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Healing from God

Deeje

Avid Bible Student
Premium Member
Deeje, given your belief in the words of the Bible, doesn't it appear odd to you that a God who heals through His prophets, His Son, His apostles, and His Church, should not be healing today? This suggests that Jesus Christ is no longer alive. According to scripture, does He not now reign from His heavenly abode? Why would healing suddenly stop?

Were there mass healings or resurrections in pre-Christian times? The Bible record mentions some miracles, like Elijah resurrecting the widow's son and her supply of flour and oil keeping them going in hard times. But by and large, the healing miracles were mostly confined to Jesus and his apostles. And all who came to them were 100% cured. Do we see that today?

Do you know why the miracles were given in the first place?.......It was a demonstration of what was to take place under the rulership of God's Kingdom. If you read Revelation 21:2-4 about the future for redeemed humanity, you will see that all the things that cause human suffering have been done away with...even death.

Revelation 21:2-4...
"I also saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. 4 And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”

Christ and his "bride" are seen bringing the blessings of the Kingdom to "mankind" (here on earth) and they will never suffer anything that causes them pain or heartache, ever again....because all the things that plagued the human race as a result of sin, will have "passed away". (2 Peter 3:13)

Which scriptures do you use to validate your doctrine?

Following on from the scripture above is 1 Corinthians 13:8-13....where the apostle Paul indicates another reason for the first century miracles....the gifts of the spirit poured out at Pentecost.....

"Love never fails. But if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away with; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away with. 9 For we have partial knowledge and we prophesy partially, 10 but when what is complete comes, what is partial will be done away with. 11 When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, to think as a child, to reason as a child; but now that I have become a man, I have done away with the traits of a child. . . . . Now, however, these three remain: faith, hope, love; but the greatest of these is love."

He said that when Christianity was in its infancy, that the miracles were needed to show the people that God was now backing the Christian arrangement....but it was not to last. These "traits of a child" had to give way to more mature foundations of belief...."faith...hope...and love". These are what identifies true Christians. (John 13:34-35)

Another scripture that reveals something that most people do not consider today, is the source of today's miracles. No one can deny that they do actually happen sometimes.....but by whose power?

Speaking of those who falsely presented themselves as God's servants, Paul said.....

2 Corinthians 11:13-15....
"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself keeps disguising himself as an angel of light. 15 It is therefore nothing extraordinary if his ministers also keep disguising themselves as ministers of righteousness. But their end will be according to their works."

He also said...at 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12...
"But the lawless one’s presence is by the operation of Satan with every powerful work and lying signs and wonders 10 and every unrighteous deception for those who are perishing, as a retribution because they did not accept the love of the truth in order that they might be saved. 11 That is why God lets a deluding influence mislead them so that they may come to believe the lie, 12 in order that they all may be judged because they did not believe the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness."

Jesus himself foretold that Christianity would be corrupted by men who taught lies, presenting themselves as God's ministers but teaching a counterfeit form of the Christian faith. These ones are under a delusion however. They believe what they want to believe, but it is not from God.

If you compare first century Christianity with what is accepted as "Christianity" today, you will find little resemblance....yet this is the only Christianity they have ever known.....the rot set in very early. The apostles warned that their presence acted as a restraint for this apostasy......but when the apostles died and the Christian scriptures were complete, that ‘weedy’ counterfeit became “the church”. Christ was never in that building.

When Jesus comes as judge, look what he says to those who call him their “Lord”.....

Matthew 7:21-23...
“Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but only the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. 22 Many will say to me in that day: ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them: ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’”


Not all who are identify as “Christians” actually are, from Jesus’ standpoint. Do you see what they offer as their defence? But their “powerful works” were not from God. They are not “doing the will of the Father”. They are lawless in the sense of disobeying God’s laws.

