The Strand Study Bible

MARK

MARK

1611

Divine healing campaigns were very popular, attracting large crowds from far and near, often at great expense to the sick who needed special care and transportation. But also, for most of the sick they proved disappointing. Their expectations had been raised so high, only to be dashed after all the excitement was over. Some seemed to experience a momentary relief from pain, but all too many would discover no lasting benefit. And by that time the healer would be too far away to be questioned or to explain. The sick person would then simply be forced to accuse himself of lack of faith, or in some cases, throw his faith over-board. 4 Herbert Lockyer in All the Miracles of the Bible notes: There are fake ‘faith healers’ abroad today who fatten themselves financially on the physical disorders of many earnest hearts who are clutching at any straw for healing. How heartless these so-called ‘faith healers’ are in leaving behind them multitudes of deceived, disappointed, and unrelieved sufferers! Justice demands their exposure and punishment. 5 In the end, God determines healing, not the individual (II Cor 12:7-10, II Sam 12:22, Joel 2:12-14, Jonah 3:4-9 and Lk 7:21 ). For example, the Centurion’s servant (Mt 8:5-8,13) had absolutely nothing to do with his own healing, nor did the man sick with the palsy (Mark 2:1-12), nor did the lame man in Acts 3:6-8, nor did Naaman in II Kings 5. One Word of Faith Movement enthusiast was quoted as saying: You can’t glorify God if you are sick… 6 Unfortunately, somebody forgot to tell the Apostle Paul what this Word of Faith Movement enthusiast believes because Paul “greatly” glorified God in his infirmities. Paul said in II Corinthians 12:7-10: 4. Those with the gift of healing should be able to heal at anytime (I Cor 14:32) If those with the gift of healing are able to heal, then why don’t they go to the hospitals and start healing? Where’s THEIR faith? 5. Miraculous healing is a part of the sign gifts meant for “unbelieving” Jews ( Mk 16:17 a,b,c ) (See I CORINTHIANS “MINI SERIES” – Lessons #4 & #5 ) NOTE – The Word of Faith Movement , as believed and taught by many, can be traced back to Kenneth Hagin (1917-2003) and William Marrion Branham (1909-1965), who personally denied three essential doctrines of the Christian faith ( II Tim 4:3 ). Listen carefully to what many of these Word of Faith Movement enthusiasts are saying. One was quoted as saying: Believers are not to be led by logic. We are not even to be led by good sense . 7 Unfortunately, somebody forgot to tell the Holy Spirit what this Word of Faith Movement enthusiast believes because the Spirit of God said in Proverbs 2:10-11: When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion (good sense) shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:. The reason so many people are duped into following false teaching is because they are told not to pursue any intellectual investigation into what they believe, which is contrary to Scripture. Another Word of Faith Movement enthusiast was quoted as saying: Don’t even entertain the thought that (you) might get a counterfeit. 8 Unfortunately, somebody forgot to tell the Apostle Paul what this Word of Faith Movement enthusiast believes because Paul said in Acts 17:10-11: I am convinced that God can answer prayer, will answer prayer, and does answer prayer concerning healing; and the answer may be, “Yes,” when it is His purpose to do so. However, healing should always be requested before the pastors of a local church ( Jms 5:14,15 ). READ NEXT - Acts 1:1-3 1 Norris, J. Frank. Norris-Wallace Debate , Plano, Tx: Calvary Baptist Church Publications. 1935. Print. 2 Gustafson, Robert R. Authors of Confusion , Tampa, FLA, Grace Pub., 1971, p. 44-46 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so . And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness . Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong .

3 Pohl, Alfred H. 17 Reasons Why I Left the Tongues Movement , Reason #14. Alberta, Canada,: n.p., 1982. Print. 4 Irenaeus. Against Heresies , CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (March 28, 2012). Print. 5 Lockyer, Herbert. All the Miracles of the Bible , Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House. 1961. Print 6 Price, Fred "Is God glorified through sickness?" LA: Crenshaw Christian Center, n.d. Tape #FP605 (Audio) 7 "KENNETH COPELAND." Cephaministry . 14 Jan 2008 . 8 "John Arnott." Cephaministry. 16 Dec 1994.