we can think of shuttles that carry people to various terminals at some of our larger airports, or buses operating in or between cities. These conveyances run routes to specific destinations. We board whichever one we think we get us where we need to be.

People join a church because they think it is going to take them where they want to go.

Interestingly, some people join a church to try to commandeer it to go to their preferred destination. They generally remain only if they get their way; otherwise they move on. One pastor friend of mine told me he tells such people, “Remember, you joined us. We didn’t join you.”

I tell people who are looking for a church or wondering if they need to move on to keep four things in mind.

  1. We should join or remain in a local church that holds to solid Bible doctrine and teaching. This does not mean we have to completely agree with every point, but we should not differ in any significant core doctrine.
  2. We should feel that the leadership of the church is trustworthy and that we can follow their lead.
  3. We should be able to embrace the vision of the church. This means that whatever expression of Christ’s mission the church highlights should be something we can support, even if we are not directly involved.
  4. We should have a sense of the Holy Spirit directing our steps.

The train analogy relates to the third point above. We board a train to get to a destination. The vision of the church is the destination. If we wish to pursue a local church’s vision, we should get on their train. However, sometimes our personal vision may change. God may begin to lead us in a new direction. In other cases, the church’s vision may change, the leaders start taking its people to a new destination with which we may not align. In such cases, we should not get mad at the train for not taking us where we want to go. Instead, it may be time to change trains.

Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?  Amos 3:3 (NLT)

At every stop along the way, people get off the train, having reached their destination or a place to switch trains. People also choose to board the train because they want to go where the train is going. People should be allowed to freely board the train and freely get off. If the people preparing to board see that the train will not let those wanting to deboard get off, it should be a major “red flag.” We never want to board a train that does not let people get off; neither should we join a church that tries to stop people from leaving.

Churches should probably make it easier for people to leave than to join.

It is counterproductive to attack people who want to leave. Let them depart with a blessing, if possible.

It is better for us to leave on good terms than to stay past the “expiration date” and depart in anger or frustration.

If we wait too long, the latter is likely to happen. While “church hopping” is never a good thing, staying put when we are frustrated might be worse. Our discontent will likely begin to affect others, and we should try never be a negative influence.

I remember several years ago that a certain man wanted to join our church. I met with him to discuss the matter. During the conversation, I discovered that he had been a part of a huge number of churches in our area over the years, only to find some fault with each of them and move on. I told him we did not want to become another short-term stay and told him I did not think he should join us.

When people leave a church, especially when they have been a part for a long time, it creates a “hole,” so to speak. We build relationships in our local church, and if we leave it may create hurt and confusion among some of the other members. They may wonder why we left. What was wrong? Is there a problem in the church that I don’t know about? We should understand this and not take leaving a church lightly. However, if we need to leave, we should do it the right way. We should inform the leadership of our decision and hopefully part with a blessing from the church.

Churches do well to accept that sometimes people need or want to move and try to bless them on their way.

However, if people leave because they are in rebellion or sin and refuse to be corrected, that is another matter altogether.

A Hospital

A hospital is a place where very sick people go to get better. In some cases, they may need to stay quite a while, especially if rehab is needed, but it is never our goal to make the hospital our permanent home. That is, unless we are part of the staff.

If we think of the church as a hospital, we understand the some are part of the staff and others come for a while, get better, and then leave.

When they leave, we are glad for them, not resentful. Those who are part of the staff understand the bed space needs to be opened so that new hurting people can benefit from their services.

Boot Camp

If we think of the church as a boot camp, we understand that we are preparing soldiers to be launched into combat. We try to prepare and equip them to be successful. About the time that the drill sergeant whips his men into shape, it is time for them to leave.

The purpose of boot camp is to prepare men for battle and send them out, and then repeat the process.

Churches are disciple training centers. Our job is to prepare and equip people to go and make disciples. We are to equip and launch. If boot camps try to retain those they train, they violate their mission and purpose.

Missional Team

The great commission is the stated purpose of the church. Every local church is commissioned to prepare and encourage its members to pursue the great commission in an appropriate manner, realizing that there is great diversity in how this is done. The church can support its members in the way they do this. When people serve together on mission, it can develop something missiologists call “communitas,” a deep bond of friendship and loyalty, similar to what men in combat experience.

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Healing Part 6 – Understanding, Embracing, and Exercising Delegated Authority

Healing is directly related to understanding and operating in the delegated authority we receive from Christ.

