Kingdom Myth 7. The kingdom of God is the equivalent of signs, miracles, and wonders.
Today’s myth is the idea that the kingdom is the equivalent of signs, miracles, and wonders. This view is popular among some quarters of the charismatic segment of the body of Christ. The idea is that those who preach the kingdom today must always confirm it by miraculous signs and jaw-dropping wonders.
As I’ve explained in great detail in my Titan Collectible, I’m a post-charismatic. So I believe (and even function in) the gifts of the Spirit, but without the charismatic wrappings and Pentecostal packaging.
Those who believe God is in the business of always performing signs and wonders – and that every Christian should be walking the streets and visiting local hospitals healing the sick, casting out demons, and “doing the stuff” that Jesus did — overlook the following:
1) When Jesus was on earth in the flesh, He was the full and complete embodiment of the kingdom of God. For this reason, healings, miracles, signs, and wonders were frequent in His ministry. Why? Because in the Person of Jesus, the future kingdom had arrived in its fullness.
Today, however, we live in the spiritual tension where the kingdom of God is already, but not yet. This means that the kingdom of God is here, but only “in part” (see 1 Corinthians 13). The miraculous does take place, but not as frequently as it did in Jesus’ ministry.
2) During Pentecost, as well as in Paul’s ministry, God was initiating a new work that was initially accompanied by signs and wonders.
3) The signs and wonders of Jesus often pointed to something much larger. A healed ear, an opened eye, etc. pointed beyond those specific miracles. (I riff on this point in my upcoming book on the kingdom. Note that a “sign” points to something beyond itself.)
4) There are seasons when God invades the earth with the miraculous power of His kingdom. During such times, masses of people are saved, healed, and delivered. But then that season passes and such things don’t happen as frequently. (As I’ve pointed out elsewhere, the book of Acts is a highly compressed narrative. There were such seasons of refreshing in that account when miracles were more predominant than at other times.)
5) The fact that the kingdom is “already, but not yet” explains why so many people are not healed today, and why God doesn’t always respond to prayers for the miraculous.
6) Those who expect God to perform the miraculous continuously are often forced to begin bluffing, exaggerating, and even outright lying about it. (I’ve seen this for years among people who weren’t willing to revise their theology in light of undeniable experience.)
Again, I believe in the gifts of the Spirit — all of them. (Remember, I’m the guy who wrote a scathing critique of John MacArthur’s book, Strange Fire.)
The good news is that God is reclaiming the gospel of the kingdom in our time. And that gospel transforms, delivers, and changes, way beyond heart-pounding wonders.
The gospel of the kingdom also happens to be good news for the poor and a profound challenge to the wealthy (something that some of my charismatic brethren don’t quite understand). And it’s all about full allegiance to a Person – Jesus Christ, this world’s true King.
The people of the kingdom focus on the King rather than on what He gives. They seek His face, not just His hand.
All told, I’ve seen my share of signs and wonders over the years, and they don’t impress me much. The reason is simple. A person can be well-schooled in the miraculous, yet not know the King very well or be fully given to His kingdom. In fact, a person can live contrary to the gospel and still “do the stuff” that Jesus did.
Just ask the Corinthians.
P.S. If you’re looking for a footnote, you can find it in Matthew 7:22-23.
Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?” Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”
Click here for all the articles in the Kingdom of God Series
Dispelling Kingdom Myths: Part 6
God bless you sir…thanks for the insight.
Decades ago I was part of an outreach of my church with the soul purpose of getting to know the neighborhood and praying for various needs. I thought the outreach to people to grow our community was pre-eminient but the group kept talking about “seeing signs and wonders” come out of the work. I was always uncomfortable with that priority. We needed to reach the lost and demonstrate the body of Christ in action, not be entertained. I kept my mouth shut, but it has bothered me to this day.
Hi Frank, I appreciate your articles and your theological insight. I’d say my theology lines up pretty well with yours. I’m a pastor so point #5 above intrigues me. How do I minister to someone who is struggling with chronic pain and / or illness in regards to “the already and not yet.’ Yes, I comfort them and come alongside them, and I provide hope that God can and does heal, but, not always. From your perspective how do you minister to someone like that?
