MIRACLES ARE a MUST! - Andrew Strom - COMMENTS?
Posted by: prophetic <prophetic@...>
by Andrew Strom
In recent years my website and this List have become known
mostly for preaching repentance and opposing deception. In times
like these this is obviously a needful thing. But there are also
negatives to it. I have noticed that when people focus too much
on the dangers of deception, they tend to go right over to the other
extreme. They become quite "gun-shy" of anything miraculous -
overly suspicious of anything 'powerful' that happens. They forget
that God is an extremely "supernatural" God. They forget that the
true gospel is supposed to be accompanied by healings and
miracles - the mighty demonstration of the Spirit's power.
Even if we preach with powerful conviction, the fact is, without
miracles I have to wonder whether we really are representing
true New Testament Christianity. I am totally convinced that we
must have both the 'word' and the visible demonstration of
God's power. Just like they did in the Book of Acts.
In 1947 Smith Wigglesworth gave a prophecy about the "coming
together of those with an emphasis on the word and those with
an emphasis on the Spirit." He said: "When the word and the
Spirit come together, there will be the biggest move of the Holy
Spirit that the nation, and indeed, the world has ever seen. It will
mark the beginning of a revival that will eclipse anything that has
been witnessed within these shores, even the Wesleyan and
Welsh revivals of former years...."
There it is - the WORD and the SPIRIT joined.
Let me ask a simple question: What did people "see" when they
came across Jesus' ministry? They saw a simple, piercing
gospel being preached and also the 'kingdom' being domonstrated
through healings and miracles. That is basically what they saw.
And what did people "see" in the ministry of the apostles and
evangelists of Acts? They saw the same thing. An anointed,
piercing gospel and mighty demonstrations of God's power - both
together. In fact, we really should ask ourselves, 'Is it possible to
preach the gospel (in the full New Testament sense) without
healings and miracles?' If we are being truly scriptural, surely
we would have to answer, "NO, IT IS NOT." They are totally
designed to go together.
Another question- Why is the casting out of demons so important
in demonstrating the 'kingdom'? Well - what it is showing is the
greater AUTHORITY found in the name and the 'king-ship' of
Jesus Christ. Even demons have to obey Him! Suddenly everyone
sees this beyond a doubt when a demon is cast out before their
eyes. I remember the first time I saw this happen as a teenager -
before I was a true Christian. The person screamed and writhed as
the demon was cast out - just like in the Bible. And what was the
result in me? CONVICTION! Suddenly everything was 'REALLY
TRUE'! I felt like running forward and surrendering to God on the spot.
And this is why I have to question the casting out of demons in a
"back room" somewhere. Notice that Jesus never did this. He cast
out demons in PUBLIC - so that the 'kingdom' was demonstrated
and God was glorified. Notice too, that deliverance seemed to be
relatively quick and decisive.
We have got to see the 'Word and the Spirit joined' like this in our
day, my friends. And that is why I am so encouraged by recent
developments - even in my own life. Just a few days ago I prayed
for a lady that had been in hospital for a stomach operation with
all kinds of complications. Very unwell. But she was immediately
healed in the mighty name of JESUS!
I believe we have come into a "new season" where this kind of
thing will become the expected 'norm' every day. That is what I
have seen. And the great thing is that we are finding we can pass
this onto others also. I am convinced this is to be a day of "whole
body" ministry - where every Christian is out healing the sick,
casting out demons and preaching a mighty gospel. The day
of the "one man band" is coming to an end. Glory to Jesus!
PLEASE COMMENT on this topic at the following website-
Special blessings to all,
Andrew Strom.