When it comes to healings the argument over whether healings can occur today supernaturally is an unwise thing to ponder. We see evidence of "spontaneous" healings that are unexplained even in the scientific community. Satan certainly is as active as ever; and with that of course we need to discern what are so called "miracles" that may be mind control; or something that actually IS caused by demons; and/or the power of suggestion. It is important to remember also that Christ would tell many especially early on in His ministry NOT to tell anyone who He was. Therefore; this notoriety and naming ministries after people and calling it "healing" ministries (as if they have an exclusive right to such things) is not scriptural. The gospel of repentance was emphasized as most important and truly more miraculous was salvation than healing (See Matthew 9:1-8).
In light of these statements; wisdom should decry just as Jesus utilized; confirmation from doctors as to a healing (or the Levitical priests in Biblical times). I have been in a situation where a friend committed suicide about 12 years ago who was bipolar and decided to stop taking her medications. Usually those who think they don't need something do; and vice versa (those who are drug addicts and think they need to take the substance). In certain cases like this there has to be a slow reduction of medicine because of physiologic affects; if a true miracle occurs we can trust God to show doctors that indeed there is no withdrawal symptoms; etc.
There is no excuse for elders NOT to be routinely praying for and anointing the sick; and as I see it there is no less need for true deliverance from demons these days. Unlike today's filmed sideshows; a true deliverance should be kept private or at least not for publicity sake. A good testimony can be helpful in a few cases if shown afterwards.
It has always astounded me about needs of church members that seem to be ignored; or perhaps are quietly helped on occasion by a few in private. I won't get into specifics as to those who are aided on the outside; I sometimes would get reimbursed other times not. We need to be careful though not to give money to those who are going to use it to perpetuate their sinful lifestyle. I have seen that situation before as well.
As to things such as building issues; I have seen poor planning investing in a building with foundation issues that a former pastor has had to fork out well beyond his initial assessments. Wisdom should be utilized; and obviously we don't need a "crystal cathedral" building. On the other hand; there are local churches such as the first one I attended some 40 years ago which had a pastor with medical expenses for his wife that weren't being covered despite rather wealthy people in the church very little money was given.
Our own investments. Wisdom is waning in this age. There are practical ways to invest; including within our own families that can not only be a legacy for them but also honor the Kingdom of God. There are good lessons to be learned in disciplining children early on; admittedly against a backdrop of a selfish; materialistic age.
I have known individuals with wealth who have been quite generous in giving; although it is common knowledge that well to do individuals tend to give less than others in proportion quite often. That seems to be different among those of the world with wealth these days and their many causes.
We need to remember that "He who is faithful with a few things can be trusted with much" ( Luke 16:10 not verbatum). Also there is scripture indicating faithfulness in earthly things and how it relates to Him trusting us with heavenly riches. Our reward is in reaping a great harvest of souls and relates to our faithfulness. Let us not hide our talents either.
The word tithe apparently is not found in the New Testament. The Book of Corinthians probably covers giving more than anywhere else. The clear principle from Ananias and Sapphira is NOT to commit something to the Lord then retract (as their deaths afterward attested). Where our treasure is our heart is also. ( Matthew 6:21). If we are to side with the "love of money" then we can either be cheapskates or give for causes that make us "feel good". Thus; a "prosperity gospel" church tickles people's ears and offers opulent settings for meetings and worship.
There is no sin in asking for a financial report for a church. Members should be concerned about 401c status and any compromising that a Pastor has made in order to retain that status. They should see how much is spent on entertainment; fancy building projects; etc. and what is spent on missions; for instance. Those who have jet planes themselves probably aren't as concerned about ministers that insist on such luxuries for themselves if they continue to attend such churches.
We should certainly consider what Paul said in scripture as to his often extreme need and apparent appalling giving where he said he was "robbing churches" ( 2 Cor. 11:8). Even good churches tend to give extremely low percentages of moneys to missions effort overseas from my experience. This has caused me to give to a few when able myself. This is not to boast; but again to emphasize the need. In my case I am supporting someone overseas busy working in the medical field in a new hospital struggling to find enough staff; as well as doing other ministry work on the side. Previously on the side some of us supported a young man in Uganda who had prison ministry; library ministry and other things going on. Generally; giving should also benefit real needs in a church. These days it seems there is more emphasis on outside needs from people more often than not not very reliable.
