Salvation and Healing Miracles Available Today

Over 500 years ago, Martin Luther planted the seeds of a Reformation that swept through the Church, transforming it and profoundly affecting the course of Western Civilization. One of the seminal doctrines introduced by the Reformation was the priesthood of all believers. The job of studying and teaching the Scriptures, of representing a Holy God before sinful men, and approaching God through Christ was no longer the exclusive domain of the professional clergy, but of every believer.

• 1 Peter 2:5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

The modern evangelical church has taken no priestly function more seriously than the injunction for every believer to preach the gospel---known to us as the Great Commission. I believe the Holy Spirit is now in the process of completing what He began through Luther over 500 years ago. Not only is every believer to preach the gospel, every believer is to do the works that Christ did, including miraculous works as confirmation of the gospel. I am not referring to the manifestation of the gift of healing here, which is clearly not given to every believer. I am referring to the fact of physical healing in the atonement.

• Matthew 8:16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases." 

• Isaiah 53:4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

These Scriptures clearly show that the atonement which Christ accomplished for us when he died on the cross purchased for us physical healing and deliverance, as well as the greatest benefit of peace with God. When a believer preaches the atonement, both physical healing and forgiveness of sins is available. It is one package. God is perfecting the priesthood of believers, He is restoring His saints into the image of His Son Jesus Christ---not only in terms of his holy character, but also his power and authority for the preaching of the gospel.

Article by Rev William Lau, the founder and director of The Elijah Challenge

IS HEALING PROVIDED IN THE ATONEMENT?

Most Christians would readily agree that in some way or another, physical healing is included as part of Jesus’ atonement. If it is not received in this life, definitely it will be in the next one. But the real question that causes division is, “Does the atonement of Jesus guarantee physical healing in this life?” When put this way, even the most diehard Pentecostal would admit to the contrary.

 

It must be noted that it is not necessarily a Pentecostal belief that physical healing is provided in the atonement. Renowned Pentecostal Bible scholar Gordon Fee does not hold to this view yet is very convinced that the gifts of the Spirit are still for the church today*. There is the possibility of remaining Pentecostal without believing in faith healing. God may and can still heal through the gifts of healing or through prayer, but he did not provide healing through the atonement. Thus physical healing is possible, but not guaranteed in this life.

 

There are basically 2 verses of scripture that are used to propagate the belief that healing is provided in the atonement – Isa. 53:4 & 5. 

4. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows: Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 

5. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by his stripes we are healed.

 

It is true that parts of Isa. 53 refer to the atonement. However verse 4 was quoted in Matt. 8:17 where it was applied to Jesus’ earthly ministry. That scripture was fulfilled when Jesus was on earth healing the sick, not when he was on the cross dying. Verse 5 definitely refers to the atonement. But does it refer to physical healing or otherwise? In 1 Peter 2:24 it was quoted in the context of spiritual healing. Peter was discussing the subject of retaliation. Jesus was reviled yet did not retaliate, and he is our example to follow. He then quoted Isa. 53:5 to support his position. He certainly was not referring to physical healing, but rather deliverance from the tendency to retaliate. Thus in Isa. 53:5, spiritual healing (healing from our sinful propensities) is most likely what is being referred to.

 

It is also claimed that the word salvation (Gr. soso) carries the idea of total deliverance from sin and sickness. Perhaps the Greek word could mean all these things, however to claim that every single meaning of the word is intended whenever the word is used is contrary to common practice. This is called word loading – applying every possible meaning of a word every time it is used. The context is supposed to determine the meaning. The statement “I have my groceries in my trunk” does not mean that I have my groceries in my elephant, in my tree, or in my small suitcase. Clearly a car trunk is the correct meaning as is clear from the context. Similarly when the Bible speaks of our salvation, it most often speaks of our deliverance from sin and the curse of the law, not from all sickness and disease and poverty.

