It always amazes me how confessing Christians say they believe Jesus use to heal people but doesn't anymore. How do you justify that position? The only way I know how you could possibly justify that position is to say that He never did them.
However Josephus, a Jewish historian of the time of Jesus says this, "Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles."
Even to Josephus, a Jew who did not believe in Jesus spoke about the wonderful works he did.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Miracle Jesus
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2 comments:
Q: Is the Holy Spirit actually at work in these meetings at Lakeside?
A: Quite possibly
But the "anointing", presence, or power of the Spirit is never a rubber stamp of approval on the people being used by God. Quick examples: Samson (Judges 13-16), King Saul prophesying (naked!) in spite of himself, or Balaam being hired to curse the Israelites yet ended up prophesying blessing because of the Spirit's intervention (Numbers 22-24).
As soon as we equate the manifest, powerful presence of the Spirit with approval of theology or even methodology, we're already in trouble. Balaam's donkey could give testimony to this.
Q: But what about all those healings -- could they be true?
A: Some are probably real.
And probably a significant amount won't be, but it will be hard to tell, because a lot of healing-claiming types will say they're healed even when they aren't. Their belief in the necessity of a "positive confession" means they have no choice but to say they're healed, even if there's absolutely zero evidence of it. (Wendy, my sagacious wife, wonders where the line between "speaking in faith" and "bald-faced lying" might be.)
And, typically but regrettably, some reports of healing will be exaggerated, embellished, or simply proven later to be complete fabrications. I truly wish, as someone who does believe in the Spirit's power to provide physical healing (and having witnessed some genuine healings myself), that this were not so, but unfortunately...
Q: Does Todd Bentley have wacky teachings that are of the incredulous forehead-slapping variety?
A: Do bears fart in the woods?
If you spend even a little time wandering through the bowels of Todd's website, you can easily find stuff (like partnering with angels of finance, or claiming that St. Paul told Todd during a visit to Paul's cabin in the third heaven that the book of Hebrews was co-written by Paul and Abraham the Patriarch) that ranges from straining credulity to outright laughable. Don't take my word for it -- try reading some of Todd's sermon transcripts. Not everything is bogus and "out there", but there's an abundance that is.
Let’s take a leaf out of the famous Bereans (Acts 17:11) book before, but it should really be said here again:
The Bereans were eager and teachable, not judgmental, critical, or nit-picky. They didn't want to miss what God was doing (as this newcomer named Paul was telling it).
The Bereans were NOT gullible and naively accepting anything that came their way. They kept the Bible as their source and grid for evaluating what they were hearing, regardless of any oratorial skills Paul possessed or how many signs and wonders he may have performed in their midst.
So, I guess I could sum up with: don't assume the worst of everything, but don't let "revival fever" affect your brain. Don't be paranoid, but don't be gullible. You will not quench the Spirit by checking things by the Book that the Spirit co-authored. Or, to quote a more reputable source than yours truly:
"Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22)
Anon, thanks heaps for your comment! it gives us something to look at. I really appreciate your use of scripture and your testimony.
In regard to the post though, it was not so much about the Lakeland stuff rather some of the heat we get here in Australia for our beliefs and some of the testimony we share. We always make sure as best we can that people don't fake miracles and we dont exaggerate.
Ive often left out some stories from my blog even though people told me they were healed after we prayed for them but I wasn't too sure... so i try to go with safety and only blog what I know is fact...
As for Todd bentley. Some of the things you say about him and what he has written sound crazy! I dont get the Hebrews thing, and some of the angel stuff definitely sets some bells off... i'll have a look around when i get a chance!
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The problem I have with these things is when people dont believe good solid Christians testimony... I understand the whole bentley thing,but when people who say they believe in Jesus dont believe in miracles it really concerns me.
Thanks for your comment!
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