Friday: Further Thoughts – The Holy Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit
Read Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, pp. 511-517, 593-602.
Some have asked, “Why don’t we see the same kind of miracles, such as the miraculous healings, today that were seen in Bible times?” First, we do hear stories about miracles. And surely some people have seen them firsthand, too.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
Second, when reading the Bible, we can get the impression that miracles were always happening. But we get that impression only because the Holy Spirit inspired the authors to write about events that were crucial in establishing the early church, and these events often included miracles. We could imagine that in most cases, and most of the time, things back then were the way they are today: people being taught the Word of God and then responding to the Holy Spirit. And, finally, Ellen G. White wrote: “The way in which Christ worked was to preach the Word, and to relieve suffering by miraculous works of healing. But I am instructed that we cannot now work in this way, for Satan will exercise his power by working miracles. God’s servants today could not work by means of miracles, because spurious works of healing, claiming to be divine, will be wrought. For this reason the Lord has marked out a way in which His people are to carry forward a work of physical healing, combined with the teaching of the Word. Sanitariums are to be established, and with these institutions are to be connected workers who will carry forward genuine medical missionary work. Thus a guarding influence is thrown around those who come to the sanitariums for treatment.” – Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 2, p. 54.
Discussion Questions:
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It is very commom today, in several churches, the healing miracles! God is the God of miracles! But He is not just that! He is so much more, and can be known! His love surpass any blessing that we might count as a miracle! The best miracle of all is His love for humanity... That's where we need to cling on...
I think I am very highly thought of in God's estimation otherwise He would not have paid such a high price to get me back in His fold! I am highly exalted because of Him! Remembering always that so are you! If I remember to highly exalt all God's children then my highly exalted position is as it should be! This post is for those of us who have a very difficult time remembering to love yourself in oder to love those other folks who Christ died for too! ?
I agree, we are to love our self enough to help others(self esteem). Now for clairification, at the same time we are to die to self, and take up the cross of Christ and follow a path of selfdenial and sacrifice, as exemplified by Him.
Quoting from the lesson:
I am not sure I understand this passage. Was Satan not able to, in Jesus' day, exercise his power by working miracles? I agree that we now have a different method of healing etc. but I do not see this as substitute for the working of miracles as Jesus and the apostles did back then. Where is that power today? Is it that we do not have the kind of faith exhibited by Peter, Paul and the other disciples?
Good question Georgia. Am also wondering. Didnt he say,"but you will receive power"? And what about Mark 16:17? And many other promises? Has God changed his mind about the promises he gave?
We need to understand the whole chapter 5 the above quote was taken from. This was addressing people of the Church who were misinformed that miracles were a test of God's favor. "I preformed more miracles than you, God likes me better", of course we know that is not so. The genuine working of the Holy Spirit on human hearts is promised, to give efficiency through the Word. Christ has declared the Word to be spirit and life. “The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14, A.R.V.). 2SM 48.1. Ellen G. White supported miracles in their proper sphere. Here she talks in Testimonies for the Church. Volume 9 page 126. "In visions of the night representations passed before me of a great reformatory movement among God’s people. Many were praising God. The sick were healed, and other miracles were wrought.... Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families, and opening before them the word of God. Hearts were convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of genuine conversion was manifest. On every side doors were thrown open to the proclamation of the truth. The world seemed to be lightened with the heavenly influence. Great blessings were received by the true and humble people of God."
Georgia, about the question of miracles in Jesus day. That would be 3.5 years during His ministry. All of the miracles were performed by, and through Him. Satan was allowed to do what ever God allowed him to do. This did not include mimicking or misrepresenting Jesus.
Satan has always tried to counterfeit God's miracles (e.g., Exodus 7:10-12) and he always will (Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22). If God only worked in ways that Satan could not counterfeit, why would we need the gift of discernment?
The gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-11) are not limited by time or place. They are given as freely today as ever before according to the Spirits will (1 Corinthians 12:11).
As in the days of Elijah with the two altars, the greatest part of God's revelation is not the miracle, but that of that simple quiet display of faith. They all knew that he was right by his behavior during the contest. Especially when the false worshipers were getting no where with their display. In the last day, what will make God people stand out is their quiet and steady display of love for God and consistent faith come what may.
This is one of those passages from Sister White that are better left as unrevealed mystery. There may have been some particular circumstances that she was addressing at that time, with no intention of a wider application. I will not debate or question her. What I know is that from her days and until today, as the lesson on Friday indicates, genuine miracles have been witnessed in the Adventist church around the world, even speaking in tongues. The gifts we receive are at the discretion of the Holy Spirit and he distributes them "as he wills." If the Holy Spirit determines that in order to edify the church or accomplish a particular evangelistic task I need a particular task, nothing can stand in the way, except perhaps my own unwillingness to be used by him.
Joseph. I agree fully. We are told that in the last days, many will prophecy (Acts 2:17). To assume that God cannot, through us, do what He has always done is not Scriptural. God performed many miracles before Jesus came to earth, during Jesus' time here, and ever since then.
Indeed, I believe that there are more miracles performed now than during the time of Jesus. It is just that our lack of faith and our pride have blinded us to these acts of God and caused us to take credit for works that only He can do, thus falsely rendering them "acts of men" rather than gifts from God.
Of all the texts used for reference to Gifts Of the Spirit, 1 Corinthians 13 has perhaps been overlooked somewhat in favor of the more charismatic Gifts. This is a shame because Paul identifies what is determined as the Greatest of all the gifts, Love. We think of Love as something taken for granted. A "so what" attitude. However if we are looking for the Gifts of the Spirit and there application, and do not include the greatest, Shame on us. 1Corinthians 13:1-8 & 1Corinthians 13:13.
I guess 'Love' is the first and most important aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit. We are all called to Love. When you are filled with the Spirit,Love springs out,and because you have Love,you will have Goodness,you will be kind, Faithful,Gentle,full of Joy,have peace,patience and self-control. This means you will do what you do out of Love. I guess when you have God in you, it means you have Love,for God is Love.