Is Heavy Metal Evil?

[Chad]

I haven't read the whole thread but I'll say this from personal experience which I'm sure just about everyone can relate to. Music has power, whether good or bad. It affects your thinking and feelings to a certain and many times, obvious extent. I've listened to some of my favorite rock bands and I can say at times, I've gotten riled up or a bit too into the music. Then I realized how it sort of caught me off guard so to speak. I know better, but yet the music in a way carried me away for a moment. Did I do something bad as a result? No, but don't think everyone would behave and realign too, espeically younger people like kids & teens. They're more vulnerable.

As the Scriptures teach us:

1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

The whole perspective some have like "if it doesn't hurt me it's ok" is really deceptive because let's be honest, satan is very crafty and patient to use any medium he can to get us caught up in anything secular and away from GOD.

 

[Vincent]

You ask if I can speak things into existence? Of course! So can you....You lay hands on the person that is sick and command helaing....The Word says "By Jesus stripes we WERE healed" That means its a done deal....So here's the sick guy, is he sick? Yes he is....You lay hands on him and command cancer to leave him....What HAS to happen? Well.....Cancer HAS to leave....You have the authority here, not cancer....Jesus said "Whatsoever YOU delcare legal in the Earth will be declared legal in the heavens....And whatsoever YOU declare illegal in the Earth will be declared illeglal in the heavens. You have the authority to say what is allowed....So you speak health over this sick dude and guess what? His body must line up with that...Cancer must leave.. There is an example...I have seen common ordinary Chrisians (as if there is such a thing as a common ordinary Christian) simply speak to tornadoes and the things dissipate.....I could go on....No Christian has authority that any other Christian does not have. Its not a matter of faith....We have all been given the measure of faith.

So what are the implications if I cannot do these things? Only two options, I am not a Christian or I do not have enough faith.

"He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." (1 Peter 2:22-25 ESV)

This verse in context is talking about sin and righteousness not physical sickness. You have to insert that into the text to get that interpretation. Same as this verse:

But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:5-6 ESV)

Romans 12:3
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Notice? It says THE measure of faith....Only one measure...We've all been given the same amount of faith! Like a seed though you have to plant it...Plant is and it WILL grow!

That is not the entire verse. Here is the entire verse with what you left off;

"For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. (Romans 12:3 ESV)

We do have different measures of faith. This verse also says not to think more highly of ourselves. Thinking that we can cure cancer with our faith (which is not ours at all but gods) is thinking too highly of ourselves in my opinion.

As to doing the things Jesus did and greater....Check another version of our Bible....My favorite for instance..
John 14:11-12 (CJB)
11 Trust me, that I am united with the Father, and the Father united with me. But if you can’t, then trust because of the works themselves. 12 Yes, indeed! I tell you that whoever trusts in me will also do the works I do! Indeed, he will do greater ones, because I am going to the Father.

Yes, the church has done greater things than Jesus because it is the church that Jesus gave the great commission to. He lived 33 years, the church has been preaching the gospel for almost than 2000 years.

Here Jesus is talking about works...not just things. Look! The apostles were no different from you...They put their pants on one leg at a time....just like you.....The only thing that makes them different is that they saw Jesus in the flesh...with their eyes, and you have to wait....Which is a blessing for you too.

The Apostles were different than me. Jesus gave them specific power to cast out demons (MT 10:1), Speak in tongues (Mk 16:17), and heal people (Luke 9:1-2). These were signs that they were true apostles and are not for us today as 1 Cor 12 says:

"I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works." (2 Corinthians 12:11-12 ESV)

So....speak health into existence...Speak deliverance into existence. Speak whatever is needed into existence. and use God's Word to do it....

Yes, but I better not say bad things right or I will speak those into existence as well. This is the implication and it keeps people from really saying out loud their fears, problems, sins etc. that is necessary for real healing.

 

[Bendito]

So what are the implications if I cannot do these things? Only two options, I am not a Christian or I do not have enough faith.

