Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site burdvax.UUCP Path: utzoo!decvax!ittatc!dcdwest!sdcsvax!sdcrdcf!burdvax!devonst From: devonst@burdvax.UUCP (Tom Albrecht) Newsgroups: net.religion.christian Subject: Re: "spiritual gifts" (Taken from "Hearing God's Voice") Message-ID: <2398@burdvax.UUCP> Date: Fri, 14-Mar-86 12:54:08 EST Article-I.D.: burdvax.2398 Posted: Fri Mar 14 12:54:08 1986 Date-Received: Sun, 16-Mar-86 02:59:41 EST References: <2322@burdvax.UUCP> Reply-To: devonst@burdvax.UUCP (Tom Albrecht) Distribution: na Organization: Burroughs Corp. - SDG/Devon Lines: 80 In article homeier@aero.UUCP (Peter Homeier) writes: > [to Lady G.] >> I guess that I should say what I believe about all of this since >>I'm asking for what others think. I believe that some are true, some are >>not. (For instance, I don't believe in astrology, but I'd defend empathy >>as strongly as I'd defend my belief in God.) I also think that they are >>a natural part of being human, and that some people are better at >>certain things than others. (I think I'll test the water out there >>before saying what I think my strengths are and what experiences I've >>had with this sort of thing.) > >I was really interested when you mentioned empathy. This is a gift that the >Lord has given me, beginning late last year. I use it while ministering to >people in prayer. The Spirit has been placing their sufferring, their >emotions of fear, loneliness, disgust, hatred, etc. on me for a while, and >I feel the full weight of them. This can last for some time, depending on >the severity of the emotional problem, while I am in my own body feeling the >hurts that the person themselves may long ago have repressed and hidden from >their concious mind. But through this release, the Lord brings the pain >first to me, and then I give it to Him, and the person I am praying for >receives healing in that area. It is an intensely powerful experience, and >as much a blessing for me to minister it as it is for the person I am >praying for. An interesting observation. One question, though; where does God speak of this so-called gift in the Bible? Is this a manifestation of the Spirit's work in a way not discussed in Scripture? What kind of healing are you talking about here? Is this physical healings like Jesus making the blind see and the lame walk? > >This gift, I am absolutely certain, comes from God the Holy Spirit. How do you know that? Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. If it's not based entirely on the Bible, how do you know it's from God? >> The only scripture that I can offer to defend my position at the >>moment (and this is paraphrased since I don't have my Bible with me) is >>the one where Christ says that many will have driven out demons and >>healed people, and I don't remember what else, in his name but >>will not enter the kingdom of heaven. There are more than this >>(I studied this somewhat a few years ago) but my mind isn't recalling >>them right now. It took me a little while to really believe in the >>things like this that I now believe in because I was raised in the >>midwest with a lot of "common sense" values. I still have those, and >>sometimes I have conflicts between these two things. >> Anyway, anyone else have any thoughts on this? > >You are right, Christ did say that at the Ressurrection, many would come >before Him and profess that they did great works, even miracles, in His >name. But He, knowing their hearts and not just their outward show, will >call them truly people whom He never knew, and they shall be cast into the >fires of Hell. We can't judge people by what we see. We don't know their >hearts. But God knows by what power these signs were done, whether it was >from Him or the other side. The Bible does teach that we can judge a person by his works. Jesus said that if a person truly loves Him that person will keep Christ's commandments. Works, not supernatural manifestations, are the evidence of salvation. John says that love of the brethren is evidence of love of Christ. James says that love of widows and orphans is evidence of love of Christ. Nowhere in Scripture does it say that healings or speaking in tongues is evidence of love of Christ. Jesus didn't say to Peter, "Speak in tongues." He said, "Feed my sheep." He said, "They will know you are my disciples because you love one another." > >I know how you feel about these things and "common sense". Crazy, isn't >it? But when it's in the Lord, it's fun, and it's safe, and it's good. >Just make sure it's in the Lord. And the best guides for this are > 1. The Bible, the Word of God > 2. The Holy Spirit > 3. Your brethren, particularly your pastoral authority. > > Your brother in Christ, > > Peter Homeier > That's good common sense. We should all follow it.