Author: Geoff

Geoff Waugh is the founding editor of the Renewal Journal and an author of books on renewal and revival and Christian living.
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The Lion of Judah (4) The Death of Jesus

by Geoff 26 March 2015 9 Comments

A 4 Death of Jesus

The Lion of Judah  Book  4:  The Death of Jesus

The Death of Jesus – PDF

 

A 7 LionThe Lion of Judah – Blog
The Lion of Judah – PDF
Selection from this book:
Testimonies – Zinznedorf, Wesleys & Whitefield, Finney, Moody, Roberts, Gondarra
Contents from all six books compiled in one book:
1  The Titles of Jesus – Blog
2  The Reign of Jesus – Blog
3  The Life of Jesus – Blog
4  The Death of Jesus – Blog
5  The Resurrection of Jesus – Blog
6  The Spirit of Jesus – Blog

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Selection from The Lion of Judah (4) The Death of Jesus:  The Tree

The Lion of Judah Series

The Lion of Judah Series – Blogs

1  The Titles of Jesus – Blog
The Titles of Jesus – PDF

2  The Reign of Jesus – Blog
The Reign of Jesus – PDF

3  The Life of Jesus – Blog
The Life of Jesus – PDF

4  The Death of Jesus – Blog
The Death of Jesus – PDF

5  The Resurrection of Jesus – Blog
The Resurrection of Jesus – PDF

6  The Spirit of Jesus – Blog
The Spirit of Jesus – PDF

7  The Lion of Judah – in one volume – Blog
The Lion of Judah – PDF

 

Selection from (1) The Titles of Jesus: Aslan – The Lion of Judah

Selection from (2) The Reign of Jesus: Appendix – China Miracle

Selection from (3) The Life of Jesus: Prayer, Crowds and Healing

Selection from (4) The Death of Jesus:  The Tree

Selection from (5) The Resurrection of Jesus: Biblical accounts

Selection from (6) The Spirit of Jesus: Testimonies

Cover art by Rebecca Brogan – www.jtbarts.com

Emblem_of_Jerusalem.svg

Jerusalem Emblem: The Lion of Judah

The Hebrew word is Jerusalem

 

Contents of (4) the Death of Jesus

This book surveys the significance of the death of Jesus on the cross using key verses and passages and a harmony of the Gospels, including this chart summary:

Introduction

The Old Testament foretold Jesus’ death

Jesus foretold his death

Holy Week

The Resurrection and Ascension

Reflections on Jesus’ Death and Resurrection

New Testament

Other Sources

Conclusion

 

Good Friday  –  Day of Crucifixion  Mark 14:43 – 15:47  –  trials and death

Jesus before the Council

They took Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were assembled. 54 Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the guards, warming himself at the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none. 56 For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree. 57 Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, 58 ‘We heard him say, “I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.”’ 59 But even on this point their testimony did not agree. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?’ 61 But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’ 62 Jesus said, ‘I am; and

“you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of the Power”,
and “coming with the clouds of heaven.”’

63 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘Why do we still need witnesses? 64 You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?’ All of them condemned him as deserving death. 65 Some began to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to strike him, saying to him, ‘Prophesy!’ The guards also took him over and beat him.  (Mark 14:53-65)

Jesus before Pilate

As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. 2 Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ He answered him, ‘You say so.’ 3 Then the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 Pilate asked him again, ‘Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.’ 5 But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.

(Mark 15:1-5)

Jesus before Herod

When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. 9 He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. 12 That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.

(Luke 23:6-12)

Pilate Hands Jesus over to Be Crucified

Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. 7 Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. …  15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.  (Mark 15:6-7, 15)

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort. 17 And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. 18 And they began saluting him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ 19 They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. 20 After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

(Mark 15:16-20)

The Crucifixion of Jesus

They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. 22 Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take.

25 It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The inscription of the charge against him read, ‘The King of the Jews.’ 27 And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. 29 Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!’ 31 In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, ‘He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.’ Those who were crucified with him also taunted him.  (Mark 15:21-32)

This was to fulfil what the scripture says, ‘They divided my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots’

(John 19:24; see Psalm 22:18)

These things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, ‘None of his bones shall be broken.’ 37 And again another passage of scripture says, ‘They will look on the one whom they have pierced.’

(John 19:36-37; see Psalm 34:20; 22:16; Zechariah 12:10)

The Death of Jesus

When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ 35 When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, ‘Listen, he is calling for Elijah.’ 36 And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, ‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.’ 37 Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, ‘Truly this man was God’s Son!’

40 There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.  (Mark 15:33-41)

Matthew gives further details.

And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ 47 When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, ‘This man is calling for Elijah.’ 48 At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, ‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.’ 50 Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53 After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many.  (Matthew 27:46-53)

The Burial of Jesus

It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid. (Mark 15:42-47 NIV)

Comment from Dr Michael Evans

I was told by a distinguished rabbi about the ceremony when the Children of Israel presented lambs to the priest. The lamb would be impaled on a horizontal and vertical pole. Its back would be flayed to ensure it was a spotless lamb. None of its bones would be broken, and the blood would be drained from the lamb.
Does that sound familiar? The lamb was roasted on two poles forming a cross. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, was placed on a cross. His hands and feet were pierced, and none of His bones were broken. Jesus was crucified on the very day the Passover lambs were being offered up.

Dr Michael Evans (Jerusalem Prayer Team)


For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified (Hebrews 10:14).
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

Holy Week

Holy week, from Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to his death and resurrection, is by far the greatest week in history.

Jesus, the Lamb of God, the Son of God, the Saviour of the world, chose to be crucified in Jerusalem at the Passover festival. He became our Passover Lamb, slain from the foundation of the world.

The Old Testament points to Jesus, the Messiah, God’s Anointed One. The New Testament tells his story and calls us to respond in faith to his gift of salvation and eternal life.

Key Passages

Holy Week: the last week of the earthly life of Jesus may be summarized this way as a general guide. The different Gospels record different events, each one telling the Gospel, the good news, in their own way. So this arrangement is just an estimate of the sequence of the momentous developments in Holy Week.

This summary follows the outline in Mark’s Gospel:

Selections from The Lion of Judah (4) The Death of Jesus

 

Palm Sunday – Day of Demonstration

Mark 11:1-11 (Zech 9:9) – Jesus enters Jerusalem

Monday – Day of Authority

Mark 11:12-19 – fig tree, temple cleansed

Tuesday – Day of Conflict

Mark 11:20 – 13:36 – debates with leaders

Wednesday – Day of Preparation

Mark 14:1-11 – anointed at Bethany

Thursday – Day of Farewell

Mark 14:12-42 – last supper

Good Friday – Day of Crucifixion

Mark 14:43 – 15:47 – trials and death

Saturday – Day of Sabbath

Mark 15:46-47 – tomb sealed

Easter Sunday – Day of Resurrection

Mark 16:1-18 – resurrection appearances

The following selections give highlights of key events that week.

These passages remind us of events from the most momentous week in all history, and indeed in all eternity. The Lamb of God, slain from the foundation of the world, took our sin upon himself, died in our place, and conquered death. He alone is the Saviour of the World. All who believe in him, all who trust him, will not die but live for ever with him.

Holy Week: Confrontation

Description Location Scripture
The supper in Simon’s house Bethany Mt 26:6-13 Mk 14:3-9 Jn 12:1-9
Mary anoints Jesus Bethany Mt 26:7-13 Mk 14:3-8 Jn 12:3-8
Triumphal entry into the city Jerusalem Mt 21:1-11, Mk 11:1-10, Lk 19:29-44 Jn 12:12-19
Survey of the Temple Jerusalem Mk 11:11
Retirement to Bethany Bethany Mk 11:11
Withering of the barren fig-tree Olivet Mt 21:18-19, Mk 11:12-14
Second cleansing of the Temple Jerusalem Mt 21:12-17 Mk 11:15-19, Lk 19:45-48
Retirement to Bethany Bethany Mt 21:17, Mk 11:19
The lesson of the fig-tree Olivet Mt 21:20-22, Mk 11:20-25
Discourses in the Temple: Jerusalem Mk 11:26
The rulers’ question Jerusalem Mt 21:23-27, Mk 11:27-33, Lk 20:1-8
The parable of the two sons Jerusalem Mt 21:28-32
Parable of the wicked husbandmen Jerusalem Mt 21:33-46, Mk 12:1-12, Lk 20:9-19
Parable of the wedding garment Jerusalem Mt 22:1-14
The subtle questions:-
1) of the Pharisees – the tribute money Jerusalem Mt 22:15-22, Mk 12:13-17, Lk 20:20-26
2) of the Sadducees – the resurrection Jerusalem Mt 22:23-33, Mk 12:18-27, Lk 20:27-39
3) of the Lawyer – the great commandment Jerusalem Mt 22:34-40, Mk 12:28-34
Our Lord’s counter question Jerusalem Mt 22:41-46 Mk 12:35-37, Lk 20:41-44
Scribes and Pharisees denounced Jerusalem Mt 23:13-33
The widow’s mite Jerusalem Mk 12:41-44, Lk 21:1-4
The coming of the Greeks Jerusalem Jn 12:20-36
The departure to the Mt of Olives Olivet Mt 24:1-3, Mk 13:1-3
Prediction 1: the destruction of Jerusalem Olivet Mt 24:3-28, Mk 13:3-23, Lk 21:5-24
Parable of fig-tree and all the trees Olivet Mt 24:32,33, Mk 13:28,29, Lk 21:29-32
Prediction 2: of the second coming Olivet Mt 24:28-51, Mk 13:23-37, Lk 21:24-36
Parable of the householder Olivet Mk 13:34
Parables:- The ten virgins Olivet Mt 25:1-13
Parables:- The talents Olivet Mt 25:14-30
Parables:- The sheep and the goats Olivet Mt 25:31-46
The Sanhedrin in council Jerusalem Mt 26:3-5, Mk 14:1-2, Lk 22:1-2
Compact of the traitor Jerusalem Mt 26:14-16, Mk 14:10,11, Lk 22:3-6

 

The Last Supper

Preparation of the Passover Jerusalem Mt 26:17-19, Mk 14:12-16, Lk 22:7-13
Washing the apostles’ feet Jerusalem Jn 13:1-17
The breaking of bread Jerusalem Mt 26:26, Mk 14:22, Lk 22:19
‘One of you shall betray me’ Jerusalem Mt 26:21, Mk 14:18, Lk 22:21, Jn 13:21
‘Is it I ?’ Jerusalem Mt 26:22-25, Mk 14:19
Giving of the dipped bread Jerusalem Jn 13:26,27
Departure of Judas Iscariot Jerusalem Jn 13:30
Peter warned Jerusalem Mt 26:34, Mk 14:30, Lk 22:34, Jn 13:38
Blessing the cup Jerusalem Mt 26:27-28 Mk 14:23-24 Lk 22:17
The discourses after supper Jerusalem Jn 14:1-16:33
Christ’s prayer for his apostles Jerusalem Jn 17:1-17:26
The hymn Jerusalem Mt 26:30, Mk 14:26

 

