Antioch Agent

I received this in a mail shot just over course of the weekend. An excerpt from a faith healer who is still very much at large and highly regarded in the charismatic movement circles.

[quote]…

Healing Always Comes

“And these signs shall follow them that believe… they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover”
Mark 16:17-18

Adapted from Faith to Faith A Daily Guide to Victory
by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland

…[end quote]

Notice how Mark 16:17-18 is selectively quoted in order to fit their agenda. The full quote goes like this, Mark 16:17-18 “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; (18)They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Somehow we always find these faith-healers conveniently leaving out the first part of verse 18. I have rarely (actually never) seen that being incorporated into their show.

Here you see the familiar ‘conversations’ they all claim to have with God. In an attempt to put more weight behind their money-spinning healing rallies, they somehow have a ‘word from the Lord’ that pops up from nowhere eg. “I do My part. And I said they would recover.” This certainly is not biblical. Also, the scriptures doesn’t give us the right to simply claim verse 17-18 for us today. The signs spoken of here were exhibited during a special point in the development of the New Testament period and they followed as evidence of the coming of the Holy Spirit in power. This was recorded for us in the book of Acts, which was a transitional book between the gospels and the epistles. We are no longer in the days of Pentecost, and that there is no longer this need and for these special sign gifts to authenticate apostles. There is also no more need for such visible signs to display the coming of the Holy Spirit, simply because He has already come! Even our Lord had choice words for those who kept seeking a sign(Mark 12:38-39). Therefore, we now have the completed revelation of God preserved for us in the scriptures and ought to be careful of those who come and say “I just got a word from the Lord”. It is by this authority that we can certainly reject Kenneth Copeland’s false proclamation that ‘healing always comes’ to everyone he has laid hands upon. We are to be wary of such self-styled-prophets of God as they misrepresent Christ and turn people away from the faith by their callous actions.

When it comes to asking from the Lord for healing, there have been many occasions where the Lord has been gracious to heal. Many of us have heard of genuine and amazing testimonies of God at work and doing the humanly impossible. But there have also been some very godly and lovely believers whom the Lord did not grant healing and recovery. What do we make of that? The fact of the matter is, that while we must continue to earnestly pray, there must be the trusting of the final matter to the Lord. Not to sound morose, but there are many possible ways for a man’s demise here from earth. Some by old age, some by unexpected accidents and even at times by sickness. Why do we find ourselves questioning God and doubting Him, His faithfulness and love for us when He allows the path of sickness? That is unbelief which we must be on guard against. I’m reminded of the words of Job who went through much physical suffering and despair. Job 2:10 “…What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.” Elsewhere we read him saying “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” (Job 13:15). I know it’s easier said than done for me right now when it’s all well and good. However, I can only pray the Lord will help me to say the very same if ever I were to be put in a similar position as Job.

So brethren, if healing somehow doesn’t come, let us not be found doubting our faith in God. We are not to put our trust in some faith-healers word and head to a healing rally to be made well. Trust that we have an infinitely good God and He alone knows best how He answers the prayers of His children. Even the apostle Paul asked of the Lord 3 times to remove his thorn in his flesh (we cannot be fully certain what it was) but did not get what he wanted. We read in 2 Corinthians 12:7 “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. (8) For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. (9) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (10) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

Be encouraged believer, we have the sufficiency of His grace and the promise of His presence to continually be with us (Matt 28:20). He will see us through every struggle and trial. Now, that’s an always.

The Levites were the only tribe of Israel to not receive an inheritance in the promised land of Canaan.

Deuteronomy 10:9 Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him.

Throughout the ministry of the Levites, with regards to the corporate worship (offerings, feasts, tabernacle, temple worship) and representing the people before God, it was explicitly stated that with regards to an earthly inheritance, there would be none of it. Their lives were to be a dedication unto the Lord and their earthly sustenance would be reliant upon the giving of the people. When it came to the division of land, we read in Joshua 20-21 that while each tribe received vast allotment of the promised land, the Levites were alloted none directly. It was only 48 cities of refuge and suburbs that were given “out of” (the phrase regularly repeated) the portion of the rest of the tribes. It was there that they had areas to live in and to raise their livestock. But it was out of the abundance that the other tribes had received. Elsewhere in Deuteronomy 18:1, it speaks similarly of how “The priests the Levites, and all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and his inheritance.” Here spelled out that their portion was based on the tithes that the people brought, for them to enjoy before the Lord (Lev 6:16,26;7:31-34; Deut 18:4). Most importantly, it was assured them that Jehovah Himself was their very inheritance. And that was how the Levites lived, in the service of God and the people. This is one tribe that by principle would not be amassing gain and worldly wealth, but living lives ordered in devotion to the Lord.