Today many people are quite uncomfortable with having or exercising authority over others. It is commonplace for adults to ask small children to call them by their first names, choosing to be on familiar terms with the very young instead of teaching them to respect their elders. My opinion is this aversion to being in authority is directly related to a refusal to be under proper authority. We seldom wish to be what we despise.

As Christ’s modern day representatives, we have the privilege of continuing Christ’s ministry on the earth. This will be hindered unless we come to terms with exercising our delegated authority in Christ.

The Roman Centurion, who asked Jesus to heal his servant, grasped the nature of the authority Jesus had.

When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, 6  “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.” 7  Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.” 8  But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. 9  I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” 10  When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! Matthew 8:5-10 (NLT)

Authority and faith are linked. Faith is able to receive and exercise God’s authority; therefore, understanding the nature and extent of delegated authority is crucial.

The centurion understood that Jesus was on mission from God, and, as his representative, had been given the authority to get the job done. The one having delegated authority is not always required to back up that authority personally. It takes power to enforce authority. The Holy Spirit is God’s enforcer. When Jesus spoke in God’s name, the Holy Spirit made what he said happen. The same is true for us today.

The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, Luke 4:18 (NLT)

Jesus was the official ambassador of God’s kingdom. He exercised the authority of that kingdom and was backed up by the Enforcer, the Holy Spirit. That role has now been assigned to his church.

The Holy Spirit is the One who made Jesus’ words and commands effective when it came to proclaiming the gospel, healing, casting out evil spirits, and raising the dead.

But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. Matthew 12:28 (NLT)

We would never ask or beg an evil spirit to leave a person and to cease to oppress him or her, just as a police officer does not beg an offender to please give up. A peace officer must be comfortable using the authority given to him or her in order to be effective, and so must we.

Jesus gave his disciples specific authority, and by extension that includes us and all the disciples who would follow him through the centuries.

Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20  But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” Luke 10:19-20 (NLT)

Satan stole the authority God delegated to Adam by deceiving him into submitting to him instead of God. Satan still gives some measure of evil authority to those who serve him, but God’s authority always overrules Satan’s. The evil power released by the exercise of satanic authority is no match for the power of the one true God. (1 John 4:4)

It is our responsibility to release God’s power through exercising the authority we have in Christ.

When Jesus died on the cross and subsequently rose from the dead, he completely defeated Satan and his minions.

In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. Colossians 2:15 (NLT)

After Jesus’ resurrection, all authority in heaven and on earth was given to him. (Matthew 28:18) Our Lord now sits in heaven on God’s throne waiting until all his enemies have been effectively subjugated by his people who operate in his authority, backed up by the Holy Spirit’s power.

God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. 33  Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. 34  For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said, ‘The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand 35  until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”’ 36  “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” Acts 2:32-36 (NLT) 

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Romans 16:20 (NLT)

Satan has been defeated and cannot exercise dominion over the church. Nevertheless, God left him in place in this fallen world so that the church can learn to exercise Christ’s authority as representatives of the kingdom of God. We are being prepared to rule and reign with Christ for eternity.

Much of our ministry here on earth is an exercise of Christ’s authority. The gospel is an announcement that all who put their faith and allegiance in the Lord will be made right with God. Why do we have the right to say such things? God has given us authority to speak in his name. When we cast out evil spirits, we do so in the name or authority of our Lord. The Holy Spirit will enforce our words. Deliverance is never a power struggle between Christ’s followers and evil spirits. It is an authority issue. We have to know where we stand; otherwise, demons will try to bluff their way into continuing to oppress their hosts.

The same is true when it comes to healing. I do not recall our Lord ever begging his Father to heal someone. Instead he usually commanded people to be healed or simply announced that God had healed them, using the authority he had from God. I will leave you the joy of searching out the scriptures to see if this is so. Christ is our example. His ministry is our pattern.

The early disciples exercised their authority to heal, in obedience to our Lord’s command.

Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions... 7  Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. 8  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received! Matthew 10:5-8 (NLT)

Jesus did not instruct them to “ask me to heal the sick.” He told them to heal and otherwise exercise his authority, which had been given to them.

If we are uncomfortable exercising our God given authority, we will be hindered in representing Christ properly in the healing ministry.

It is a little strange when we first start using our authority, just as I imagine it is somewhat uncomfortable for newly graduated police officers to command offenders to submit to their commands. I remember when I first assumed responsibility as the pastor of the church plant in Burlington. I had never before had people honor me as the pastor by calling me by that title. I had to get used to my new role. Likewise, we must become acclimated to exercising Christ’s authority.