Gethsemane and Trials

The agony Gethsemane Mt 26:37, Mk 14:33, Lk 22:39, Jn 18:1
The thrice-repeated prayer Gethsemane Mt 26:39-44, Mk 14:36-39, Lk 22:42
Sweat and angel support Gethsemane Lk 22:43-44
The sleep of the apostles Gethsemane Mt 26:40-45, Mk 14:37-41, Lk 22:45-46
Betrayal by Judas Gethsemane Mt 26:47-50, Mk 14:34,44, Lk 22:47, Jn 18:2-5
Peter smites Malchus Gethsemane Mt 26:51, Mk 14:47, Lk 22:50, Jn 18:10
Jesus heals the ear of Malchus Gethsemane Lk 22:51
Jesus forsaken by disciples Gethsemane Mt 26:56, Mk 14:50
Jesus led to Annas Jerusalem Jn 18:12-13
Jesus tried by Caiaphas Jerusalem Mt 26:57, Mk 14:53, Lk 22:54, Jn 18:15
Peter follows Jesus Jerusalem Mt 26:58, Mk 14:54, Lk 22:55, Jn 18:15
The high priest’s adjuration Jerusalem Mt 26:63, Mk 14:61
Jesus condemned, buffeted, mocked Jerusalem Mt 26:66,67, Mk 14:64-65, Lk 22:63-65
Peter’s denial of Christ Jerusalem Mt 26:69-75, Mk 14:66-72, Lk 22:54-62, Jn 18:17-27
Jesus before Pilate Jerusalem Mt 27:1-2, Mk 15:1, Lk 23:1 Jn 18:28
Repentance of Judas Jerusalem Mt 27:3
Pilate comes out to the people Jerusalem Jn 18:29
Pilate speaks to Jesus privately Jerusalem Jn 18:33
Pilate orders him to be scourged Jerusalem Mt 27:26 Mk 15:15 Jn 19:1
Jesus crowned with thorns Jerusalem Mt 27:29 Mk 15:17 Jn 19:2
‘Behold the man’ Jerusalem Jn 19:5
Jesus accused formally Jerusalem Mt 27:11 Mk 15:2 Lk 23:2
Jesus sent by Pilate to Herod Jerusalem Lk 23:6-11
Jesus mocked, arrayed in purple Jerusalem Lk 23:6-11
‘Behold your King’ Jerusalem Jn 19:14
Pilate desires to release him Jerusalem Mt 27:15, Mk 15:6, Lk 23:17, Jn 19:12
Pilate’s wife message Jerusalem Mt 27:19
Pilate washes his hands Jerusalem Mt 27:24
Pilate releases Barabbas Jerusalem Mt 27:26
Pilate delivers Jesus to be crucified Jerusalem Mt 27:26, Mk 15:15, Lk 23:25 Jn 19:16

 

Crucifixion

Simon of Cyrene carries the cross Jerusalem Mt 27:32, Mk 15:21, Lk 23:26
They give Jesus vinegar and gall Golgotha Mt 27:34, Mk 15:23, Lk 23:36
They nail him to the cross Golgotha Mt 27:35, Mk 15:24-25, Lk 23:33, Jn 19:18
The superscription Golgotha Mt 27:37, Mk 15:26, Lk 23:38, Jn 19:19
1) Father, forgive them Golgotha Lk 23:34
His garments parted, and vesture allotted Golgotha Mt 27:35, Mk 15:24, Lk 23:34, Jn 19:23
Passers-by rail, the two thieves revile Golgotha Mt 27:39-44, Mk 15:29-32, Lk 23:35
The penitent thief Golgotha Lk 23:40
2) Today you will be with me … Golgotha Lk 23:43
3) Woman, behold your son. … Golgotha Jn 19:26,27
Darkness over all the land Golgotha Mt 27:45, Mk 15:33, Lk 23:44,45
4) My God, my God, why … ? Golgotha Mt 27:46, Mk 15:34
5) I thirst Golgotha Jn 19:28
The vinegar Golgatha Mt 27:48, Mk 15:36, Jn 19:29
6) It is finished Golgotha Jn 19:30
7) Father, into your hands … Golgotha Lk 23:46
Rending of the veil Jerusalem Mt 27:51, Mk 15:38, Lk 23:45
Graves opened, saints resurrected Jerusalem Mt 27:52
Testimony of Centurion Golgotha Mt 27:54, Mk 15:39, Lk 23:47
Watching of the women Golgotha Mt 27:55, Mk 15:40, Lk 23:49
The piercing of his side Golgotha Jn 19:34
Taking down from the cross The Garden Mt 27:57-60, Mk 15:46, Lk 23:53, Jn 19:38-42
Burial by Joseph of Arimethea, Nicodemus The Garden Mt 27:57-60, Mk 15:46, Lk 23:53, Jn 19:38-42
A guard placed over the sealed stone

Back to
The Lion of Judah

 Garden Mt 27:65-66

See also


The Life of Jesus: History’s Great Love Story – Blog
The Life of Jesus: Hisotry’s Great Love Story – PDF

 


Crucified and Risen: The Easter Story – Blog
Crucified & Risen – PDF

A Holy Week, Passover & Resurrection All1
Holy Week, Christian Passover & Resurrection – Blog
Holy Week, Christian Passover & Resurrection – PDF
3 books in 1


Alternate Chronology of the Crucifixion – 3 days & 3 nights


The Shroud of Turin

Medical-Forensic Explanation of the Shroud of Turin
English translation of Model of the wounded Shroud of Turin image

 

GENERAL BLOGS INDEX

BLOGS INDEX 1: REVIVALS (BRIEFER THAN REVIVALS INDEX)

BLOGS INDEX 2: MISSION (INTERNATIONAL STORIES)

BLOGS INDEX 3: MIRACLES (SUPERNATURAL EVENTS)

BLOGS INDEX 4: DEVOTIONAL (INCLUDING TESTIMONIES)

BLOGS INDEX 5: CHURCH (CHRISTIANITY IN ACTION)

BLOGS INDEX 6: CHAPTERS (BLOGS FROM BOOKS)

BLOGS INDEX 7: IMAGES (PHOTOS FROM BOOKS)

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miracles, signs and wonders ,

The Cross Signs and Wonders Study Guide

by Geoff 22 March 2015 4 Comments

 Signs & Wonders

The Cross Topic 4 in

Signs and Wonders Study Guide

Signs and Wonders Study Guide – PDF

Compiled by Geoff Waugh and Cecilia Estillore Oliver

Available on Amazon and Kindle with ‘Look inside’

Free airmail postage worldwide on The Book Depository

 

Topic 4 – The Cross

This former study guide for internal and external students is reproduced here as a resource for you to use and adapt. If copied, just acknowledge the source as From Signs and Wonders Study Guide on renewaljournal.com

Introduction

Jesus Christ’s cosmic, eternal victory over all evil on the cross is a central theme of the whole Bible. The Old Testament points to it, and is fulfilled in it. The Gospels announce and proclaim it with vivid details on Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. The Epistles explain its importance. Christ’s victory on the cross is the only basis for salvation in all its fullness, including the place signs and wonders have in demonstrating the power of the cross in all things.

From This Topic You Will Learn

  1. There is a direct relationship between The Cross and the Power of God.
  2. The significance of the cross is shown in how God reconciles all things and all peoples back to himself through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
  3. The death of Christ on the cross has overcome the powers of darkness and through belief in Jesus Christ and his death on the cross; we receive that same power over the devil and can live victoriously.
  4. Isaiah Chapter 53, the prophetic word about the Suffering Servant and Messiah, was fulfilled by Jesus Christ during his ministry (Matthew 8:16-17).

Topic Notes

BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS CONCERNING THE CROSS

Isaiah 53: The Messianic Prophecy of the Ministry of Jesus Christ

Isaiah chapter 53 portrays the character, ministry, sufferings, death, and exaltation of the Messiah. Isaiah’s prophecy also anticipated the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. As a fulfilment of that prophecy Matthew wrote: When evening had come, they brought to him many who were demon-possessed. And he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.” (Mt. 8:16-17, cf. Isaiah 53:4).

Jesus quoted from Isaiah 53:12 at the Last Supper Passover meal:  ‘It is written: “And he was numbered with the transgressors”; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfilment.’

The Substitutionary Atonement of Christ on the Cross

Throughout the scriptures we find evidence of the supernatural and miraculous signs and wonders pointing to the power of the cross and authenticating the preaching of the Word of God. Interestingly, there is a significant relationship between the Gospel and the Atoning Work of Jesus Christ on the cross. “The substitutionary atonement of Christ on the cross is the heart of the gospel.” That is the reason why “we preach Christ crucified” and nothing else lest we nullify the message we proclaim. In fact, “Christ’s atoning work on the cross is the centre of gravity in the New Testament Faith” (Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45; John 12:27,31-33; Rom, 3:22-25; 5:8,9; 2 Cor.5;21; Gal.3:13; Col. 1:21-22; 1 Tim.2:6; Heb. 2:14; 9:14, 26-28; 10:10; 1 Pet.1:18-21; 2:24; 3:18; 1 Jn. 2:2; 3:5, 8; Rev.12:11) (Greig & Springer 1993:22).

Furthermore, “the power of the cross is first and foremost in the atonement and the forgiveness of all sin that the cross provides” (1 Jn. 2:2). Christ’s atoning work is also the “basis for all God’s work in our lives” as he sanctifies our soul and restores us from the brokenness of sin to wholeness (Greig & Springer 1993: 22).

The apostle Peter applies Isaiah 53:5 to the forgiveness of sin. He says of Christ, who himself bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed (1 Peter 2:24).

Jeffrey Niehaus explains this: Just as Isaiah portrays sin as disease (Isaiah 1:5, 6), Peter uses Isaiah’s words to inform us that the “healing” of Isaiah 53; 5 is first and foremost a healing from sin. That is the healing we find in the atonement. In the same vein, Peter goes on to quote Isaiah 53:6: “For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25).

The work of the atonement is to heal us from sin and to return stray sheep to God, as Peter’s application of Isaiah 53:5, 6 makes clear. It makes physical healing possible (“He took up our infirmities” Isa. 53:4 and Matt. 8:16, 17) but does not necessarily guarantee it in this age to God’s people (Niehaus 1993: 50).

The atonement is central to our faith. Hence, if Christ and what he has done on the cross is the “cornerstone of Christianity” then the time of Christ’s incarnation, ministry, death, resurrection and ascension is the pivotal time in the Kingdom of God. Everything in the Old Testament – especially the sacrificial system – points to the cross, and everything since then looks back to it. That is the mystery of Christ’s death and the love of the Father for us (Wimber 1986:165).

The “Already-Not-Yet” Tension of Healing and the Miraculous

According to Gordon Fee, “healing is made possible by the atonement of the cross but is not necessarily guaranteed to be fully experienced by believers in this age.” (Greig & Springer 1993: 22). Fee says: Healing is provided for [in the atonement] because the atonement brought release from the…consequence of sin; nonetheless, since we have not yet received the redemption of our bodies, suffering and death are still our lot until the resurrection (Greig & Springer 1993:220.)

