BACK
people in the intertestamental period. However, when Christ came it was said: "A great prophet has been raised up amongst us; and God has visited his people" (Luke 7:16). Similarly the apostolic age was followed by a period of which we know little until the great doctors such as Origen came on the scene. Miracles had by that time ceased or at any rate had become rare.

It is noteworthy that the return of the exiles from Babylon was markedly different from the exodus from Egypt. In the earlier case the people left Egypt after God had shown his power by sending plagues on the Egyptians (Exodus 9:14). Pharaoh did not want to let the people go but God made him do so and in the end the people left hurriedly. However, in the case of the return from Babylon there was no overt demonstration of God's power, but the return was in fact encouraged by the kings whose spirit had been stirred up to send the captives back to the land of Israel (Ezra 1:1-4; 7). The return was not hurried as was the exodus from Egypt (Compare Exodus 12:33 with Isaiah 52:11/12 and Ezra 8). God is not shut up to one way of doing things. He can use different methods as circumstances require.

Today is not a day of the outward demonstration of God's power. The present time is an end time so far as the Assembly's history is concerned. To the Philadelphian Assembly Christ speaks of them as having a little power (Revelation 3:8) and they were the second to last of the Assemblies addressed. This does not mean that we cannot look to the Lord to raise up sick persons. Prayer is continually made today for the sick both in private and in public. The prayer is often that the sick persons may be raised up again. If the prayers are of any value, that is, they are not just a lot of hot air, which is what a sceptic would consider them, God would hear them and answer them appropriately. He may use the medical services. Luke was a beloved physician (Colossians 4:14) so such means has the sanction of Scripture. Further, Scripture speaks of leaves being for medicine (Ezekiel 47:12) and for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:2). Further, Paul speaks of wine as being of use for the stomach and illnesses (1 Timothy 5:23). In the Old Testament we have a cake of figs being applied for the healing of Hezekiah at the instance of the prophet (Isaiah 38:21). The good Samaritan used oil and wine for healing purposes (Luke 10:34), this showing that the medical treatment of ailments and injuries has the sanction of Scripture.

However like all things Christians should look to God first when considering their physical needs whether this is a matter of their daily bread or their medical requirements. Hezekiah went first to Jehovah (Isaiah 38:2/3). It is right to look after one's body (Ephesians 5:28/29) and this would include one's brain. God raised up Ephaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-30) but it does not appear that any great miracle was performed - he probably just got better.

On our side there must always be faith in God, whether a great miracle is to be performed or whether God's way is going to be to raise up a sick person by the use of medical help or otherwise. Christ and the apostles worked in relation to faith (Matthew 9:2; 9:29; 15:28; Acts 14:9) and in a place where there was unbelief Christ could do little in the way of works of power (Matthew 13:58; Mark 6:5/6). However, in the raising up of persons from the dead there was clearly not faith in the persons, but neither was there unbelief. However, both with the curing of physical ailments and infirmities and the sickness of sin faith is needed on our side. Christ will not heal or bless where there is unbelief.

Scripture never supposes that any individual has all the gifts that the Spirit gives. In 1 Corinthians 12:28-31 it is said amongst other things: "[Are] all [in possession of] miraculous powers? have all gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?" These gifts are given to persons so that one may have a particular gift and another a different gift. Today the

NEXT