I've heard both sides to this argument and think I can see the common mistake. The problem is about the lack of miracle-workers in modern day society, or the lack of validation of them at least. Focusing on America, there are people who try to perform miracles, and there are people who say no one can perform miracles. Well the latter are half-right. I forgot the name of the group who said that the first-year church was the only group who could perform the supernatural; but actually they couldn't either.It's only within God's power to heal someone. Yet I hear Baptists and Penticostals declaring "I heal you" before saying "In the name of Jesus." I supposition is that the Holy Spirit is empowering them to do these things, when the Holy Spirit is just an encourager; a comforter. Miracles are a tricky part of faith because they require a constant faith in God and the way he works in the world for his glory. I have yet to see someone with this faith, who prays fervently for the opprutinty to serve him this way. In a way, miracles are taken for granted because of this.I belive if it's in God's plan for this person to be healed through you, you shouldn't shy away from it because of what other people teach or believe in. If you see a drug addict in the act and you have the faith to know God not can but will heal him for his sake, I believe you can pray for that person's healing to come sooner; just as we pray for His kingdom to come sooner. It might even be answered at that moment. I think God had already healed that cripple before Peter and James told him to get up and walk. It's still for his glory and like we said, all we need to do is submit to that and not make our own decisions on these matters...
It's definitely about God's glory, and I do believe He still heals. However, I think there are biblical and theological reasons we don't see miracle workers today.
John Macarthur's book, Charismatic Chaos has a chapter or two on the subject of why we don't see verified miracle workers today, and he does a good job of explaining his position, which I tend to agree with. I don't mean to offend any of our charismatic friends, just offering the book as a good resource on this particular point.
Comments
John Macarthur's book, Charismatic Chaos has a chapter or two on the subject of why we don't see verified miracle workers today, and he does a good job of explaining his position, which I tend to agree with. I don't mean to offend any of our charismatic friends, just offering the book as a good resource on this particular point.
~R