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"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." (Romans 10:17)
Note: Faith comes only by hearing God's Word, and by none other: therefore if we lack faith, we then must more abundantly hear His Word.
By the way to "hear" is not mere listening, rather it is to accept the Word of God, and submit to and rely upon it.
Note: Faith comes only by hearing God's Word, and by none other: therefore if we lack faith, we then must more abundantly hear His Word.
By the way to "hear" is not mere listening, rather it is to accept the Word of God, and submit to and rely upon it.
W
First of, you are not alone in not being healed. This site has plenty of members with chronic illnesses. I am not saying that to make your situation seem lesser, but to remind you that not being healed does not mean neither that there is no God, nor that God cares any less for those people.
God does not always heal... and he certainly doesn't do things on command.
Sometimes He does things in ways that seem nonsensical to us, maybe even unfair. I've screamed at God more than once. I think He can handle it.
and
Sometimes God heals incrementally (like the blind man that first saw shadows, then clearly ... and that was Jesus doing the healing!)
God does not always heal... and he certainly doesn't do things on command.
Sometimes He does things in ways that seem nonsensical to us, maybe even unfair. I've screamed at God more than once. I think He can handle it.
and
Sometimes God heals incrementally (like the blind man that first saw shadows, then clearly ... and that was Jesus doing the healing!)
E
Pretty sure you read my post wrong =)
Has nothing to do with my church or location...it's the theology/doctrine regarding divine healing that the charismatic churches believe. It's not working for me or for many others.
And apologetics is - hmmmm...how to describe it. I guess it's politely arguing a point with some pretty well studied/thought provoking biblical, scriptural proof or backup.
Has nothing to do with my church or location...it's the theology/doctrine regarding divine healing that the charismatic churches believe. It's not working for me or for many others.
And apologetics is - hmmmm...how to describe it. I guess it's politely arguing a point with some pretty well studied/thought provoking biblical, scriptural proof or backup.
Believe it or not, I do have a vague idea what "Apologetics" are. What I was trying to say is that there is no such thing as any specific Charismatic formula of belief that will heal anyone. God would even heal some of our staunchest Legalists here if they trusted Him enough to simply ask.
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E
I agree
When did Jesus NOT heal someone who came to Him and asked to be healed?
ehhhh...I kinda see your point, but...all of his healings were instantaneous...and with the blind man who saw shadows...wasn't the only issue the unbelief in the town? Once Jesus took him outside the town it worked the second time, right? I don't think there's any way to really assume that any divine healing should take time)
When did Jesus NOT heal someone who came to Him and asked to be healed?
ehhhh...I kinda see your point, but...all of his healings were instantaneous...and with the blind man who saw shadows...wasn't the only issue the unbelief in the town? Once Jesus took him outside the town it worked the second time, right? I don't think there's any way to really assume that any divine healing should take time)
In the bible, the 100 percent full instant healings were quite rare. There are passages of scripture that cover years of time, that do not mention anyone being divinely healed in those times. Every miracle healing also had a particular reason for happening. Jesus was teaching people about Himself, about His reason for coming to earth through the miracles He performed.
The Apostles also, aren't examples that we can go and do the same with signs, miracles and wonders etc..
They had particular qualifications, which we now don't have. Among them was being eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ. We have never seen Jesus in the flesh.
Speaking of theology/doctrine, what do you understand is the event that causes tongues, prophecy and knowledge to end/fulfill it purpose?
What I am not saying here is that God DOESN'T heal... I am saying though that miracle healings:
1) Should be 100 percent and mostly instant (although God also heals over time through 'tipping the balances' i.e. someone is in critical condition and God increases the chance of survival)
2) Miracles are, by definition very rare. There were not that many that happened in the bible and there were long periods of time where miracles are not mentioned.
The Apostles also, aren't examples that we can go and do the same with signs, miracles and wonders etc..
They had particular qualifications, which we now don't have. Among them was being eyewitnesses of Jesus Christ. We have never seen Jesus in the flesh.
Speaking of theology/doctrine, what do you understand is the event that causes tongues, prophecy and knowledge to end/fulfill it purpose?
