The Manifestation of the Indwelling Christ and a Continuation of His Ministry
In my other book “Divine Indwelling – The Manifestation of Christ in You,” I wrote more extensively on what I believe is the core truth of my life, but I think it is appropriate to briefly address this wonderful truth here also.
Jesus had assured His disciples that when He would leave this world, that
“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (John 14:18.) How would He come? He would come by the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus said that the disciples already knew “for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:17.)
After the ascension of Jesus to heaven, He would be literally seated at the right hand of the Father, but by His Holy Spirit He would dwell within the believers—Christ in us, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27.) Has Christ changed? No, because “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8.) Because He is the same today as He was during His earthly ministry, He remains a miracle worker today just as He was back then.
In the perfect eternity when we see Jesus face to face, there will be no need for miracles, signs and wonders (1 Corinthians 13: 8-12.) For example there would be no need for healing because there will be no sickness there. But in this world with its many sicknesses, diseases and evils, there is still a need for healing and miracles. Since Jesus has not changed, He continues to heal and do miracles today, and He does so through the Christ-filled believer!
Jesus commanded us as His disciples to lay our hands on the sick and they shall recover (Mark 16:18.) When the early believers did this, the Holy Spirit inspired the writer of the Gospel of Mark to carefully note that it was the Lord that was with them (by the Holy Spirit within them) who did the miracles:
“And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen” (Mark 16:20.)
Even though it had been the physical hands of the apostles of old that were laid on the sick, they still acknowledged that it was the Lord’s hand that healed (through them.)
“By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus” (Acts 4:30.)
I believe that my greatest life truth is that Christ dwells within us by the Holy Spirit and manifests Himself through us to a world that needs Him. Miracles, signs and wonders are a manifestation of the Indwelling Christ.
Of course miracles are not the only way that Christ is manifested through us. He can be recognized in us by His personality reflected in ours. He can be manifested when His words fill our mouths. When His Spirit fills us, we reflect His attitude and share His way of thinking.
Yet The Ministry of Signs and Wonders is an integral part of manifesting the indwelling Christ outwardly.
The Ministry of Signs and Wonders:
Pride & Humility
Lucifer became the fallen angel because of pride in his heart. The ironic thing is that he actually became sinfully proud of the very thing that God had given him. He became aware of his perfect beauty and became proud of it. Instead of continuing to let his beauty and music radiate praise to God, he allowed pride to enter and eventually rebelled against his Creator God.
The same can be true of the miracle ministry. Initially, one may sincerely seek God and the miracle ministry—for the sake of the sick, dying and hurting and also for the sake of the Glory of God. However, as time passes, this same miracle worker may fall into deceit, pride and arrogance. Signs and wonders are to primarily serve people and glorify God—never the healing evangelist or anybody else.
If we really think about it we will realize that it is really silly to be lifted up with pride when the supernatural starts manifesting in our lives and ministries. It would have been a serious misjudgment on the part of the mule on which Jesus rode if the mule thought that all the praises the people of Jerusalem were bestowing on Jesus were actually for it! All these people think I’m really something, muses the mule.
Pride comes in deceiving ways and we should be vigilant in guarding ourselves from it. Once a hint of it is detected, we should promptly repent from it and ask the Spirit to cleanse us.
A great evangelist whom I admired had fallen into pride, which in turn led to several other poor judgments on his part. Yet the Spirit kept convicting him, until he repented from, as he put it to me, his “pride, haughtiness and arrogance.” God then restored him and used him mightily before he went to be with the Lord.
I personally feel though that true miracles may not lead the miracle worker to pride, but rather to humility. If we truly operate in the true supernatural power of God, we will also be exposed to its humbling power. True miracles should not entice us to pride, but rather make us declare with our Lord that “...the Father that dwelleth in me, He doeth the works...” (John 14:10.)
Now having made it clear that we should not allow pride to enter once we begin to be used by God in the area of The Ministry of Signs and Wonders, I also need to address pride as a hindrance to miracles. There are many of us who may be quick to condemn those who fell into pride because of their miracle ministries. However, many of us are also guilty of allowing pride to hinder us from operating in miracles. This fleshly, sinful sense of pride is afraid of embarrassment in the event a miracle does not happen.
The greatest enemy of the agent administering the miracle may not necessarily be the foolish pride that may come about later in the ministry. Rather, the greatest enemy may be the pride that hinders the servant of God to venture out in faith and attempt to perform the miraculous. Such pride fears the possibility of failure and the subsequent peril of embarrassment.