In other words, there is the “already-not-yet” tension of the kingdom of God in relation to healing and spiritual gifts, and the supernatural and the miraculous (Greig & Springer 1993:22; David 1993:125-127). This raises the issue of whether “healing is in the atonement” or not. According to R. A. Torrey, “healing is in the atonement,” that is, “based on what Jesus has done on the cross, we may experience 100 percent healing on earth.”

On the other hand, J. Sidlow Baxter asserts that “healing for our mortal bodies is not in the atonement.” Colin Brown agrees. He believes that “forgiveness of sins is based on covenant grace: God intends that everyone who trusts in him will experience forgiveness of sins. But, physical healing is different: many are healed, and many are not.” (Wimber 1986:166).

Both Brown and Baxter believe that divine healing is available today but the “atonement is the basis for physical healing.” Baxter explains: “it is still true, however, that divine healing for sickness comes to us through the atonement, just as all the other blessings of salvation do.” This explains why some people do not get healed (Wimber 1986:166-167; Niehaus 1993: 48-49).

Moreover, healing as a part of salvation does not rule out the place of suffering in the life of the believer. Suffering, when rightly and meekly borne for Christ’s sake will refine character and strengthen faith, thereby playing its part in producing wholeness (Rom. 5:3-5). The problem with this is that many Christians assert that because of the suffering aspect, disease is to be accepted as part of God’s perfect will them. The Lord can and does use disease and disaster to chasten his children in the short term (Ps. 119:67-71), but Peter definitely states that Christians should not regard this as God’s perfect will (1 Peter 1:24). In other words, by New Testament standards, asking for and receiving healing is the norm not the exception (MacNutt 1988:88).

The Power of The Cross

The Gospel could and would have been believed apart from any miracles for the Word of God is complete, not deficient. It is “the power of God to salvation” (Romans 1:16). Christian miracles and healings are a gracious gift from God and may serve many functions including the authentication of the Gospel message, but they are not a necessity – on their own they mean nothing (Deere 1993:114; Greig & Springer 1993:23).

The cross of Christ is the solution to every problem on earth. However, healing and spiritual gifts are not the solution to every problem nor is the cross limited to or equivalent to spiritual gifts and healing. As mentioned earlier, the atoning work of Christ on the cross to forgives sin is the fountainhead, the cornerstone, from which all other blessings flow including healing and spiritual gifts (Greig & Springer 1993:23; cf. 2 Peter 1:3)

Love: The Motivating Power of the Cross

When we view ourselves as failures and unworthy of the love of God, we will not want to draw close him. The fact is that he not only loves us but also cares and accepts us just the way we are. Not only did Christ die for our sins, he died for us.

When we look at the atonement of Christ, we look not just to the work that was done but at the Person of Christ who is the embodiment of love for God is love. In doing so we get a better picture of the personhood, nature, and kingdom of God. Our Christian faith rests not only in what Jesus has done and will do but also in who he is. Jesus is love and power at the same time.

Jesus never used his power either to show off or to serve his own ends. Jesus’ use of spiritual power was always a means, never an end. He used God’s power always to demonstrate the love and nature of God. The purpose of spiritual power in Christianity then is to show love and compassion for others. It also gives us opportunity to serve them and God. Jesus has the authority and power to forgive sins. Likewise he has given all believers the authority to forgive (John 20: 23). He also graces them to receive forgiveness anytime (1 John 1:9). Satan frequently uses guilt and condemnation to cripple Christians, even after they have supposedly repented and asked for forgiveness. Knowing that in Christ there is forgiveness and no condemnation, we can come boldly to him for we have access to God (2 Cor. 5:7; Rom. 8:1; Heb.10-19-23).

THE EPISTLES ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CROSS

The Apostle Paul emphasised the significance of the cross in many of his letters. These are some of the main passages on the cross from the epistles.

  1. 1 Corinthians1:17-18, 23-24

 For Christ did not send me to baptise, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect…  but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and the Greeks, foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

There is a direct relationship between the cross and the power of God as well as the unfathomable wisdom of God – far beyond all human power and wisdom.

  1. Galatians 6:14

But God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

The Galatians had problems with legalism. Today, we also slide into rules and become legalistic. For example, we are ruled more by the clock rather than the promptings of the Spirit in our meetings.

  1. Ephesians. 2:13-18

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been made near by the blood of Christ. For he himself …has broken down the middle wall of division… so as to create in himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that he might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity…. For through him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

In the New Testament time, this enmity was the division particularly between the Jews and the Gentiles. For them and for us today, the significance and importance of the cross is that it reconciles us back to God.

  1. Philippians 2:5-11

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…a servant, and … as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted him and given him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

In the biblical times, the cross was meant to be cruel and despicable yet God used it for his redemptive purposes. Here, the focus is not so much the individual salvation (which is very important to God) but it is about bringing the whole cosmos and universe back to God, himself through Jesus death on the cross.

  1. Colossians 1:19-20

For it pleased the Father that in him all the fullness should dwell, and by him to reconcile all things to himself, by him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of his cross.

The cross is the focus of how God reconciles all things to himself. The victory of the death of Jesus on the cross is far greater than salvation for people, although it includes that amazing triumph. It involves reconciling everything to God or bringing everything into harmony with him.

  1. Colossians 2:13-14

 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he has made alive together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which as contrary to us. And he has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

The legal right of the devil and his demons has been removed by the Cross. Therefore, we can repent and their legal right to afflict and torment and influence us is removed from our lives. To experientially know and understand this truth is important in moving in signs and wonders.

This is a paradoxical truth because most of the time, it is when we are most helpless, that God demonstrates his power and authority over the devil in our lives. For example, this can be seen in the life of Moses as the redeemer of Israel in the book of Exodus.

For us today, culturally, we can live lives independent of God. The cross rips all of this independence away and in our weaknesses we are strengthened by God. God comes to us in our weaknesses – so quickly. God is not so much impressed by our best strengths but in our frail weaknesses God comes to us immediately – right there and then. It is then that it becomes a knowing that it is not us but it is God working in and through us.

The volume of our emptiness determines our filling in…Heaven does not run out, earth just stopped being empty and hungry…When you get hungry, He gets close. Brokenness on earth opens heaven for He is near to those with a broken heart.  – Tommy Tenney

  1. Hebrews.12:1-2

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus, who both was 100% God and 100% man, became incarnate. He took on a human body and all it weaknesses yet resisted temptation and remained sinless. He lived in holiness and outworked all that the first Adam had fallen from and he became the second Adam who is a life giving being and spirit.

Jesus through the cross conquered, overcome, triumphed and won the victory over all the forces of darkness, death, sin, sicknesses and diseases, and all the obstacles in obtaining salvation for all who would believe.

Reality is this: what he did on the cross provided redemption for mankind. It’s a free gift for all. We simply need to appropriate it. Our understanding of who we are in Christ must be awakened and quickened to this reality. Only in understanding this reality will we be able to walk victoriously just as Jesus did who is the author and finisher of our faith.

The prayer of faith (James 5:15) can only be exercised in the light of God’s will.   Faith is based upon a word from God and not merely on positive thinking. It is not that we believing something so strongly that we make it come true – or that God must do what we believe will happen.   The prayer of faith can only be prayed when God speaks to reveal his will and intention.   Occasionally, God makes his will known clearly. In all the cases, it is exciting to pray a prayer of faith – and watch God work.

Major Points of this Topic

Jesus’ death on the cross, validated in his resurrection, is central to all Scripture.

The victory of Christ Jesus on the cross has secured for us freedom, authority, and our victory over sin, death, and the powers of the evil one.

The cross focuses us on God’s redemptive plan of reconciling all people and all things to himself.

Review or Discussion Questions

  1. Explain the relationship between the cross and the power of God.
  2. Give some of the Pauline scriptural verses that explain the significance of the Cross.
  3. Why is the atonement the cornerstone of Christianity and the heart of the Gospel?
  4. Discuss: The offence of the cross. Refer to 1 Cor. 1:17-18, 23-24.
  5. Discuss Isaiah 53. Why is it called a Servant Song or the “gospel” chapter of the Old Testament?
  6. Discuss: Salvation is in the atonement but healing is through the atonement.

Further Readings or Research

Lake, John G. 1994. “The offence of the Cross.” Chapter 26 in John G. Lake: His life, His Sermons, His Boldness of Faith. Published by Kenneth Copeland Ministries, pp. 277-283.

The Kingdom and The Power edited by Gary Greig and Kevin Springer. 1993.

Surprised by the Power of the Spirit by Jack Deere. 1993. pp. 109-110

A Theology of the New Testament by George Eldon Ladd. 1989. Chap 3#.

Power Healing by John Wimber. 1986. Ch. 8 .

Renewal Theology by Rodman Williams. 1996. Volume 1, ch.14: The Atonement.

See also The Lion of Judah (4) The Death of Jesus, by Geoff Waugh (2015)

Acknowledgement

Much of this Study Guide material is adapted with permission from materials used in the former Fuller Theological Seminary course taught by John Wimber, MC510: Signs and Wonders and Church Growth (1984).  John Wimber and Kevin Springer adapted some of that material for their two books Power Evangelism (1985) and Power Healing (1986).  Geoff Waugh attended that course in 1984 as did John White who then further researched this topic and in 1988 published his book with InterVarsity Press, When the Spirit comes with Power: Signs and Wonders among God’s People.  

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Christian mission, healing, miracles , ,

One Touch from Jesus

by Geoff 21 March 2015 1 Comment

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Good News – worth sharing widely.

Ordinary Christians doing what Jesus told us to do.

A village comes for healing as one lady’s eyesight is restored

What would you do? Imagine you are kneeling ready to pray for a lady who is sitting in front of the entire village and you have just preached that Jesus is able to heal the sick, raise the dead and cleanse the leper.

It’s that heart stopping moment when everyone’s eyes are suddenly on you to be the earthly vessel though which Jesus is going to move to back up the message you have just preached….

The woman says she has pain in her leg and back and then that she can hardly see! I know what i would do if I’m totally honest! I would start with getting rid of the pain in the back and celebrate that one move before then going on next to the leg in order to build up my faith before attempting the eyes. Not our team member Steve (right). Here’s what he did….

As bold as a lion he goes straight for the eyes and here’s an extract from his healing journal of what happened next:-

* After preaching to villagers. I invited a 50-60 year old woman to the chair to demonstrate God’s healing power. She had very little vision and back & leg pain. I commanded sight to full restoration. No shift on 1st attempt. 2nd attempt – slight change. 3rd attempt – full sight regained!! She was then able to name individuals in the audience in semi darkness!!

Acts 4:13 – “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”

One “touch” from Jesus is all it took

It was my privilege last week to lead the 2015 HOTS [Healing On The Streets – nice with Bath, England!] Bath India team into an adventure that resulted in numerous healing and miracles, salvations and 36 people baptised.

Yesterday I received a call from one team member saying that on their return to England, everyone they have been praying for has been encountering His Presence, and many are falling out under the power of the Holy Spirit – “I’m just not used to this kind of thing!” they said. I was able to explain that this is (should be) the normal Christian life.

Luke 6:19 “And all the people were trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all.”

