Apostolic Christians

[B-A-C]

Mark 16:17; These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;
Mark 16:18; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Sometimes new Christians confuse being "apostolic" with being "apostic". They do sound a little bit similar.
The word apostasy has to do with a "great falling away" of believers and churches.

But the word "apostolic", simply means being like an Apostle. There are at least 15 apostles specifically mentioned in the Bible.
The original 12, (including Judas), Paul, Matthias, and Barnabas.
A lot of this comes from the passage above in Mark 16.

John 14:12; Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.

Jesus healed many people, cast out demons, and even raised people from the dead. Jesus Himself said we would do greater things than He did. (Not in the sense that we can die for other peoples sins).

Of course the Apostles also healed people, raised the dead, and cast out demons as well. Stephen is not called an Apostle in the Bible,
but the Bible says he did signs and wonders.

Acts 6:8; And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

The interesting thing is that even though some people saw the Apostles do miracles, they refused to accept Jesus.

Acts 4:16; saying, "What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

... to be continued ...

 

[B-A-C]

Paul writes the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 12 on Spiritual gifts.

1Cor 12:1; Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware.

1Cor 12:4; Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1Cor 12:5; And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.
1Cor 12:6; There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.
1Cor 12:7; But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
1Cor 12:8; For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;
1Cor 12:9; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
1Cor 12:10; and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.
1Cor 12:11; But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

Paul says "each one" of us has been given one (or more) of these gifts. All Christians have at least one of these gifts.
Do you know what your gift is? Have you ever used it? Amazingly some people have used their gifts and they don't even know it.

I've seen people right here on TalkJesus give words of wisdom, and words of knowledge to people.
I'm not talking about simply Bible verses, but actual, practical real life words of wisdom to people. I've seen people
say how did you know? I've seen people thank others for these divine words of knowledge and wisdom.
I could easily list at least a dozen people here on TalkJesus with the gifts of wisdom of knowledge.

I've heard stories of supernatural faith here. I'm not talking about simple faith in Jesus, but faith that mountains would be moved, lives would changes, and people would be healed. I've read other people testimonies about these things here on TalkJesus.

I've heard testimonies of healing from people here on TalkJesus, people who used to have cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and even
the flu... healed, completely recovered. Even doctors are amazed.

Which leads to healings and miracles, some of you have these gifts and you don't even know it. Some of you don't even believe it.
Some Christians say... well I've never seen those things, so I don't believe in it.

Matt 13:58; and Mark 6:5; says that Jesus didn't do (any?) many miracles in certain places because people didn't believe.
If you don't believe you can do these things, trust me... you can't.

.. to be continued ...

 

[B-A-C]

Matt 7:21; “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
Matt 7:22; Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’
Matt 7:23; And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

Amazingly some people take this passage to mean people who do miracles wont be accepted into the kingdom of heaven.
But Jesus isn't criticizing the fact that they did miracles and cast out demons, He tells them to depart from Him because
they "practice lawlessness".

... to be continued ...

 

[B-A-C]

Some non-Pentecostal non-Charismatic churches use the following passage to say that the gifts of the Spirit are no longer given.

1Cor 13:8; Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.
1Cor 13:9; For we know in part and we prophesy in part;
1Cor 13:10; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.

They believe the gifts of prophecy and tongues are "done away with". Does that mean knowledge has been done away with also?
If knowledge is done away with, do any of us know anything? There is a problem when we start slicing Bible verses in half. Prophecy and tongues are gone,
but knowledge is still here. You have to take Bible verses as all or none, not just "the part I like" and "not the part I don't like".

The other problem with this, is it ONLY mentions knowledge, tongues and prophecy, what about miracles, healing, casting out demons, discerning of Spirits, etc...?
It doesn't say those will be done away with.
If God has taken the gifts of the Holy Spirit away from us, has He taken the entire Holy Spirit away from us? If Holy Spirit gives us power,
what are examples of this power?

Acts 1:8; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

1Thes 1:5; for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

Perhaps the main thing that set Christianity apart from other religions, is the Apostles had the power of God upon them.
Other religions can say they are the "true" religion, but only the Holy Spirit gives us power to do supernatural things. The Apostles demonstrated this power.
The gospel didn't come to these places "in word only".. "but also in power". Where is this power in many churches today?

If God can no longer do anything for me, if He can't heal me, or take demons out of me, or do miracles in my life... why should I become a Christian?
Why should I believe in Jesus if your God is just as powerless as all the other gods people have talked to me about.

 

[Trevor]

Some non-Pentecostal non-Charismatic churches use the following passage to say that the gifts of the Spirit are no longer given.

1Cor 13:8; Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.
1Cor 13:9; For we know in part and we prophesy in part;
1Cor 13:10; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.

They believe the gifts of prophecy and tongues are "done away with". Does that mean knowledge has been done away with also?
If knowledge is done away with, do any of us know anything? There is a problem when we start slicing Bible verses in half. Prophecy and tongues are gone,
but knowledge is still here. You have to take Bible verses as all or none, not just "the part I like" and "not the part I don't like".

The other problem with this, is it ONLY mentions knowledge, tongues and prophecy, what about miracles, healing, casting out demons, discerning of Spirits, etc...?
It doesn't say those will be done away with.
If God has taken the gifts of the Holy Spirit away from us, has He taken the entire Holy Spirit away from us? If Holy Spirit gives us power,
what are examples of this power?

Acts 1:8; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

1Thes 1:5; for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

Perhaps the main thing that set Christianity apart from other religions, is the Apostles had the power of God upon them.
Other religions can say they are the "true" religion, but only the Holy Spirit gives us power to do supernatural things. The Apostles demonstrated this power.
The gospel didn't come to these places "in word only".. "but also in power". Where is this power in many churches today?

If God can no longer do anything for me, if He can't heal me, or take demons out of me, or do miracles in my life... why should I become a Christian?
Why should I believe in Jesus if your God is just as powerless as all the other gods people have talked to me about.

Hi B.A.C. We discuss and debate scripture here on Talk Jesus and form conclusions. However scripture teaches us 1 John 2:27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit - just as it has taught you, remain in him. You speak of power and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but these only become relevant under the anointing, as do the teachings. Scripture means nothing without the anointing of the Holy Spirit. That is why, the world can study until the cows come home and will never understand, because understanding comes through the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and all understanding is personal. Our faith is personal, that is why we do not need anyone to teach us.

 

[B-A-C]

Our faith is personal, that is why we do not need anyone to teach us.

I could give a lot of scripture that disagrees with this. But aside from that.. here you are... teaching.

 

[Trevor]

I could give a lot of scripture that disagrees with this. But aside from that.. here you are... teaching.

I wouldn't say I am teaching B.A.C, more sharing, after all this is a debating chamber, or what is the point of it? I write on here more, for my own benefit, because when I share with you, I have to seek answers and when the answers come to me, my understandings are enriched. Why do you write on here?