True humility cares not about embarrassment or failure. Rather, true humility is willing to sacrifice its egoistic reputation on the altar of faith that burns with the passion of the Holy Spirit.
The Ministry of Signs and Wonders:
Persecution and Criticism
The Bible tells us how Paul the apostle and his party performed great signs and wonders:
“Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands” (Acts 14:3.)
Although a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed,
…the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren…the multitude of the city was divided; and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them…” (Acts 14:1-5.)
Unfortunately, the reality is that The Ministry of Signs and Wonders is also accompanied by persecution and criticism. Persecution does not only come from the unsaved, unbelieving, non-Christians, but also from those within the Christian community itself. In certain church groups it is very popular to write, read, watch and distribute books and videos criticizing the healing ministry.
Again, God wrought a great miracle through Paul. There was a man who had been crippled from his mother’s womb, and Paul perceived that he had faith to be healed. With a loud voice he told him to stand upon his feet, and he was healed (Acts 14:8-10.) The result? Firstly, Paul gained tremendous favor with the people; but secondly, unbelieving religious people stoned him and left him for dead (Acts 14:19.)
A good observation to be made here is regarding the question of opening The Ministry of Signs and Wonders to investigation. There are those, especially in the media who offer to do a so-called investigation of the miracles; however it does more harm than good. While such follow up sounds like a good idea it is my opinion that many those who make such requests do so with ulterior and harmful motives. They are already predisposed to belittle and discredit the miracle ministry, and are eager to “expose” the evangelist as a fraud. I feel that if we believe in miracles, we will still believe even if we don’t see one. And if we don’t believe in miracles, we won’t believe even if we do see one. Jesus said,
“Do not give to dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample then under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces” (Matthew 7:6, NIV.)
If an investigation was done by those who are friendly towards the miracle ministry it is a different story. But to allow an unscrupulous media to unclothe a ministry of miracles that has been bathed with many tears, hours of prayer and days of fasting is to cast what is sacred before dogs and swine.
The Ministry of Signs and Wonders may appear to be sensational, but persecution comes with it. Yet the reward of people set free and the glory it gives God is worth the cost.
The Ministry of Signs and Wonders:
Judgment
When people see the miracles of God in operation, and still harden their hearts against the Gospel, judgment may be immanent. Pharaoh hardened his heart over and over again, in spite of the miracles that Moses did. As a result judgment fell upon the land of Egypt.
I read in an autobiography this week about how the man of God, Oral Roberts “cried more tears” in a certain city than in any other city. Yes, God still did miracles, but the people of that city hardened their hearts toward God. When he left, he shook the dust of that city from off his feet. Six hours later, a tornado struck the city and leveled the part of the city in which he had conducted the tent revival. Could it have been a form of judgment? I don’t know.
The words of Jesus Himself should serve as a warning to cities today that reject the Lord and His mighty signs and wonders:
“Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerate for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell; for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee” (Matthew 11:20-24.)
On the other hand, we should be wary of becoming obsessed with a judgment consciousness. We should not attribute every earthquake, hurricane or other acts of nature to God’s judgment. Had it not been for God’s mercy we all would have been judged by now.
“In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30, NIV.)
I have addressed the fact that judgment may come upon them who reject the Truth even when such mighty signs and wonders accompany the Message. But now I would like to address another judgment—the judgment on the miracle worker. Jesus' brother admonished us that:
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more severely than others” (James 3:1, ISV.)
How much more seriously should we take heed to this warning when it comes to judgment on a ministry that operates in miracles, signs and wonders! It is not the Lord's brother's intent to discourage us from teaching or operating in the supernatural, but it is a warning to us to use the gifts wisely. The gift should be used to point us towards Jesus, and also heal the sick, the fettered and hopeless.
There are those who might have perhaps merchandized the Gospel, especially when it is accompanied with the sensational and supernatural. This is very dangerous, should never happen and should be repented of the very moment it is detected.
The sober servant of God will always remember that he answers to the ultimate higher power—God Himself. We will each stand before the judgment seat of Christ and give an account of our works—whether good or bad, even good works with wrong motives.
I do not write this to discourage the seeker of the supernatural, but rather to encourage you to seek the supernatural with a pure heart. And once the supernatural starts manifesting in your life, keep that pure heart—it is precious in God's sight.
The Ministry of Signs and Wonders:
The Restrictions of Unbelief
Even Jesus Himself was hindered from performing mighty works because of the unbelief of the people of that area. The Bible tells us that:
“…He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief” (Matthew 13:58.)