Rob, that’s a question that cannot be answered with a canned response. Have you read my book, JESUS SPEAKS?
Part 2 of that book answers your question practically.
As a newcomer to the ‘world stage’, from my sheltered life of many years in Christ, I am astonished at how much I have learnt in just reading this one post and the responses. I am unfamiliar with the author but I landed on this myth and rejoiced as I read it, at the extraordinary common sense demonstrated, such an uncommon commodity in these times. I was surprised to discover that the subject is so controversial. I shall read much more of Mr. Frank Viola and continue to learn! My subject is the Kingdom and how far it is from the heart and soul of the average churchgoer, devoted as he is to the princes of the church and their demands yet quite painfully ignorant of the ways of Love to change the heart of the world. Thank you all for this interesting experience. We are, indeed, a house divided. Come Holy Spirit!
To my mind Frank gets it spot-on yet again.
God can and does work miracles … yet not to OUR demand or requirement.
There’s an interesting passage in Acts where Herod executes James yet an angel rescues Peter. It seems to me that Luke intends to convey God’s idea to us, the readers, that we should be thinking that God is saying to each one of us: “Look ! I’ve proved that I CAN rescue from physical death and I’ve shown that I don’t always do so. MY plans are bigger than just THIS life. Remember! I didn’t rescue my own dear son in His first life. So ….. You can ask me for miracles. Fine! But will YOU trust ME with whatever I send YOU ?”
Well put John. I love the way you have said it!!!
Hi Frank, Good word as usual. As a missionary in Papua New Guinea, I was recently teaching in some district meetings. We had a strong presence of the Lord and hundreds of people responded to the various altar calls – mostly for inward stuff, anger, bitterness, hurt, forgiveness, forgiving others, rededicating their lives and asking God for greater usefulness in the Kingdom. As I reflected on those meetings afterwards, I thought, “gee I would have liked to see more healing.” I felt the Spirit of God challenge me with a question, :”Why do we think that physical healing is the only indication of the miraculous power of God?” The Spirit of God changing a life is miraculous, especially when people have been in the bondage of pain, bitterness resentment or turmoil for years without being able to escape. The healing God miraculously brings to the soul and spirit is every bit as powerful as physical healing and – honestly – longer lasting, as physical healing is temporary (until we die or Jesus comes back- but spiritual and soul healing changes things for eternity. Never again will look lightly on the powerful moving of God’s Spirit as he works in the lives of His people to shape and prepare them for the coming Kingdom.
I fully agree with your point. Physical healing is not eternal. This is overlooked by those who chase signs and wonders. I’d draw a distinction between “supernatural” and “miraculous” (signs and wonders). The Lord’s supernatural transformative work isn’t a sign. It’s the actual substance. And often, people don’t “wonder” at it like they would if someone with cerebral palsy was completely healed.
Even so, your point added great value to the discussion. I hope you will continue to comment in the future.
Go Frank—-I love the way you stir up the nest!
Frank, I have never seen it summed up as well as this!
What Ralph Rains said
Frank you make good points as always and I would have absolutely agreed until recently. God has put me in a place where I am hanging out a lot with these signs and wonders folks (who are actively evangelizing and helping the poor in my area) and He recently highlighted something to me that I would love your opinion on.
What do you do with the fact that both times Jesus sent folks out on a preaching tour, He specifically told them to heal the sick? In fact to one group he put the instruction to heal first. I find this example ignored by most other folks, as it was by me until recently.
A strategic healing just opened up a 5 year contract to minister to underprivileged kids in the area they were evangelizing. It wouldn’t have happened without their emphasis on this.
Simple. Jesus was on the earth at that time, and He was sending His Jewish disciples to go to the Jews, representing the 70 nations that God disinherited.
(I deal with this in the Kingdom Master Class. Too much to review here.)
Paul said, “The Jews require a sign.” This falls into the first few points I made about initiating the kingdom, which was promised in the Hebrew Scriptures for many years. This is why Mark opens with Jesus saying, “The time has come!”
The Lord also told His disciples some other things that those who use these texts to prove their doctrine completely ignore. Like don’t take any money with you.
