I'm hoping this thread will really take off because I do have some questions about this. I think that we, as apostolics, are obviously very "sign, wonder, and miracles" oriented. While that's not bad, I also think there is a grave danger in following "signs". Even false prophets in the O.T. performed signs. Pharoah's magicians performed signs. The false prophet of Revelation will perform signs. Etc. But it is true that "signs follow us" and usually validate the preaching of the gospel.
Hebrews 2:3-4 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
Does God sometimes consider speaking directly to indivuals as a "sign"? For example, if you placed a fleece before the Lord and God answered you saying something like "I've already spoken to you and that is my sign". I know it's a different type of question but I do have a reason for asking.
God is Holy and soverign and He will speak anyway He wants. The burning bush was burning without burning up because he was the fire and spoke telling what should be done. God is constantly speaking, I believe, and we will hear Him when we get to the place where we tune out all the other sounds of life and listen.
We had a minister at our church this past Sunday and he was talking about how God had confirmed things in his life. He told about how a man he met in the bathroom at McDonalds asked if he had been baptized in Jesus name, the man that was telling the story was still a baptist at the time. He said no he hadn't been and proceeded on. Later that week he was in TX with a friend and the friend talked to him about Jesus name baptism and the man remembered back the day or so before and God had confirmed in his life that he needed to be baptized in Jesus name. He was and is a fine minister now. Point is that God speaks in way that one ought to hear but may not be listening attentively enough. Signs, wonders and miracles happen is the dame fashion I believe. God is constantly showing signs, wonders, and miracles to all of us. God showing these things should not always be confused with God's approval of something or someone. I believe someone can prophecy by the gift from God, but yet not be in right standing with Him.
Hope this helps
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"If we don't learn to live together we're gonna die alone"
Jack Shephard.
Although Satan has been counterfeiting the power of God from the beginning, God's desire is for us to perform his word! "And ye shall receive power after the Holy Ghost has come upon you!" "Power over all the enemy!" We in the Apostolic Church have fallen prey to exactly what the enemy has been trying to achieve, confusion, and mistrust of the gifts of the Spirit because we don't want to be identified with the "latter splatter" mess and phony charismatic 3 ring circuses on tour in these end times. Satan top priority as it was in the garden is to steal our authority and power!
Jesus is not coming back for a powerless fearful bride! I have had a powerful experience thru God using me in the gifts in my years in ministry. Unfortunately many do not receive this type of ministry because the accuser of the brethren uses fearful believers to liken the false to these ministries. Many well known men of God have been hurt and wounded by being labeled such. Before Pentecost I had never seen or heard how the imitators operated. As God began to use me in the gifts and some began to label me "charismatic", God spoke to me when I was dealing with a counterfeit bill. It was almost perfect! Only the paper was wrong! But it 'looked just like the real thing and so it should. So I began to go see these imitators in their side shows and lo and behold they did imitate the way God used me and other men I know are the genuine article! Satan will make it as close to the real as he can.
The gifts of the Spirit are our wedding Gifts! When he returns he must recognize us as the one he died for! The Gifts are part of our adornment! He is not coming back for a 'Leah" or a Haggar', he is not coming for the counterfeit. The one he is coming for will be doing what she was doing from the beginning....casting out devils...speaking in new tongues...taking up serpents....raising the dead...We shy from sounding like we are"name it and claim it's, but we should be! Just because some do it for wealth and riches we give up our birthrights much to easy! We don't want to look like JW's or Mormans so we gave up door knocking and street ministry! Yes and heaven forbid we better not look like televangelists! Those poor souls watching t.v. better just find our four walls! Every saint of God can manifest Gods promised power if they wll 1. Believe 2.pray and fast 3.go! find the need and die to self pride you might look foolish if God does nothing. 4.do it in the spirit of love.
Does God sometimes consider speaking directly to indivuals as a "sign"? For example, if you placed a fleece before the Lord and God answered you saying something like "I've already spoken to you and that is my sign". I know it's a different type of question but I do have a reason for asking.
Blessings to all
Certainly! Who is to say what God cannot do? I'd say He can do more than we think.
__________________ ...MY THOUGHTS, ANYWAY.
"Many Christians do not try to understand what was written in a verse in the Bible. Instead they approach the passage to prove what they already believe."
Certainly! Who is to say what God cannot do? I'd say He can do more than we think.
yipper,exceeding abundantly more!
__________________ As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.- Gal. 6:14
I've always wondered, if the devil has fake signs, what's the point of the "real" signs? How can we tell if they're from God or not? Essentially the same question I posed in the thread "When God Speaks".
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
I've always wondered, if the devil has fake signs, what's the point of the "real" signs? How can we tell if they're from God or not? Essentially the same question I posed in the thread "When God Speaks".
Deuteronomy 13:1-3 KJV If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, (2) And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; (3) Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
The lesson is that if the one performing the sign draws you closer to God, he is true. If not, he is false.
__________________ ...MY THOUGHTS, ANYWAY.
"Many Christians do not try to understand what was written in a verse in the Bible. Instead they approach the passage to prove what they already believe."
Deuteronomy 13:1-3 KJV If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, (2) And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; (3) Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
The lesson is that if the one performing the sign draws you closer to God, he is true. If not, he is false.
"Closer to God" by whose determination? I think everyone who follows the signs and wonders of the famous revivalists and TV evangelists and Floridian (e.g.) miracle workers think they're getting closer to God. Are they?
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
"Closer to God" by whose determination? I think everyone who follows the signs and wonders of the famous revivalists and TV evangelists and Floridian (e.g.) miracle workers think they're getting closer to God. Are they?
That is for the person following to determine for themselves. We cannot compare ourselves with ourselves in this sort of issue. We will stand before God for ourselves, and therefore we must ensure for ourselves -- in as much honesty as we can muster, and in asking God to correct us if required -- that we are being drawn closer to God.
God simply stated this as the litmus test. Therefore, it is the true test.
__________________ ...MY THOUGHTS, ANYWAY.
"Many Christians do not try to understand what was written in a verse in the Bible. Instead they approach the passage to prove what they already believe."
That is for the person following to determine for themselves. We cannot compare ourselves with ourselves in this sort of issue. We will stand before God for ourselves, and therefore we must ensure for ourselves -- in as much honesty as we can muster, and in asking God to correct us if required -- that we are being drawn closer to God.
God simply stated this as the litmus test. Therefore, it is the true test.
So, if you think it's the real thing, and you think you're getting closer to God, it is and you are? Then are they actually any false signs?
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Hybrid Mode