Practically speaking, we must move from merely asking God to heal people to commanding them to be healed.

Does that seem like a stretch? If so, it is because we have not yet understood and embraced the authority we have as Christ’s ambassadors. Why not give it a try? We might be surprised at the results. Let’s be willing to take the risk. Let the Spirit be our guide. Learn from experience. Don’t be afraid of making a mistake. Don’t worry about looking foolish. Get out on a limb where God is able to demonstrate how remarkably powerful he is. If we do these things, we will be able to share some amazing testimonies in days to come of how God used us to bless others and glorify himself.

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Healing Part 5 – What can we do to see more healings?

 

If our Lord provided physical healing in the atonement and he wants to heal people today, is there anything we can do to see more healing? Here are some practical suggestions.

Overcoming Ignorance

One big reason people do not receive more from God is because we do not even know what God has given to us.

The Holy Spirit desires to open our spiritual eyes.

And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. 1 Corinthians 2:12 (NLT)

Ignorance can be overcome by diligently studying and meditating on what the Bible teaches on the subject, while leaning on God’s Spirit to be our teacher.

Defeat Apathy

Apathy toward God’s marvelous gifts is sinful.

Another word for apathy is “lukewarmness.” Jesus hates apathy.

I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Revelation 3:15–16 (NKJV)

God would rather we resist truth than not care.

Sometimes we dress up our apathy in religious garb by saying, “Well, if God wants to heal, I guess he will.” If I held up a hundred dollar bill and said it is yours, would you just look at me and say, “Well, if God wants me to have the $100, I guess it will come to me?” I hope not. I would expect you to act as if you want it, that would walk up to me to take it from my hand. God expects us to want to be healed or to want him to heal others and to do something about it, not remain passive.

If we want to be healed, we should ask God to do it or, even better, proclaim that he has done it! The Bible says that we “were” healed (1 Peter 2:24).

Healing is a finished work that God calls us to experience in the here and now by proclaiming and receiving it by faith.

The woman with internal bleeding was healed by touching Jesus’ garment, without his even consciously willing it. When our faith connects with God’s provision, healing flows. Jesus already paid for our healing on the cross. Certainly he wants us to have it!

Repent for Unbelief

The Gospel of Matthew reveals that unbelief is a hindrance to our receiving anything from God.

And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.” 58  And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:57-58 (NLT)

Jesus often said, “Be it done unto you according to your faith.” In Nazareth the people limited their ability to receive from Jesus because of their unbelief.

Unbelief and pride show that our hearts are hard, which shuts down our ability to understand, believe, and receive (Mark 6:52). Conversely, repentance and humility open our hearts to God and produce fertile soil for faith.

Jesus taught that all things are possible to the person who believes (Mark 9:23).

Overcoming unbelief requires us to confront our doubt regarding God’s promises.

I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24  I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. Mark 11:23-24 (NLT)

James, the Lord’s brother and the leader of the church in Jerusalem, wrote that a “double-minded man,” who wavers between faith and unbelief or doubt, will not receive anything from God (James 1:6-8).

One way to overcome unbelief is to act as if we believe.

I am not suggesting that we become hypocrites, but obedience to God is more about what we do than anything else. Sometimes we must act the part before our feelings catch up.

If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. John 7:17 (NIV)

I remember once the Lord spoke to my heart when I was feeling down about something. He asked me, “Why don’t you just act as if everything is going to be alright?” Instantly my attitude completely flipped because I thought, “Of course! Because it is going to be alright.”

We must act as if we have faith in order to help our thinking change and line up with God’s Word. Actions often speak louder than words. Faith is as faith does.

The same principle applies to worship. At times we do not feel like worshiping, but if we choose to do so anyway, our feelings will often follow the lead of our actions. Worship is always the right thing to do, if when we do not feel like it.

We also know from Scripture that the Lord sometimes overrules our unbelief as we haltingly approach him for help, as he did in the case of the desperate father who pleaded with Jesus to heal his son. The father approached Jesus, saying…

The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” 23  “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” 24  The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:22-24 (NLT)

We must remember that when we come to God for help, we are engaging a person who deeply loves us, not a heavenly slot machine that requires a special coin of the realm to get results. God is not looking for magic formulas, incantations, or confessions to wring a healing out of him.