Those few instances aren’t enough to build a doctrine on. In many places where the kingdom is preached – both past and present – signs and wonders aren’t present. But Jesus certainly is, and transformation happens as a result.
Interestingly, those who build a doctrine of signs and wonders on a few verses completely ignore the many texts where Jesus tied obedience to the gospel of the kingdom to one’s attachment to material possessions. In fact, using the same logic of proof-texting, an even stronger case can be made that obeying the gospel of the kingdom means selling all that one has and giving it to the poor. There’s more Scripture to support that concept than there is that signs and wonders must always happen in a believer’s life.
I encourage you to read the other comments to this post and the responses. So far, no one has taken up some of the direct challenges put forth to those who have pushed back on the main points. I suspect that will continue to be the case.
(You will again discover that I believe in healing, and practice the prayer of faith. But that’s quite different from saying that the kingdom = signs and wonders.)
I like you Frank. You just make sense.
BTW, after writing this, I did go and read your Strange Fire critique in my copy of the Titan since you refer to it here. I never had read that since I didn’t have interest in Strange Fire. However, it was informative to hear more of your thinking and background on the subject material, and appreciate your very broad spectrum of associations and influences.
Glad you found it helpful. The entire section “Rethinking the Spirit” goes into great detail on the issue of gifts, the baptism of the Spirit, healing, etc. The perspective is not common.
Frank, this post is brilliant. Some charismatic minded people will take issue with it not understanding your points. Non charismatic people will take issue with it because they believe miracles and healings don’t happen anymore. If you get flack from both sides it means you are on to something.
Since I know you personally and have watched you pray for the sick, I think the charismatic people who object to what you wrote would be really surprised to find out that you do have these things following your ministry.
oh, Thanks for the Titan. The section on the Spirit and his gifts is the best I’ve ever come across.
Thanks for sharing. In my Titan, I give more personal testimony about this area.
Actually, I can only remember one case where I laid hands on someone with prayer and they weren’t healed or significantly relieved, either by supernatural or natural means. I don’t believe I have the gifts of healing (1 Cor. 12:30), but I’ve learned to only pray for people when I have faith for their healing. (If that raises questions, see my article, “Maybe faith isn’t what we thought it was” on this blog. I sent the link to someone in the comments earlier.)
This phrase right here “I’ve learned to only pray for people when I have faith for their healing” really hits home. I was raised in a signs and wonders tradition and think that for a while I was really jaded by any of that language, especially as concerns divine healing. I ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE that God is able to heal and that all of the gifts of the Spirit are available today, but I have heard way too much talking around in circles to explain the non-healing or the half-healing. I don’t believe people that claim healing for someone only to find out 6 months later that it’s all back.
Sometimes I just can’t muster a prayer for someone, even if I’m in a group of people who have gathered with the purpose to pray. It kind of makes me feel like a real jerk. But I think it is that I don’t have faith for the healing and I would rather just be quiet about it.
Love this thread thought-Jesus said the food that nourished him was to do the will of the Father. This I know is not always easy to discern when it comes to praying, laying on hands or believing for someone’s miraculous healing. God really does know best and since, “.. it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”, I am going to agree with you and Frank that faith is a mighty prerequisite to see His good purpose fulfilled. Learning when I have it or don’t is part of my relationship-building with the Holy Trinity, Spirit-growing/developing, and self-will/ego releasing things I must allow to occur.
I really think you got at the heart of the whole issue, especially as it relates to the passage in Matthew 7.
I also was knee deep in the charismatic and it became a circus because all the focus was on the signs and wonders. There was little talk of knowing Jesus or walking in your identity and it became a repetitive tour of “Glory” conferences.
Now I find myself still knowing and believing the signs are still active, but have shifted my eyes to know Him better and walk in my adopted identity as a son of God.
I’d love to read more about what you touched on here today. Will this be expanded on in your upcoming book?
Bingo!
Yes, but the most exhaustive treatment of this subject is found in my limited-edition Titan. We still have overrun copies. http://ViolaTitan.com
This is more than a myth, it’s a deep deception that keeps saints in bondage and shipwrecks the faith of those who put too much confidence in the myth.