"He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." (1 Peter 2:22-25 ESV)

This verse in context is talking about sin and righteousness not physical sickness. You have to insert that into the text to get that interpretation. Same as this verse:

But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:5-6 ESV)



That is not the entire verse. Here is the entire verse with what you left off;

"For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. (Romans 12:3 ESV)

We do have different measures of faith. This verse also says not to think more highly of ourselves. Thinking that we can cure cancer with our faith (which is not ours at all but gods) is thinking too highly of ourselves in my opinion.



Yes, the church has done greater things than Jesus because it is the church that Jesus gave the great commission to. He lived 33 years, the church has been preaching the gospel for almost than 2000 years.



The Apostles were different than me. Jesus gave them specific power to cast out demons (MT 10:1), Speak in tongues (Mk 16:17), and heal people (Luke 9:1-2). These were signs that they were true apostles and are not for us today as 1 Cor 12 says:

"I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works." (2 Corinthians 12:11-12 ESV)



Yes, but I better not say bad things right or I will speak those into existence as well. This is the implication and it keeps people from really saying out loud their fears, problems, sins etc. that is necessary for real healing.

Oops! You're using a translation that dumps many verses into the trash...The ESV bible has omitted many important verses....That means, my friend, as long as you use this ESV bible we have no basis for discussion....I strongly suggest the KJV Its still, I think, the best one out there...For me the CJB is right there with it.

 

[Vincent]

Oops! You're using a translation that dumps many verses into the trash...The ESV bible has omitted many important verses....That means, my friend, as long as you use this ESV bible we have no basis for discussion....I strongly suggest the KJV Its still, I think, the best one out there...For me the CJB is right there with it.

The ESV does not delete verses. It is a translation of older documents that were not known when the KJV was translated. These "missing" verses were not there in these older documents. The ESV does include these verses in the footnotes so they are not deleted. The translators of the KJV and ESV were faithful people doing their best. The ESV translators had a dilemma with these verses so they decided to not put them in the text but include them in the footnotes. Also, any doctrine in those verses that are in question is found in other texts of the ESV. With that said I will repost my last post using the KJV translation. It does not affect my points in any way.

You ask if I can speak things into existence? Of course! So can you....You lay hands on the person that is sick and command helaing....The Word says "By Jesus stripes we WERE healed" That means its a done deal....So here's the sick guy, is he sick? Yes he is....You lay hands on him and command cancer to leave him....What HAS to happen? Well.....Cancer HAS to leave....You have the authority here, not cancer....Jesus said "Whatsoever YOU delcare legal in the Earth will be declared legal in the heavens....And whatsoever YOU declare illegal in the Earth will be declared illeglal in the heavens. You have the authority to say what is allowed....So you speak health over this sick dude and guess what? His body must line up with that...Cancer must leave.. There is an example...I have seen common ordinary Chrisians (as if there is such a thing as a common ordinary Christian) simply speak to tornadoes and the things dissipate.....I could go on....No Christian has authority that any other Christian does not have. Its not a matter of faith....We have all been given the measure of faith.

So what are the implications if I cannot do these things? Only two options, I am not a Christian or I do not have enough faith.

"Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." (1 Peter 2:22-25 KJV)

This verse in context is talking about sin and righteousness not physical sickness. You have to insert that into the text to get that interpretation. Same as this verse:

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:5-6 KJV)

Romans 12:3
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Notice? It says THE measure of faith....Only one measure...We've all been given the same amount of faith! Like a seed though you have to plant it...Plant is and it WILL grow!

Most (all but KJV & CJB that I found) translations say "a" measure of faith or "the measure of faith God as assigned to each" or similar. The KJV translates it a little different that is ambiguous so if you won't talk to other Christians about other translation then it is a moot point. But my other point does apply about this verse.

This verse also says not to think more highly of ourselves. Thinking that we can cure cancer with our faith (which is not ours at all but gods) is thinking too highly of ourselves in my opinion.