The Lord responds to those who come to him as spiritual paupers, expecting him to hear their cry for help (Matthew 5:3).

When we get our eyes off of ourselves and on to him, real faith automatically engages with an honesty that is refreshing. The man who pleaded with Jesus in Mark chapter nine had true faith, or else he would not have persisted in his pursuit of Jesus.

Abraham’s wife Sarah conceived a miracle son in her old age after laughing in unbelief when God first announced his plan. When the Lord confronted her about it, she added lying to her unbelief by saying she did not laugh. Nevertheless, her fear and unbelief did not block God’s plan for her and ultimately the entire world. Neither did Gideon’s initial timidity block God from using him to miraculously deliver Israel. Other examples can be given of how God was able to work in and through people who were very much works in progress regarding faith.

The good news is that when God chooses to heal someone, he is not ultimately limited by our faith level; even though faith is extremely important in the process.

Be Courageous

Lack of courage is a big reason we do not see more healing today.

Many of us are more concerned about looking good in front of people than we are about God’s glory.

We are afraid to pray for healing because we are worried about the possibility that nothing will happen? We are fearful of looking foolish? That is a risk we must take if we are going to be effective representatives of God’s kingdom. It is a good thing to climb out on a limb of faith, so to speak, where, unless God comes through, we will look foolish. When we put ourselves into a position of publicly believing for God to heal someone, we risk looking bad in front of people, but we also risk seeing a miracle.

I have never experienced a person becoming angry with me for praying for their healing, even when healing did not appear to take place. Almost always they show gratitude that someone cared enough to pray for them. I have also witnessed amazing healings occur when I publicly prayed for people.

If we care too much about our reputation, we will not be effective for God.

Ironically, those who risk losing their reputations for God’s glory may gain respect in the process. As Jesus said,

If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. Matthew 10:39 (NLT)

God honors faith. He will back up the confidence we have in him.

Once we are sure it is God’s will to heal people, nothing should hold us back from aggressively praying for people.

Follow the Leading of the Holy Spirit

Listening to God’s voice and following the promptings of the Holy Spirit are essential to seeing God do more healing through his people.

This is a cultivated skill that develops when we do what he tells us. Hearing God speak to us in our hearts can be quite scary, especially when he tells us to do something outside of our comfort zones.

The Holy Spirit is God’s administrator here on earth. He is a liberator and healer of people and is looking for those who will let him operate through them. (Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18, and Acts 10:38)

Jesus taught that his “sheep”, those of us who are born again, have the ability to hear his voice. (John 10:27) It takes faith to step out in obedience to the Spirit’s often quite gentle promptings. It often depends on our having courage and being willing to fail occasionally in order to succeed in the long run.

If we are not yet very accomplished at following the Spirit’s promptings, we can ask someone who is further along to help us in this area. This is called being a disciple.

Let us not forget that healing people is God’s idea, not ours. He is far more interested in setting people free than we are. We need to get in step with him.

Listening to God’s voice connects us to what some people call the “rhema” word of God. The “logos” word might be considered to be the eternal promises of God, as written in the Bible.

The “rhema” word of God is when the Spirit speaks directly to our hearts.

Of course, the two must agree, but often the “rhema” word is more specific to our need. We always have the “logos” Word of Scripture to rely upon. When the Spirit speaks directly to us, it ignites faith at a whole new level that God intends to do what he says.

Embrace the Mystery that Not Everyone Seems to Get Healed When We Pray

Books have been written on possible reasons for not receiving healing, the premise being that, if we remove every hindrance, healing will be sure to follow in every case. But is this correct? The Bible teaches us that there is a time to be born and a time to die. (Ecclesiastes 3:2) Elijah the prophet, a man through whom God worked many astounding miracles, eventually got sick and died. (2 Kings 13:14) My own father was a man of faith who believed God for healing, but eventually he got sick and died at the age of 93. Our pre-resurrection bodies will not live forever.

Paul, a man through whom the Spirit did many miracles and healing and who wrote some of our most important Bible verses about faith, once left behind a friend who was sick. (2 Timothy 4:20) Jesus did not heal every sick person he met either. Of all those sick and crippled people gathered at the pool of Bethesda, he singled out one man to heal (John 5:2-9). It is true, however, that Jesus healed everyone who asked. (James 4:2)

It is important for us to realize that there is a certain mystery surrounding healing and all other operations of the Spirit, who distributes spiritual gifts according to his will, not ours. (Hebrews 2:4)

The scriptures provide us with what some call the “revealed will” of God. Others call this “logos” truth, that is, what we can count on as being doctrinally true. But there is also what some call the “rhema” will or word of God, which is his specific revealed or “spoken” will for us in a given situation. God has given us his logos truth in the Bible, which is always true. We are to make our stand upon that eternal Word.

