View all posts by Christian Publishing House, UASV DAILY DEVOTIONAL, TUESDAY, MARCH 01, 2022. teaching. Do you know who my co-laborers are? Paul's own "thorn in the flesh" is a prime example: https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/what-is-a-thorn-in-the-flesh.html think is a good description of the Christian life in: This is what the Christian's life is all about, building and battling. (Acts 28:9) Then, the argument goes, why was Paul unable to heal his coworker, Epaphroditus? First, let us review Epaphroditus mission. How many times was the apostle Paul in a prison in Rome? As Paul sends a letter to the church in Philippi he acknowledges Epaphroditus's close connection with himself, as "my brother and co-worker and fellow soldier" (Philippians 2:25). Events, what people say, and circumstances do not cause mental distress, anxiety, or depression. The answer is: He wouldn't have! All things are possible to them that believe Mark 9:23. I find the denial of Divine Healing today interesting. He wasn't distressed because he was sick but because the He labored on Paul's behalf until his own health broke, and, even when he was sick, Epaphroditus took no thought of himself; rather, he was distressed because his church had heard of his illness, and he didn't want them to worry. church each week. How this happened or what his sickness was ), Apostolic Fathers (e.g., Clement, Ignatius, Polycarp), Apologists (e.g., Justin Martyr, Clement, Tertullian), Church Fathers (e.g., Gregory, Jerome, Augustine, Ambrose), Flawed Biblical Historical Literary Criticism, PART 8-Jesus Resurrection to the Death of the Apostle John. Paul could no longer heal anyonenot Epaphroditus in Philippians 2, not Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:23, not Trophimus in 2 Timothy 4:20. But to understand when the sign gifts ceased, we need to read Pauls letters in the order that he wrote them. When it came, then the gifts which were only in part would cease. He re-introduces Epaphroditus to them as someone who had risked his own life for the sake of others, even "to the point of death". we don't know. (e.g. During this time he wrote the three letters known as the Pastoral Epistles, because these letters were written to Pauls co-workersPastor Timothy and Titus. God owes us nothing! We selfishly clutch life and guard our own interests when the mind of Christ is to be selfless and We as Berean Bible Church need to work at Shortly after that Paul traveled to Macedonia (see Acts 20:1 and 2 Cor. Paul continued on to Corinth where he wrote the two letters to the Thessalonians. used for minister is deokonos -- deacon. speaks of a common origin. Why was he distressed Was he just homesick? The sign gifts, tongues, prophecy, the gift of healing, etc. To summarise, Paul was a servant of God; Paul's spiritual gifts did not make God a servant of Paul. We can now give a scriptural answer to the question that we started with: when did the sign gifts cease? means: "to throw down a stake, to roll the dice." Have you ever watched Once on his way again, he was distressed, i.e., depressed because he continued to entertain and cultivate such irrational thoughts as. The Lord does not deny that they had done these things. 8 And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him. After studying Pauls letters and the scriptural teaching concerning the cessation of the gift of tongues, they ask, What should I do now? There are several possible explanations for the experienceit may be a psychological experience or even a spiritual experience, but clearly, from the Word of God, it is not the Spirits gift of tongues. titles. This miraculous healing was not only for Epaphroditus benefit but for Pauls as well, something that the Lord worked in order to keep the Apostle from having to endure the extra sorrow of losing a friend on top of the sorrows of suffering in prison (Phil. We are So, to sum up what we have seen so far, from Acts 9 through Acts 28 we read of the earlier ministry of the Apostle Paul and find that during these years he wrote 6 of his 13 letters. Amen. Paul is honoring Epaphroditus with these titles. 3. So Paul with rare abnegation sent him away at once, though Timothy was to follow shortly, and accompanied him with this outpouring of love and praise in his long homeward journey. that Paul didn't heal. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. involved in. We have surveyed the 13 letters written by the Apostle Paul, arranging them in the order in which Paul wrote them: Then after the Book of Acts ends7 more letters: Having surveyed the 13 letters and having put them into their chronological order, lets see what they tell us about the question: when did the sign gifts cease? the proclamation of the gospel effective. Even where we might have expected Paul to write of tongues in the passage about being filled with the Spirit in Ephesians 5:17, he has nothing to say about tongues. Spam, March 31 2022 What can a lawyer do if the client wants him to be acquitted of everything despite serious evidence? Is it suspicious or odd to stand by the gate of a GA airport watching the planes? 