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Miracles Today - Appendix 2 |
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General |
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It may be observed that miracles in Scripture had a purpose and they achieved something. Bogus miracles have either negative effects or have no real purpose. The so-called Toronto Blessing has the negative effect of people falling down. However, the healing of the lame in Scripture resulted in the ones healed standing up and walking (Mark 2:9-12; Acts 3:1-11; 14:8-10). It also resulted in praise to God in the first two instances quoted. Weeping statues and the like achieve nothing of consequence, but simply appeal to the superstitious. |
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The following quotations from the writings of J.N.Darby may be of interest. |
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I have no confidence in the movement for faith-healing, save as it may rouse people to look more to God. I never saw it save in individual instances connected with real sound doctrine. The two cases I referred to were one in the Western States where it turned, though it seemed to begin well, to an out and out work of the devil, the other where it was based on full Lutheran views - of being born again in baptism; besides (which were not on my mind) it was connected with perfectionism, and I might add Irvingism, but these were not on my mind. * and myself are not elders, and the case in point came in thus - the ordinary local discipline of the church. (James v.) This does not hinder my believing that God does answer the prayer of faith. I have arranged that * and myself will be free at half-past four Monday next, to look to Him for you. (December, 1881.) |
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I have known two cases of anointing by request, one at Plymouth... the other in Switzerland: both these were blessed to the body; we owned we were not official but cast ourselves on the Lord. I trust by giving it out you may not have a crowd of curious young brethren. Peter thrust them all out. It is "the prayer of faith" which heals. It is not said, that I know, where the anointing should be: but anointing them is the person rather than the place (as if it was a cure), and this has its importance as to its nature. |
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The Lord be with you in your service. (Date uncertain.) |
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I shall be glad to know if you continue better; as to that your faith may be exercised. But both * and myself were struck with the fact that the state of your soul answered to what he had prayed for, and of your body what I had; so that we should be rather glad to know how you are. (January, 1882.) |
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There is the present grace wherein we stand. But as regards the government of God it is another matter. Then I read, "If he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." Hence we are to pray for those who have sinned not unto death, to confess our faults one to another, and to pray one for another. Hence in its place the church, and Paul in his, could forgive sins, as we read in Corinthians. There was a binding in heaven of what was bound on earth, and a loosing in heaven of what was loosed on earth. So, when at Paul's first answer all men forsook him, he prayed that this might not be laid to their charge. The Lord's warnings to His disciples that, if they did not forgive, they would not be forgiven, equally apply. It is not a question of justification with the believer, but of present relationship in divine favour, which some seem to forget altogether. It is not merely that we have the fruit of forgiveness in restored communion, though that be true; but in the positive present aspect of God. As a Governor over those in relationship with Him, He is displeased with certain things, may cause me to die through His displeasure, if I do not judge myself - has done so, as we learn in scripture, both historically and doctrinally. |