As to doing the things Jesus did and greater....Check another version of our Bible....My favorite for instance..
John 14:11-12 (CJB)
11 Trust me, that I am united with the Father, and the Father united with me. But if you can’t, then trust because of the works themselves. 12 Yes, indeed! I tell you that whoever trusts in me will also do the works I do! Indeed, he will do greater ones, because I am going to the Father.

Yes, the church has done greater things than Jesus because it is the church that Jesus gave the great commission to. He lives 33 years, the church has been preaching the gospel for almost 2000 years.

Here Jesus is talking about works...not just things. Look! The apostles were no different from you...They put their pants on one leg at a time....just like you.....The only thing that makes them different is that they saw Jesus in the flesh...with their eyes, and you have to wait....Which is a blessing for you too.

The Apostles were different than me. Jesus gave them specific power to cast out demons (Mt 10:1, Speak in tongues (Mk 16:17), and heal people (Luke 9:1-2). These were signs that they were true apostles and not for us today as 1 Cor 12 says:

I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.(2 Cor 12:11-12 KJV)

So....speak health into existence...Speak deliverance into existence. Speak whatever is needed into existence. and use God's Word to do it....

Yes, but I better not say bad things right or I will speak these into existence as well. This is the implication and it keeps people from really saying out loud their fears, problems, sins etc. that is necessary for real healing.

 

[Bendito]

The ESV does not delete verses. It is a translation of older documents that were not known when the KJV was translated. These "missing" verses were not there in these older documents. The ESV does include these verses in the footnotes so they are not deleted. The translators of the KJV and ESV were faithful people doing their best. The ESV translators had a dilemma with these verses so they decided to not put them in the text but include them in the footnotes. Also, any doctrine in those verses that are in question is found in other texts of the ESV. With that said I will repost my last post using the KJV translation. It does not affect my points in any way.



So what are the implications if I cannot do these things? Only two options, I am not a Christian or I do not have enough faith.

"Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." (1 Peter 2:22-25 KJV)

This verse in context is talking about sin and righteousness not physical sickness. You have to insert that into the text to get that interpretation. Same as this verse:

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:5-6 KJV)




Most (all but KJV & CJB that I found) translations say "a" measure of faith or "the measure of faith God as assigned to each" or similar. The KJV translates it a little different that is ambiguous so if you won't talk to other Christians about other translation then it is a moot point. But my other point does apply about this verse.

This verse also says not to think more highly of ourselves. Thinking that we can cure cancer with our faith (which is not ours at all but gods) is thinking too highly of ourselves in my opinion.



Yes, the church has done greater things than Jesus because it is the church that Jesus gave the great commission to. He lives 33 years, the church has been preaching the gospel for almost 2000 years.



The Apostles were different than me. Jesus gave them specific power to cast out demons (Mt 10:1, Speak in tongues (Mk 16:17), and heal people (Luke 9:1-2). These were signs that they were true apostles and not for us today as 1 Cor 12 says:

I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.(2 Cor 12:11-12 KJV)



Yes, but I better not say bad things right or I will speak these into existence as well. This is the implication and it keeps people from really saying out loud their fears, problems, sins etc. that is necessary for real healing.

Vincent...Maybe you can find these verses in your ESV and tell me what they say?
Matthew 17:21, 18:11, 23:14; Mark 7:16, 9:44, 9:46; Luke 17:36, 23:17; John 5:4; Acts 8:37

 

[Vincent]

Vincent...Maybe you can find these verses in your ESV and tell me what they say?
Matthew 17:21, 18:11, 23:14; Mark 7:16, 9:44, 9:46; Luke 17:36, 23:17; John 5:4; Acts 8:37