 

Although I do not believe physical healing is provided in the atonement in the same way salvation is provided, all who are saved will achieve perfect health in the next life. Healing is available through the gifts of the Spirit and the prayers of righteous men and women, but not guaranteed. Salvation is guaranteed for all who (genuinely) believe and thus it works every time without fail. People who believe are not always healed. Some are, some are not. 1 Cor. 15:42, 43 tell us that our natural body was sown in corruption and dishonor, but will be raised up incorruptible and in power. Right now it is subject to weakness and sickness, but after the resurrection, it will experience perfect health. But this is not guaranteed until then.

 

In the event that believers get sick, it is perfectly in order to pray for healing and to call for the elders. However faith does not imply that one should dispense with medical help. If the Bible says that a merry heart does good like medicine (Proverbs 17:22), doesn't it imply that medicine is good? I believe that the majority of sicknesses today are caused by natural means - poor diet or unhealthy lifestyle choices. Christians would be well advised to take care of themselves physically. This would involve getting sufficient rest, eating well rounded diets, and physical exercise. Prevention is always better than cure.

Written by Denver Cheddie 

Denver Cheddie is a member of the New Testament Church of God (as it is known in Trinidad & Tobago) or the Church of God (as it is known internationally), and a graduate from their Bible Institute (July 2001). However he does not write on behalf of the organization. All of his articles are based on his interpretation of the Word of God and not that of his denomination. There are even minor points where his and the denomination's beliefs part ways.  Although Denver is a moderate Pentecostal in theology, he distances him self from the practices of fringe Charismatic groups.

 

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* See Gordon D. Fee, The Disease of the Health and Wealth Gospels (Beverly, MA: Frontline Publishing, 1985).

Silver and Gold We Have!

Thomas Aquinas

Thomas Aquinas was one day with Pope Innocent the Fourth in his closet, when an officer of his chancery came in with a bag of gold, procured by Absolutions and Indulgences. 

The Pope profanely said: "See, young man, the Church is not what it was in the times when it used to say, "Silver and gold have I none"

"Holy Father, that is very true, indeed," replied Aquinas, "but then it cannot say to the poor afflicted with the palsy, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk.'"

New Christian UK - REACH THE LOST USING HEALING THE BIBLICAL WAY AS JESUS DID IT

Check out what one of our fellow Elijah Challengers in United Kingdom is posting on his site.

You can learn how to heal the infirm from the site too.

God bless,

Pastor Albert Kang



New Christian UK - REACH THE LOST USING HEALING THE BIBLICAL WAY AS JESUS DID IT: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

REACH THE LOST THE BIBLICAL WAY - AS JESUS TAUGHT IT

1. ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH YOUR EFFORTS TO EVANGELISE OTHERS?

So often our sharing of the gospel seems relatively fruitless in terms of results and we sometimes get dejected at how few conversions we see. One fundamental question we need to ask ourselves is: "am I doing evangelism amongst the lost according to what Jesus taught". If in fact we are deviating from the method that Jesus taught, and from the resources he purposed, is it any wonder we see little fruit from our efforts?

Jesus ministry was evangelism. In Luke 19 verse 10 Jesus tells Zacchaeus: "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost". 1 Timothy 1 verse 15 reminds us:"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners".

Jesus did not rely on words alone to convince people as to who he was. Many times he said that if they did not believe His words then they should believe because of His miracles, for example:

John 10:25: "Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me""

John 10:37-38: "Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."

John 14:11: "Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves."
2. HOW DID JESUS TEACH HIS DISCIPLES TO REACH THE LOST?

Let's look at what he told the 12 and the 72, all of whom he sent out in twos.

3. THE TWELVE

In Luke Chapter 9 verse 1 we read: "When Jesus had the 12 together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick." We know from Matthew Chapter 4 verse 17 that the message of the kingdom included a call to repentance from sin: "From that time on Jesus began to preach "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.""

4. THE SEVENTY-TWO

Later, in Luke Chapter 10 verse 1 Jesus sends out the 72: "After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go." In verses 8 and 9 he adds: "When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, "The kingdom of God is near you."" On their return, the 72 reported (verse 17): "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." Note that, when Jesus responded to their joyous exclamation, he said to them (v 19):"I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you".

