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Author
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Topic: And He gave them power over....
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Aaron
unregistered
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posted
quote:
Originally posted by Eden:
Jesus gave His 12 disciples power, as described below:
Matthew 10 (NJKV)
1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.
Was this power given only to them in this case, or do you think that each new born again believer is given this power just by becoming a born again Christian?
I think that this power was specifically given to those 12 disciples, and not to us generally, although 1 Corinithians 12:27-31 makes it clear that the power can, and presumably has been, given to some members of the church, even today:
1 Corinthians 12:27-31 (NKJV)
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?
30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
Have an excellent day.
Eden
An excellent point Eden.
Personally I have dealt with demonic spirits and have casted them out "in Jesus name." So, I'm quite certain God still works through members of the church to accomplish deliverance.
I think some in the church generalize the gifts too much...making EVERY gift the right of every believer. This sets them up for disappointment and failure.
I'd like to add something to this discussion that is a bit more controversial. The following verses:
"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
You will recognize this as the "Great Commission" although Jesus nor any in the church in Acts calls it thus. This has been generalized to the utmost leading to the erroneous conclusion that "all are evangelical".
Yet, this commission was given to the apostles, the sent ones, only.
Now, it is no error to say that when our Lord is lifted up on earth men will be drawn to Him. That's a given. The error is to say that all men are commissioned to carry to gospel to others. Well, you might wonder, what about the care of the present saints? What about the care of the local church? How can one at once be commissioned to "be sent" and commissioned to "stay home"? Impossible.
Are some sent even today? Absolutely. That, too is clear. But only some are commissioned to go while others are empowered for the care of the local saints. The distinction of gifts is quite clear in Ephesians chapter four (and in the verses you quoted).
This may seem like a trivial thing. Some may wonder why this is even an issue. However, I know (because I have experienced it first hand) that even suggesting "not all are commissioned with evangelism" invites questions of one's salvation...as if being "born again" necessarily includes evangelistic work. Rubbish! Such doctrines, if left unattended and unchallenged, set true believers up for either 1) failure or 2) disappointment. Those who espouse such erroneous beliefs often cause true brothers and sisters in Christ "to stumble"...a very serious matter indeed.
Bless you,
Aaron
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Eden
unregistered
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posted
Jesus gave His 12 disciples power, as described below:
Matthew 10 (NJKV)
1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.
Was this power given only to them in this case, or do you think that each new bornagain believer is given this power just by becoming a bornagain Christian?
I think that this power was specifically given to those 12 disciples, and not to us generally, although 1 Corinithians 12:27-31 makes it clear that the power can, and presumably has been, given to some members of the church, even today:
1 Corinthians 12:27-31 (NKJV)
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?
30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
Have an excellent day.
Eden
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