The term “Signs & Wonders” in the Church has in some circles taken on a negative connotation. Some in this Movement are engaging in practices and ministering in a way not explicitly recorded in the New Testament. Believers who want to follow Scripture closely have difficulty accepting such things. Instances of the supernatural as well as associated methodologies and practices (for example, “grave-sucking“) not seen in Scripture are now proliferating in some ministries. One predictable result of this situation is that some believers have perhaps understandably “thrown out the baby with the bathwater”, rejecting signs and wonders altogether—even though many miraculous healings are recorded in the gospels and in Acts where the gospel was being spread throughout the known world.
“But it’s better than having no miracles at all, isn’t it? There’s nothing else around…”
Because of such manifestations and practices, cessationist believers today have all the more reason to hold to their position on the ceasing of the miraculous in the Church. Be that as it may, miraculous signs are still crucial on the non-Christian, gospel-resistant mission fields of the world—just as they were in Acts—if we are to fulfill the Great Commission before the great and terrible Day of the Lord. And so during these last days the Lord has been gracious to reveal to His disciples an approach for ministering to the sick which closely follows what Jesus did and taught—an approach that often results in infirm people actually healed in Jesus’ name as confirmation of the gospel, especially to those who had never heard. This approach does not involve the gift of healing (which has not been given to all believers), nor does it require “a special anointing.” Nor is it to be applied primarily for ministering to sick believers as is usually the case in most “divine healing services” as seen on TV and in church meetings. This approach rather is used primarily for the purpose for which Jesus Himself healed the sick miraculously—as evidence to the world that He is the only way to the Father. John 20:30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 14:11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing… If you are interested in an approach to miraculous healing which is faithful to Scripture, teaching us to do exactly what Jesus did and for the same purpose, do take a look at The Great Commission and Miraculous Healing.
Unknown disciples—not superstars—training nameless faceless disciples
Coveting “the Anointing”: Becoming (like) God?
Training the Lord’s Disciples: “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight!”