Unbelief was the very reason He did not perform many mighty miracles. Jesus was hindered from doing His miracles in His very own home town. The community had known Jesus as a child and it was beyond them to believe that He could possibly have all the wisdom and miracles that were reported of Him. They even made mention that His mother, brothers and sisters were residents there; and they were offended in Him.
Sometimes someone who has been used of God in the area of the miraculous may not have the same rate of success in an atmosphere of unbelief. The servant of God may want God to touch them, but if the hindrance of unbelief is not removed, the miracle ministry may be significantly hindered.
Oftentimes people ask me why there are so many reports of stunning healing miracles in other countries and cultures—especially in developing countries, and not in our so-called first-world or industrialized nations.
My answer is that firstly, many of us think we can do without a miracle because we have instant access to good medical care. Perhaps we don’t feel we really need to trust God for a miracle. In some of these other nations, the miracle is so much more imperative, because there is no one else to whom they can turn.
Secondly, even though I appreciate science and technology, it seems that the manipulation thereof by certain forces has negated or discredited the supernatural. An example of this may be evident in many scientists inability to recognize God’s hand in science, even when indications of intelligent design is abundantly clear, substantiated by valid arguments and scientific evidence. Even though many respected scientists recognize intelligent design, the pressure is on as we become indoctrinated against the supernatural.
I have witnessed first hand that in places where there is a strong belief in the supernatural, such as in Africa, India, South America, etc, that The Ministry of Signs and Wonders is received much easier. The powers of the witchdoctor are very real, and people who have grown up in that culture have an ingrained respect for his power.
Also, belief in the supernatural is part of their nature and is held as real. Even regional kings, national presidents and educated businesspersons don’t question the reality of the paranormal in these cultures. Then, when the Gospel is preached to them, and they are presented with the alternative, namely the true power of God—it is easy for such people to believe. They already have the capacity to believe. Now their ability to believe is sanctified as they are pointed to the Truth. Whereas they already believe in the supernatural, they now have the light of the Gospel direct them to the True Source of power and healing—the Resurrected Lord Jesus Christ!
On the other hand, Western culture has not only been blessed by the good that the Renaissance has to offer, but has also inherited its flaws. The Renaissance exalted reason, yet negated the spiritual and supernatural. The good thing is that it dealt a deathblow to many superstitious ideas that were deeply ingrained in the very culture of the people. The bad thing is that it tossed the baby out with the bath water. Theological doctrines against the miraculous have been developed because of this cultural psyche.
We read that Jesus did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. Mark 6:5 is Mark’s account of the same story. He adds that Jesus “…could there do no mighty work….” Can you believe the Almighty God clothed in human flesh couldn’t do a miracle there? He was more than eager and able if they would just believe Him. Miracles happen in the interaction between God’s ability and willingness on the one hand, and man’s faith, prayer and receptivity on the other.
“…They turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel” (Psalm 78:4.)
The Ministry of Signs and Wonders:
The Power of Faith
I think it is crucial that The Ministry of Signs and Wonders should in no way be confused with practice of so-called “faith healing.” This phrase should not be applied to the ministry of healing.
Healing is a work of God, and could better be described as divine healing—not faith healing. If a person is healed by what we may consider to be faith, we are in danger of attributing the miracle to our faith, or to mere mental assent. A miracle should be attributed to its source, namely to our God Himself.
Having made it clear that we are healed by God, not faith, we can now explore the role of faith from a proper perspective. Jesus taught on multiple occasions that faith was the way that divine healing occurs. Faith should be exerted on both the part of the agent operating in The Ministry of Signs and Wonders, as well as on the part of the recipient of the miracle.
On the part of the agent administering the miracle Jesus said that “these signs shall follow them that believe...” (Mark 16:17) and “he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also... (John 14:12) and “Have faith in God... whoever shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith...” (Mark 11:23,) etc. The agent ministering the miracle must operate in faith.
On the part of the recipient of the miracle Jesus said “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth,” (Mark 9:23) and “...thy faith hath made thee whole...” (Mark 5:34) and “...Great is thy faith...” (Matthew 15:28) and “...Let it be unto you according to your faith (Matthew 9:23,) etc.
In His sovereignty, there are occasions when God may heal and perform a miracle with no faith on the part of either the agent or the recipient. Yet we should always be encouraged to operate in yet an even greater level of faith.
Typically faith is a result of our exposure to the promises of the Word of God because “...faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17.) Not only does faith grow by the consistent exposure to the Word of God, but faith may also grow larger in certain specific areas and not as large in other areas—depending which area is fed with God’s promises more often and effectively.