5. THE MODEL FOR US

While we would not dare to compare ourselves with the 12 - the Apostles - we can reasonably equate ourselves to the 72 who were un-named followers, normal believers of no special mention or exalted position either then or thereafter. In the Great Commission set out in Matthew Chapter 28 verses 16 to 20, Jesus says: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you (my italics). And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Some words Of Jesus from John's gospel:

John 14:15: "If you love me, you will obey what I command."

John 14:21: "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me."

John 14:23: "Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.""

John 14:24: "He who does not love me will not obey my teaching."

6. POINTS OF SIGNIFICANCE

Disciples of Jesus are required, via the Apostles and believers down the ages, to "obey everything that I have commanded you". Note also John Chapter 14 and verse 12 where Jesus says: "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing". The relevant commands in relation to evangelism, based on his commands to the 12 and 72 seem clearly to be threefold, namely:

(a) Preach the Kingdom of God

(b) Heal the sick and cast out demons, and

(c) Preach repentance from sin and the nearness of the Kingdom of God in the personhood of Jesus.

As always with Jesus, he never asks us to do anything in our own strength. Consequently, we need to take note of his opening words in verse 18: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." As believers, that authority to do Jesus' works now rests on us, his agents for the Kingdom.

7. HOW DID JESUS HEAL THE SICK AND CAST OUT DEMONS?

The Gospels are full of examples of Jesus' work in healing the sick and casting out demons. Frequently we find him speaking to the infirmity with a command, for example Matthew 12: 9-13, Mark 7: 31-37, Luke 4: 38-39, Luke 13: 10-17. Many times he would also place his hands on the person on the afflicted part, e.g. deaf ears and blind eyes. In the case of demons, he normally commanded them to go, in the same way as he commanded infirmities.

It is clearly evident that Jesus never prayed for the sick in evangelism, nor did the 12 and 72 whom he trained. We find not one example of Jesus or anyone else ever healing a person by asking God to do the healing. In each case the healing was done by the power of the Holy Spirit working through a human agent.

8. PUTTING IT TOGETHER

Evangelism amongst the lost, done the Jesus way, flows from the "all power and authority" that the resurrected Jesus has received from the Father. Consequently, when we proclaim the gospel of the kingdom, make clear the need for repentance from sin, and exercise Jesus' power and authority over sickness and demons, we are truly doing the work of evangelism according to the "Jesus model". It is because all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus, that infirmities and demons have to go. His authority has been invested in us, so they are required to obey our commands. All we need to do is GO AND BE OBEDIENT .

9. GIFT(S) OF HEALING versus EXERCISE OF POWER AND AUTHORITY?

We differentiate here between the "Gift(s) of Healing" given to the Body of Christ and the exercise of authority over sickness and demons used to reach the lost. Paul makes it clear that spiritual gifts are given by the Holy Spirit to build up the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12 verses 7 to 31). On the other hand, in the exercise of power and authority by Jesus, 12 and 72, and thereafter by both Peter and Paul in Acts, we see in evangelism (and in other situations too) the use of verbal commands given in Jesus' name, normally accompanied by the laying on of hands. Some post-Pentecost examples include:

Acts 3 - Peter heals the beggar

Acts 9 - Peter heals Aeneas and raises Tabitha from the dead

Acts 14 - Paul heals the man lame from birth

Acts 16 - Paul casts out the demon from the fortune-telling slave girl

Acts 22 - Paul relates how Ananias restored his sight

We notice in the book of Acts that the apostles continually declared that people were healed in the Name of Jesus.

10. DOING IT JESUS' WAY BRINGS UNITY AMONGST BELIEVERS

When we evangelise the Jesus way we find the body of Christ united, since both Charismatics and non-Charismatics are able to work on a common ground that is biblical. Doing evangelism the Jesus way avoids any theological conflicts in relation to spiritual giftings, since healing and deliverance done the Jesus way relies on ordinary believers exercising His power and authority, in humility and obedience, and not on a "spiritual gift of healing".