Jesus is so much more that what he does, he does what he does because he is who he is. The experience of knowing him is much more than experiencing what he can do because he doesn’t do what we expect. His ways are beyond imagination yet marvelously glorious.
Thanks for this whole series, but especially this post. As usual you somehow balance stirring the pot with class and grace. Thankful for your insight and ministry!
I see your point, and appreciate the critique of those who ‘go overboard’ with their pursuit of the miraculous, but it sounds like you’re pushing back too hard. I fully agree with now/not yet verbiage (that’s where I stand theologically), yet I’d rather lean into the ‘now’ of the kingdom. It sounds an awful lot like you’re saying yes it’s now, but mostly not yet.
I’d argue that you can’t have the King without kingdom accouterments. “These signs will follow those who believe…” may in fact have seasons as you suggest. I’ve been through seasons too and even agree to a certain extent. Too often when we back off like you suggest though it just creates spiritual apathy. I’ve seen spiritual laziness in people (and myself if I’m honest) way more often than I’ve seen superfluous pursuit of ‘wonders’. It just sounds like we’re saying “Jesus I want you, but not all you have to offer.” The whole, ‘you’re seeking His hand, but not His face’ accusation feels like a copout. I would rather err on the side of too much than too little. I’d rather learn to walk in authority than miss a season of grace because I was ‘waiting on God’s timing.’ Let’s face it, unfortunately MOST of the church at this stage is not walking in kingdom living.
Your points #1 & #2 sound nearly identical to some cessationist arguments I’ve heard. ?
You’re right, there a going to be people who performed signs and wonders that Jesus will tell off at the judgment. But that doesn’t mean those of us who DO know Him shouldn’t perform them!! It’s as ridiculous as saying some people are going to speed so we probably shouldn’t drive cars at all. Or at best, just rarely when it’s in season.
And you’re right, in Corinth Paul corrects a lot of misguided ethical and moral things that were going on, but he NEVER tells them to stop participating in the supernatural or hints that they should cut back. It’s crazy to think that there was so much charismatic activity despite all the problems! And yet, Paul encourages them to do more and says, “Follow the way of love and EAGERLY desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.” (1 Cor 14:1) He basically says, clean up your messes, probably organize better, learn to love each other, but don’t stop walking in the spiritual gifts. He was talking to a bunch of people who’d been walking with Jesus probably 5 years or less who were mostly ex-polytheists, poly-amorous, child-sacrificing pagans and was still encouraging more charismatic activity.
Frank, I rarely disagree with what you write. I’m mostly encouraged, challenged, sharpened and instilled with knowledge. You’re not even really wrong here. You just have the wrong emphasis. Your audience is not Corinth with all its excesses. Your audience is mostly mature believers who should probably be encouraged to do more signs and wonders. Not less.
Aaron, note that I’m debunking “myths” in this series. That’s the reason for the emphasis or the “pushing back too hard,” as you put it. It’s by no means a full treatment of the subject. It’s only a short post. If, for example, you read my critique of “Strange Fire” — which I intentionally referenced in the post — you’ll see a completely different emphasis. One that caused detractors to accuse me of being overboard on charismaticism! 🙂
So that’s first.
Second, I disagree with the idea that “you can’t have the King without kingdom accouterments” – which you think means signs and wonders. Some of the most powerful people in God’s kingdom, now and in the past, didn’t have “signs following” their ministries, but they had great power with God.
That’s the fundamental mistake. To equate the power of the Spirit and Jesus Christ Himself with signs and wonders. They aren’t the same. (Jesus even said that “an evil generation seeks a sign” – but that’s a different topic.)
Kingdom allegiance is much more about getting to know the King personally, experiencing Him, than seeking His the outward signs and wonders that come from His hand. While those have their place, they aren’t the equivalent of the kingdom. And that’s precisely the point of this brief blog post.
There’s more “on the other side” of the issue in my upcoming book on the kingdom.
Thx. for the comment. It again confirms that this is a controversial issue.
Frank, where can I purchase holy water on strange fire?