20 Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. Stop speaking in the tongue because it is not from the Holy Spirit. How did Paul and his companions purify themselves in the account of Acts 21:26? The Scripture serves the purpose to do that work necessary and there is no mention to Timothy of the need for miracles to sanctify us. But, what happened? What he had not yet received in 1 Corinthians 13, he now has. Paul highly honors Epaphroditus with these his return to Philippi. a uniquely spiritual act. Many in this movement even say shocking claims such as the erroneous idea that being poor is a sin, and that if you are sick, "it's your fault that you're sick." It is not confined to in the garden of Gethsemane (Matt 26:37; Mark 14:33). And he urged those married couples to have relations often, rather than living together celibately. healthy. This is the only other New The name later came to mean: It would be like the difference between being a child and becoming a grown man, or between seeing someones face reflected in a wavy ancient mirror, and seeing the person face-to-face. and they sure wouldn't have sent a lazy man. It is what we tell ourselves; it is what we think about events, what people say, and circumstances that contribute to our mental distress, anxiety, or depression. But we have also seen that with the close of the Book of Acts, the gift of healing ceased to operate. This is not the attitude of Christ: Christ's attitude was to give up his life to meet the needs of others: The Bible teaches that we are to give up our lives in order to save them. Still this does not explain why he and these other infirmed people did not seek someone who had the "gift" of healing. Although many people have concerns about the cost of healthcare, the vast majority of people in our culture still have access to antibiotics and other medications that can cure ailments that were almost certainly death sentences only a few decades ago. sisters in Christ in other countries. We don't like risks. be-shem omro)? It's hard to identify with him and his Though Paul had the gift of healing, he did not heal this individual. I let me congregation of brothers and sisters down, The brothers in Philippi must think that I am incompetent. A man who never opens his lips but to censure or criticise, who fastens on faults as wasps do on blemished fruit, will never be surrounded by loyal love. In Acts 21:33 Paul was arrested in Jerusalem, and would spend the next 5 years in prison, right through the end of the Book of Acts. However, verses 2:26-28 tell us that Epaphroditus grew sick, to the point of death (vs. 27), while he was on his way to Rome. Those who work in the nursery are my fellow-laborers, they take care of your Asked January 21 2014 The answer: The sign gifts ceased at the end of the Book of Acts. Epaphroditus risked it all, life included, to minister to others. our other elder. looked at it as "spiritual worship." [1] Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe, When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties (Wheaton, Illinois: Victor Books, 1992). It is impossible to be sure whether the Philippian Christians thought Epaphroditus had purposefully failed in his mission. die!" View our current career opportunities. soon meaning: "together with" and stratiotes meaning: "soldier." 'The cup of cold water' given 'in the name of a disciple' is grateful to the lips of the Master. He uses this word in verses 25 and 28. Philippians 2:25-30 Updated American Standard Version (UASV). Paul did not need this gift anymore because his authority as an apostle was already established. All through the Book of Acts we read of tongues, the gift of prophecy, the gift of healing, etc.for example, tongues and prophecy in Acts 19:6, the gift of prophecy in Acts 21:10-14, the gift of healing in Acts 19:11-12 and 28:8,9, etc. What evidence is there the writer of Revelation was aware of the apostle Paul? serve, you can meet physical needs. Epaphroditus did not invoke a certain claim to be healed or visit someone with the gift of healing. The ministry is people! Following Christ's example, we should be willing to lay down our lives to meet the needs of the most complete healing is when we are taken home. 4:18), fell ill around the time Paul wrote to the Philippians (2:2526). He was an apostolic delegate. to meet someone's need? The word "receive" means: "to receive to one's self. But then, when he wrote but then I shall know he changes the word from gnosis to epignosis, to fully know., We could paraphrase Pauls statement: Now, as Im writing 1 Corinthians in Acts 19, I have gnosisI know, in part, what Gods message is for us today in the dispensation of grace, but thenwhen that which is perfect has comeI shall have epignosisthe full knowledge of Gods message of grace for us today.. It was their aim to visit the prisoners and the sick, especially those Chesapeake, VA 23322. It was his brethren who were exhorted to receive their own messenger back again 'in the Lord with all joy, and to hold him in honour.' needs. If you haven't already, please make sure to take our tour, to get yourself familiar with the site and to see how we're a little different than other sites. The ship sails across the track of the moonlight, and then vanishes ghost-like into darkness. life, the same effort and we have the same enemies. And in the Acts Epistles we read of the gifts operating in the churches that Paul founded. Ye shall notprint any marks upon you (Lev. Spam, November 06 2014 fulfilling our mission statement: "To influence friends who are living in spiritual darkness that Vote Up "Epaphroditus is here to do what you can't do because you're so far away.". Paul would You won't die prematurely, so go ahead and take some You can help further this work by your prayer and by contributing online or by mailing to: Berean Bible Church primary reason for Epaphroditus being there was to minister to Paul's physical needs. Ministering to others' physical needs is a spiritual priestly . In fact, in 1 Timothy 5:23, look what Paul recommended: Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. I also believe the Word tells us in Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. 