11. WHY DON'T WE TRY TO REACH THE LOST THE JESUS WAY?

We fail to do it the Jesus way because we are afraid of failure and embarrassment. What if nothing happens when we lay hands on an unbeliever - perhaps even a Muslim - and command an infirmity to go in Jesus name? How will we look then? What will unbelievers think if Jesus doesn't show up and the person doesn't get healed/delivered? Satan uses fear and unbelief to paralyse us and make us fruitless. Sadly, we are inclined to forget that Satan was defeated at the cross.

12. GOOD NEWS - A TRAINING COURSE ON EVANGELISM THE JESUS WAY YOU CAN OBTAIN ONLINE FOR FREE!

The Elijah Challenge have kindly made their training course available online at no cost, with a view to equipping believers to evangelise the lost according to the Jesus model. Please visit their website where you can :

a. download a pdf file of their basic training course - go

b. download the four .flv Flash video files comprising the basic training course. Please note you need a broadband connection for this as the 4 file downloads total almost 2 gigabytes - go

(NB: At www.newchristian.org.uk we already have obtained the 4 Flash video downloads and can provide these on 4 CDs at no charge if you live in the UK)

c. request a free DVD (pay postage only) of the basic training course - go

d. read many reports and testimonies of the effectiveness of this biblically based training - go

contact us at www.newchristian.org.uk by email

US Doctors Planning To Leave Medical Profession

Houston, Texas 

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Dear Brethren in Christ,

There are reports that many US medical doctors are considering giving up their practices because of Obamacare, which will lower payment to them for treating Medicare/Medicaid patients. According to the blog The Debt, one survey of 2,379 doctors showed that 4 out of 10 US doctors are planning to leave their profession within three years. If this comes to pass, there will be a severe shortage of doctors and medical care in the US.

This scenario, as foreboding as it is, could turn out to be redemptive for the sake of the gospel. If the Church could be trained to minister healing to the sick as Jesus taught and commanded His disciples (and as James taught in James 5:14-16), then there will be increasingly more opportunities for the gospel of Jesus Christ. If we proclaim to the lost that Jesus Christ can heal them of their infirmities and they come to us, we can minister healing to them effectively in Jesus' name. When they are healed, we tell them about the One who healed them: He can not only heal them, but more importantly He can save them from their sins and grant them eternal life.

The Lord has already graciously entrusted to us the ministry of training His disciples how to heal the sick as Jesus taught and commanded His disciples when He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God (Luke 9:1-2; Luke 10:1,9). May He now open doors for us to train the Church on a larger scale to heal the sick for the sake of the harvest during these last days.

Please seek the Lord for us, dear ones! May He make His Church receptive to this kind of ministry. Most churches today are unfamiliar and unreceptive to this kind of evangelism which is nevertheless very scriptural and can be very fruitful for the Great Commission.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev William & Pastor Lucille

www.TheElijahChallenge.org

Healing Miracles @ Harvest Haven

The participants getting ready to exercise their faith to heal the infirm

On 17 April 2011, after the evening service at the Church Camp organized by Full Gospel Church of Ipoh, Malaysia, we held a healing session for those who needed healing. Eight people received instant healing. 

A sister had injured her hip and leg during a basketball game. She had to drag herself to the chair to receive ministry. We did not PRAY for her but COMMAND the pain to go IN THE NAME OF JESUS. The miracle happened and she got up to walk. She even walked up the podium to testify. Her pain had left her. Praise the Lord.

A couple of campers testified that their back pain had left them after they received ministries. A lady with pain in her arm was also healed. She said that upon the third round of commanding, the pain was gone. A pregnant sister also received healing for her right hip. After the commands, the pain left her.

An elderly lady was suffering from arthritic knee pain. She was healed and could bend her knees without pain. A lady testified that her chest pain was gone after the other members of the church commanded. The lady pastor who was interpreting for me was also healed of her back pain even as she ministered to others.

By following the Scripture closely, my fellow ministers and I train nameless disciples how to use authority to heal the sick as Jesus taught. Jesus did not ask His disciples to pray but commanded them in Luke 10:9 to "Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God is near you."