How and when God fulfills the promises in his Word are up to him. Some might call this his “secret” will.

The LORD our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us... Deuteronomy 29:29 (NLT)

To put this is plain English, while it is true that Jesus’ suffering purchased our healing, God reserves to himself how he distributes that benefit in specific situations. Our reference point is the revealed will of God found in the Bible (“through his wounds we are healed”).

When we find ourselves confronted by the need for a miraculous healing, we should “stand” upon his written promises and also ask the Holy Spirit for insight into his specific will for that particular situation.

Let me give a practical example. Usually when I pray for a very old person who seemingly has a terminal illness, I ask for healing according to the revealed will of God in the Bible. However, I am also aware that all of us have been assigned a God-given time to die. Therefore, I listen to the voice of the Spirit in my heart for specific directions as to how to pray. I once had a dear friend who was dying of cancer. When I sought the Lord regarding her situation, I believe I clearly heard him say that she was going to die, that her long period of suffering was coming to an end. This was a person whom God had previously healed miraculously more than once. It was someone for whom I had joined my faith with hers and her husband’s for one of those big miracles. It was not as if we were lacking faith, but this time was different. As her pastor, my ministry toward her changed after hearing from God that this was her time to go be with him. Instead of holding out a false hope of experiencing physical healing once again, I did my best to prepare her to die well in faith as an example to those of us who observed how she handled things. I am happy to say that she died in faith just as she had previously lived and been healed by faith. As a side note, she and her husband both said that God gave them no specific “rhema” word for healing in the last case, as he had previously done for them. We all knew in our hearts that it was time for her to transition into heaven. Being open to the Spirit keeps us from being what I call “mechanical” in our application of faith. God is not a Grand Vending Machine in the heavens from whom we can ring up a healing at will by saying all the right things.

Faith’s goal is to bring glory to God, not just to get what we want.

There is a profound mystery to healing. Some receive a miracle. Others do not, at least not in this short life, and we should not automatically blame unbelief. Telling people they do not have enough faith places an intolerable burden on our shoulders to more or less earn our own healing by exercising the required level of faith. God’s often unknowable reasons and purposes are not ours to command.

There is a dynamic tension between surrender to God’s mysterious will and holding on to God’s revealed promises with unbreakable trust.

Perhaps the greatest biblical example of this attitude in action is found in the case of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These three brave worshipers of the true God in Daniel’s day were faced with the choice of bowing down before Nebuchadnezzar’s idol or being thrown into a roaring furnace. Here is their famous reply to the king.

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18  But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” Daniel 3:17-18 (NLT)

These men demonstrated great faith through their loyalty to God.

Faithfulness or loyalty to God is what trust in God produces.

The way we can apply this to our own lives with regard to healing is by coming to God with a prayer such as this.

God, I thank you that Jesus paid the price for my healing. I am absolutely convinced that it is your will to heal me and you have the power to set me free from this illness. However, I also realize that sometimes you have secret purposes of which I am unaware. I surrender myself to your loving care and will. I ask you to glorify yourself through me in this situation, either by healing me or giving me the faith and courage to joyfully endure. I am yours to command. I trust you completely.

The author of Hebrews talks about faith that continues to resolutely trust God regardless of whether it gets its wish.

All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Hebrews 11:13 (NLT)

I have discovered that when we entrust ourselves to God’s loving will, we put ourselves in the best possible position to receive a miracle.

God is not stingy. He is not weak. He is not wishy-washy about fulfilling his promises. Rather, he paid a tremendous price to procure our healing and is predisposed to bless us beyond our wildest dreams. He delights in those who fully trust in him. When we surrender ourselves to God, our ability to hear what the Holy Spirit whispers in our ears is greatly enhanced. When we discern his “rhema” will in a given situation, we will have strong confidence.

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17 (ESV)

I remember years ago when I was facing surgery for cancer, I did exactly what I laid out above. I told the Lord that whether I lived or died, I belonged to him. (Philippians 1:20-23) I asked him to glorify himself through me. After praying that, I clearly heard God speak to me as I read the Bible that he was going to heal me. I had no difficulty believing without doubt that this was his revealed will from then on, and that is exactly what happened. At the time of this writing I have been cancer free for 17 years. Thank you, Lord!

