Quote:
Originally Posted by Pressing-On
I would prefer to speak the word of faith - forget the cloths. The ushering in of the NT church by Jesus Christ and Paul was a phenomenal event. Although, I was in a service where an evangelist walked by as he was preaching, and I felt the presence of God with him. I could then see how the people would have reached out to touch Jesus or Paul.
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True. Cloths are by no means absolutely essential. However, perhaps there is someone who is in desperate need and they cannot be present with the anointed servant of God. The prayer cloth becomes a "spiritual bomb", a "spiritual weapon" if you will, through which God's power might be brought to them. Although... Jesus had authority to speak from a distance and something be done on behalf of the sick and dying. Perhaps some people don't have the faith. Perhaps some need a "touchstone" to focus upon to stir up faith.
But we can't deny it... for whatever reason the cloths were removed from Paul's person and taken to those in need of healing and deliverance. Even devils were cast out through their power. The very same Holy Spirit that indwelt Paul... indwells every believer. The only difference I can see is depth of faith, walk, prayer life, etc. But a biggie would be the "faith" to actually impliment such things into regular practice.
Christianity has "symbols"... that if their reality is reckoned through faith... these prove effectual. For example, the bread and the wine... the waters of baptism... anointed cloths... bibles... etc. In deliverance ministery some Spirit Filled believers have discovered that evil spirits are indeed greatly troubled by music, prayer, prayer cloths, blessed oil, blessed water, blessed incense, fasting, blessed bread & wine. Are these things necessary??? Absolutely not (exceptins being prayer & fasting in some circumstances). Since the advent of Christ, all that has been necessary is a stern adjuration (Grk. exorkismos/exorcism) through the authority of Christ's name. Most of these things are throw backs to the OT temple and ancient rituals conducted by the priests of Israel. Today... we have the anointing of God Himself residing in us.
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