Incidentally, the month of February has been marked out for assemblies (in this country) to remember their local full time workers and missionaries who labor in the service of God and the people. Men and women who have devoted their lives to His service trusting the Lord for their sustenance and all of their needs. In the footsteps of men like Anthony Norris Groves, George Muller, William MacDonald … etc, today, many still rely by faith upon God to provide all their needs without a fixed income (unlike most of us are used to). How that is accomplished is based on a similar principle as how the Levites lived, the onus was upon the congregation to give in support of these servants of God. The New Testament principle follows from the Old. The Lord instructs and continues to move the hearts of the people to support those who labor in love for the Lord in this capacity. By our prayers and giving, it is the responsibility of the believers to faithfully support those who have been commissioned “for the workman is worthy of his meat.” Matt 10:10.

1Corinthians 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

1Timothy 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

Surely this reminds us that the Lord has laid the joyful responsibility upon His people to supply the needs of His servants. They are men and women like you and I with emotional, spiritual, physical and many other human needs; such as medical, supporting their kids through education and even the occasional simple luxuries of life. The difference is that they took the bold step of leaving the comforts and security of lucrative jobs and earthly pursuits in favour of lives dedicated in service. I know of a lovely young couple (with their little boy) within the assemblies, who recently answered the call to full time ministry. As a successful professional in his field, this was not a light decision to be made, adding to the fact that they had faced many very difficult and trying times over the past few years. Another close friend of mine recently together with his wife have also decided to go full time. It is a personal challenge and encouragement to my heart to hear of such. How much am I willing to give to the Lord? How is my devotion to Him?

Therefore, as many believers in this day have been blessed materially, it is clear that giving to the work is one area that we show our love for the Lord and His servants. It is certainly also another way whereby we can have fellowship in the gospel (Phil 1:5) with them. Let’s continue to pray that the Lord will bountifully bless and enrich the lives of the labourers in the field. May He reaffirm in their hearts the very same promise, that He is their very inheritance.

John 1:1-3 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

This passage of scripture regarding the divinity of the Word is found at the onset of the gospel according to John. The question on many peoples minds is, who exactly is the Word being spoken of here?

“In the beginning” tells us that before the universe was formed, when what we see as tangible and physical was yet to be, the Word was already there. The Word was with God, and we also have the unequivocal statement that the Word was indeed God. Verse 3 goes on to speak of Him as the divine creator who brought everything into being (all things made by Him). Some would recall that the very first words recorded for us in the scriptures bear testament to the very same, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1. Besides the creative power, here we see the eternity of the Word in that He was right there from the start, before heaven and earth were created.

We are given a few unmistakable clues as to who this person is that John refers to as the Word. Just to list two, we have the forerunner named John (the Baptist) bearing witness of Him (v.6-9) and His coming unto His own and His rejection (v.10-11). Now, when we come to verse 14, the incarnation of the Word is clearly set forth. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” The apostle was a primary eyewitness to this most amazing sight of the glorious God manifest in the flesh. We are also given insight into the personal attributes of the Word as “full of grace and truth”.

It is here that we find a definitive statement relating exactly who this He is. We read on…

John 1:15-17 “John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. (16) And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. (17) For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

The connecting link between the Word to Jesus Christ is found in the phrase “grace and truth” (v.14). 17 verses down, we are introduced to who He is with regards to contrasting the difference between Him and Moses. Truly, there is no more fitting emphasis to encompass what the apostle knew of the Lord Jesus Christ who was the living Word manifest in flesh. The disparity with regards to the law (as represented by Moses) is found in the very word “grace”. 1 Timothy 1:14-15 tells us “And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners..” Grace that reaches down to all as “God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34). Grace that reaches down to the worst and most broken and helpless of sinners. Christ came to fulfill the law and then pay the price for every law breaker and restore the broken fellowship between God and man. The motivation behind this was love for lost mankind.

That was grace. But there is also the point that the Word came in ‘truth’. That Christ was the very embodiment of truth is evident in His life and in words. The very salvation He offers freely is a call to belief in the truth and of the One who is ‘The Truth’.

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

As we ponder upon our Lord as the incarnate Word, may our hearts well up in praise and adoration for the one who came to earth, full grace and truth. It is of Him of which has been said “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” Ephesians 1:7

Dear friend, if you have yet to know of the saving power of this gospel, i urge you to consider this Jesus. And if so persuaded, then in repentance and in simple trust, turn to the one who went to Calvary’s cross and shed His precious blood for you.