Sure

Mt 17:21 - [5] 17:20 Some manuscripts insert verse 21: But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting
Mt 18:11 - [4] 18:10 Some manuscripts add verse 11: For the Son of Man came to save the lost
Mt 23:14 - [4] 23:13 Some manuscripts add here (or after verse 12) verse 14: Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive the greater condemnation
Mk 7:16 - [5] 7:15 Some manuscripts add verse 16: If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear
Mk 9:44 - [9] 9:43 Some manuscripts add verses 44 and 46 (which are identical with verse 48) ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’
Mk 9:46 - [9] 9:43 Some manuscripts add verses 44 and 46 (which are identical with verse 48) ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’
Lk 17:36 - [10] 17:35 Some manuscripts add verse 36: Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left
Lk 23:17 - [1] 23:16 Here, or after verse 19, some manuscripts add verse 17: Now he was obliged to release one man to them at the festival
Jn 5:4 - [3] 5:3 Some manuscripts insert, wholly or in part, waiting for the moving of the water; 4for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and stirred the water: whoever stepped in first after the stirring of the water was healed of whatever disease he had
Acts 8:37 - [5] 8:36 Some manuscripts add all or most of verse 37: And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

Like I said in my previous post, the ESV translators put these in the footnotes because they are not in the earliest texts we have. They are not missing, they were never there in the first place. Any printing of an ESV has to have all the footnotes included.

 

[Bendito]

Sure

Mt 17:21 - [5] 17:20 Some manuscripts insert verse 21: But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting
Mt 18:11 - [4] 18:10 Some manuscripts add verse 11: For the Son of Man came to save the lost
Mt 23:14 - [4] 23:13 Some manuscripts add here (or after verse 12) verse 14: Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive the greater condemnation
Mk 7:16 - [5] 7:15 Some manuscripts add verse 16: If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear
Mk 9:44 - [9] 9:43 Some manuscripts add verses 44 and 46 (which are identical with verse 48) ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’
Mk 9:46 - [9] 9:43 Some manuscripts add verses 44 and 46 (which are identical with verse 48) ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’
Lk 17:36 - [10] 17:35 Some manuscripts add verse 36: Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left
Lk 23:17 - [1] 23:16 Here, or after verse 19, some manuscripts add verse 17: Now he was obliged to release one man to them at the festival
Jn 5:4 - [3] 5:3 Some manuscripts insert, wholly or in part, waiting for the moving of the water; 4for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and stirred the water: whoever stepped in first after the stirring of the water was healed of whatever disease he had
Acts 8:37 - [5] 8:36 Some manuscripts add all or most of verse 37: And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

Like I said in my previous post, the ESV translators put these in the footnotes because they are not in the earliest texts we have. They are not missing, they were never there in the first place. Any printing of an ESV has to have all the footnotes included.

If you say so

 

[Vincent]

If you say so

I don't say so. Open any ESV and you will find them there.

 

[Curtis]

This verse in context is talking about sin and righteousness not physical sickness.

Mat 8:16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:
Mat 8:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

 

[Curtis]

So what are the implications if I cannot do these things? Only two options, I am not a Christian or I do not have enough faith.

You are not suppose to do these things, that is where the problem is. As it is written......

Mar 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

This scriptures does NOT say these signs shall follow them that do these things, it says these signs shall follow them that "believe"
God himself works through his Church just exactly how God the Father worked through his Son. Jesus said, "I can of my own self do nothing" If Jesus could not do anything on his own, what makes us think we can?

 

[Curtis]

The Apostles were different than me. Jesus gave them specific power to cast out demons

Have you ever heard of the "Apostle Philip", or the "Apostle Stephen?" There was none!!

Act 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

Act 8:6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

This "Philip" was NOT an Apostle, he was an "Evangelist" (Acts 21:8) (Acts 6:5) (John 1 :43-44)

 

[Vincent]

Mat 8:16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:
Mat 8:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

This passage is a fulfillment of prophesy to point to Jesus as the messiah. If it were true that Jesus died for our sins and sicknesses then no Christian should ever get sick or else Jesus did a crummy job of healing our sicknesses on the cross. We all know that all Christians get sick.

I am not disagreeing that Jesus healed people or that he cannot heal people today. My argument is that we are not guaranteed to not get sick and we cannot heal others if we are believers today.