I hope you enjoy this latest newsletter and take the chance to connect with some of the equipping opportunities it offers.

Paul Skelton

HOTS Website – Healing On The Streets

HOTS Facebook – Healing On The Streets

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Signs and Wonders Study Guide

by Geoff 20 March 2015 No Comments

Signs and Wonders: Study Guide

Signs & Wonders

 

Signs and Wonders

Study Guide

Signs and Wonders Study Guide – PDF

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Compiled by Geoff Waugh and Cecilia Estillore Oliver

Cover photo:
© ‘Inagako In Fall’, Japan, by Chris Asche – used with permission.

See Blog of Topic 4: The Cross

Welcome to this Study Guide on Signs and Wonders.

Signs and wonders occur throughout the Old and New Testaments. They express the magnificent creativity and sovereignty of the Lord, described in the Bible. They are also expressions of the power, goodness, mercy, grace, compassion, and love of the Lord, and show the nature of our omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent God.

Signs and wonders point to the One and True Living God, and also demonstrate that this Living God is a Personal God who is very interested in people, both individually and corporately. This same God described in the Bible is very much alive and active today just as he was then.

Our hope is that through this subject you will encounter God and be transformed in this encounter. We pray that you will be challenged and stirred up to move in faith and obedience to God who can empower you with his Holy Spirit to do what Jesus did and even greater works (John 14:12). As you learn to move in God’s power and in ways that are naturally supernatural and supernaturally natural, may you become more Christ-like in your personal life, ministry, and vocation in this world. And may you be an instrument in advancing the Kingdom of God on earth as you become filled with passion and clothed with power from on high.

We especially thank Cecilia Estillore Oliver, a medical doctor and B.Min. graduate, for her work in helping to compile and write this Study Guide.  Cecilia prepared and compiled the information in this Study Guide from materials gathered and arranged by Geoff Waugh for the degree programs of Citipointe Ministry College, the School of Ministries of Christian Heritage College in Brisbane, Australia, and made available here with permission of the college.  This book reproduces the content of that former Study Guide, adapted here for general use.

Contents

This Signs and Wonders study guide includes

Biblical Foundations:
Old Testament
Jesus’ Ministry
The Epistles
The Cross

Theological Foundations:
The Supernatural
Worldview
The Kingdom of God
Spiritual Gifts

Ministry Foundations:
Church History
Case Studies
Practices and Pitfalls
Integrated Ministry

Much of the material is developed and adapted from the course at Fuller Theological Seminary conducted by John Wimber in 1984, titled MC510: Signs and Wonders and Church Growth, used with permission.

Class Testimony

Reproduced from the Signs and Wonders Study Guide Appendix

A student we prayed for one morning in class went to her doctor that afternoon for a final check before having a growth removed from her womb. That afternoon her doctor could find no trace of the growth after checking with three ultrasound machines, so he cancelled the scheduled operation.

“My class at college laid hands on me and prayed for me,” she explained to her doctor. “I believe God healed me, and that’s why you can’t find the growth any more.”

“I don’t know if God healed you,” he responded. “But I do know that you don’t need an operation.”

Our class studied this Signs and Wonders subject. We usually began each class with prayer, and that day our prayer included praying for specific needs such as that woman’s health. One of those praying in class was Cecilia, a medical doctor. She prayed with strong faith, joining us in laying hands on the ‘patient’ student, knowing that God heals through prayer as well as through medicine. What rich resources we have for ministry – right there in the group.

See an article (a former subject assignment) by that student Cecilia.

I love hearing medical people pray for healing. They have medical skills as well as faith in God. A nurse in one of our week night meetings prayed for another lady who had severe back pain.

“L4, be healed in Jesus’ name,” the nurse commanded as she lay her hand on the woman’s back. It takes medical knowledge plus the revelation of a ‘word of knowledge’ to be able to pray like that. All pain immediately left the lady being prayer for. Apparently the problem was in the Lumbar 4 (L4) section of her spine.

Many people are not healed so quickly. Perhaps most are not healed so quickly in our materialistic Western society. There are many reasons for that, including our Western scepticism, lack of compassion or faith, and our sinfulness such as jealousy, competition or failing to forgive others freely as God has forgiven us.

We all can learn more together about effective ministry. That learning is enhanced and expanded rapidly when we share our experiences and learning together. The ‘teacher’ usually shares from his or her experiences, but others can do also. So the more that our ministry education fosters mutuality, the more we can learn from one another.

We call this open education, or open ministry education. It is open to everyone and everyone can be involved. It is not just for leaders. Our leaders can help us, but their main job is to equip the saints for the work of ministry for building up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12). We can do these things in classes, small groups, seminars, training courses and home or church groups.

A Learning Together in MinistryThis testimony is also included in the Introduction to

Learning Together in Ministry
Mutual Education:
from compteition to co-operation

*

See also Renewal Journal 5: Signs and Wonders
Words, Signs and Deeds, by Brian Hathaway
Uproar in the Church, by Derek Prince
A Season of New Beginnings, by John Wimber
Preparing for Revival Fire, by Jerry Steingard
How to Minister Like Jesus, by Bart Doornweerd

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A Vision of the Pure and Powerful Bride: Tommy Hicks' Revival Vision

by Geoff 16 March 2015 1 Comment

A VISION OF THE PURE & POWERFUL BRIDE

~ TOMMY HICKS’ END-TIMES REVIVAL VISION ~

The following is a stunning vision given to American preacher Tommy Hicks (who was a major figure in the powerful 1954 Argentina Revival):

 

My message begins July 25, (1961) about 2:30 in the morning at Winnipeg, Canada. I had hardly fallen asleep when the vision and the revelation that God gave me came before me. The vision came three times, exactly in detail, the morning of July 25, 1961. I was so stirred and so moved by the revelation that this has changed my complete outlook upon the body of Christ, and upon the end-time ministries.

The greatest thing that the church of Jesus Christ has ever been given lies straight ahead. It is so hard to help men and women to realize and understand the thing that God is trying to give His people in the end times.

I received a letter several weeks ago from one of our native evangelists down in Africa, down in Nairobi. This man and his wife were on their way to Tanganyika. They could neither read nor could they write, but we had been supporting them for over two years. As they entered into the territory of Tanganyika, they came across a small village. The entire village was evacuating because of a plague that had hit the village. He came across natives that were weeping, and he asked them what was wrong.

They told him of their mother and father who had suddenly died, and they had been dead for three days. They had to leave. They were afraid to go in; they were leaving them in the cottage. He turned and asked them where they were. They pointed to the hut and he asked them to go with him, but they refused. They were afraid to go.

The native and his wife went to this little cottage and entered in where the man and woman had been dead for three days. He simply stretched forth his hand in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and spoke the man’s name and the woman’s name and said, “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I command life to come back to your bodies.” Instantaneously these two heathen people who had never known Jesus Christ as their Saviour sat up and immediately began to praise God. The Spirit and the power of God came into the life of those people.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

To us that may seem strange and a phenomenon, but that is the beginning of these end-time ministries. God is going to take the do-nothings, the nobodies, the unheard-of, the no-accounts. He is going to take every man and every woman and he is going to give to them this outpouring of the Spirit of God.

In the book of Acts we read that “In the last days,“ God said, “I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh.” I wonder if we realized what He meant when God said, “I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh.” I do not think I fully realized nor could I under stand the fullness of it, and then I read from the book of Joel: “Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain “ -(Joel 2:23). It is not only going to be the rain, the former rain and the latter rain, but He is going to give to His people in these last days a double portion of the power of God!

Hicks vision

As the vision appeared to me after I was asleep, I suddenly found myself in a great high distance. Where I was, I do not know. But I was looking down upon the earth. Suddenly the whole earth came into my view. Every nation, every kindred, every tongue came before my sight from the east and the west, the north and the south. I recognized every country and many cities that I had been in, and I was almost in fear and trembling as I beheld the great sight before me: and at that moment when the world came into view, it began to lightning and thunder.

As the lightning flashed over the face of the earth, my eyes went downward and I was facing the north. Suddenly I beheld what looked like a great giant, and as I stared and looked at it, I was almost bewildered by the sight. It was so gigantic and so great. His feet seemed to reach to the north pole and his head to the south. Its arms were stretched from sea to sea. I could not even begin to understand whether this be a mountain or this be a giant, but as I watched, I suddenly beheld a great giant. I could see his head was struggling for life. He wanted to live, but his body was covered with debris from head to foot, and at times this great giant would move his body and act as though it would even raise up at times. And when it did, thousands of little creatures seemed to run away. Hideous creatures would run away from this giant, and when he would become calm, they would come back.

All of a sudden this great giant lifted his hand towards heaven, and then it lifted its other hand, and when it did these creatures by the thousands seemed to flee away from this giant and go into the darkness of the night.

Slowly this great giant began to rise and as he did, his head and hands went into the clouds. As he rose to his feet he seemed to have cleansed himself from the debris and filth that was upon him, and he began to raise his hands into the heavens as though praising the Lord, and as he raised his hands, they went even unto the clouds.

Suddenly, every cloud became silver, the most beautiful silver I have ever known. As I watched this phenomenon it was so great I could not even begin to understand what it all meant. I was so stirred as I watched it, and I cried unto the Lord and I said, “Oh Lord, what is the meaning of this.” and I felt as if I was actually in the Spirit and I could feel the presence of the Lord even as I was asleep.

And from those clouds suddenly there came great drops of liquid light raining down upon this mighty giant, and slowly, slowly, this giant began to melt, began to sink itself in the very earth itself, and as he melted, his whole form seemed to have melted upon the face of the earth, and this great rain began to come down. Liquid drops of light began to flood the very earth itself and as I watched this giant that seemed to melt, suddenly it became millions of people over the face of the earth. As I beheld the sight before me, people stood up all over the world! They were lifting their hands and they were praising the Lord.

At that very moment there came a great thunder that seemed to roar from the heavens. I turned my eyes toward the heavens and suddenly I saw a figure in white, in glistening white…the most glorious thing that I have ever seen in my entire life. I did not see the face, but somehow I knew it was the Lord Jesus Christ, and he stretched forth his hand, and as he did, he would stretch it forth to one, and to another, and to another. And as he stretched forth his hand upon the nations and the people of the world…men and women…as he pointed toward them, this liquid light seemed to flow from his hands into them, and a mighty anointing of God came upon them, and those people began to go forth in the name of the Lord.

I do not know how long I watched it. It seemed it went into days and weeks and months.

And I beheld this Christ as he continued to stretch forth his hand; but there was a tragedy. There were many people as he stretched forth his hand that refused the anointing of God and the call of God. I saw men and women that I knew. People that I felt would certainly receive the call of God. But as he stretched forth his hand toward this one and toward that one, they simply bowed their head and began to back away. And each of those that seemed to bow down and back away, seemed to go into darkness. Blackness seemed to swallow them everywhere.