There is a difference in calling the Holy Spirit "Beelzebub" or ascribing it to the Devil (which is blasphemy against the Spirit) and stating that demons could for instance arrange to leave someone or become dormant that are afflicting a person. Thus; my statement would have been better worded if I made clear that an illness can be caused by a demon (or not) and an APPARENT healing can be caused by a demon as well. My point is also that Christ truly did possess the Spirit "without measure". His sheep know Him and hear His voice and it was clearly known that no man had done such miracles as sight to the blind before. He could have been the ultimate "signs and wonders" extravaganza; but without the rest of His message on repentance it is incomplete..(which is; BTW a key issue when it comes to being relieved from demonic influence since it gives them legal authority to torment people and cause ailments).
If I could see in someone's eyes or by their fruit that they were indeed possessed or using occult practices then I could make the case of demonic influence. Many other times it is the power of suggestion; or outright manipulation and fakery. God sometimes does also work dspite false teachers invoking Him (as in the case of Judas Iscariot when he went out with the 12 to do wonders apparently).
As to Christ not saying who it was; He was God in the flesh and also had a timeline for things to be revealed so that the crucifixion would occur exactly when and where it did. To avoid early martyrdom as it was He had to avert about 10 attempts on His life. He also used parables and weeded people out; not wanting followers who weren't going to count the cost. This also kept people out who didn't really recognize His divinity but saw all the benefits of a free meal; and perhaps healings as well (note when only 1 person of 10 came back to thank Him afterwards falling at His feet).
1. You wrote "or something that actually IS caused by demons;"
We should be extremely careful and avoid call a "healing" as something done by a demon, isn't that what the Pharisees were saying about Jesus? There is always the danger of blaspheming the Holly Spirit. It is better to say that a healing may be fake rather than it is caused by demons. The latter is risky.
2. You wrote "It is important to remember also that Christ would tell many especially early on in His ministry NOT to tell anyone who He was." What was the reason for that? One (maybe not the only one) is stated in Mark 2:45. "But he(the man who was healed) went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus COULD NO MORE OPENLY ENTER INTO A CITY, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter."
When it comes to healings the argument over whether healings can occur today supernaturally is an unwise thing to ponder. We see evidence of "spontaneous" healings that are unexplained even in the scientific community. Satan certainly is as active as ever; and with that of course we need to discern what are so called "miracles" that may be mind control; or something that actually IS caused by demons; and/or the power of suggestion. It is important to remember also that Christ would tell many especially early on in His ministry NOT to tell anyone who He was. Therefore; this notoriety and naming ministries after people and calling it "healing" ministries (as if they have an exclusive right to such things) is not scriptural. The gospel of repentance was emphasized as most important and truly more miraculous was salvation than healing (See Matthew 9:1-8).
In light of these statements; wisdom should decry just as Jesus utilized; confirmation from doctors as to a healing (or the Levitical priests in Biblical times). I have been in a situation where a friend committed suicide about 12 years ago who was bipolar and decided to stop taking her medications. Usually those who think they don't need something do; and vice versa (those who are drug addicts and think they need to take the substance). In certain cases like this there has to be a slow reduction of medicine because of physiologic affects; if a true miracle occurs we can trust God to show doctors that indeed there is no withdrawal symptoms; etc.
There is no excuse for elders NOT to be routinely praying for and anointing the sick; and as I see it there is no less need for true deliverance from demons these days. Unlike today's filmed sideshows; a true deliverance should be kept private or at least not for publicity sake. A good testimony can be helpful in a few cases if shown afterwards.
It has always astounded me about needs of church members that seem to be ignored; or perhaps are quietly helped on occasion by a few in private. I won't get into specifics as to those who are aided on the outside; I sometimes would get reimbursed other times not. We need to be careful though not to give money to those who are going to use it to perpetuate their sinful lifestyle. I have seen that situation before as well.