What I am not saying here is that God DOESN'T heal... I am saying though that miracle healings:
1) Should be 100 percent and mostly instant (although God also heals over time through 'tipping the balances' i.e. someone is in critical condition and God increases the chance of survival)
2) Miracles are, by definition very rare. There were not that many that happened in the bible and there were long periods of time where miracles are not mentioned.
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Here is a really good link concerning healing or the lack thereof:
Divine Healing: A Study in the Scriptures
Divine Healing: A Study in the Scriptures
E
Ok so...this is the closest response to what I'm looking for. The only thing missing are some scriptural backups...care to extrapolate?
I'm going to ask some questions, but please don't think I am necessarily questioning you with the intent of arguing or proving you wrong. I can see how your train of thought could be true...however, many charismatics would argue or ask the questions I may ask.
If you could break each of these sentences down and go into more detail on each statement I would looooove to read that. And please don't think I'm taking a sarcastic tone here. I really do want to hear more.
So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God...the word of God is the bible, but also John 1 says the word is Jesus. So how do the disciples qualify more than us when concerning things like - you too will do the works that I do...and do greater works. Just because they saw Jesus?
I would have to say either going to heaven or heaven coming down to earth.
THANK YOU for this reply!!!
I'm going to ask some questions, but please don't think I am necessarily questioning you with the intent of arguing or proving you wrong. I can see how your train of thought could be true...however, many charismatics would argue or ask the questions I may ask.
If you could break each of these sentences down and go into more detail on each statement I would looooove to read that. And please don't think I'm taking a sarcastic tone here. I really do want to hear more.
So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God...the word of God is the bible, but also John 1 says the word is Jesus. So how do the disciples qualify more than us when concerning things like - you too will do the works that I do...and do greater works. Just because they saw Jesus?
I would have to say either going to heaven or heaven coming down to earth.
THANK YOU for this reply!!!
W
I'm really fighting the temptation to jump into this one. I understand what the OP is going through, the only difference is I didn't attend a Charismatic church. Ed_4325 if you want to chat some send me a private message. I know where this thread is going to end up and really don't want to get into the nasty of this topic 
T
Well there's nothing more solid than the truth, but I'm afraid it's not going to be what you want to hear. The truth is that miracles, such as supernatural healing, were for a purpose, and that purpose has ceased. (Stay with me) They were to identify the prophets, the Christ, and the apostles. Even Paul left Timothy sick when he could have healed him, because the miracles had a purpose, and convenience was not one of them. Paul himself asked God for healing, and God's answer was, "My grace is sufficient for you." He would not heal him. Matter of fact, since he was the chief of sinners, God told him how much he would have to suffer for His name. But it was brilliant of God to use Paul, to show us that if the chief of sinners can make it to heaven, there is certainly hope for all of us.
There are reasons for ailments, whether big ones or little ones...
One reason is sin, God punishes sin with disease. And this punishment can be inflicted on the innocent. For example, a homosexual man gets the AIDS disease, is bitten by a mosquito, and that mosquito bites an innocent baby, and now that baby has AIDS. Or a surgeon goes to work high on drugs, or lack of sleep, or inexperienced, and makes a mistake, and now the patient has to live with the results of that mistake. Maybe the helping nurse didn't follow procedure by not washing hands or wearing gloves. Or someone with evil intentions tampers with your food or medicine- it has happened. Sin is a cause, whether for the perpetrator or the victim.
Another reason is God used the situation to boost faith or growth in you or someone who witnessed you. There was a song years ago called "Sometimes Miracles Hide" that describes this well. The apostles asked Jesus if it was the sin of the blind man, or the sin of his parents that caused him to be blind. And Jesus said in that specific situation it was so that people would see Jesus heal him.
Or it could be natural cause and effect- you fell off a ladder and broke a bone, or it rained on a dead diseased animal, which got into the ground water, onto our food source. Many people use animal or even human poop as fertilizer- which causes diseased vegetation.