I was bewildered as I watched it, but these people that he had anointed, hundreds of thousands of people all over the world, in Africa, England, Russia, China, America, all over the world, the anointing of God was upon these people as they went forward in the name of the Lord. I saw these men and women as they went forth. They were ditch diggers, they were washerwomen, they were rich men, they were poor men. I saw people who were bound with paralysis and sickness and blindness and deafness. As the Lord stretched forth to give them this anointing, they became well, they became healed, and they went forth!

And this is the miracle of it this is the glorious miracle of it…those people would stretch forth their hands exactly as the Lord did, and it seemed as if there was this same liquid fire in their hands. As they stretched forth their hands they said,

“According to my word, be thou made whole.”

As these people continued in this mighty end-time ministry, I did not fully realize what it was, and I looked to the Lord and said, “What is the meaning of this?” And he said,

“This is that which I will do in the last days. I will restore all that the cankerworm, the palmerworm, the caterpiller….I will restore all that they have destroyed. This, my people, in the end times will go forth. As a mighty army shall they sweep over the face of the earth.”

As I was at this great height, I could behold the whole world. I watched these people as they were going to and fro over the face of the earth. Suddenly there was a man in Africa and in a moment he was transported by the Spirit of God, and perhaps he was in Russia, or China or America or some other place, and vice versa.

All over the world these people went, and they came through fire, and through pestilence, and through famine. Neither fire nor persecution, nothing seemed to stop them.Angry mobs came to them with swords and with guns. And like Jesus, they passed through the multitudes and they could not find them, but they went forth in the name of the Lord, and everywhere they stretched forth their hands, the sick were healed, the blind eyes were opened. There was not a long prayer, and after I had reviewed the vision many times in my mind, and I thought about it many times, I realised that I never saw a church building, and I never saw or heard a denomination, but these people were going in the name of the Lord of Hosts. Hallelujah!

As they marched forth in everything they did as the ministry of Christ in the end times, these people were ministering to the multitudes over the face of the earth. Tens of thousands, even millions seemed to come to the Lord Jesus Christ as these people stood forth and gave the message of the kingdom, of the coming kingdom, in this last hour. It was so glorious, but it seems as though there were those that rebelled, and they would become angry and they tried to attack those workers that were giving the message.

God is going to give the world a demonstration in this last hour as the world has never known.

 These men and women are of all walks of life, degrees will mean nothing. I saw these workers as they were going over the face of the earth. When one would stumble and fall, another would come and pick him up. There were no “big ME” and “little you,”…. but every mountain was brought low and every valley was exalted, and they seemed to have one thing in common… there was a divine love, a divine love that seemed to flow forth from these people as they worked together, and as they lived together. It was the most glorious sight that I have ever known. Jesus Christ was the theme of their life. They continued and it seemed the days went by as I stood and beheld this sight. I could only cry, and sometimes I laughed. It was so wonderful as these people went throughout the face of the whole earth, bringing forth in this last end time.

As I watched from the very heaven itself, there were times when great deluges of this liquid light seemed to fall upon great congregations, and that congregation would lift up their hands and seemingly praise God for hours and even days as the Spirit of God came upon them. God said, “I will pour my Spirit upon all flesh,” and that is exactly this thing. And to every man and every woman that received this power, and the anointing of God, the miracles of God, there was no ending to it.

We have talked about miracles. We have talked about signs and wonders, but I could not help but weep as I read again this morning, at 4 o’clock this morning the letter from our native workers. This is only the evidence of the beginning for one man, a “do-nothing, an unheard-of,” who would go and stretch forth his hand and say, “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I command life to flow into your body.” I dropped to my knees and began to pray again, and I said, “Lord, I know that this time is coming soon!”

And then again, as these people were going about the face of the earth, a great persecution seemed to come from every angle. Suddenly there was another great clap of thunder, that seemed to resound around the world, and I heard again the voice, the voice that seemed to speak,

“Now this is my people. This is my beloved bride.”

And when the voice spoke, I looked upon the earth and I could see the lakes and the mountains. The graves were opened and people from all over the world, the saints of all ages, seemed to be rising. And as they rose from the grave, suddenly all these people came from every direction. From the east and the west, from the north and the south, and they seemed to be forming again this gigantic body. As the dead in Christ seemed to be rising first, I could hardly comprehend it. It was so marvellous. It was so far beyond anything I could ever dream or think of.

But as this body suddenly began to form, and take shape again, it took shape again in the form of this mighty giant, but this time it was different. It was arrayed in the most beautiful gorgeous white. Its garments were without spot or wrinkle as its body began to form, and the people of all ages seemed to be gathered into this body, and slowly, slowly, as it began to form up into the very heavens, suddenly from the heavens above, the Lord Jesus came, and became the head, and I heard another clap of thunder that said,

“This is my beloved bride for whom I have waited. She will come forth even tried by fire. This is she that I have loved from the beginning of time.”

As I watched, my eyes suddenly turned to the far north, and I saw seemingly destruction: men and women in anguish and crying out, and buildings in destruction. Then I heard again, the fourth voice that said,

“Now is My wrath being poured out upon the face of the earth.”

From the ends of the whole world, the wrath of God seemed to be poured out and it seemed that there were great vials of God’s wrath being poured out upon the face of the earth. I can remember it as though it happened a moment ago. I shook and trembled as I beheld the awful sight of seeing the cities, and whole nations going down into destruction. I could hear the weeping and wailing. I could hear people crying. They seemed to cry as they went into caves, but the caves in the mountains opened up. They leaped into water, but the water would not drown them. There was nothing that could destroy them. They were wanting to take their lives, but they could not. Then again I turned my eyes to this glorious sight, this body arrayed in beautiful white, shining garments.

Slowly, slowly, it began to lift from the earth, and as it did, I awoke. What a sight I had beheld! I had seen the end-time ministries – the last hour. Again on July 27, at 2:30 in the morning, the same revelation, the same vision came again exactly as it did before.

My life has been changed as I realised that we are living in that end time, for all over the world God is anointing men and women with this ministry. It will not be doctrine. It will not be a churchianity. It is going to be Jesus Christ. They will give forth the word of the Lord, and are going to say, I heard it so many times in the vision… ” and…. according to my word it shall be done.”

ARE YOU REDAY…? WHAT IS IT THAT STEALS THE POWER OF GOD’S WORD OUT OF YOUR LIFE?

-RELATIONSHIPS?

-MONEY?

-PLEASURE?

-LUST AFTER WORLDLY THINGS?

-YOUR OWN STUBBORNESS?

LET HIM REMOVE IT ALL….AND SHOW YOU THE LIFE HE CRETED AND DESTINED YOU FOR… BLESS U ALL IN JESUS NAME…

HOSEA 10:12…

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The Disciples' Mission & Ministry, Chapter 2 of Jesus the Model for Short Term Supernatural Mission

by Geoff 14 March 2015 1 Comment

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Jesus

the Model for Short Term Supernatural Mission

Biblical Ministry and Mission

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Chapter 2:  The Disciples’ Mission and Ministry

Crowds followed Jesus constantly so that at times he and his followers could not even eat (Mark 3:20). A large group of devoted followers accompanied him, including many women who supported them. Jesus chose 12 to be with him constantly from among those followers and he chose 3 to witness unique events such as the transfiguration, raising Jairus’ daughter from death and his agonizing prayer in Gethsemane.

Jesus’ followers included many women who cared for him and his disciples.

After this, Jesus travelled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. (Luke 8:1-3 NIV)

Jesus sent 70 [or 72] of his followers on mission in pairs.

After this the Lord appointed seventy [some manuscripts have 72] others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. 2 He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. …

17 The seventy [or 72] returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’  (Luke 10:1-2, 17)

Jesus appeared to over 500 of his followers at one time after his resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:6) and 120 of his followers chose a successor to Judas from among those who had been with them from the time of John the Baptist, including Joseph and Matthias.

In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred and twenty people) and said, 16 ‘Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus— …

21 So one of the men who have accompanied us throughout the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.’ 23 So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’ 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.  (Acts 1:15-16, 21-26)

Jesus chose the 12 from among his followers to be his disciples (learners) whom he also called apostles (sent ones). They became leaders in the early church. The following passages describe how Jesus began inviting people to follow him first from the Jordan River where John was baptising and then in Galilee. Later from among these followers Jesus chose the 12.

This is important for short term supernatural mission. None of us can do it alone. Even Jesus multiplied his ministry with and through his disciples and followers.

He shared his life most deeply with the core group of the 12 who in turn became leaders in his church, working with and equipping others.

*

Called to Follow Jesus

Here are examples of how Jesus called some to be with him all the time and then involved them in supernatural mission.

Andrew, Simon Peter, Philip, Nathaniel

The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’ 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ 39 He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated Anointed). 42 He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas’ (which is translated Peter).

43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’ 46 Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’ 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ (John 1:35-472)

Simon Peter and Andrew, James and John

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.  (Mark 1:16-20; see Matthew 4:18-22; Luke 5:1-11)

Matthew (also called Levi)

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he got up and followed him.

10 And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?’ 12 But when he heard this, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’  (Matthew 9:9-13; see Mark 2:13-17; Luke 5:27-32)

The 12 Apostles

Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. 13 And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles: 14 Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, 15 and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was called the Zealot, 16 and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.  (Luke 6:12-16; see Matthew 10:1-4; Mark 3:13-19)

*

Jesus sent his disciples and other followers to preach and heal.

Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. (Matthew 10:1; see Luke 9:1)

Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. 6 They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere. (Luke 9:1-2, 6; see Matthew 10:1)

So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. 13 They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. (Mark 6:12-13)

After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. … 9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ (Luke 10:1-3, 9)

Note how the followers of Jesus, especially the 12 and the 70 (or 72), did what Jesus did. They taught about the kingdom of God, healed the sick and cast out unclean spirits. Others also did that in Jesus’ name, which he approved.  John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’ 39 But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me. 40 Whoever is not against us is for us. 41 For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.  (Mark 9:38-41)

*

The Disciples often failed

Jesus challenged his disciples, expecting them to have faith. They failed at times, as we do, but Jesus persisted with them. Here are examples.

Jesus calms the storm

23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’  26 He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.  27 The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!’  (Matthew 8:23-27; see Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25)

Walking on water

When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear.  27 But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’  28 ‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’  29 ‘Come,’ he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’  31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’  32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’  (Matthew 14:26-33 NIV; see Mark 6:45-52; John 6:15-21)

Bread and yeast

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 ‘Be careful,’ Jesus warned them. ‘Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.’  16 They discussed this with one another and said, ‘It is because we have no bread.’  17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?’  ‘Twelve,’ they replied.  20 ‘And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?’  They answered, ‘Seven.’  21 He said to them, ‘Do you still not understand?’  (Mark 8:17-21 NIV; see Matthew 16:5-12)  12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.  (Matthew 16:12 NIV)

Who is the greatest?