As to things such as building issues; I have seen poor planning investing in a building with foundation issues that a former pastor has had to fork out well beyond his initial assessments. Wisdom should be utilized; and obviously we don't need a "crystal cathedral" building. On the other hand; there are local churches such as the first one I attended some 40 years ago which had a pastor with medical expenses for his wife that weren't being covered despite rather wealthy people in the church very little money was given.
Our own investments. Wisdom is waning in this age. There are practical ways to invest; including within our own families that can not only be a legacy for them but also honor the Kingdom of God. There are good lessons to be learned in disciplining children early on; admittedly against a backdrop of a selfish; materialistic age.
I have known individuals with wealth who have been quite generous in giving; although it is common knowledge that well to do individuals tend to give less than others in proportion quite often. That seems to be different among those of the world with wealth these days and their many causes.
We need to remember that "He who is faithful with a few things can be trusted with much" ( Luke 16:10 not verbatum). Also there is scripture indicating faithfulness in earthly things and how it relates to Him trusting us with heavenly riches. Our reward is in reaping a great harvest of souls and relates to our faithfulness. Let us not hide our talents either.
The word tithe apparently is not found in the New Testament. The Book of Corinthians probably covers giving more than anywhere else. The clear principle from Ananias and Sapphira is NOT to commit something to the Lord then retract (as their deaths afterward attested). Where our treasure is our heart is also. ( Matthew 6:21). If we are to side with the "love of money" then we can either be cheapskates or give for causes that make us "feel good". Thus; a "prosperity gospel" church tickles people's ears and offers opulent settings for meetings and worship.
There is no sin in asking for a financial report for a church. Members should be concerned about 401c status and any compromising that a Pastor has made in order to retain that status. They should see how much is spent on entertainment; fancy building projects; etc. and what is spent on missions; for instance. Those who have jet planes themselves probably aren't as concerned about ministers that insist on such luxuries for themselves if they continue to attend such churches.
We should certainly consider what Paul said in scripture as to his often extreme need and apparent appalling giving where he said he was "robbing churches" ( 2 Cor. 11:8). Even good churches tend to give extremely low percentages of moneys to missions effort overseas from my experience. This has caused me to give to a few when able myself. This is not to boast; but again to emphasize the need. In my case I am supporting someone overseas busy working in the medical field in a new hospital struggling to find enough staff; as well as doing other ministry work on the side. Previously on the side some of us supported a young man in Uganda who had prison ministry; library ministry and other things going on. Generally; giving should also benefit real needs in a church. These days it seems there is more emphasis on outside needs from people more often than not not very reliable.
If I could see in someone's eyes or by their fruit that they were indeed possessed or using occult practices then I could make the case of demonic influence. Many other times it is the power of suggestion; or outright manipulation and fakery. God sometimes does also work dspite false teachers invoking Him (as in the case of Judas Iscariot when he went out with the 12 to do wonders apparently).
As to Christ not saying who it was; He was God in the flesh and also had a timeline for things to be revealed so that the crucifixion would occur exactly when and where it did. To avoid early martyrdom as it was He had to avert about 10 attempts on His life. He also used parables and weeded people out; not wanting followers who weren't going to count the cost. This also kept people out who didn't really recognize His divinity but saw all the benefits of a free meal; and perhaps healings as well (note when only 1 person of 10 came back to thank Him afterwards falling at His feet).
Hope that clarifies things somewhat.
1. You wrote "or something that actually IS caused by demons;"
We should be extremely careful and avoid call a "healing" as something done by a demon, isn't that what the Pharisees were saying about Jesus? There is always the danger of blaspheming the Holly Spirit. It is better to say that a healing may be fake rather than it is caused by demons. The latter is risky.
2. You wrote "It is important to remember also that Christ would tell many especially early on in His ministry NOT to tell anyone who He was." What was the reason for that? One (maybe not the only one) is stated in Mark 2:45. "But he(the man who was healed) went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus COULD NO MORE OPENLY ENTER INTO A CITY, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter."
GBU
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