Ok, so if you break a bone, God is not going to instantly and miraculously heal you, like Christ healed the man's ear that Peter cut off during His arrest. But there is healing. You just have to heal by natural means instead of supernatural means. Having said that though, there still remains power through prayer. God still plays a role in healing, but without the extreme miraculous signs that have served their purpose. Why didn't Jesus stay and be the most famous Doctor ever? Why didn't He stay and multiply bread and fish- there would be no hungry or poor. It is because He's not here to support physical life that will one day be destroyed, He wants us to react, to respond, to grow spiritually. Without work no muscle is gained.We cannot expect God to heal obesity while we do nothing on our part
So what can we do to promote healing? Sin not. Go for as long of a stretch without sinning as you can. God is not a genie- you serve Him, not the other way around. Win His favor. Even in the New Testament God tells children IF they obey their Christian parents (do what's right) that they WILL live a LONG life on the earth, a life that they will ENJOY. You cannot be LIVNG in sin (not just a mistake here and there, but a daily habit) such as living as a drunkard, a smoker, in adultry or such, and expect God to answer your prayer favorably. The bible says God does not even hear the prayer of a sinner. You need to have ongoing fellowship with Him. Maybe your prayer life s poor, and God is giving you a reason to talk to Him.
Also, it is proven that positive attitudes heal faster and better than negative attitudes. Stress destroys the body. God said be anxious about absolutely nothing.
How's your Nutrition? God gave us healing foods- dark leafy greens, nuts, beans, water, fish. Are you eating God's food or man-made chemicals? A mother cut out red food dye from her son's diet, and he was instantly cured of ADHD. A lot of ailments are caused by what we eat, and household cleaners even cause cancer. Sugar, especially soda pop- which goes straight to our bloodstream, does the opposite of healing, it destroys. This is why diabetics lose a toe, a foot, a leg, or their life. God says eat in order to live, don't live in order to eat.
Fast. (Only water). It takes a lot of energy for your body to digest food, and when there's no food to digest your body uses that energy for healing.
A miraculous way is not the only way.
Song: I know the Lord will find a way for me. If I walk in heavens light, shun the wrong and do the right, I know the Lord will find a way for me.
Listening to false prophets and false doctrines, such as the charismatic, is not the way. They claim to heal internal things that cannot be seen or proven. But not like a severe back hunch, or many other things Christ healed.
Life is a test, to see where we will spend eternity. Don't be surprised that you have a test, or be surprised when it leaves because you passed with flying colors. Have faith that God is in control. What reason is there to hope if there's nothing to hope for?
The biggest problem with all the insistence on your right to remain sick (all of you) is that I see this healing on a regular basis,
They do happen... or I am either lying to you, or I am blind. Since neither is true, you have to claim something else.
The only other three things it can be are mind over matter..... totally foolish for anyone with any sense, considering the nature of many of these healings.... or
... I am the one doing it, of my own fantastic power. Fat chance! I can hardly brush my own teeth.... or
Satan is doing it (This one some people don't seen to have the _____ to come right out and say, but they sure hint at it.
But that preposterous theory is blown out of the water when the only one who gets the resound credit, praise, and glory for it is Jesus... and thousands still accept Him as Lord as Savior because of these healings.
Did I miss anything? Oh, yeah, I did miss one.... You guys, as much as you want these miracles to be non existent, are simply wrong.
Any of you have any other explanation?
They do happen... or I am either lying to you, or I am blind. Since neither is true, you have to claim something else.
The only other three things it can be are mind over matter..... totally foolish for anyone with any sense, considering the nature of many of these healings.... or
... I am the one doing it, of my own fantastic power. Fat chance! I can hardly brush my own teeth.... or
Satan is doing it (This one some people don't seen to have the _____ to come right out and say, but they sure hint at it.
But that preposterous theory is blown out of the water when the only one who gets the resound credit, praise, and glory for it is Jesus... and thousands still accept Him as Lord as Savior because of these healings.
Did I miss anything? Oh, yeah, I did miss one.... You guys, as much as you want these miracles to be non existent, are simply wrong.
Any of you have any other explanation?
Uh, you don't still go to "preach the Kingdom of God?" I suspect you do. Then why did you chop that sentence in half, and throw out the second half? Because people often don't get healed? Well, actually, just as often, they don't hear your preaching either. Does that mean you are no longer sent to do that? Are you just doing it "on your own", imagining the results when they do happen?