We have a great and wonderful God. He is alive and well. Healing many in the mighty name of Jesus.

Rev Albert Kang

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why We Should Not Use Tongues For Healing

To understand why we should not use tongues for healing, we have to understand the three Authorities given to the Church.

Jesus had three authorities when He was ministering on this earth. He had the Priestly Authority, Prophetic Authority and the Kingly Authority. Today, these three Authorities have been given to His Body – the Church!

PRIESTLY AUTHORITY - PRAYING AND INTERCEDING
Most modern churches exercise this Priestly Authority regularly by praying and interceding. Since speaking in tongues is talking to God, it falls within this category of Priestly Authority. We DO NOT PRAY for the sick because Jesus has given us authority and power to heal the sick (Luke 9:1, 10:9). In all the records of actual healing in the Bible, Jesus and the apostles did not PRAY for the sick but they commanded, rebuked and demanded the sickness and diseases to be gone. So these have to do with KINGLY AUTHORITY rather than PRIESTLY AUTHORITY.

PROPHETIC AUTHORITY - PREACHING AND PROPHECIES
Churches are also very faithful in exercising the Prophetic Authority. The Word of God is being preached regularly in the churches. There are also prophetic utterances and prophetic interpretations. All these are part of the PROPHETIC AUTHORITY.

KINGLY AUTHORITY - HEALING AND CASTING OUT DEMONS
The only Authority that is seldom used in the churches is the Kingly Authority. This has to do with spiritual warfare and healing the sick. Therefore, whenever we heal the sick, we do not pray and ask Jesus to do the healing. We utilize our God-given authority and power to heal in the name of Jesus. In this instance, we do not speak in tongues or pray. We become Ambassadors of Christ and represent the Lord in casting out demons and heal the sick.

BIBLICAL PARADIGM
We have discovered that if we utilize the KINGLY AUTHORITY to heal the sick, our success rate is very high. However, when we pray for the sick, the success rate drops drastically. In Matthew 17, Jesus was upset with the disciples for not being able to cast the demon out a boy. Why was He upset with them? It was because He had already given them authority and power to heal the sick and cast out demons but they were not able to do so. They lacked the faith to exercise His command. Jesus later told them that their failure was because of their lack of faith.

Therefore nowadays, we do not PRAY TO JESUS TO HEAL THE SICK but OBEY HIS COMMAND and heal the sick in His name.
Hope this is helpful to you.
God bless,
Albert Kang

Listen To A Radio Interview With Reverend William Lau, Founder of The Elijah Challenge

Please click here for the radio interview of Rev William Lau. Listen to the second part of the interview, Rev Lau actually teaches from the Bible on how you can use God's power and authority to heal the sick and not just to pray for the sick.

Rev William Lau, Founder of The Elijah Challenge

The Vital Difference between Gift (Charisma) and Anointing (Chrisma)

In many circles the word anointing (or anointed) is used to refer to servants of God who are able to minister to others with supernatural power. It may involve preaching and teaching, prophesying, or healing the infirm and demonized. Such servants of God may also said to be gifted by the Holy Spirit to minister with such power.

 

There is a definite confusion between gift and anointing here which has led to the possibility of deception within the Church. In Matthew 24 Jesus warns us, “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” (NIV)

Charisma vs Chrisma

A gift of the Holy Spirit to minister to the body of Christ as taught in I Corinthians 12 is charisma in the Greek text. In the seventeen New Testament verses where the word charisma is found, it is used to refer to either God’s gift of salvation to believers or to a gift given to us by which we can minister God’s grace to other people.

By contrast, the word “anointing” in the New Testament is chrisma in the Greek---according to Strong, the special endowment of the Holy Spirit. Although in form it is very similar to charisma, the word is different in meaning and found only twice in the New Testament. 

1 John 2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 

1 John 2:27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.

We see that in each instance the word refers to an anointing on believers which teaches us about all things in order for us to know the truth. It clearly does not refer to an anointing on us to minister to others in preaching or in prophecy or in healing with supernatural power.

