Elisha's Bones
 

"And as a man was being buried, behold, a marauding band was seen and the man was thrown into the grave of Elisha, and as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet." - 2 Kings 13:21 (ESV)

How relevant are Elisha's bones to this story? Would the man had come back to life anyway regardless of touching Elisha's bones? Is the fact that Elisha's bones were there irrelevant, and God's power is what we should really focus on? What is the principle in this verse?

If Elisha's bones are significant, do the remains of holy men of God retain some sort of essence of the Holy Spirit after death?

Re: Elisha's Bones
 

The relevancy is how PROFOUNDLY Elisha believed and held God's Spirit.

Re: Elisha's Bones
 

How does one "hold" God's Spirit?

Re: Elisha's Bones
 

Beloved, I am going to assume that you are either serious, or a novice.

So I am going to apologize for being flippant in my answer. I meant to say, embrace God's
doctrines given by the Holy Spirit. In Elijah's testimony, it can be said that the Word
permeated even the marrow of his bones. That is where the blood in man is made/created,
for "...the life of the flesh is in the blood."

Re: Elisha's Bones
 

Elijah had such an anointing on him that this was a rare case, in contrast to others used of God, of his very bones affecting the dead body that touched them to raise them up. Much like Peter's shadow healed people. It's not true for every believer. It depends upon how much a person lets God use them.

Re: Elisha's Bones
 

I do believe in what some call "residual anointing". There are examples in the Scriptures. Here are three examples:

We see it in the OT when the dead man was cast onto Elisha's bones, the power of the very Spirit of God still resided within those bones.

The second example comes from the life of Jesus. When the crowd was thronging Him a woman with an issue of blood reached out and touched His garment. And he felt "virtue" (Grk. "power") flow out of Himself into her, and she was healed.

The third example is when handkerchiefs worn by Paul during his work were brought to the sick and demon possessed and by merely touching them, the people were delivered.

Throughout ancient church history various objects owned or worn by various "holy" men and women are reported to have brought notable miraculous visions, deliverances, and healings. These have gone down into history as "relics". Most old dusty relics don't appear to have the power today that they once had. That is because this power dissipates over time.

A man who is given to prayer and fasting is engaging in what is often called "soaking prayer" or "permeating prayer". The emptying of self interest, subjugation of ego and self will, and the devotion of prayer in the Holy Spirit allows the one engaging in "soaking prayer" to essentially be "filled" or "soaked" with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. This is why when evil spirits do not listen to the authority of the name... the power of prayer and fasting can set them to flight.

When one is "soaking" in the presence and power of God they become holy and "anointed". The power and authority of Christ Himself upon them and in them. Any clothing worn or item held may also become infused with this power.

There are many many testimonies of residial power. Many report that after praying over "prayer cloths", furnature, personal items, clothing, vehicles, etc. the one being prayed for began showing signs of being influenced by God's power be it the need of healing, deliverance from demons, deliverance from strongholds, deliverance from addictions, etc. These items are mere "elements" or "tools" (if you will). They are not the God who empowers them. So these items are not worthy of veneration or worship.

Re: Elisha's Bones
 

It's like prayer cloths. I believe that the Scriptures clearly imply a transfer of power or anointing on the cloth. Let's read the text together...

Acts 19:11-12 (ESV)
11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.

Notice the emphasis of having touched Paul's skin. Also note the explanation of "extraordinary miracles". That word, "extra-ordinary", meaning, "beyond the ordinary". These were beyond the ordinary miracles that had been recorded or seen. After having touched Paul's skin, these handkerchiefs were embued with the very power of God. I do not doubt that a seeker could have placed one of these cloths on a comatose man and the man be healed. It had to do with the fact that it had touched Paul's skin, it wasn't predicated on any prayer or faith on behalf of the receivers. It was a demonstration of power, not necessarily faith or agreement.

It's like Elisha's bones. Let's read that text also...

2 Kings 13:20-21 (ESV)
20 So Elisha died, and they buried him. Now bands of Moabites used to invade the land in the spring of the year. 21 And as a man was being buried, behold, a marauding band was seen and the man was thrown into the grave of Elisha, and as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.

Please note, nobody was praying or standing in agreement for this man to be raised from the dead. In fact, the man was hurriedly thrown into the grave of Elisha so that those burying him could flee. Upon merely "touching" (remember the emphasis on the prayer cloths discussed about having touched Paul's skin)... upon merely "touching" the bones of Elisha. Please note, Elisha had been dead roughly a year. There was clearly a transference of healing power that moved on account of physical contact. No prayer or agreement necessary.

The very same principle at work in the residual power within Elisha's bones is the very same principle at work in the residual power found in prayer cloths, anointed oil, and blessed elements or items.

Re: Elisha's Bones
 

Well, cool! Anybody else find it strange that either these men exposed Elijah's bones, or they were open to the elements? Or do you think we are to assume that they rolled away the gravestone and it just wasn't recorded? It's written funny. In every version, it seems.

Re: Elisha's Bones
 

This is another example of the anointing that was upon Elisha. He was holding onto Gods spirit so passionately that it penetrated deep into his bones. How awesome is that, to be totally consumed with the spirit of God that it totally covers every part of our body, spiritually and physically.

Re: Elisha's Bones
 

:thumbsup

Soaking prayer.