When the “rhema” spoken word matches the “logos” written word, our faith will be unbreakable. Faith is open to hear whatever God may speak to us, because we are not afraid of him or what he may tell us.

Conclusion

We can experience physical healing in a greater way when we overcome ignorance, apathy, unbelief, and timidity. The more we listen to the Spirit and surrender to God’s glorious purposes for our lives, the greater will be our confidence in God’s power to heal. All that remains for us to do is put what we believe into practice.

Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40 (ESV)

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Healing Part 4 – Can We Expect God to Heal People Today?

If we believe that Jesus paid for our physical healing in the atonement and that God desires to heal us, is it right to expect him to do so?

In my first article in this series, I concluded that the rejection of present day healing is a form of eisegesis in which we seek to conform the Word of God to our own experience and biases, rather than allowing it to conform us to it. Those who deny that healing is for today either reject miracles in principle, have little or no faith in God’s will or ability to perform them, or embrace a position called cessationism, which holds that the nine spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 are no longer needed or available since the completion of the New Testament. This way of thinking holds that we no longer need to rely upon the power of the Spirit to work alongside the verbal proclamation of the gospel message.

Cessationism is a culturally Greek way of thinking that understands faith as being mostly a mental exercise rather than a holistic (spirit, soul, and body) response to the most dynamic and wonderful proclamation ever made – Jesus is Lord! Cessationists are comfortable with limiting the meaning of God’s Word to what most of us in the West have experienced, which is an absence of the miraculous. Whenever we limit the Bible to what we have personally experienced, it is a form of humanism. Man is not the measure of all things. God is, and his Word measures us. A better approach is to ask God to bring our experience in line with what the Bible teaches. We rob ourselves if we settle for anything less.

It is foolish to discount our need for the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Jesus announced in Luke 4:18 that he was in partnership with the Holy Spirit during his earthly ministry. It is impossible to imagine how he could have carried out his mission without the Spirit’s power and the spiritual gifts.

If Jesus depended completely on the Spirit to fulfill his ministry, how much more must we!

The disciple is not above his master. (Matthew 10:24)

Jesus later instructed his disciples to wait until they received the baptism in the Spirit before embarking on fulfilling the Great Commission. (Acts 1:8) Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica that the gospel had come to them in word and the power of the Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 1:5) The first disciples had the written scriptures from the Old Testament; yet, they needed the power of the Spirit working alongside their gospel presentations to convince people of the truth of their message. Today followers of Christ, who have the written scriptures of the New Testament and Old Covenants, still need the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit, perhaps more than ever.

The deception that is upon the world has not decreased. People in general are not persuaded by a mere intellectual argument. We need God’s power to work together with the verbal presentation of the gospel!

Jesus is the same today as yesterday. (Hebrews 13:8) The Holy Spirit has not changed either, nor has our need for him diminished. The gifts of the Spirit, including healing, are very much needed today and are still available to us in Christ.

To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the benefit of all. 8  For one person is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, and another the message of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9  to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10  to another performance of miracles, to another prophecy, and to another discernment of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11  It is one and the same Spirit, distributing as he decides to each person, who produces all these things. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (NET1)

Rather than deny what we have not experienced personally, we should ask God to let his gifts flow through us to other people. That is the purpose of the gifts.

Healing is a demonstration of God’s compassion and power. Jesus showed how much God cares about suffering people by healing and delivering them from demonic oppression.

And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. Acts 10:38 (NLT)

Jesus promised that his followers would do even greater works than he. (John 14:12) The Bible does not teach us to limit our expectations. Quite the contrary!

The early church expected the Spirit to heal people as part of the gospel proclamation. Jesus did not put an expiration date on his miracle power, and neither should we.

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received! Matthew 10:8 (NLT)

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Healing Part 3 – Why Does God Heal People?

Understanding why God heals people will help us participate in this excellent ministry. If you read Part 1 and Part 2 of this series of articles, hopefully you are convinced that it is God’s will to heal people today. After all, Jesus is the same today (Hebrews 13:8) as he was when he walked the earth, healing all who were oppressed by the devil (Acts 10:38). This article examines what the Bible says about God’s motivation for healing people.

If we want to join our Lord in the ministry of healing, it is important for us to think as he does.