Therefore gift (charisma) and anointing (chrisma) are different from one another. The former is very definitely something given to believers for ministry to others. The latter is clearly not.

How about the word “anointed”?

There are five New Testament instances of the word “anoint” in its verb form chrio in the Greek.

Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed....

Acts 4:27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.

Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

Hebrews 1:9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” 

2 Corinthians 1:21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

We notice that in four of the five instances, the word anointed (or anointing) refers directly and solely to the Messiah Jesus Christ who was specially endowed by the Holy Spirit to heal, deliver, and save. The sole exception to this is in 2 Corinthians 1:21 where believers are anointed (with the Spirit) as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance. It does not refer to any disciple or servant of God being anointed to minister to others with supernatural power in preaching, prophecy, or healing and deliverance.

So far in this study, therefore, we do not see the words “anointing” (chrisma) or “anointed” (chrio) being used to refer to believers being enabled to minister to others.

“To oil”

There remain two instances in the NIV New Testament where the verb “anoint” is found.

Mark 16:1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.

James 5:14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.

The Greek word used here is aleipho, meaning “to oil” in the physical sense with actual oil. It is not related in meaning to the words “anointing” or “anointed” which we have been studying.

Preliminary conclusions

Based on our study so far, we see that scripturally speaking the words “anointing” (chrisma) and “anointed” (chrio) should not be applied to disciples or servants of God who have been given a gift (charisma) to minister to others.

Why should we be concerned about this seemingly negligible difference? It is because of the deception which Jesus warned would overtake many in the Church.

Matthew 24:5 “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” (NIV)

Here Jesus commands us to watch out so that we are not deceived by the many who will come in his name and claim to be the Christ. This verse as it stands makes little sense. This is because any servant of God who comes to us in the name of Jesus claiming to be the Christ will be promptly rejected by the Church. He will in fact deceive no one. In line with this, there is no one in the mainstream Church today who actually claims to be the Christ. But Jesus warns us that there will be many. How can we understand his warning? It is vital that we understand it properly in order that we will not be among the many who will be deceived in the last days. The answer is that we may have misunderstood what Jesus actually meant.

Deception in the Church

In Matthew 24:5 the Greek word for “Christ” is Christos in the Greek. The root of the word Christos is the word chrio which as we have seen means “to anoint.” Therefore Christos literally means “anointed.” Verse 5, therefore, can also be translated: “For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am (the) anointed,’ and will deceive many.”

As justification for this alternate reading, there is a verse in the NIV which refers to Christ and renders the word Christos as “Anointed One” instead of “Christ.”

Acts 4:26 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One. 

Interestingly, when Jesus teaches about his Second Coming in Matthew 24, he never refers to himself as “Christ.” He consistently refers to himself there instead as “the Son of Man.” (The same thing is true of the parallel passages in Mark 13 and in Luke 17 & 21.) Whenever Jesus uses the terms “Christ” or “Christs” as rendered by the NIV in Matthew 24, he in fact is referring to a false Christ or false anointed one. He makes a clear distinction and puts distance between "Christ" as rendered in the NIV and "the Son of Man."

This is consistent with the possibility that incidences of the term “Christ(s)” in Matthew 24 should instead be rendered “anointed one(s)”--- as in “false anointed ones and false prophets”. 

Matthew 24:24 For false Christs [or false “anointed ones”] and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.

Today in certain circles, many claim or are said to be “anointed” to minister to others as Jesus did---teaching, prophesying, healing the sick, or casting out demons. But this terminology is not at all in accordance with New Testament Scripture. As we have seen earlier, the correct terminology for referring to this is “gifted” (charisma) by God to minister to others---not "anointed" (chrisma). The root of the word charisma is charis in the Greek. According to Strong, charis carries the meaning of “acceptable, benefit, favor, gift, grace (-ious), joy liberality, pleasure, thanks.” It does not refer to the anointing or to the special endowment of the Holy Spirit which is on Jesus Christ alone to save us.