I do remember going to a prayer meeting as a guest at someone's home. It was a small gathering, and amongst those attending was an elder from a church that did not believe in healing. He happened to suffer from a bad leg, and warned us that he might have to get up and move around during the meeting. I asked God if I should pray for him, and felt that I should. At the end of the meeting I asked if I could pray for his leg. He agreed, not expecting any result. I asked for healing from the Lord and said no more.
About thirty minutes after the meeting had ended I received a phone call from the elder, telling me excitedly that all his pain and immobility had disappeared. I just thanked God. I claim no powers of my own!

We need to be careful about what we accept as coming from God.....the "angel of light" will make his fake Christianity into something very palatable to the masses. Never forget that he is a master deceiver. So to my understanding, the tricks performed by the devil would be a poor imitation of the originals.....and when we examine the modern day ‘miracles’ and their success rate, what do we see?

You have to judge that for yourself.
 

Redemptionsong

Well-Known Member
Were there mass healings or resurrections in pre-Christian times? The Bible record mentions some miracles, like Elijah resurrecting the widow's son and her supply of flour and oil keeping them going in hard times. But by and large, the healing miracles were mostly confined to Jesus and his apostles. And all who came to them were 100% cured. Do we see that today?

Do you know why the miracles were given in the first place?.......It was a demonstration of what was to take place under the rulership of God's Kingdom. If you read Revelation 21:2-4 about the future for redeemed humanity, you will see that all the things that cause human suffering have been done away with...even death.

Revelation 21:2-4...
"I also saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. 4 And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”

Christ and his "bride" are seen bringing the blessings of the Kingdom to "mankind" (here on earth) and they will never suffer anything that causes them pain or heartache, ever again....because all the things that plagued the human race as a result of sin, will have "passed away". (2 Peter 3:13)



Following on from the scripture above is 1 Corinthians 13:8-13....where the apostle Paul indicates another reason for the first century miracles....the gifts of the spirit poured out at Pentecost.....

"Love never fails. But if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away with; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away with. 9 For we have partial knowledge and we prophesy partially, 10 but when what is complete comes, what is partial will be done away with. 11 When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, to think as a child, to reason as a child; but now that I have become a man, I have done away with the traits of a child. . . . . Now, however, these three remain: faith, hope, love; but the greatest of these is love."

He said that when Christianity was in its infancy, that the miracles were needed to show the people that God was now backing the Christian arrangement....but it was not to last. These "traits of a child" had to give way to more mature foundations of belief...."faith...hope...and love". These are what identifies true Christians. (John 13:34-35)

Another scripture that reveals something that most people do not consider today, is the source of today's miracles. No one can deny that they do actually happen sometimes.....but by whose power?

Speaking of those who falsely presented themselves as God's servants, Paul said.....

2 Corinthians 11:13-15....
"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself keeps disguising himself as an angel of light. 15 It is therefore nothing extraordinary if his ministers also keep disguising themselves as ministers of righteousness. But their end will be according to their works."

He also said...at 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12...
"But the lawless one’s presence is by the operation of Satan with every powerful work and lying signs and wonders 10 and every unrighteous deception for those who are perishing, as a retribution because they did not accept the love of the truth in order that they might be saved. 11 That is why God lets a deluding influence mislead them so that they may come to believe the lie, 12 in order that they all may be judged because they did not believe the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness."

Jesus himself foretold that Christianity would be corrupted by men who taught lies, presenting themselves as God's ministers but teaching a counterfeit form of the Christian faith. These ones are under a delusion however. They believe what they want to believe, but it is not from God.

If you compare first century Christianity with what is accepted as "Christianity" today, you will find little resemblance....yet this is the only Christianity they have ever known.....the rot set in very early. The apostles warned that their presence acted as a restraint for this apostasy......but when the apostles died and the Christian scriptures were complete, that ‘weedy’ counterfeit became “the church”. Christ was never in that building.

When Jesus comes as judge, look what he says to those who call him their “Lord”.....

Matthew 7:21-23...
“Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but only the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. 22 Many will say to me in that day: ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them: ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’”


Not all who are identify as “Christians” actually are, from Jesus’ standpoint. Do you see what they offer as their defence? But their “powerful works” were not from God. They are not “doing the will of the Father”. They are lawless in the sense of disobeying God’s laws.



