Know Your Bible

VOL. 12 June 30, 2013 NO. 21

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FACTS ABOUT FAITH HEALING

Members of the Faith Assembly, an Indiana-based religious sect, have lost as many as eighty-eight members to treatable illnesses or injuries because they believe that going to a doctor is wrong. A federal and state study concluded that the morality rate for their newborns is three times higher than the statewide rate, and the rate of maternal deaths is one hundred times higher. A Mr. Freeman who started this sect claimed that he would never die, that he would live till the Second Coming. He was buried in December 1984, and yet the sect continues to exist.

No Bible believer will deny that healing is divine or that we should pray for the sick. The question is: Does God heal miraculously today? A miracle is an act above the laws of nature; something which nature could not do in its ordinary course of operation. Our society has so perverted this word that anything from a narrow escape to a successful telethon is called a miracle.

Even in the first century, the gift of healing was never used merely as an end in itself. In fact, not all the sick were healed (see Philippians 2:25-30; 1 Timothy 5:23; 2 Timothy 4:20). The ultimate purpose of such gifts was to produce faith. "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through his name" (John 20:30,31).

Why do we flatly deny the existence of miraculous gifts today?

(1) Miraculous power was given through Holy Spirit baptism and by the apostles laying their hands on certain ones (Acts 2:1-4; 8:14-18). But there is now only one baptism (Ephesians 4:5), which men can perform (Matthew 28:19). And there are no apostles alive today, thus no means of receiving spiritual gifts.

(2) Those who claim to have miraculous gifts do not claim all of them. 1 Corinthians 12:1-10 lists nine spiritual gifts. If one gift still exists, all do. If God's inspired prophets are still on earth, we should be adding their words to the New Testament. But this is contrary to those scriptures which affirm that revelation is complete (2 Timothy 3:16,17; Jude 3). In addition, modern "prophets" contradict the revelation which God has already given! (Galatians 1:6-9)

(3) The purposes of miraculous gifts have been fulfilled. God's messengers once used miracles to prove their message came from Heaven, "Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds" (2 Corinthians 12:12). But God's word is now confirmed (Hebrews 2:3,4), and we can know what to believe by reading God's revelation (Ephesians 3:4).

(4) The New Testament itself says that miracles would cease when "that which is perfect" would come (1 Corinthians 13:10). We now have God's "perfect" revelation (James 1: 25), thus miraculous gifts have ceased. (Note: The effort to make "that which is perfect" refer to Christ is not only out of context for 1 Corinthians 13, it is actually contrary to the context. The perfect must be of the same nature as the "in part" referred to in verses 9, 10. Paul did not have "Christ" or "His coming" in part. He "knew" in part. This knowledge would be made perfect when the revelation of God was made complete.)

(5) The miracles of the New Testament were performed by godly men who never begged for so much as a dime for any miracle. What a contrast to the fake healers of our day. Further, the apostles did not have to debate with anyone over their ability to work miracles, for even their enemies could not deny the facts (Acts 4:16). They were willing to be put to the test. Jesus commended the church at Ephesus for testing those who claimed to be apostles (Revelation 2:2). Is this true today? "Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain" (Proverbs 25:14). Don't let boastful deceivers lead you astray.

---Rick Duggin

Page 1

"I DON'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT!"

How many times have we heard this reply when we question some belief or practice which may be without Bible authority? The saddest thing about the statement is that many times it is really true. So many individuals have so little knowledge and understanding of the Bible when they are confronted with some false teaching or practice they really do not have the ability to see anything wrong with the sinful doctrine or practice. We all need our “senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). The only way we can have this ability is to put forth the necessary effort to learn and understand the truth. If we know what is right we will be able to recognize that which is contrary to it as being wrong and sinful.

---James Hahn

Page 2

TRYING TO "HAVE THE CAKE AND EAT IT, TOO"

"You can't have your cake and eat it, too." We understand this common expression to mean that we must make choices. If we are going to use a thing one way, we likely will not be able to use it again in a different way. It's a lesson we have to learn early in life.

In studying the Bible, this "you can't have your cake and eat it, too" rule also applies. Often times we will interpret a passage in a certain way, and (if our understanding is correct) we are logically prohibited from using the same passage in a different way.

This came to mind when we read a letter from a Baptist minister. He was urging his supporters to contribute financially to his "ministry". Special notice was given concerning an upcoming local crusade and this appeal was included: "Since faith without works is dead, it would be a tremendous help if you could instruct the people to come prepared to give in the offering."

What we have here is a classic example of wanting to "have the cake, and eat it, too". Baptists are well known for their popular "saved by faith only" doctrine. But when it comes to raising money, they turn to James 2:26 - "faith without works is dead". This is most interesting, because the same text, in verse 24, says "ye see then how that by works (of obedience - gg) a man is justified, and not by faith only". So, the Baptists do know that James chapter 2 is in the Bible. In fact, they like to use it when it fits their purposes. Now all we all we have to do is get them to use it consistently!

---Greg Gwin

Page 3

Know Your Bible" is e-mailed weekly by the church of Christ which meets at 112 Roberts Avenue in Wise, Virginia. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in next week's mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and we will remove your address promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page and further instructions will be given as to how you may contact us.

--- E.R. Hall, Jr.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

Sunday

Bible Classes ……….....….…............ 10:00 AM

Morning Worship ……..…….….…...... 11:00 AM

Evening Worship …………...……........ 6:00 PM

Wednesday

Bible Classes …………..………........... 7:30 PM

"THOUGHT FOR THE DAY"

Radio Program

Monday - Friday

WDXC 102.3 FM .....................…........ 10:20 AM

"WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS..."

Television Program

Sunday

Comcast Cable - Heritage TV - Digital Channel 266 ............ 6:00 AM & 2:00 PM

Wednesday

Comcast Cable - Heritage TV - Digital Channel 266 ............ 2:00 PM

World Wide Web: www.wisechurch.com

INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING THIS E-MAIL BULLETIN:

UNSUBSCRIBE: Reply to wisechurch@comcast.net and put UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

SUBSCRIBE FRIENDS: Reply to wisechurch@comcast.net and put SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.