The more our hearts align with his, the better will be our understanding of his ways, and the easier it will be for us to walk in agreement with him.

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 1 John 5:14–15 (NKJV)
It Is God’s Nature to Heal People

The first reason why God heals people is that it is part of his essential nature to heal and restore those he loves.

One of the Old Testament compound names of God was Jehovah-Rapha, the Lord who heals you. All the compound names of God reveal who God is at his core.

He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the LORD who heals you [Jehovah-rapha].” Exodus 15:26 (NLT)

God healed those who were faithful to him in the Old Testament. Under the New Covenant, blessings come to us based on the faithfulness of Christ. He is the One who earned this blessing for us, having paid for it dearly.

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. Isaiah 53:5 (NLT)

My first article in this series goes into great detail regarding the proper interpretation of this verse.

Once a bill has been paid, nothing more is owed. We do not have to earn our healing in any way because Jesus completely paid for it!

It is a gift from a very gracious God whose nature is to heal and restore those he loves, and now he has the legitimate basis for doing so.

God’s Compassion Motivates Him

Compassion for those who are suffering was and is a primary motivation for Jesus to heal people.

Once when Jesus was tired from ministry to the crowds who thronged him, he tried to get away for some rest and recuperation. Instead, he found large numbers of people waiting for him when his boat reached the shore. Rather than being disappointed or irritable, this is what the Bible says about our Lord’s attitude.

Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Matthew 14:14 (NLT)

Sickness and disease are part of the aftermath of Adam’s first sin. Death entered the world, with sickness being an ever present threat to diminish or end our physical lives.

God promises that in the new heaven and earth that is coming, there will be no sickness, death, suffering, pain, or even sorrow! (Revelation 21:4) As we wait for that glorious day, when God will permanently remove the horrible consequences of sin, our Lord is not content to leave us without remedy. Today he compassionately provides relief through gifts of healing. (1 Corinthians 12:9) What a privilege it is for us to be part of this ministry!

Jesus demonstrated God’s heart in this matter very clearly during his short earthly ministry. (Acts 10:38) He instructed his disciples to operate in the same way.

Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. 8  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received! Matthew 10:7-8 (NLT)

After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension into heaven, the early church continued to demonstrate God’s love to people through preaching the gospel of reconciliation and performing compassionate healings. A reading of the Book of Acts confirms this. The disciples understood that Jesus’ mission of demonstrating God’s love to people is ongoing.

Healing Confirms the Truth of the Gospel

This leads us to another powerful reason God continues to heal today.

Our Lord uses healing and other miracles and signs to confirm the truth of his Word.

Jesus urged his hearers to pay attention to the miracles and healings he performed, because these things testified to his identity as the Messiah.

Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do. 12  “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13  You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14  Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! John 14:11-14 (NLT)

Knowing how strong our propensity toward unbelief is, Jesus graciously performed signs and wonders to release people from their spiritual blindness. It still works today for many.

Those who teach and preach God’s Word should be unafraid to ask God to confirm the truth of the Bible by healing their listeners.

Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. Matthew 9:35 (NLT)

Jesus said that certain signs, including healing, attest to the reality of the Kingdom of God in our midst.

Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’ Luke 10:9 (NLT)

I believe that God does not expect people to believe solely because of our words, as important as they are.

The gospel was designed to come to people through preaching and the demonstration of the power of the kingdom of God.

For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NLT)

I believe it is disingenuous to claim that these signs and wonders only continued until the publication of the text of the New Testament. The early disciples also had the Scriptures, although limited to the Old Testament. Nevertheless, the gospel can be fully preached out of the Old Testament scriptures, as shown in the book of Acts. God backed up those infallible words of Scripture with tangible demonstrations of the Spirit’s power in the physical realm. He does the same today. His strategy has not changed.

What has changed is the way people interpret God’s Word. Instead of taking it at face value, as the early church did, many try to limit the meaning of the Scriptures to what they have personally experienced or can conceive to be true. This is simply another form of humanism, in which we seek to make ourselves the measure of all things. We must allow God’s word to measure and change us: not the other way around.

Jesus warned that we must know both the Word of God and the power of God in order to avoid error.

Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God. Mark 12:24 (NLT)

I hope that we will repent of the sin of diluting God’s Word to conform to our biases and get back to a God-centered interpretation of the Bible that includes the power of God being released through his people by means of the Holy Spirit. You and I can be part of this if we are willing.

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