 

[Curtis]

This passage is a fulfillment of prophesy to point to Jesus as the messiah. If it were true that Jesus died for our sins and sicknesses then no Christian should ever get sick or else Jesus did a crummy job of healing our sicknesses on the cross. We all know that all Christians get sick.

When a person is born again, and all their sins are all washed away, does that mean we never sin any more? Can a Christian ever get sick? If the Bible says we were saved before the world began, then why is not every one saved? Man does have a part to play in confessing his sins when he knowingly sins.The same with "sickness". You stay sick if you don't come against the devil and resist him after all, all sickness is oppression of the Devil.

Act 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

 

[Vincent]

Have you ever heard of the "Apostle Philip", or the "Apostle Stephen?" There was none!!

Act 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

Act 8:6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

This "Philip" was NOT an Apostle, he was an "Evangelist" (Acts 21:8) (Acts 6:5) (John 1 :43-44)

Philip the evangelist and Stephen were chosen by the apostles to be workers in the church. No other people that were not Apostles or chosen by them are recorded doing miracles. So can we do miracles today as believers? Can you?

"Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them." (Acts 6:1-6 ESV)

 

[Vincent]

When a person is born again, and all their sins are all washed away, does that mean we never sin any more? Can a Christian ever get sick? If the Bible says we were saved before the world began, then why is not every one saved? Man does have a part to play in confessing his sins when he knowingly sins.The same with "sickness". You stay sick if you don't come against the devil and resist him after all, all sickness is oppression of the Devil.

Act 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

That passage does not say that all sickness is oppression of the devil. It says the type of healing Jesus did hear whether physical or spiritual was an oppression by the devil.

 

[Vincent]

You are not suppose to do these things, that is where the problem is. As it is written......

Mar 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

This scriptures does NOT say these signs shall follow them that do these things, it says these signs shall follow them that "believe"
God himself works through his Church just exactly how God the Father worked through his Son. Jesus said, "I can of my own self do nothing" If Jesus could not do anything on his own, what makes us think we can?

I am not sure what you are saying. Are you saying I cannot do these things because I don't believe I can or that I am not a Christian?

 

[Curtis]

I am not sure what you are saying. Are you saying I cannot do these things because I don't believe I can or that I am not a Christian?

Lets just say these signs only follow those who "believe". If you do not believe that God can, and will heal others through a person who is a "believer", then it will never happen. We are co workers together with God in his work on this earth. We have faith, and believe, and God performs what we are believing in him to do. This is how it works. If there is no faith on our part then God will not do his part.

 

[Curtis]

That passage does not say that all sickness is oppression of the devil. It says the type of healing Jesus did hear whether physical or spiritual was an oppression by the devil.

All sickness is the results of sin. If there was no sin in this world there would be no sickness!! Where did sin come from? Who was the first person to sin? It was not Adam, it was "Lucifer", and through his actions Adam allowed sin to come into this world. This is why Jesus called the religious leaders of his day, "you are of your father the Devil, and the lusts of your father you will do". Jesus did NOT say you are of your father Adam!!!

 

[Curtis]

Philip the evangelist and Stephen were chosen by the apostles to be workers in the church. No other people that were not Apostles or chosen by them are recorded doing miracles. So can we do miracles today as believers? Can you?

"Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them." (Acts 6:1-6 ESV)

We can NOT do anything. This is what you are not getting. God is the only one who can heal anyone, and he (God) works through his body which is the Church. What moves God? Faith is what moves God not our wishful thinking or unbelief.

 

[Vincent]

Lets just say these signs only follow those who "believe". If you do not believe that God can, and will heal others through a person who is a "believer", then it will never happen. We are co workers together with God in his work on this earth. We have faith, and believe, and God performs what we are believing in him to do. This is how it works. If there is no faith on our part then God will not do his part.

Who gives us our faith? Is it something we conjure up or is it something God gives us.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV)

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV)