Ryan and I pretty much of the same opinion regarding healing and the believer’s responsibility based on the new creation and being co-workers with Christ. Healing is a physical manifestation of the atonement and finished work of the cross. The gospel without healing is not the whole gospel. Tongues and the other gifts are spiritual manifestations of the atonement. They all fall into the category of manifestations of the glory or God. Moses asked God to show him His glory, and God did it by showing Moses His goodness. God’s goodness is His glory, and His glory is His goodness. Healing is part of His goodness/glory as are the gifts of the Spirit and other manifestations. Both the physical and spiritual manifestations have their part to play in getting people reconciled when they are used correctly. That is why Paul wrote to the Corinthians in the first place. They were using the gifts but in a wrong way. That means we can also use any of the manifestations in the wrong way. In regards to healing specifically, Jesus used it to confirm His Word. Jesus didn’t use tongues, gold dust or angel feathers. Those can be powerful signs and miracles that do make people wonder, but it is difficult to personalize them to show an individual unsaved person that God loves them. He used healing to prove He loves people and that He has the power to forgive sins. When we start using healing like that I believe we will get the same response Jesus had, multitudes following you to be set free.

I hope that helps!

Cornel

I like this post. And I all for seeing the sick get healed and stuff, but what are your thoughts of the Gospel and healing the sick? I know Ryan (from Revival or Riots) has talked about this a little bit. How do you think the two go together, especially in light of your post? And I hope I don’t sound argumentative, I’m just curious, but doesn’t healing sort of count as a physical manifestation? Thanks so much! =D

blessings!

sam

For me – this is the difference between wisdom/maturity and the Holy Spirit. The anoiting doesnt necessarily come packaged up with wisdom / maturity / charachter. Stephen was a man full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.

Firstly – my take on this is being drunken or manifesting for the sake of it (and yes it can be learnt) in front of unbelievers indeed can really freak out people. Im not up for being offensive dilberately. The gospel is by nature offensive – lets not make it any more offensive than it already is. I appreciate the heart of some ministeries out there teaching us to press in deeper, but i dont agree with being deliberately offensive to either fellow members of the Church or the world.

However, i would say that the church should never be held back from going as deep as it possibly could. I dont agree with seeker sensitive church at all. The Church isnt necessarily the arena for salvations – Jesus went out to people – not stayed in one place.

there is some things that are worth noting, while others do not.

I will say this though – he should have not really used the stuff he was saying about moses. That is allegorical and is ok – but not for teaching. But at least he pointed some good stuff out.

Your comments are always very encouraging to read. They bless me so much. Glory to God!

Bless you!