There was a link to it on the blog. Just go to the link and scroll to the bottom. https://www.frankviola.org/2013/11/03/strangefirecritique/
Outstanding !! Jesus is the Giver and The Gift. I do not listen to those who do not preach/teach Jesus (God in The Flesh) as All Everything. When you have Him, you don’t need all that other stuff. Happy Christmas Frankie. Get some rest. I love you Man !!!!!!
Appreciate this message greatly Frank, it has confirmed to me what I have thought for some time concerning signs and wonders, especially those who are adamant that healings particularly should happen all the time, I just don’t see that at all but like yourself, I believe in all the gifts even though I don’t operate in any of them, I know they are all still in operation today.
Right on Frank! Preach it!
Matthew 16:4, an evil and adulterous generation seeketh after signs.
The greater things Jesus promised (John 14:12) could not be greater miracles; such could not be even remotely possible. The greater things surely include the world-wide flourishing of the Kingdom through many generations. Those greater things exceed the limits he took on as a human person; they are the working out of his purpose in his body, his church, the assembly of his followers. As his followers learn to obey his new commandment (John 13:34), the power of redemptive, sacrificial love multiplies. That is how God’s will is done on earth and his kingdom comes with power.
Hi Frank-
I enjoy your articles and I agree with what you’ve written about miracles and healing.
I’m 45 years old. Almost 20 years ago I was diagnosed with Interstial Cystitis. The pain has been described as the pain of someone with Stage 4 Cancer.
I’ve begged Jesus for healing. It has not come but if He had healed me years ago I would not know Him the way I do. He is my life.
I’ve considered it pure joy even though it has been difficult at times.
Blessings to you!
Christy
Thank you for your post. I like the term “Post- Charismatic” I never heard that phrase before and it fits my position on the gifts as well. I have been a full time missionary for more than 25 years. When I launched out I was your typical Charismatic… Teaching and believing that’s signs and wonders should be following all of us as well as wealth… It did not take me long to see that this western theology is dysfunctional in many other places, especially where poverty and disease is prevalent. I was recently told by a Faith movement believer that I needed to believe God for 1st class tickets as I travel to Africa. I said I could never do that! That extra $2,000 would support 2 pastors for 1 whole year! He replied you should also believe for their funds. This brother could not raise enough money for an economy class ticket and had to back out of the trip. Yet he holds fast to his doctrine. Which brings me to my point. As we labor in the kingdom, theology is put to the test, if it does not work it’s time to rethink what we believe and hold fast to what does produce true Kingdom fruit.
Great insight my friend
Well said. My unformed thoughts became formed as I read what you have written. Thank you for sharing.
Brother Viola,
Thank you that reminder; we do go through seasons and they all have something to teach us. Blessings!
Good to see that there are those who are not complete ‘charismaniacs’ in this sense. Too much focus on the miraculous and almost nothing on formation, or transformation, and so we see a Christianity which is not lived.
‘When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?’ (Psalm 11) goes to the heart of the issue as to what the focus should be for true followers of Christ, especially regarding the church.
Hello Frank,
Thanks for making yourself available for God to work through you, and be a blessing to me and many others. Your Kingdom series, like every other series has been of tremendous benfits to me in particular. As you likely said this 7th myth will generate a lot of controversy hence you wanted us to read it here so we can comment. This is a sign that you have a teachable spirit and therefore ready see and consider other people’s point of view.
personally I have never disagreed with you on any issue but am here to disagree.
I pray you read me with patience to the end.
You said those who believe God is in the business of always performing signs and wonders – and every Christian should be walking the street into local hospitals healing and casting out demons and doing the stuff that Jesus did – overlook the following :
Before I take them one by one, I want to say that it is not wrong to do the stuff Jesus did because Jesus Himself says so to do. Mark 16:15-17 will not be fulfilled without signs and wonders. Secondly Jesus said in the book of John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works (the stuff) that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to my Father. The works Jesus did was signs, wonders and miracles. What and what actually constitute signs, wonders and miracles? Ezekiel 36:25-27 is nothing but signs wonders and miracle. To enter into the Kingdom of God is by signs wonders and miracle. spiritual birth is the greatest wonders of our time and any preacher of the Kingdom who do not see conversion done by God is actually not of the Kingdom. Remember man did not loose religion. Man lost the Kingdom. And the restoration of the Kingdom is by power. Religion prepares people for heaven but Kingdom brings heaven to earth. Jesus prayed “Thy kingdom come so that thy will be done on earth.