For example, one person may have a larger faith in the area of healing because that his faith in that area has been fed more effectively by the promises of God. But that same person may not have grown his faith for financial provision because he has not exposed himself to those specific promises in God's Word that address that topic.
Faith is also a result of the gift of faith written of in 1 Corinthians 12:9. This gift is a wonderful phenomenon. It may be manifested in the faith of the agent administering the miracle, and it may be manifested in the faith of the recipient of the miracle.
When the gift of faith manifests, the very atmosphere may suddenly become filled with faith. An example of this was indelibly planted in my mind in a service held by Nicky van der Westhuizen—who at the time was probably South Africa’s premier healing evangelist. In a stunning demonstration of bold faith, he asked four men to carry a lame man onto the platform. I think I might have thought something like this miracle better work, or else this service may end in disgrace! As he begun to pray over him, I sensed an atmosphere, a Spirit of Faith fill the tent. It suddenly felt like anything was possible—as if even a dead person could very well be raised from the dead in this atmosphere. The man walked! As stunning as the miracle itself was, more stunning to me was that atmosphere that was created when the gift of faith was manifested.
The gift of faith may also become stronger in some who exercise the gift more often or stretch it beyond normative limits. It is much like a certain muscle that is exercised more than another. Whichever muscle is exercised more often or more intensely will build more than a muscle that is used less.
It is important to clarify what a gift is in this context. A gift is not so much an endowment of a present from God to us as it is a manifestation of the Spirit of God dwelling within us. The original Greek word that was translated as spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:1 is pneumatikon which means thing of the Spirit, or in other words Spirit realities.
To understand this concept better we may simply read verse 7, which speaks of the “manifestation of the Spirit” (Gr. Phanerosis.) Each pneumatikon is really a phanerosis of the Holy Spirit, or in simple English—each gift or Spirit reality is really a manifestation of the Holy Spirit. In this sense the gift of faith is a manifestation of the faith of the Holy Spirit that indwells the believer! Awesome!
The same is true regarding the gift of the working of miracles. Once again, the invisible Spirit manifests Himself from within us in working the miracle.
There is a very special gift of the working of miracles. Again, this gift is a pneumatikon (a thing of the Spirit, or a Spirit reality) and a phanerosis (a manifestation of the Holy Spirit.
The Ministry of Signs and Wonders:
Expelling Unbelief through Fasting and Prayer
Some people want the power of God in their lives, but fail to pay the price of fasting and prayer. The Bible records an instance where Jesus’ disciples could not drive out a demon. Jesus proceeded to cast the devil out by Himself. Later on, His disciples asked Him why they could not cast out the devil. Jesus replied that it was because of their unbelief (Matthew 17:20.) Unbelief disabled the disciples from performing a miracle and so cast out the devil. Then Jesus said:
“Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21.)
It is important to note that not only are unclean spirits cast out with fasting and prayer, but it also casts out unbelief itself. Jesus didn’t say, “Because of your lack of fasting.” He said, “Because of your unbelief.” No devil, no sickness and no hindrance can successfully prevail against those who are filled with faith.
“…Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matthew 17:30.)
Nothing means nothing! Nothing shall be impossible for the individual who can get unbelief out and faith in. A Fasting and prayer drive out doubt and unbelief and it feeds true faith: “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21.)
Unbelief in certain areas and cases are not easily expelled except by the discipline of prayer and fasting. Fasting is a time set apart in which one abstains from food and liquid (with the exception of water,) during which time the faster seeks God intensely and feasts on His Word and Spirit. Depending on how we feel led, we may embark on a partial fast by only partaking of juices or vegetables, etc. The serious faster will only drink water. Never fast without drinking water! Not only do we receive spiritual benefits, but fasting is the healthiest thing we can do for our bodies. Howbeit we must drink a lot of water or else we may hurt instead of help our physical bodies.
Occasionally one can fast by only abstaining from certain things or habits, such as newspapers, television, surfing the Internet, etc.
The way we fast is not so important, but that we fast is. Prayer and fasting will drive out unbelief.
"Miracles for the Multitudes" is a combination of two focal points of Joel Hitchcock's Ministry, namely:
(a) Miracles, Signs and Wonders and (b) Massive Miracle Campaigns
This Blog is based on Dr. Joel Hitchcock's book "Miracles for the Multitudes".
To order Joel's eBook, go to http://www.joelhitchcock.com/p/product-store_4.html
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