But from those who
seem
to be something --
whatever they were,
it makes no
difference to me; God shows
personal favoritism
to no man -- for those
who seem to be something
added nothing to me.
But on the contrary,
when they saw that the
Gospel for the uncircumcised
had been committed
to me, as the
gospel for the circumcised was to Peter
(for He who work
effectively in Peter for the
apostleship to the
circumcised also worked
effectively in me
toward the Gentiles),
and when James,
Cephas, and John,
who seemed to be
pillars, perceived the grace
that had been given
to me, they gave me and Barnabas
the right hand of
fellowship, that we should go to
the Gentiles and they
do the circumcised.
They desired
only that we should remember the poor,
the very thing which
I also was eager to do.
Galatians 2:6 -- 10
The
apostles of Jesus Christ were not only satisfied with the doctrine preached by
Paul, they also saw the divine power attending him, both in preaching and in
working miracles. Paul was enabled to
work extra ordinary miracles in confirmation of his doctrine. We read this when we studied second
Corinthians: "Truly the signs of a
possible were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and
wonders and mighty deeds" (2 Corinthians 12 -- 12). When Paul had come to the city of Ephesus in
finding some disciples there he asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit
even if they had even heard of the Holy Spirit. Paul even spoke to them in regards to baptism and all ball they
were baptized by John that when they heard about the baptism of the Holy Spirit
in of Jesus Christ they became baptized by Paul in the name of Jesus Christ and
the Holy Spirit came upon them. Further
reading will lead us to a very controversial part of this narrative: "Now God worked unusual miracles by
the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his
body to the sick, and the diseases left him and the evil spirits went out of
them" (Acts 19:11 -- 12). We
see often that there are those and have been for quite some time preachers
selling handkerchiefs, special oils, and other items to be purchased that have
some sort of special powers. Is this
scriptural? Do these verses give
warrant for those preachers to sell these items and acclaim that they are special
and not be in contradiction to Scripture?
Jesus Christ gave His apostles power against unclean spirits and against
all manner of sickness: "And when He
had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean
spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sicknesses and all kinds of
disease" (Matthew 10:1). What
we never find in Scripture is that power which Jesus Christ gave to His
apostles, and that included Paul, giving that power to any one else. You cannot find that in Scripture. We find accordingly that those to whom Paul
sent relief, had it in both cases; for the diseases departed from them, and the
evil spirits went out from them. Both
of which were significant other great design and blessed effects of the Gospel,
to heal spiritual diseases, and to free the souls of men from the power and
dominion of Satan. Now comes this
question in regard to the articles such as handkerchiefs, and aprons. My first question would be: how many
handkerchiefs did Paul have and how many aprons did he have? Looking at the dress of the people of that
day I have to examine whether or not they even carried handkerchiefs, and how
many aprons today where one time. The
Greek word for apron is an article of clothing that was half girding was why we
say apron, for was a narrow apron, or Lenin covering worn by a workman and
servants. The Greek word that we
translate as handkerchiefs does refer to a towel that would be used for wiping
the perspiration from the face and also as a head covering for the dead, when
translated as napkin and can also be used for anything that would conceal
money. So, we must take a hard look at
this and use our common sense because the Scripture does not tell us that Paul
would wipe his forehead with many different handkerchiefs and then give them to
people to be passed out to them. Nor
are we told that he read said undressed himself of his apron and then to pass
out these aprons as though they had some sort of special power. Are we to understand this narrative because
articles of clothing cannot convey virtue from anyone not even Paul, rather
they were mere tokens of the almighty power of God. How many were used in this way, how many were passed out for this
work? We do not know before is not
important for is to know what is important for us to know that God was pleased
to confirm the teaching of these holy men of old, and that includes Paul, that
if their hearers will leave them not, they might believe the works. Doubtless the bestowing of these extraordinary
powers was to convince the enemy and the blasphemer. There are very few instances in Scripture in regards to miracles
unless for the purpose of establishing some new doctrine, or confirming the
authority of some messenger of God.
Therefore there is no analogy between the miracles of the Bible, and
those modern so-called miracles, that after careful and solemn investigation,
are to be attributed rather to the powerful effects of religious excitement. We find it is found upon those who are
seeking for such ardent temperament and excitement, than it is to any
derivation from those laws which nature had received from nature's God. Do not be misled into such unwarranted
practices for Paul spoke of them only as attributed to prove that he was the
apostle as it was for Jesus to prove that he was the promise Messiah. Paul what about preaching the gospel and
this is what we are to do as well.
Let them give glory to the LORD,
and declare His praise in the
coastland.
Isaiah
42: 12
God will hold your hand
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