You said Jesus was the full and complete embodiment of the kingdom of God when He was in the flesh and that is true. Now that He lives in us, the fulness disappeared? The Bibles says of His fulness have we all received….
Jesus said my Father worketh hitherto and I work, and the work Jesus began to do He continues today in His disciples. What were the works He did and what works are He doing today? Nothing but signs, wonders and miracles.
You said because the Kingdom of God is only “in part”, that why we won’t expect miracles always. To me that is the very reasons miracles will be here always. It is possible to ve healed and later you become sick again. But in the manifestation of the fullness of the kingdom, once healed you remain healed so no need for signs and wonders.
Now that there are many false prophets and teachers, we need the proof more than before.
The fact is that if God needed signs and wonders to initiate a new work, then He needed it to sustain it and this seems to be the case through out the scripture.
Because signs and wonders of Jesus often pointed to something much larger you rightly said, that why God sustains it. The Son is glorified thereby.
Miracles were predominant sometimes than at others that is true but that does not remove the fact that kingdom of God is heaven impacting the earth at all times.
I totally disagree with you in number five. The Holy Ghost is here to give us a fore – taste of things to come. Even in the days of Jesus physical walk here on earth, all that were sick were not healed.
Number six is undeniable fact even in the days of the apostles, someone offered money to get the gift of Holy Ghost.
The people of the Kingdom should focus on the King and not on the gift. This is half truth. They should focus on the King for sustainance. Any King that will not sustain its citizens is not credible.
God brought the children of Isreal out of Egypt by signs and wonders. He led them through the red sea, wilderness, Jordan river and wall of Jericho by sings and wonders. When they settle down the signs and wonders diminished but did not stop. We have not yet entered into the fullness of the kingdom so we need more signs and wonders now.
Signs of an apostle include patience, signs, wonders and mighty deeds.
God bears witness with signs, wonders and divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost. Are you saying the gifts of Holy Ghost has stopped or no longer needed. False Christs and false prophets shall rise and shall shew signs and wonders to seduce? Why? Because Christ who is the embodiment of God’s Kingdom will always do signs and wonders as a proof of divine authority. Divine approval is always needed. Jesus was approved by signs and wonders.
I think I have said enough to prove the necessity of signs, wonders and miracles in the kingdom business.
Thanks.
Rev Sam Okechukwu
Accra Ghana.
Thanks for proving that this is a controversial post (some people denied it).
Sounds to me like you are misunderstanding the post, thinking that I don’t believe signs, wonders, and miracles are part of the work of the kingdom (see your last statement). If that’s the case, you’ve not read the post carefully and missed the point. That’s not what I’m suggesting at all, and you must not have read my work on the power and gifts of the Spirit.
However, if you are pushing back on the central points, I have a simple question.
Please provide evidence for us (video or otherwise) that God has healed everyone you’ve prayed for, of perceptibly demonstrative afflictions (deaf, blind, maimed, palsy, etc.). And would you be willing to come to the USA to pray for every person who is on my email list who is sick, if we could bring them all in one place, *guaranteeing* their healing?
We can argue theology all day, but the proof of one’s belief that God always heals the sick, and always performs signs and wonders, can be easily demonstrated.
If you respond by saying He doesn’t always do such signs and wonders today, then we don’t have much to disagree about. 😉
P.S. There’s nothing in John 14:12 about *constantly* doing signs and wonders. The real question is, what “works” was Jesus talking about in that text, and what is designated a “greater” work, exactly? Selah.
I appreciate your honesty in this blog. The reality of what we are dealing with is that countless people we love and cherish don’t get healed when we pray for them. I have been disappointed in almost all meetings our top healing preachers held. I believe your conclusion is predicated on an objective assessment of history and not a “hype Christianity “ stuff. However, the Brother from Ghana I believe has pointed out the ideal based on the promises of the BOOK.
As far as I am concerned, my heart is bleeding for the real manifestation of God, what you refer to as special moments in the kingdom.
