Jesus never excluded ministering healing from proclaiming the good news of the kingdom as almost all preachers do today.  Modern day preachers do the exact opposite.  They preach in word only and carefully and purposely avoid at all cost to minister healing for fear of nonperformance and thus they be exposed as spiritually devoid of power and risk losing their following.  

Paul told us that there were some in Corinthia that were such that were puffed up with speech but had no power.  He specifically stated that the kingdom of God was not in speech but in power, being able to confirm the word that was preached.

Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.  1 Corinthians 4:18-20

This was the measuring stick then and is still the standard for today.  By their fruits you shall know them.  Even Stephan who was a simple waiter serving tables in the church at Jerusalem and who was put in charge of overseeing the feeding of the widows, was mighty in power to perform miracles.

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

Stephan as an overseer of the feeding ministry had more power in his little pinkie than most preachers have in their whole body today, so to speak.  Even many well known and well respected preachers throughout the world today cannot measure up to even a portion of the power of this servant waiter who was full of the Holy Ghost.

Yet are these not Jesus literal instructions to those that claim to believe on Him?  To do the works that He did?  And even greater works than Jesus did because He went to the Father?

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.  John 14:12

Jesus addressed this to anyone that believes on Him.  Therefor any true believer in Jesus Christ not only can, but is expected to perform the same works that Jesus did.  And even greater works than Jesus did since He went to the Father!

Jesus confirmed this at the end of the gospel of Matthew when he instructed the disciples to teach all believers to observe all things whatsoever He had commanded them.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.  Matthew 28:19-20

This literally means that whatever Jesus commanded the apostles and early disciples to do, they were to teach us as believers to observe and to perform just as they were commanded to perform.  And nothing less!

I have heard people proclaim that “Healing died with the apostles.” And “Miracles ceased when the apostles died.” Or “Signs and wonders were no longer necessary once we had the complete word of God (the Bible).”  Utter nonsense!  Jesus made His position very clear and has not changed His doctrine nor His commandment one iota.  What Jesus said yesterday still applies today and will apply forever no matter what any man may say.

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.  Hebrews 13:8-9A

What is being taught today are doctrines of men and not of God.  These are the new traditions that have been established in the church and are being held on to for mere survival and not for the advancement of the kingdom.  They willingly ignore and reject the commandments of God so that they may hold on to their own manmade traditions as doctrines .  As such they honor God with their lips but their hearts are far from Him not willing to subject themselves to God’s commandments.  Jesus calls their worship “in vain.”

Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.  Matthew 15:7-9

He answered and said unto them, — Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.  Mark 7:6-9

In Matthew 16:15, Jesus commanded the disciples to go into all nations and preach the gospel to every creature or literally, all creation.  This means His gospel and not today’s watered down, manmade modern version of a gospel that is completely devoid of believers having miraculous power to heal the sick, raise the dead and to cast out demons.

In Mark 16:15-18, Jesus indicates the signs that shall follow the believers which are very specific.  They include casting out demons, speaking in tongues and healing the sick.

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 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.  Mark 16:15-18

These were not mere suggestions just as the Ten Commandments were not the Ten Suggestions.  God the Father sent Jesus to do these works which He had seen the Father do.  In the same manner Jesus sends us to do the same works.

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.  John 20:21

Therefore we have an unction from the Holy One, or a commission if you will, or even a mandate, since we know all things and have been commanded to perform all things that Jesus commanded His disciples.

But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.  1 John 2:20

It is high time to put our hand to the plough and start proclaiming the kingdom of God not in word but in power.

Franciscus M. Dartee

Grow in Faith | Walk in Power

 

 All rights reserved.  ©  2016

» If you enjoyed this, don’t forget to like, comment and share!  If this post has ministered to you and you would like to receive regular updates, please be sure to click on the follow button at the bottom of this page.