We need to be careful about what we accept as coming from God.....the "angel of light" will make his fake Christianity into something very palatable to the masses. Never forget that he is a master deceiver. So to my understanding, the tricks performed by the devil would be a poor imitation of the originals.....and when we examine the modern day ‘miracles’ and their success rate, what do we see?

You have to judge that for yourself.

Psalm 103: 2-5. 'Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.'

My experience of the LORD is one of blessing.
In Matthew 7:7-12, we are told to ask, seek and knock. It then says, 'If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?'

If I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, seeking the healing of a sick person, is it the Devil who answers? I think not. This is like the accusation against Christ that he is healing by the power of Beelzebub.

The problem is one of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. There may be charlatans around, but the Spirit of God is able to discern the good from the evil.

I would also say that the use of 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 to justify the cessation of gifts of the Spirit is a misunderstanding of the passage. Nowhere does it say that this refers to Christianity in its infancy. In verse 10 it says, 'when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.' Well, the Perfect comes with the return of Jesus Christ. The gifts and mercies shown now will then not longer be required. It also says, in verse 12, 'For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:' How can this not be evidence of the coming of the image and face of God - Jesus Christ?
 

Deeje

Avid Bible Student
Premium Member
Psalm 103: 2-5. 'Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.'

My experience of the LORD is one of blessing.
In Matthew 7:7-12, we are told to ask, seek and knock. It then says, 'If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?'

If I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, seeking the healing of a sick person, is it the Devil who answers? I think not. This is like the accusation against Christ that he is healing by the power of Beelzebub.

The problem is one of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. There may be charlatans around, but the Spirit of God is able to discern the good from the evil.

I would also say that the use of 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 to justify the cessation of gifts of the Spirit is a misunderstanding of the passage. Nowhere does it say that this refers to Christianity in its infancy. In verse 10 it says, 'when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.' Well, the Perfect comes with the return of Jesus Christ. The gifts and mercies shown now will then not longer be required. It also says, in verse 12, 'For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:' How can this not be evidence of the coming of the image and face of God - Jesus Christ?

I did say you have to judge these things for yourself......if you have (and there was a lot of scripture that you ignored) then there is nothing more to say. We believe what we want to believe. That's why we have free will. Our choices determine our future.
 

Redemptionsong

Well-Known Member
I did say you have to judge these things for yourself......if you have (and there was a lot of scripture that you ignored) then there is nothing more to say. We believe what we want to believe. That's why we have free will. Our choices determine our future.

I am not so stubborn that my heart and mind are not open to persuasion. But, at present, a wealth of experience confirms my understanding of the scripture.
 

Redemptionsong

Well-Known Member
Has anyone ever seen a limb regrown because of prayer for healing?

I can't say that I have, but that is not to say it hasn't happened, or hasn't been recorded elsewhere!

In scripture, healing is usually associated with sickness and disease. In 1 Corinthians 12, a distinction is made between healing and miracles.
 

Wandering Monk

Well-Known Member
I can't say that I have, but that is not to say it hasn't happened, or hasn't been recorded elsewhere!

In scripture, healing is usually associated with sickness and disease. In 1 Corinthians 12, a distinction is made between healing and miracles.

Wouldn't the regeneration of a lost limb because of prayers be irrefutable proof that prayer works? I am not talking about less dramatic 'healings' that may have other explanations.
 

Redemptionsong

Well-Known Member
Wouldn't the regeneration of a lost limb because of prayers be irrefutable proof that prayer works? I am not talking about less dramatic 'healings' that may have other explanations.

You might be right, but then the curing of a progressive illness, such as cancer, can have a more dramatic impact on life than the regeneration of a limb.

I do remember talking to kids at a school for the deaf, and all those I questioned on the subject said that they wouldn't wish for healing (from their deafness) because it would mean leaving their school and their friends!
 
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