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Showing posts with label A Time for Spiritual Healing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A Time for Spiritual Healing. Show all posts
7.31.2011
7.14.2011
How Does God's Spirit Operate Today?
He was lame from his mother's womb. Daily, he sat at the temple gate called Beautiful in order to ask gifts of mercy from those entering into the temple. On one occasion, however, this disabled beggar received a gift that was worth far more than a few small coins. He was healed ! - Acts 3:2-8.
Although the apostles Peter and John were the ones who "raised him up" so that "the soles of his feet . . .were made firm," they did not take credit for the healing. Why not? Peter himself explained: "Men of Israel, why are you wondering over this, or why are you gazing at us as though by personal power or godly devotion we have made him walk?" Indeed, both Peter and John realized that it was, not by their might, but by God's holy spirit that such a thing could be done. -Acts 3:7-16; 4P:29-31.
At that time, such "powerful works" were provided to show that the fledgling Christian congregation had God's backing. (Hebrews 2:4) But after having served their purpose, they would be "done away with," said the apostle Paul. ( 1 Corinthians 13:8) Thus, we do not now observe in the true Christian congregation any God-ordained healings, prophetic messages, or the exorcising of demons. (The preachers etc, . . who think they can are not true Christians because they do not teach the truth. Only Jehovah's Witnesses do. So anyone who pretends to do exorcising either can't or are assisted by the Devil or paid assistants to act the part. Jehovah does not give that honor to any imperfect human on earth anymore)
Does this mean, though, that God's holy spirit is no longer operative? Far from it! Let us consider some other ways in which God's spirit was active in the first century and is active in our day.
Next time: "The Spirit of the Truth"
Watchtower, 2000
Although the apostles Peter and John were the ones who "raised him up" so that "the soles of his feet . . .were made firm," they did not take credit for the healing. Why not? Peter himself explained: "Men of Israel, why are you wondering over this, or why are you gazing at us as though by personal power or godly devotion we have made him walk?" Indeed, both Peter and John realized that it was, not by their might, but by God's holy spirit that such a thing could be done. -Acts 3:7-16; 4P:29-31.
At that time, such "powerful works" were provided to show that the fledgling Christian congregation had God's backing. (Hebrews 2:4) But after having served their purpose, they would be "done away with," said the apostle Paul. ( 1 Corinthians 13:8) Thus, we do not now observe in the true Christian congregation any God-ordained healings, prophetic messages, or the exorcising of demons. (The preachers etc, . . who think they can are not true Christians because they do not teach the truth. Only Jehovah's Witnesses do. So anyone who pretends to do exorcising either can't or are assisted by the Devil or paid assistants to act the part. Jehovah does not give that honor to any imperfect human on earth anymore)
Does this mean, though, that God's holy spirit is no longer operative? Far from it! Let us consider some other ways in which God's spirit was active in the first century and is active in our day.
Next time: "The Spirit of the Truth"
Watchtower, 2000
1.15.2011
The Power of Prayer
A Time for Spiritual Healing
God promises to heal mankind of all physical, mental and emotional maladies during the Thousand Year Reign of his Son over the earth. (Revelation 20:1-3; 21:3-5. Sincere Christians eagerly await this promised future, with full faith in God's power to make it a reality. While not expecting such miraculous healing now, they pray to God for his comfort and strength to cope with trials. (Psalm 55:22) When they fall sick, they may also pray for God's guidance in obtaining the best medical treatment within their economic means.
Some religions encourage the sick to pray to be healed now, pointing to the miraculous cures that Jesus and his apostles performed. But such miracles were done for a special purpose. They served to prove that Jesus Christ was the true Messiah and to show that God's favor had been transferred from the Jewish nation to the young Christian congregation. Back then, miraculous gifts were needed to strengthen the faith of the newly established Christian congregation. When the infant congregation got on its feet, as it were, and became mature, the miraculous gifts were "done away with." -1 Corinthians 13:8, 11.
At this crucial time, Jehovah God is directing his worshipers in the more important work of spiritual healing. While they yet have time, people desperately need to respond to this appeal: "Search for Jehovah, you people, while he may be found. Call to him while he proves to be near. Let the wicked man leave his way, and harmful man his thoughts; and let him return to Jehovah, who will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for he will forgive in a large way." - Isaiah 55:6, 7.
This spiritual healing of repentant sinners is being accomplished through the preaching of the good news of God's Kingdom. (Matthew 24:14) By empowering his servants to carry out his lifesaving work, Jehovah God is helping millions of people from all nations to repent of their sins and come into a favorable relationship with him before the end of this wicked system. All who sincerely pray for such spiritual healing and all who pray for help to perform this healing work are indeed having their prayers answered.
Next time:God Does Answer Prayers
Watchtower,2000
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