Re: Interesting Thoughts

Strong faith? I read the Bible to say instead that believers are to be yielded...humbled...decreasing so that the fruit of the Spirit is what is to be working, not the individual. As Lapis shared, it is all about perception yet the Bible isn't up for private interpretation...God says and means one thing and the Holy Spirit is the perfect illuminator(man is the perfect one to twist with itching ears). Why not go to Scripture to see some additional thoughts? Acts 2:22 "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man APPROVED OF GOD AMONG YOU BY MIRACLES AND WONDERS AND SIGNS,which GOD DID by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:" Jesus was yielded and God did the works...confirming that Jesus is God(read the verses that follow that unfold to say Jesus is Lord and Christ) and for the purpose of salvation(to make men holy). The apostles were specifically chosen and would follow Jesus in the confirmation of miracles and wonders and signs(2:43, 4:30,5:12-16). By the time one reads to chapter 6, it is seen that Stephen and Philip(and 5 others listed) were specifically CHOSEN by the apostles and yes, wonders and miracles followed(specifically verse 8...full of faith and power...OF GOD). The key is noted in verse 7..."And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multipled in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith." Chapter 8:13 shows the result...believing. 14:3(following 2 verses that show how the same message results in belief and works of unbelievers)..."Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands." Note what happened to Paul as a result of the healing(19)...he was stoned rather than being a head of a seeker ministry. Note verse 27...all that had been happening was God opening the door of faith unto the Gentiles. Romans 15:18-19 touches on the same..."For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ." Remember how Jesus was confirmed thru signs, wonders, and miracles? Note Hebrews 2:3,4..."How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness; both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?" The signs of an APOSTLE(not true of false teachers at the time) was spoken of by Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:11,12..."I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you; for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were wrougnt among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds." I don't believe that God is ever limited in what He can do today. Unfortunately what many see in a seeker sensitive ministry of signs and wonders is that those professing to be believers are there for the purpose of those signs and wonders. The Scriptures reveal to me that the signs and wonders and miracles were a confirmation of Jesus being God and for the purpose of salvation. If believers would be one thru the mind of Christ, there wouldn't be wars over interpretation...conflict would result over unbelievers rejecting God(and those that He brought to trust Him). That is what turned the world upside down initially...tribulation that opened the door of faith to others.