They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, ‘What were you arguing about on the road?’ 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.  35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.’  36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 ‘Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.’  (Mark 9:33-37 NIV; see Matthew 18:1-5; Luke 9:46-48)

Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

27 Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ 28 And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’  29 He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’ 30 And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.  (Mark 8:27-31)

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’  (Mark 8:31-33; see Matthew 16:13-28; Luke 9:18-27)

A boy possessed 

A man in the crowd answered, ‘Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.’  19 ‘You unbelieving generation,’ Jesus replied, ‘how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.’  28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, ‘Why couldn’t we drive it out?’  29 He replied, ‘This kind can come out only by prayer [some manuscripts: prayer and fasting].’  (Mark 9:17-19, 28-29; see Matthew 17:14-21; Luke 9:37-43)

Arguments and opposition

An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. 47 Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and made him stand beside him. 48 Then he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.’   49 ‘Master,’ said John, ‘we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.’  50 ‘Do not stop him,’ Jesus said, ‘for whoever is not against you is for you.’

51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?’ 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them. 56 Then he and his disciples went to another village.  (Luke 9:46-56 NIV; see Matthew 18:1-5; Mark 9:33-41)

Jesus blesses children

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. (Mark 10:13-16 NIV; see Matthew 19:13-15; Luke 18:15-17)

Dispute at the Last Supper

A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. (Luke 22:24-27 NIV; see John 13:1-20)

Jesus prays in Gethsemane

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Simon,’ he said to Peter, ‘are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’  39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.  41 Returning the third time, he said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. …  50 Then everyone deserted him and fled.  (Mark 14:36-41, 50 NIV; see Matthew 26:36-46; Luke 22:39-46)

Peter denies Jesus

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, ‘You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.’ 68 But he denied it, saying, ‘I do not know or understand what you are talking about.’ And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed. 69 And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, ‘This man is one of them.’ 70 But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, ‘Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean.’ 71 But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, ‘I do not know this man you are talking about.’ 72 At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ And he broke down and wept. (Mark 14:66-72)

*

Jesus commissioned and equipped his followers

Jesus sent the 12 and the 70 (or 72) on mission with his authority and promised they would be empowered.

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal those who were ill. 3 He told them: ‘Take nothing for the journey – no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5 If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.’ 6 So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. (Luke 9:1-6 NIV; see Matthew 10:5-15)

After this the Lord appointed seventy [some manuscripts, 72] others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. 2 He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. 3 Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” 6 And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. 7 Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; 9 cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” … 17 The seventy [or 72] returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’ 18 He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. 19 See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’  (Luke 10:1-9, 17-19)

Jesus’ final promise

So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ 7 He replied, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ 9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.  (Acts 1:6-9)

Jesus’ final promise is the key to effective short term supernatural mission. We can only do it in the power of the Spirit, as Jesus did and as his followers did.

We too must pray constantly, be led by the Spirit as Jesus was, and be obedient to his call.

Even the disciples failed, often. They knew Jesus well. They constantly witnessed his power and authority. Yet still their faith wavered sometimes.

Many times we may feel weak and inadequate especially when we are faced with great needs. But we do not depend on our own strength or our own abilities. We depend on Jesus. He is faithful to his word and his promises.

We may also face opposition, as Jesus and the disciples did, especially when we step out in faith and see God’s power healing and setting people free. Our eyes are fixed on Jesus, not on the storm around us. He has conquered and will continue to conquer. He alone is Lord.

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A USB Library of 20 Renewal Journals

by Geoff 13 March 2015 No Comments
A USB Stick of these 20 Renewal Journals is available for $50.  Use the PayPal button, right, and send a Comment at the bottom of this page including your mailing address.  You can use this material for your publications and media as long as you acknowledge the copyright as the Renewal Journal  – https://renewaljournal.com.  Blessed to bless.

You may also copy the Renewal Journals from the web pages, so long as you acknowledge the copyright as the Renewal Journal – renewaljournal.com.

See also the page for a USB Library of 20 Revival and Renewal Books.

Later on, other Devotional and Bible Study books may also be available on a USB Stick Library including the Lion of Judah series and the Kingdom Life series. 

Renewal Journals

All Renewal Journal Topics

1 Revival,  2 Church Growth,  3 Community,  4 Healing,  5 Signs & Wonders,  
6  Worship,  7  Blessing,  8  Awakening,  9  Mission,  10  Evangelism,
11  Discipleship,  12  Harvest,  13  Ministry,  14  Anointing,  15  Wineskins,
16  Vision,  17  Unity,  18  Servant Leadership,  19  Church,  20 Life

Contents of all issues

 1: Revival


Praying the Price, by Stuart Robinson
Prayer and Revival, by J Edwin Orr
Pentecost in Arnhem Land, by Djiniyini Gondarra
Power from on High: The Moravian Revival, by John Greenfield
Revival Fire, by Geoff Waugh
Reviews – Prayer: Key to Revival, by David Yonggi Cho: Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, by Burgess and McGee; Experiences of the Spirit, by Jan Jongenell, ed.; Pentecost, Mission and Ecumenism: Essays on Intercultural Theology. Festschrift in Honour of Professor Walter J. Hollenweger, Jan Jongeneel, ed.; Church on Fire, Geoff Waugh, ed.; YWAM Videos/DVDs.

2: Church Growth

Church Growth through Prayer, by Andrew Evans
Growing a Church in the Spirit’s Power, by Jack Frewen-Lord
Evangelism brings Renewal, by Cindy Pattishall-Baker
New Life for an Older Church, by Dean Brookes
Renewal Leadership, by John McElroy
Reflections on Renewal, by Ralph Wicks
Local Revivals in Australia, by Stuart Piggin
Asia’s Maturing Church, by David Wang
Astounding Church Growth, by Geoff Waugh
Book Reviews –Heart of Fire by Barry Chant; The Spirit in the Church by Adrian Commadeur; Streams of Renewal by Robert Bruce (ed); Word and Spirit by Alison Sherington; Living in the Spirit by Geoff Waugh; Reviews of the Renewal Journal by Lewis Born and James Haire

3: Community

RJ 03 Community 1Lower the Drawbridge, by Charles Ringma
Called to Community, by D Mathieson & Tim McCowan
Covenant Community, by Shayne Bennett
The Spirit in the Church, by Adrian Commadeur
House Churches, by Ian Freestone
Church in the Home, by Spencer Colliver
The Home Church, by Colin Warren
China’s House Churches, by Barbara Nield
Renewal in a College Community, by Brian Edga
Spirit Wave, by Darren Trinder
Reviews – Book & DVD Review: Viva Christo Rey!

4: Healing

RJ 04 Healing 1Missionary Translator and Doctor, by David Lithgow
My Learning Curve on Healing, by Jim Holbeck
Spiritual Healing, by John Blacker
Deliverance and Freedom, by Colin Warren
Christian Wholeness Counselling, by John Warlow
A Healing Community, by Spencer Colliver
Divine Healing & Church Growth, by Donald McGavran
Sounds of Revival, by Sue Armstrong
Revival Fire at Wuddina, by Trevor Faggotter
Book Reviews – Healing by Francis MacNutt; Power Healing by John Wimber & Kevin Springer; Healing through Deliverance by Peter Horrobin; Healing in the Now by John Blacker; All Together in One Place by Harold Hunter & Peter Hocken (eds)

5: Signs and Wonders

Words, Signs and Deeds, by Brian Hathaway
Uproar in the Church, by Derek Prince
A Season of New Beginnings, by John Wimber
Preparing for Revival Fire, by Jerry Steingard
How to Minister Like Jesus, by Bart Doornweerd
Renewal Blessings, Reflections from England
Renewal Blessings, Reflections from Australia
Reviews – Comment on books by John White, John Wimber, Charles Kraft, and on a World Vision Video/DVD

6: Worship

Worship: Intimacy with God, by John & Carol Wimber
Beyond Self-Centred Worship, by Geoff Bullock
Worship: to Soothe or Disturb? by Dorothy Mathieson
Worship: Touching Body and Soul, by Robert Tann
Healing through Worship, by Robert Colman
Charismatic Worship and Ministry, by Stephen Bryar and
Renewal in the Church, by Stan Everitt
Worship God in Dance, by Lucinda Coleman
Revival Worship, by Geoff Waugh
Book Reviews – Winds of Change: The Experience of Church in a Changing Australia by Peter Kaldor (ed); Views from the Pews by Peter Kaldor (ed); Jesus the Baptiser with the Holy Spirit by Allan Norling

7: Blessing

What on earth is God doing? by Owen Salter
Times of Refreshing, by Greg Beech
Renewal Blessing, by Ron French
Catch the Fire, by Dennis Plant
Reflections, by Alan Small
A Fresh Wave, by Andrew Evans
Waves of Glory, by David Cartledge
Balance, by Charles Taylor
Discernment, by John Court
Renewal Ministry, by Geoff Waugh
Book Reviews – Comment on books by Partick Dixon, Rob Warner, Guy Chevreau, Mkie Feardon, Dave Roberts, Wallace Boulton, John Arnott, Andy & Jane Fitz-Gibbon, and Ken & Lois Gott

8: Awakening

Speaking God’s Word, by David Yonggi Cho
The Power to Heal the Past, by C. Peter Wagner
Worldwide Awakening, by Richard Riss
The ‘No Name’ Revival, by Brian Medway
Book Review – Fire from Heaven, by Harvey Cox
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9: Mission

The River of God, by David Hogan
The New Song, by C. Peter Wagner
God’s Visitation, by Dick Eastman
Revival in China, by Dennis Balcombe
Mission in India, by Paul Pilai
Harvest Now, by Robert McQuillan
Pensacola Revival, by Michael Brown
Book Reviews – Building a Better World by Dave Andrews, Surprised by the Power of the Spirit & Surprised by the Voice of God both by Jack Deere, Secrets of the Argentine Revival, by R Edward Miller

10: Evangelism

Power Evangelism, by John Wimber
Power Evangelism in Short Term Missions, by Randy Clark
Supernatural Ministry, by John White
God’s Awesome Presence, by R Heard
Evangelist Steve Hill, by Sharon Wissemann
Reaching the Core of the Core, by Luis Bush
Evangelism on the Internet, by Rowland Croucher
“My Resume” by Paul Grant
Gospel Essentials, by Charles Taylor
Pentecostal/Charismatic Pioneers, by Daryl Brenton
Characteristics of Revivals, by Richard Riss
Book Reviews – Flashpoints of Revival & Revival Fires, by Geoff Waugh

11: Discipleship

Transforming Revivals, by Geoff Waugh
Standing in the Rain, by Brian Medway
Amazed by Miracles,by Rodney Howard-Brown
A Touch of Glory, by Lindell Cooley
The ‘Diana Prophecy’, by Robert McQuillan
Mentoring,by Peter Earle
Can the Leopard Change his Spots? by Charles Taylor
The Gathering of the Nations, by Paula Sandford
Book Review – Taking our Cities for God, by John Dawson

12: Harvest

12 HarvestThe Spirit told us what to do, by Carl Lawrence
Argentine Revival, by Guido Kuwas
Baltimore Revival, by Elizabeth Moll Stalcup
Smithton Revival, by Joel Kilpatrick
Mobile Revival, by Joel Kilpatrick
Australian Reports – Aboriginal Revivals
Global Reports
Book Review: 2000 Years of Charismatic Christianity, by Eddie Hyatt