Therefore the terms “gifted” and “anointed” carry quite different meanings and should be not confused with one another. We can definitely be “gifted” to minister to others, but not “anointed” to minister. Luke 9 and 10 also indicate that disciples have been given power (dunamis) and authority (exousia) over disease and demons in the context of preaching the gospel. But only Jesus Christ was anointed by the Holy Spirit to heal, to deliver, and to save us from our sins by his death on the cross. 

Could Jesus be warning us about certain “anointed” ministers who will come in his name and deceive many?

Supporting evidence

Some servants of God who emphasize “the anointing” in their ministries will have practices and supernatural manifestations accompanying them which are not found in Scripture. Examples of this, among others, are the appearance of gold dust and gemstones in their meetings.

Matthew 24:24 For false Christs [or false “anointed ones”] and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.

Some of these ministers moreover place undue emphasis on receiving offerings and on personal material prosperity.

2 Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you… 2 Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up….

1 Timothy 6:5 and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. 

We must therefore be careful and exercise discernment when ministers come in the name of Jesus and claim to be “anointed” or have “the anointing” to minister to us. Our spiritual antenna should go up especially when they spend excessive time hawking their books and tapes and CDs and taking offerings in high-pressure fashion to finance "ministry" accompanied by a lavish lifestyle.

Matthew 7:15 Watch out for false prophets. …22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

What a difference a single alpha can make

Outwardly, charisma and chrisma would appear to be very similar, differing only by the single Greek letter alpha. Unfortunately---almost "deceptively"---they are unrelated. Could this be how the confusion and resulting deception began years ago, albeit perhaps through well-meaning believers?

Elijah Challenge Coordinators Are Unpaid Volunteers

Conducting Elijah Challenge Seminar in the Philippine

There have been some questions about the Elijah Challenge coordinators making money out of the Elijah Challenge seminars. As the Coordinator of Elijah Challenge Asia, I do not draw a salary or receive any financial remunerations. My church also does not give me money to do this ministry. This is strictly a personal and voluntary commitment.

I have just returned from conducting EC Seminars in the Philippines. I have to pay for my own airfares and hotel bills. There is no strict demand or requirement on the churches to give me any monetary offerings for me to do what I am doing. All of us who conduct such seminars do hope that churches will help us so that we can continue our ministry without additional stress on our own livelihood.

In short, all Elijah Challenge Coordinators of different countries are unpaid volunteers who sense the urgency of the Time. We just like every God-fearing church to win many souls by sharing the Gospel with power and authority. 

That is the primary reason why we are busy conducting seminars in different churches. All these seminars are NOT centrally coordinated. individual Coordinators or ministers receive invitations and we arrange our schedules to minister as best as we can. 

Those who suggest that Pastor William is no different from other ‘superstar’ evangelists are mistaken. Pastor William is not the only one conducting the EC seminars. Anyone who has gone through the second training can conduct his or her own EC seminar. And there are literally hundreds who have gone through this training.

Many have checked our website and found that everything is free for them to download. There are no costs or hidden charges. Can anyone learn directly from the website? Obviously! It’s just like anyone can learn from the Bible without learning from a pastor or a bible teacher. Yes, some churches need explanations and also actual demonstration of healing. That is why they invite us to conduct Elijah Challenge seminars at their churches. We encourage everybody to take a look at our website. In whatever ways, he or she can learn to evangelize with power, we encourage everybody to do so.

Let’s win as many souls as possible while it is still day for when the night comes, no man can work.
God bless!

Pastor Albert Kang
Coordinator, Elijah Challenge Asia

Healing Miracles in the Philippines

God is still healing people today. In the last six days, (29 March to 3rd April 2011) God healed so many people in different places. At the Assemblies of God School of Ministry, the students and lecturers received their miracles. At Navotas Assembly of God Church, many were healed. At Jesus Almighty God International Assembly, participants experienced their miracles. At Angono First Assembly, many came forth to testify that they had received instant healing in the name of Jesus.

We praise God for such wonderful miracles and the hearts of the believers in these churches are now revived. They are taking up the challenge to go two-by-two to win souls with the power and authority of Christ. We are praying that they will have great success in gathering the harvest of the End Times.