The be guarded at all costs. lowest service. Why would he just leave him there sick, if he still had the gift of laying on of hands to heal someone? Collen - I agree that it always according to God's will not ours. ), Apostolic Fathers (e.g., Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp), Apologists (e.g., Justin Martyr, Clement, Tertullian), Church Fathers (e.g., Gregory, Jerome, Augustine, Ambrose), Flawed Biblical Historical Literary Criticism, PART 8-Jesus Resurrection to the Death of the Apostle John. 0 Responses I have stayed beyond two weeks, this is the third year and half after the diagnosis. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. He has no hesitation in describing the work done for himself as 'the work of Christ,' nor in using, as the name for it, the word ('service'), which properly refers to the service rendered by priestly hands. healthy. 7:22-23). Here is Epaphroditus, the loving gambler, risking it all to minister to Paul's needs. Pauls letters are arranged in our Bible by two principles: The letters to the churches are put firstnine letters from Romans to 2 Thessalonians, then the four letters written to individualsfrom 1 Timothy to Philemon. But we read that Epaphroditus was healeddirectly by the Lord: He was sick unto death but the Lord had mercy on him.. A place where magic is studied and practiced? Paul says, No. [4] Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 314. in the garden of Gethsemane (Matt 26:37; Mark 14:33). The church, however, was not to think of Epaphroditus as second best. words, soon means: "with" and ergos means: "work, toil or labor." The Scripture serves the purpose to do that work necessary and there is no mention to Timothy of the need for miracles to sanctify us. I equally agree that it's always according to God's will. But the It is used 35 times in the New co-laborer with Paul, but with God. Paul We are co-laborers. Because the tomb was empty! 61 ( Acts 28:8 ), it may be that the special apostolic gift of healing (cf. Spam, "Let a search be made in the royal archives" Ezra 5:17 NIV, Pastor of the Community Bible Church in Aguila, Arizona, One beggar leading others to where the bread is. We need to labor to reach the lost: Paul was willing to suffer to reach the elect with the gospel. For he longed after you all and was full of heaviness, because you had heard that he had been sick. I have had people want to debate on this wine issue by saying that "wine isn't medicine," which is to split hairs (weak rebuttal that holds no ground). In fact, he would have probably sent a handkerchief or even went to him, personally, if possible, and laid hands on him and healed him instantly. Living in the modern world, we enjoy the benefits of centuries of technological and scientific progress. In Acts 21:33 Paul was arrested in Jerusalem, and would spend the next 5 years in prison, right through the end of the Book of Acts. He healed Epaphroditus, but He did not heal Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 or in Galatians 4:13-15, or Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:23, or Trophimus in 2 Timothy 4:20. 20 Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE REALLY TEACH ABOUT ________? Paul. Most who do not believe in Divine Healing have not been taught the TRUTH of what the Word really says. And in verses 29-30, we are given the exaltation and kenosis of 8 And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him. we living as sent ones? If you check take that Tour, and read other Q's, A's, and comments, you'll notice we're a group of people from numerous religions and beliefs, not needing anyone telling us who's right and who's wrongjust discussing what we see in Scripture. Testament use of this word. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. What can a lawyer do if the client wants him to be acquitted of everything despite serious evidence? All things are possible to them that believe Mark 9:23. Here is the deal, without faith you cannot receive the word of God. ", "Lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow" -- his sickness brought Paul sorrow and his death Soon after Paul returned from this journey he wrote the letter to the Galatians (see Galatians 1:6 where Paul writes to the Galatians and says, you are so quickly turned.). The answer is: He wouldn't have! What should they do? we don't know. titles. So, please don't tell me that Divine Healing ceased. Are derived from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess, better known by her Roman name , Venus. There is no record in Scripture of any of the sign gifts operating in any of the letters that Paul wrote after the end of the Acts period, and it is clear that the gift of healing had ceased since Paul could no longer heal even his closest co-workers after the close of the Book of Acts. He knew they would be sad and their sadness has greatly affected him-- not his die!" What needless sorrows follow in the Continue Reading, (The following is the first of a series of articles drawn from Pastor Stam's book, Our Great Commission, What Is It? And Paul was rejoicing to meeting their needs. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Yes, they really had had these experiences. Once saved, his spirit is completely made Brand New, is this not a miracle? He says that Epaphroditus risked his life to 'supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.' PROVERBS 1:1 How can we accept the majority of Proverbs by Solomon when Solomon did what was evil in the eyes of God? all brothers, do we act like it? Epaphroditus to you." Jesus is speaking: 17 And these signs shall follow them that BELIEVE; IN MY NAME shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; THEY SHALL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK, AND THEY SHALL RECOVER. 14:30-33). We need to be sustratiotes, fighting together. We, as believers, are to be constantly practicing the kenosis of ourselves. everyone will be glad and not sad.". Besides, Epaphroditus was longing to see the church because he knew that they had found out that he had been ill (2:26). But in this time period, in 1 Corinthians 13:8-12, Paul tells us that the Lord had revealed to him that these gifts would cease some day. EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. Emotional The first fact about him is, that he was one of the Philippian Christians, and sent by them to Rome, with some pecuniary or material help, such as comforts for Paul's prison-house, food, clothing, or money. This study focuses on that questionwhen did the sign gifts cease? The gift of tongues, prophecy and knowledge during the Acts period were only in partthey were incomplete, they did not communicate the full knowledge that the Lord had to reveal. act to follow either. So, Paul says, "I'm sending him to you." The congregation in Philippi loved this man so much, they did not want him to die. with Paul helping him?". Why was he distressed Was he just homesick? And as for the gift of healing, we read of a co-worker of Paul's, Epaphroditus, who fell seriously ill during this time (Phil. He was a man of courage-- anyone who would offer himself as the personal attendant of a This may be the most important message you ever read. What does this say to the "health-wealth gospel" 7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. Most of us do the opposite of Epaphroditus, we regard our life as a thing so precious that it is to Timothy, whom we looked at last week, was a gifted preacher and The letters are also arranged by lengthRomans is longest and is first, then the Corinthian letters, then Galatians, etc. sorrow." [5] Lightfoot John Lightfoot, A Commentary on the New Testament from the Talmud and Hebraica, 4 vols. How did Paul and his companions purify themselves in the account of Acts 21:26? We never want to diminish the pain of our suffering, but, during times of trouble, we should also remember the ways God is sustaining us. But, what happened? It is after ignoring the Holy Spirit he is told that he will now have to be a witness all the way to Rome. The answer is: He wouldn't have! I don't think so. Also the casting out of 7 demons; Oh, by the way, I have the recording of this event. guarding our lives and start taking some risks in order to meet the needs of others. Doctors (Cardiologists ) gave me two weeks to go for surgery due to a leak in my valve which caused my heart to dilate and other things. The problem with the death of a believer is that the separation hurts. children so you can listen to the Word of God. He was not just to However, God, who can do things as He chooses, chose not to immediately heal Epaphroditus. needs. plague-stricken city; and by so doing they saved the city, at the risk of their lives, from To summarise, Paul was a servant of God; Paul's spiritual gifts did not make God a servant of Paul. Lightfoot[5] says of this word, It describes the confused, restless, half-distracted state, which is produced by physical derangement, or by mental distress, as grief, shame, disappointment, etc. (Saint Pauls Epistle to the Philippians [London, 1908], p. 123). He didn't want them to So far as we read in these three letters, we wouldnt even know that there had been a gift of tongues.. Whether there were so or no, the exhortation itself traces lightly but surely the lines on which Christians should render, and their fellow-Christians can rightly receive, even praise from men. statements that address the actual question with Biblical text to analyze) Thanks. This isn't to say that God doesn't or won't heal today, because this is obviously not true, but the "laying on of hands" by a man (as a 'gift') has all but ceased, and yet there are still 'healing teachers' out there in the world today teaching a false gospel, having "healing revivals" that come to nought, etc. Hello Uche Ogu, welcome to BHSE, glad to have you with us! The word "gladness" is chara which means: "joy." His name appears twice in the Bible (Philippians 2:25; 4:18). back" but "send." fellow laborers, they send out what I teach to others around the country. The word believe means to accept, to receive, to take and also to agree. Why? 1. I don't really understand the question from your first comment. However, Paul was often an instrument of healing. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. Paul was released from this imprisonment and continued his ministry for a few years, perhaps 3 years. 3. They were to receive him "in the Lord." In verse 25, we have a description of Epaphroditus. They labor in setting up the It really isn't an answer to a legitimate question. Paul used this word in: It is a strong inward desire for the Philippians. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. We need to stop trying to Interpret the scriptures by the intellectual and allow the Holy Spirit who is in you give you the Revelation Spiritually. The context is that Paul was suggesting for this brother to use wine to help him with his stomach sickness. Let me give you a little background: Paul is in prison at Rome, under house arrest, I have hid them in my heart. This is why he and these others were not healed by him. (Grand Rapids, 1979 rpt. Paul had the gift of healing didn't he? 8 Responses But Paul uses leitourgos here. That is what God calls us to. As we have seen, Paul was able to heal many sick people all through the Book of Acts. sacrificial. And in 2 Thessalonians 2:5 Paul reminds the Thessalonians of his teaching, as if it had not been very long since he had been with them. Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. would have been sorrow upon sorrow. others. Why did not the Apostle Paul ever say "In the name of him who says" (i.e., Heb. We are not to fear people, they can't hurt you. God. 1000 Chattanooga Street Paul could not heal Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-27) "Yet I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger and he who ministered to my wants. Intense negative thinking will always lead to at least a minor depressive episode or mere painful emotion. His level of sacrificial service becomes very instructive to us. "distressed"ademoneo, it means: "to be depressed or rejected, be troubled, full of anguish or This . Speakers: Pastor Ricky Kurth, Pastor Don HosfeldDetails, "But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping" (John 20:11). Does ZnSO4 + H2 at high pressure reverses to Zn + H2SO4? were no longer in operation by the time Paul wrote the pastoral epistles. Did Paul's handkerchief heal sick people (Acts 19:11-12)? The word "send" is pempo. we are all from the same womb, we're family. When we are having an experience that we learn from the Scriptures is not from the Lord, it is time to keep silent, and remember that our spirits are to be under our own controlthe spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.. This is no fleshly or "secular" work in ministering to They had prophesied in Jesus name, they had cast out demons and done miracles in His name. me." And Paul who had miraculously healed so many left Trophimus at Miletus sick (II Timothy 4:20). So, to sum up what we have seen so far, from Acts 9 through Acts 28 we read of the earlier ministry of the Apostle Paul and find that during these years he wrote 6 of his 13 letters. function. When it came, then the gifts which were only in part would cease. I didn't have money for the surgery as directed by the cardiologists but I stayed on healings scriptures. Epaphroditus emptied himself and Paul tells the Philippians to 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. James put He was in the second place the minister to Paul's needs. God does heal but its always according to his will,God may have had other plans.We might never know what was God's purpose in these sicknesses. The gift of tongues and the gift of healing has ceased. We don't In Acts 17, Paul, on his second apostolic journey, came to Thessalonica and preached there. messages, or do what ever Paul needed. The Apostolic Gifts are no longer in operation today: 1) Laying on of hands to heal someone (if this were still the case, then people could walk into nursing homes and hospitals and begin healing people left-and-right, but this doesn't happen. It is impossible to be sure whether the Philippian Christians thought Epaphroditus had purposefully failed in his mission. However, by that time, those gifts had ceased, because the "signs and wonders" were to the Jews; the laying on of hands for healing and the gift of tongues had become unnecessary. The first one suggested is the very familiar one of the great uniting principle which a common faith in Christ brought into action. "But God had mercy on him" -- God spared him from death and any time that God spares a life Some scholars also believe that before news of this illness reached Philippi, the Philippian Christians may have thought that