13: Ministry

Renewal Journal 13: MinistryPentecostalism’s Global Language, by Walter Hollenweger
Interview with Steven Hill, by Steve Beard
Revival in Mexico City, by Kevin Pate
Revival in Nepal, by Raju Sundras
Beyond Prophesying, by Mike Bickle
The Rise and Rise of the Apostles, by Phil Marshall
Evangelical Heroes Speak, by Richard Riss
Primacy of Love, by Heidi Baker
Spirit Impacts in Revivals, by Geoff Waugh
Book Reviews:  Fire in the Outback, by John Blacket;  The Making of a Leader, by J R Clinton

14: Anointing

Renewal Journal 14: AnointingA Greater Anointing, by Benny Hinn
Myths about Jonathan Edwards, by Barry Chant
Revivals into 2000, by Geoff Waugh
Book Reviews:
The Holiness-Pentecostal Tradition by Vinson Synan
The God Chasers, by Tommy Tenny
Primary Purpose, by Ted Haggard

15: Wineskins

The God Chasers, by Tommy Tenny
The New Apostolic Reformation, by C. Peter Wagner
The New Believers, by Diana Bagnall (The Bulletin)
Vision and Strategy for Church Growth, by Lawrence Khong
New Wineskins for Pentecostal Studies, by Sam Hey
New Wineskins to Develop Ministry, by Geoff Waugh
Book and DVD Reviews:
Pentecostalism, by Walter Hollenweger
The Transforming Power of Revival, by Harold Caballeros and Mell Winger
Transformations 1 and 2 DVDs (The Sentinel Group)

16: Vision

Almolonga, the Miracle City, by Mell Winger
Cali Transformation, by George Otis Jr.
Revival in Bogotá, by Guido Kuwas
Prison Revival in Argentina, by Ed Silvoso
Missions at the Margins, by Bob Ekblad
Vision for Church Growth, by Daryl & Cecily Brenton
Vision for Ministry, by Geoff Waugh
Book Reviews: Jesus on Leadership by Gene Wilkes
Supernatural Missions, by Randy Clark

17: Unity

Snapshots of Glory, by George Otis Jr.
Lessons from Revivals, by Richard Riss
Spiritual Warfare, by Cecilia Estillore Oliver
Unity not Uniformity, by Geoff Waugh
Reviews – Transformation DVDs; Informed Intercession, by George Otis Jr.

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18: Servant Leadership

The Kingdom Within, by Irene Alexander
Church Models: Integration or Assimilation? by Jeannie Mok
Women in Ministry, by Sue Fairley
Women and Religions, by Susan Hyatt
Disciple-Makers, by Mark Setch
Ministry Confronts Secularisation, by Sam Hey
Book Reviews: In the Spirit We’re Equal by Susan Hyatt,
Firestorm of the Lord by Stuart Piggin,
Early Evangelical Revivals in Australia by Robert Evans
Evangelical Revivals in New Zealand by Robert Evans & Roy Mckenzie.

19: Church

The Voice of the Church in the 21st Century, by Ray Overend
Redeeming the Arts: visionaries of the future, by Sandra Godde
Counselling Christianly, by Ann Crawford
Redeeming a Positive Biblical View of Sexuality, by John Meteyard and Irene Alexander
The Mystics and Contemporary Psychology, by Irene Alexander
Problems Associated with the Institutionalization of Ministry, by Warren Holyoak
Book Reviews – Jesus, Author & Finisher by Brian Mulheran,
South Pacific Revivals by Geoff Waugh

20: Life

Life, death and choice, by Ann Crawford
The God who dies: Exploring themes of life and death, by Irene Alexander
Primordial events in theology and science support a life/death ethic, by Martin Rice
Community Transformation, by Geoff Waugh
Book Reviews: Body Ministry and Looking to Jesus: Journey into Renewal and Revival, by Geoff Waugh

 

You are welcome to reproduce articles from the Renewal Journal, acknowledging the source as the Renewal Journal with the Web address (renewaljournal.com) or the postal address (Renewal Journal, PO Box 2111, Mansfield, Brisbane 4122, Australia). 

To the USB Library of 20 Revival and Renewal Books

 

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A USB Library of 20 Books: Revival and Renewal Books

by Geoff 13 March 2015 No Comments
A USB Stick of these 20 Renewal and Revival Books is available for $50.  Use the PayPal button, right, and send a Comment at the bottom of this page including your mailing address.  You can use this material for your publications and media as long as you acknowledge the copyright as the Renewal Journal  – renewaljournal.com.  Blessed to bless.

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Revival Books

Revival Fires
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Renewal and Revival
Renewal and Revival

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Anointed for Revival

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Looking to Jesus
A Looking to Jesus 900Light on the Mountains

Jesus the Model for Short Term
Supernatural Mission
A Jesus the Model Globe*

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Body Ministry
Learning Together
in Ministry
A Learning Together in Ministry*

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Church on Fire
Keeping Faith Alive Today
Signs & Wonders
Signs & Wonders

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Living in the Spirit
Your Spiritual Gifts
Fruit & Gifts of the Spirit
Leader’s Goldmine
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An Incredible Journey by Faith
 An Incredible Journey by FaithYou Can Publish for Free
A You can Publish for Free

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Later on, other Devotional and Bible Study books may also be available on a USB Stick Library including the Lion of Judah series and the Kingdom Life series. 

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Signs and Wonders: Study Guide

by Geoff 8 March 2015 4 Comments

Signs & Wonders

Signs and Wonders

 Study Guide

Signs and Wonders Study Guide – PDF

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These Study Guides are adapted from former Distance Education materials produced by the School of Ministries of Christian Heritage College in Brisbane, Australia. Now they are adapted here for your benefit. The current courses use different and updated materials. 

For information about current courses, contact the Principal,

Citipointe Ministry College, PO Box 2111, Mansfield, Qld 4122, Australia. Email: cmc@citipointechurch.com or study@chc.edu.au 

 

 

Signs and Wonders

Compiled by Geoff Waugh and Cecilia Estillore Oliver

Cover photo: © ‘Inagako In Fall’, Japan, by Chris Asche – used with permission.

Welcome to this Study Guide on Signs and Wonders.

Signs and wonders occur throughout the Old and New Testaments. They express the magnificent creativity and sovereignty of the Lord, described in the Bible. They are also expressions of the power, goodness, mercy, grace, compassion, and love of the Lord, and show the nature of our omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent God.

Signs and wonders point to the One and True Living God, and also demonstrate that this Living God is a Personal God who is very interested in people, both individually and corporately. This same God described in the Bible is very much alive and active today just as he was then.

Our hope is that through this subject you will encounter God and be transformed in this encounter. We pray that you will be challenged and stirred up to move in faith and obedience to God who can empower you with his Holy Spirit to do what Jesus did and even greater works (John 14:12). As you learn to move in God’s power and in ways that are naturally supernatural and supernaturally natural, may you become more Christ-like in your personal life, ministry, and vocation in this world. And may you be an instrument in advancing the Kingdom of God on earth as you become filled with passion and clothed with power from on high.

We especially thank Cecilia Estillore Oliver, a medical doctor and B.Min. graduate, for her work in helping to compile and write this Study Guide.  Cecilia prepared and compiled the information in this Study Guide from materials gathered and arranged by Geoff Waugh for the degree programs of Citipointe Ministry College, the School of Ministries of Christian Heritage College in Brisbane, Australia, and made available here with permission of the college.  This book reproduces the content of that former Study Guide, adapted here for general use.

Contents

This Signs and Wonders study guide includes

Biblical Foundations:

Old Testament

Jesus’ Ministry

The Epistles

The Cross – see blog

Theological Foundations:

The Supernatural

Worldview

The Kingdom of God

Spiritual Gifts

Ministry Foundations:

Church History

Case Studies

Practices and Pitfalls

Integrated Ministry

Much of the material is developed and adapted from the course at Fuller Theological Seminary conducted by John Wimber in 1984, titled MC510: Signs and Wonders and Church Growth, used with permission.

Class Testimony

Reproduced from the Signs and Wonders Study Guide Appendix

A student we prayed for one morning in class went to her doctor that afternoon for a final check before having a growth removed from her womb. That afternoon her doctor could find no trace of the growth after checking with three ultrasound machines, so he cancelled the scheduled operation.

“My class at college laid hands on me and prayed for me,” she explained to her doctor. “I believe God healed me, and that’s why you can’t find the growth any more.”

“I don’t know if God healed you,” he responded. “But I do know that you don’t need an operation.”

Our class studied this Signs and Wonders subject. We usually began each class with prayer, and that day our prayer included praying for specific needs such as that woman’s health. One of those praying in class was Cecilia, a medical doctor. She prayed with strong faith, joining us in laying hands on the ‘patient’ student, knowing that God heals through prayer as well as through medicine. What rich resources we have for ministry – right there in the group.

See an article (a former subject assignment) by that student Cecilia.

I love hearing medical people pray for healing. They have medical skills as well as faith in God. A nurse in one of our week night meetings prayed for another lady who had severe back pain.

“L4, be healed in Jesus’ name,” the nurse commanded as she prayed with her hand on the woman’s back. It takes medical knowledge plus the revelation of a ‘word of knowledge’ to be able to pray like that. All pain immediately left the lady being prayed for. Apparently the problem was in the Lumbar 4 (L4) section of her spine.

Many people are not healed so quickly. Perhaps most are not healed so quickly in our materialistic Western society. There are many reasons for that, including our Western scepticism, lack of compassion or faith, and our sinfulness such as jealousy, competition or failing to forgive others freely as God has forgiven us.

We all can learn more together about effective ministry. That learning is enhanced and expanded rapidly when we share our experiences and learning together. The ‘teacher’ usually shares from his or her experiences, but others can do also. So the more that our ministry education fosters mutuality, the more we can learn from one another.

We call this open education, or open ministry education. It is open to everyone and everyone can be involved. It is not just for leaders. Our leaders can help us, but their main job is to equip the saints for the work of ministry for building up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12). We can do these things in classes, small groups, seminars, training courses and home or church groups.

