Manifestation Of The Holy Spirit / Part 5

Series – July/August 2020 – Grace & Truth Magazine

The Manifestation Or Marks Of The Holy Spirit Versus Imitation In The Church – Part 5

“The Lord Himself” – The Essence Of Paul’s Ministry
The Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it” (2 Tim. 4:17 esv). Paul’s farewell message to the Ephesian elders presents many encouragements and challenges to us, as is true about Acts in general. One of these is to follow Paul’s example, for we are exhorted to bring things to completion as Paul did by the grace of God. There are plenty of enthusiasts who begin something but fail to persevere and complete it.

Despite the tremendous opposition he experienced, the apostle went on and finished his task. How was he able to do so? It was through the One who strengthened him (Phil. 4:13); Paul realized he had no strength in himself (2 Cor. 12:9-10). We need to persevere and not grow weary, for the enemy tries to confuse and discourage in order to take our attention away from the scope, contents, theme or purpose of “the preaching of Jesus Christ” (Rom. 16:25).

Remarkably, Paul summarized his ministry by this expression “the Lord Himself” (1 Th. 4:16). The apostle always presented a person, namely the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us follow the example set before us! The Lord of Glory appeared to Paul many times from the day he met Him on the Damascus road through his last words expressed in Second Timothy. By our reading of the Scriptures and prayer, the Lord shows Himself to us (Jn. 14:21,23) if we keep His commandments – which we should not confuse with the Mosaic law. Our commitment and love to Him will make us faithful servants, whom He will instruct and guide.

A Few Considerations Of A Special Healing In Acts 28
Paul was confronted with counterfeits from beginning to end. His trials are instructive to us as we experience such opposition too. After being shipwrecked on Malta, Paul was introduced to the governor’s father, who was very sick. Paul prayed to discern God’s will regarding this man’s possible healing. Only after he was assured that it was God’s will did Paul lay his hands on him. Using the apostle, the Lord restored the man to good health. The general population then came with their sick to be healed1 (v.9).

The text indicates that Luke was also involved in this ministry.2 He reported that the Maltese gave them – meaning the 276 survivors – “many honors” and provided for the needs of the journey (v.10 KJV). The word “honor” is usually translated “price,” and “many honors” may have implied a financial sacrifice as the Maltese expressed their thankfulness.

Notes About The Events On Malta
God is sovereign; He is not under anybody’s control. In our days God is still able to heal and perform miracles, but He is not always willing to do so.3 Paul, instead of claiming to have power and using it as he saw fit, waited on God. While taking into consideration the differences of our times compared to the apostle’s days, how much more should we wait on God?

When Christ performed many miracles, it was to show God’s grace. In this He was preparing ground for the reception of the gospel while the religious leaders had not yet fully rejected Him. The Lord Jesus always depended on God (Jn. 4:34) and performed miracles only when it was God’s plan and will. Similarly, Paul performed miracles, signs and wonders only when God wanted him to do so, as in Acts 14:3,10. Besides being subject to God’s sovereign leading, Paul took other factors into account when it concerned a specific individual, such as the faith expressed by the one who was to be healed (vv.9-10). Peter did the same in Acts 3:16.

What happened on the island of Malta is a picture of the millennial blessings when the nations will be healed (Rev. 22:2). Those nations will show kindness – already during the great tribulation (Rev. 7–15) – to the remnant of the Jewish people, called “My brethren” by the King. He will call those nations “blessed” (Mt. 25:34,40). Together with the restored nation of Israel, they will enter the blessings of His millennial reign (v.46) and bring honor to Israel (Isa. 60:6-9, 66:18-19; Zech. 8:22, 14:16).

Satan, the old serpent, will be bound for 1,000 years before being released to allow his final attack. Afterwards, he will be cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:1-10). His doom was prefigured by what happened to the viper that had bitten Paul and then perished in the fire (Acts 28:5; see Rom. 16:20).

ENDNOTES
1. This physical healing of a public figure (Acts 28:8) implies a sharp contrast with the Jewish leaders’ refusal to be healed (v.27), even though certain Jewish individuals had known a miraculous healing (9:34, 10:38) physically and spiritually, just as Paul (Saul) had experienced.
2. Acts 28:8 uses the verb iáomai (as in 9:34, 10:38, 28:27), and it implies a divine intervention. Acts 28:9 has the verb therapeú, meaning “therapy” and referring to methods of healing. Luke, a doctor, was helping the many sick or weak.
3. Before He was publicly rejected, the Lord Jesus healed whatever case He met. When He had to leave the house (Mt. 13:1) He limited His healing ministry to those who confessed Him in faith. When asking the Lord to heal, we should never have any claim as if we or anybody else can do this, but we must put our trust in the Lord that He may act as He pleases.

By Alfred Bouter

Look for a part 6 of this Series next month.