Epaphroditus had proved unreliable because of his delay in returning to Philippi. Therefore, Paul sent Epaphroditus back with his letter to the Philippians so that they could stop worrying and rejoice too (2:25-30). to worry about me. We simply don't know why Epaphroditus was so sick, aside from the statement in v. 30 that "he came close to death for the work of Christ." In all the seven letters written after the close of the Book of Acts, Paul uses this word epignosisthe full knowledge. (Phil. But then He tells them that even while they were doing these things, He had never ever known them. 14:18)! chained to a guard: The Philippians, upon hearing about Paul's needs, took an offering and sent it by the hand of To the Philippian church, Epaphroditus was: "Your messenger" -- This is the Greek word apostolos. 13:8).1. Finally at the end of his life he is again in prison. 1:2) and Titus (Tit. John uses this word also in: This word is used of meeting physical needs. (II Corinthians 12:7-9) Epaphroditus came to Paul at Rome and became gravely ill, but Paul who had miraculously healed so many did not miraculously heal him (Philippians 2:25-30). and they sure wouldn't have sent a lazy man. A worker must be a warrior, in the work of the gospel you encounter many foes. What year did Ezra leave Babylon and arrive in Jerusalem? The news reached Philippi in some round-about way, and, as it appears, the news of his illness only, not of his recovery. Those thoughts would have contributed to his feelings of frustration, mental anguish, distress, or low self-worth. What did the apostle Paul use the gift of tongues for? Shortly after that Paul traveled to Macedonia (see Acts 20:1 and 2 Cor. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. The Lord does not deny that they had done these things. Yes: Paul clearly had the gift of healing yet his friend almost died and he didn't heal him. He wrote to the Corinthian church that they came behind no other church when it came to the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. Thanks. Is there a solutiuon to add special characters from software and how to do it, Minimising the environmental effects of my dyson brain. Bulk update symbol size units from mm to map units in rule-based symbology. Paul teaches that it's the "Word of Faith" which we preach. Not only did He save the former Pharisee, but He also gave Paul extra gifts to help the Apostle bear his sorrows. In his letter thanking the Philippians, Paul makes a point of telling the church that Epaphroditus recovered (Philippians 2:27), and that he would return to them soon. But when Epaphroditus fell sicknear to deathPaul was no longer able to heal him because the gift of healing had ceased to operate. Do you know who my co-laborers are? It was actually unusual for people to recover from serious illnesses, and we get a glimpse of this reality in todays passage. "Almost 1 Corinthians 7:5. send him back? 0 Responses Philippians 2:25-30 Updated American Standard Version (UASV). Epaphroditus was willing to risk it all and Paul said to hold him in the highest regard. Whatever your condition is, it is far better than you deserve. Paul thought that chastity was best, but realized that most people have natural sexual desires. In believing the word of God, you have to. here with us can get a tape and those who were here but slept can go home and listen to the The Name: Epaphroditus was a common name, a shortened form of it is Epaphrus, used in The fact that Paul performed many miracles means that he exercised divine power at the behest of the divine will. on Phil no. That which is perfect was finally revealed in all its fullness to the Apostle Paul and at that moment, those things which were only in part passed away from Gods program. 2 Cor. At all events he gladly undertook even servile work for love of Paul. Epaphroditus loved the Philippians, who he was representing, and Paul, who he was ministering But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow (v. 27). What to do? Epaphroditus had made a 600-mile journey from Philippi to Rome, an 80-day journey on foot round trip, which was fatiguing, to visit the apostle Paul. Therefore, if the Holy Spirit did not want someone healed or raised from the dead, no amount of effort by Paul could do so. At any rate he worked till he made himself ill. Work done for Paul was done for Jesus, and that, not because of any special apostolic closeness of relation of Paul to Jesus, but because, like all other Christians, he was one with his Lord. Here Paul writes of the gift of tongues, the gift of prophecy and the gift of knowledge (see 1 Cor. A: Paul did not have the power to arbitrarily heal: only God has the power to heal. Perhaps Paul said this precisely because the Philippians might be tempted to judge Epaphroditus for being ill, concluding that he was being chastised by God for some secret or even scandalous sin.
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