A Learning Together in MinistryThis testimony is also included in the Introduction to

Learning Together in Ministry

Mutual Education: from compteition to co-operation

Learning Together in Ministry – PDF

See also Renewal Journal 5: Signs and Wonders

Words, Signs and Deeds, by Brian Hathaway

Uproar in the Church, by Derek Prince

A Season of New Beginnings, by John Wimber

Preparing for Revival Fire, by Jerry Steingard

How to Minister Like Jesus, by Bart Doornweerd

Related Books

Study Guide Series

Signs & Wonders
 
1. Signs and Wonders – Blog
 
Signs and Wonders – PDF
 
 
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A SG Holy Spirit in Ministry

2. The Holy Spirit in Ministry  – Blog

Holy Spirit in Ministry – PDF

 

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A SG Revival History

 

3. Revival History – Blog

Revival History – PDF

 

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A SG Spirit Movements

 

4. Holy Spirit Movements through History – Blog

Holy Spirit Movements through History – PDF

 

A Renewal Theology 1

 

5. Renewal Theology 1 – Blog

Renewal Theology 1 – PDF

 

A SG Renewal Theology 2

 

6. Renewal Theology 2 – Blog

Renewal Theology 2 – PDF

 

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A SG Practicum

7. Ministry Practicum – Blog

Practicum Study Guide – PDF

 

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A SG Holy Spirit in Ministry

The Holy Spirit

in Ministry

Holy Spirit in Ministry – PDF

 

 

Revival Fires

Revival Fires – PDF

 

 

A Flashpoints 1

Flashpoints of Revival

Flashpoints of Revival – PDF

 

GENERAL BLOGS INDEX 

BLOGS INDEX 1: REVIVALS (BRIEFER THAN REVIVALS INDEX)

BLOGS INDEX 2: MISSION (INTERNATIONAL STORIES)

BLOGS INDEX 3: MIRACLES (SUPERNATURAL EVENTS)

BLOGS INDEX 4: DEVOTIONAL (INCLUDING TESTIMONIES) 

BLOGS INDEX 5: CHURCH (CHRISTIANITY IN ACTION)

BLOGS INDEX 6: CHAPTERS (BLOGS FROM BOOKS)

BLOGS INDEX 7: IMAGES (PHOTOS AND ALBUMS)

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Learning Together in Ministry

by Geoff 1 March 2015 3 Comments

A Learning Together in Ministry

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Learning Together in Ministry

Mutual Education: from competition to co-operation

Learning Together in Ministry – PDF

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This educational book is reproduced and expanded from chapter 5 of The Body of Christ, Part 2: Ministry Education and chapter 15 of Body Ministry: The Body of Christ Alive in His Spirit.

Learning Together in Ministry describes how we all can learn together to minister more effectively. Expanded from chapter 15 of ‘Body Ministry: The Body of Christ Alive in His Spirit’ this book gives further comment and examples of Spirit-led and Spirit-empowered ministry by ordinary people alive in the Spirit of God.

Geoff Waugh taught Ministry and Mission subjects in Bible Schools in Papua New Guinea and at Trinity Theological College and Christian Heritage College in Brisbane, Australia.   He has a Doctor of Missiology degree from Fuller Theological Seminary and is an author of books on mission including Flashpoints of Revival and South Pacific Revivals.

Contents

 

Introduction

1   Aims and Objectives

Affective, Behavioural, Cognitive

2  Implications for Ministry

a. Climate

b. Planning

c. Meeting Needs

d. Objectives

e. Learning Plans

f. Learning Activities

g. Evaluation

Conclusion

Appendix: Resources

Endorsement

by the Rev Dr Lewis Born, former Moderator of the Queensland Synod of the Methodist and Uniting Church in Australia and Director of the Department of Christian Education.

Body Ministry and Open Ministry Education come in its right time for adult education, gospel communication, and the growth of the church. Open Education promises to become the most commonly used adult educational methodology of the new millennium. The demand is likely to increase. This indicates that the work of Geoff Waugh is a significant contribution to the current educational enterprise. It is particularly valuable to Christian Educators. The author’s orientation is theological and his target audience is the faith community, its nurture, growth and outreach.

To this point in time the educative process has been inhibited by dependence on structured courses, the classroom and qualified teachers. Accelerated technology, as Mr Waugh observes, has made modern resources commonly available to individuals, churches and schools in every village community. By this medium Open Education for the first time in history is able to offer high quality education from the world’s best teachers to people in their own lounge, church or local group meeting place. All this coinciding with the renewal movement has stimulated interest in theological learning to an unprecedented degree in the history of Christendom.

The incredible numerical religious revival in the Asian and Latin church has been stimulated and served by modern technology. This gives Open Ministry Education and therefore Mr Waugh’s work a global relevance, which he has applied in the Australian context. As a fellow Australian I am appreciative. My appreciation is greatly enhanced by a deep respect and affection for the author. He is a competent teacher, an excellent communicator, an informed, disciplined renewalist and an experienced extension educator. All these qualities combine to commend the author and his work.

Reproduced from Body Ministry: The Body of Christ Alive in His Spirit and The Body of Christ, Part 2: Ministry Education

From the Introduction

A student we prayed for one morning in class went to her doctor that afternoon for a final check before having a growth removed from her womb. That afternoon her doctor could find no trace of the growth after checking with three ultrasound machines, so he cancelled the scheduled operation.

“My class at college laid hands on me and prayed for me,” she explained to her doctor. “I believe God healed me, and that’s why you can’t find the growth any more.”

“I don’t know if God healed you,” he responded. “But I do know that you don’t need an operation.”

Our class studied Christian ministry in the power of the Spirit. We usually began each class with prayer, and that day our prayer included praying for specific needs such as that woman’s health. One of those praying in class was Cecilia, a medical doctor. She prayed with strong faith, joining us in laying hands on the ‘patient’ student, knowing that God heals through prayer as well as through medicine. What rich resources we have for ministry – right there in the group.

See an article (a former subject assignment) by Cecilia.

Dr Cecilia Estillore Oliver prayed in the class group.
Dr Cecilia Estillore Oliver prayed in the class group.

I love hearing medical people pray for healing. They have medical skills as well as faith in God. A nurse in one of our week night meetings prayed for another lady who had severe back pain. “L4, be healed in Jesus’ name,” the nurse commanded as she lay her hand on the woman’s back. It takes medical knowledge plus the revelation of a ‘word of knowledge’ to be able to pray like that. All pain immediately left the lady being prayer for. Apparently the problem was in the Lumbar 4 (L4) section of her spine.

Many people are not healed so quickly. Perhaps most are not healed so quickly in our materialistic Western society. There are many reasons for that, including our Western scepticism, lack of compassion or faith, and our sinfulness such as jealousy, competition or failing to forgive others freely as God has forgiven us.

We all can learn more together about effective ministry. That learning is enhanced and expanded rapidly when we share our experiences and learning together. The ‘teacher’ usually shares from his or her experiences, but others can do also. So the more that our ministry education fosters mutuality, the more we can learn from one another.

We call this open education, or open ministry education. It is open to everyone and everyone can be involved. It is not just for leaders. Our leaders can help us, but their main job is to equip the saints for the work of ministry for building up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12). We can do these things in classes, small groups, seminars, training courses and home or church groups.

Before commenting on open ministry education I want to give you two examples of ordinary people learning to do more.

Vanuatu

The heathen village of Bunlap on the east coast of Pentecost Island in Vanuatu is famous as the spiritual centre for pagan witchcraft and curses. I went there with my ‘student’ Grant Shaw in 2006 on a five hour trek across to Ranwas village and then via Bunlap on a seven hour trek to Ponra village where we saw the power of God at every meeting and I heard angels singing in the night, like the church was full although no people were there.

Previously, Grant had prayed for the paramount chief’s son whose groin was healed at Pangi village on the west coast, so we offered to go to Bunlap and pray for the sick. A couple of days later we heard that the chief had invited us to come and pray – the first white people to ever be invited to pray for people there.

Then in 2012 Grant’s cousin Andrew Chee and I were swimming off the jetty near Pangi when one of the chief’s sons from Bunlap and his friends wandered onto the jetty. Two of those young men had pain so Andrew prayed for them and the pain left. The chief’s son told us they would be there when we came to Bunlap the following Saturday to pray for sick people again.

People were even more welcoming this time at Bunlap. We prayed for dozens of people, and their pain left. We talked about the kingdom of God and how Jesus saves and heals. Some of the people told us that they believed and when the chief allowed it they would be part of a church there. The paramount chief once burned a Bible given to him by a revival team from Christian villages. Now he is willing for a church to be built on the ground where he burned the Bible.

Hallelujah – what a testimony to God’s grace and glory. For the first time ever that paramount chief asked for prayer. He wanted healing from head pain. Andrew placed his hands on the sides of the chief’s head and we prayed for him in Jesus’ name. The pain left. Then another chief there prepared lunch for us so the pastors in the team and Andrew and I ate in his house – again that was the first time ever for white people on mission there to be hosted by a chief. Like Jesus’ disciples, we returned rejoicing that afflicting spirits were cast out, people were healed in Jesus’ name, some believed in Jesus, and they now plan to have a church there. Our host chief told the local Christians that they can bring their guitars and have meetings in the chief’s house anytime. Andrew encouraged village leaders to pray with him for people’s healings, just as he had learned from leaders in his church. Soon those village leaders and others were praying more strongly in faith. This photo shows the paramount chief (front left) and some of the team including Andrew (2nd from right in back).

Mision team prayed for a paramount chief in Vanuatu
Mision team prayed for a paramount chief in Vanuatu

Papua New Guinea

Johan van Bruggen, a missionary at the Lutheran Evangelist Training Centre at Kambaidam near Kainantu in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea, wrote in November 1990:

This is what happened about two months ago. A new church building was going to be officially opened in a village in the Kainantu area. Two of our last year’s graduates took part in the celebrations by acting the story in Acts 3: Peter and John going to the temple and healing the cripple. Their cripple was a real one ‑ a young man, Mark, who had his leg smashed in a car accident. The doctors had wanted to amputate it, but he did not want to lose his useless leg. He used two crutches to move around the village. He could not stand at all on that one leg. He was lying at the door of the new church when our Peter and John (real names: Steven and Pao) wanted to enter.

The Bible story was exactly followed: “I have got no money, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” Well, they acted this out before hundreds of people, among them the president of the Goroka Church District and many pastors and elders. Peter (Steven) grabbed the cripple (Mark) by the hand and pulled him up. And he walked! He threw his crutches away and loudly praised the Lord! Isn’t that something? What a faith!

Their testimony was given at a meeting of elders when Kambaidam was discussed. Mark was a most happy fellow who stood and walked firmly on his two legs. He also had been involved in criminal activities, but in this meeting he unashamedly confessed his faith in the Lord Jesus.

Later I talked with them. Steven (Peter) told me that the Lord had put this on his heart during a week‑long period of praying. “I had no doubt that the Lord was going to heal Mark, and I was so excited when we finally got to play‑act!” And Mark? He told me that when Steven told him to get up he just felt the power of God descend upon him and at the same time he had a tingling sensation in his crippled leg: “I just felt the blood rushing through my leg, bringing new life!” Mark is now involved in evangelistic outreach and his testimony has a great impact.

Johan van Bruggen
Johan van Bruggen

See also  1988 – August: Kambaidam, Papua New Guinea (Johan van Brugen) in Revivals Index

These reports are reproduced from South Pacific Revivals and Flashpoints of Revivals.

A Body Ministry 1

 

See also Body Ministry

This book has selections

from Body Ministry

This educational book is reproduced and expanded from chapter 5 of

The Body of Christ, Part 2: Ministry Education and

chapter 15 of Body Ministry: The Body of Christ Alive in His Spirit

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BLOGS INDEX 1: REVIVALS (BRIEFER THAN REVIVALS INDEX)

BLOGS INDEX 2: MISSION (INTERNATIONAL STORIES)

BLOGS INDEX 3: MIRACLES (SUPERNATURAL EVENTS)

BLOGS INDEX 4: DEVOTIONAL (INCLUDING TESTIMONIES)

 BLOGS INDEX 5: CHURCH (CHRISTIANITY IN ACTION)

BLOGS INDEX 6: CHAPTERS (BLOGS FROM BOOKS)

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