I am pregnant with a spiritual awakening seed. It’s a fire that is burning in my bones. Let’s believe God for a glorious time again.
Maybe I didn’t understand you very well. Jesus in his days here on earth did not heal everybody that was sick. I am not saying that God always must do miracles at every given time. I am saying that whatever work Jesus was doing, He continues today through the Church. Thanks for clarification.
Thanks for sharing.
I find this discussion to be quite interesting. Paul healed many but he told Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach. There was a man sitting at the temple who was lame. Jesus must have seen him many times But He never healed the man until after Pentecost when He healed him through the members of His Body. Signs and wonders are superficial things. We think of them because we think of our self. What is God’s Eternal purpose? Signs and wonders? NO!!! The bride eliminates the spots and wrinkles by the washing of the water in the Word. The Lord is not really interested in a lot of works. He has one thing in mind- a bride who has made herself ready, a mutual dwelling place for God and man, may sons who are brought on to maturity. These ultimately become the New Jerusalem. Healings speak of a fallen mankind. The Lord put the old creation on the cross and in resurrection has only a new creation which is Christ. We need to raise our sights and see things as they are from the throne.
Best wishes ……………….. Jim Carton
Alright Rev,
Our daughter has Rett Syndrome (genetic disorder) and I have confidence that Rett Syndrome is only a temporary season in our life.
Come heal her.
If you’re unwilling or have doubts, please kindly understand why this MYTH deserves being dispelled.
I absolutely agree with you that there van be miracles today…GOD touched a woman that I anointed with oil & with others prayed, & the doctor said 2 weeks later that her formerly diseased liver was now like a new-born babies…
3 people who were either dead or near death were restored completely, but many others passed into eternity after I prayed for them to be healed! I have learned to simply pray and then leave the results up to GOD. My greatest challenge is to be daily obedient to the HOLY Spirit’s leading. Thanks so much, Frank, for teaching me to always be willing to be a student of GOD’s Word!
Amen
Grateful for your continued work ….
An intimate relationship with the King aligns the Kingdom. He is enough.
Powerful message, Frank. I’ve seen a lot of abuse of “the gifts of the Spirit”, and a lot of people hurt along the way. Some have been truly devastated because of a misunderstanding and wrong expectations. And what may be the worst part, God is misrepresented and His true message is lost to those folks.
I agree, all the gifts are real and operating today. It is truly wonderful when the miraculous invades the earth today. But I’m hanging my hat on Jesus Christ above all else.
Thanks for the insight Frank. I always appreciate your thoughtful and measured approach to controversial topics. When I try to share this perspective with others who are doggedly “charismatic” I get a lot of “push back.” Often they quote John 14:12 that we will do greater works than Jesus because He goes to the Father and sends the Spirit. They believe all believers should operate in the gifts and should pray with faith for healing and for health and if the healing isn’t accomplished it’s a matter of the persons faith being “deficient” (my word) rather than God withholding the healing. How would you respond to such claims?
I’d refer to them to my free book, “Where’s God?” which takes a fresh look at what faith really is. http://WhereisGod.me
[Edited comment below.]
I just realized the cost of the book is merely joining your mailing list. Still, is there a succinct answer you’d give them? If I was in this discussion with a charismatic, it would seem unwieldy to just recommend a book to him or her and leave it at that.
Thank you, Chad. I don’t think it can be answered in a paragraph. But here’s the pertinent excerpt from that book, and it can be read online or printed out. https://www.frankviola.org/2016/09/01/maybefaith/
Excellent Frank!
thank you for this deep truth.
Experiencing a miracle would be great, fantastic, but if we do not have the transformative love of Jesus in our hearts our Christian faith will eventually fail us when we need it most.
Wise words.
Great insight and perspective. Answers many questions, thanks so much.
Thanks Bro.
Yes, in fact, a verse in 2 Thessalonians 2 says that “[pretended] miracles and signs and delusive marvels–[all of them] lying wonders” will be the work of Satan utilizing “unlimited seduction and all wicked deceptions.” How important is it then to welcome and have love of truth all the while having the Holy Spirit manifest in discerning of spirits to determine the origin of the leading influence?
I like this a lot! I have appreciated you for many years now. God is with you!
Thank you