Article July 25, 1908 Issue

In every step Christ Jesus took he counseled with the...

Rev. H. G. Greensmith

Brooklyn Eagle

In every step Christ Jesus took he counseled with the Father before taking it. It is written that he "continued all night in prayer to God," and when it was day he "ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils." And as he came down from the mount a great number of people from all sections "came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;... And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all." Now, this power of healing was given to these new "Christs," or "Christians," as they were afterwards called, at Antioch. These men received their new power and went out under orders. How well they obeyed is recorded. They were to be the voices of God. "For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you." "I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist." And they went—preached, cast out devils, anointed with oil those that were sick, healed them all.

All power was given to them which Christ had. "I have given you authority," he said to the seventy. Peter was rebuked for not using authority over the waves upon which he attempted to walk. "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" The disciples were also rebuked because their "little faith" prevented their healing the demoniac boy. Power had been given them, and they were rebuked for their failure to use it, just as much as the one-talent man was rebuked for not using his talent.

These brief suggestions lead to the question: When did the authority given to the disciples end? Why should there not be direct manifestations of the miraculous saving power over diseases to-day among the disciples of Christ as in the apostolic days? The close of the canon certainly did not close the door of healing. Another question arises: Why should we limit the power of the Spirit?

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In every step Christ Jesus took he counseled with the...

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