It seems that there is an inseparable and necessary relationship between the display of Kingdom authority by the Spirit of God and the gifts/manisfestations that the Spirit has given to the Body of Christ that serve as essentials for effectively engaging in spiritual warfare.
1. Since it’s true (as far as we know biblically) that some physical and spiritual conditions are directly caused by Satan or demons, but not all are, how should one go about discerning or knowing that on a case by case basis in order to pray for healing more effectively?
2. Do you believe that the church is designed and intended to be a re-representation of Jesus’ ministry?
1. Since it’s true (as far as we know biblically) that some physical and spiritual conditions are directly caused by Satan or demons, but not all are, how should one go about discerning or knowing that on a case by case basis in order to pray for healing more effectively?
2. Do you believe that the church is designed and intended to be a re-representation of Jesus’ ministry?
Frank answers:
Well, that's two questions, not one -- but you're inside your word limit.
[1]
I like your tough stance that this is the basis for the necessity of the Apostolic gifts. That's actually a lot more rigorous approach than most continualists would attempt to stand on. What bothers me about it is that it is logically from the Bible, but somehow this conclusion is not supported by the Bible.
Here's what I mean: from the Bible, we can logically deduce that "wisdom" is a Christian virtue. (factually, it's also explicitly stated, cf. James 1) Because "wisdom" is crucial to live the life of faith, the Bible gives us sheaves of instruction in wisdom -- for example, the book of Proverbs. If we accept that, logically, the Bible says you need the apostolic gifts to discern supernatural problems, why doesn't the Bible give us specific instruction for that gift or virtue?
My response to your assertion is that the Bible does in fact give us guidance for discerning supernatural causes in this world, but that in each case (for example, "test the spirits") the Bible tells us to use the common gifts of wisdom, discernment, and maturity to determine spiritual causes.
[2]
I don't know how to answer that question because I don't know what you mean by "re-representation." I know for certain that the local church is established to declare the Gospel and live out the necessary consequences of the truth of the Gospel. I think that looks like the end of Acts 2. The local church should look like the church looked at the end of Acts 2.
What's striking about that, description, by the way, is how ordinary it is.
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
When we look at how that church operates, only the Apostles were doing miraculous things -- the rest were doing ordinary things which look like the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians -- joy peace, patience, goodness, self control, love.
To that end, I'm willing to accept that there are Apostles which are necessary for the church today -- if you can produce the fellows doing what those Apostles in Acts were doing as "Signs and Wonders." But the rest? It's fairly ordinary for people who are regenerate and who are living a life of repentance.