1:22) so God gave them signsamong the Gentiles!in order to provoke Israel to jealousy (Rom. We do read of prophecies that had been made about Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:18 and 4:14 and 2 Timothy 1:6, but these were given years before. Epaphroditus loved the Philippians, who he was representing, and Paul, who he was ministering He was the, "Loving Gambler.". (Acts 20:9-10) In fact, on one occasion, Paul had healed all of the sick people, even those with diseases, on Malta, an island in the Mediterranean. goddess of luck. children so you can listen to the Word of God. Thanks. Philippians had heard that he was sick. Tongues is a written, spoken language, not mere blabbering in the air, which even Paul himself said was utterly useless and just mere cacophony). In the We begin by setting up a time line of Pauls ministry. We simply don't know why Epaphroditus was so sick, aside from the statement in v. 30 that "he came close to death for the work of Christ." If they wanted to Lightfoot[5] says of this word, It describes the confused, restless, half-distracted state, which is produced by physical derangement, or by mental distress, as grief, shame, disappointment, etc. (Saint Pauls Epistle to the Philippians [London, 1908], p. 123). 1:1, 15-19). [3] Apparently on the way to Rome, Epaphroditus fell sick. Richard R. Melick, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, vol. necessity, that which is lacking." 2:25-30) and Paul no longer had the gift of healing, and was no longer able to heal as he did only a few years earlier in Acts 28:9. Epaphroditus. It is used again in: Paul says that he used his own hands to meet his physical needs. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. Epaphroditus, the man who had carried a monetary gift from the Philippian church to Paul while the Apostle was imprisoned in Rome (Phil. PHILIPPIANS 2:25-30Some Bible scholars have asked the question, why was Paul not able to heal his coworker, Epaphroditus? Many were saved, but Paul was driven out of town. When God spared his the heathen threw out the bodies of their dead and fled in terror. The words "more eagerly" have the idea of: "with haste or diligence." derived from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess, better known by her Roman name , Venus. I didn't have money for the surgery as directed by the cardiologists but I stayed on healings scriptures. In Likewise in 2 Timothy 4:20, Paul has to leave behind his co-worker Trophimus who had fallen sick on the last journey. It does not contain doubt, but refers to a decision arrived Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. All deeds done from the same motive are the same, however different they may be in regard to the material on which they are wrought. I don't really understand the question from your first comment. Spam, April 05 2022 These Bible scholars[1] present the argument that Paul had healed the sick, even raising the dead. The reason why Paul didn't heal Trophimus is because he no longer had the 'gift' of healing. We need to reach out and take back three areas of toil that used to be so much a part Of note: Reference Hebrews 6:2-3 which says: "Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death - Dr. Paley has remarked (Hor. Vote Up It is argued that Paul had the "sign" of healing but not the gift of healing. By that I This is the depth of love and care. In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul prays that a " thorn in the flesh " would be removed, but God refuses to do this. It impact our society, if we are going to be effective in our evangelism, we need to quit selfishly In that he had heard about the seeds of division that had been planted in the church at Philippi. Why would he just leave him there sick, if he still had the gift of laying on of hands to heal someone? Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. They are spiritual, priestly functions. That implies that all which the Philippians' ministration lacked was their personal presence, and that Epaphroditus, in supplying that, made his work in a real sense theirs. The sign gifts were no longer operating at the time that Paul wrote the Prison Epistles. Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV). we living as sent ones? God does heal but its always according to his will,God may have had other plans.We might never know what was God's purpose in these sicknesses. empty ourselves to make ourselves of no reputation. All believers share this bond, The facts are simple; if we look at the context and the account, there was actually nothing for Paul to heal. What we do know for sure is that Epaphroditus illness was so severe that he almost died (v. 27). I waited several days until I began to get better before I let her know I was When would these gifts cease? Paul could have said to Epaphroditus, "Get over it, they'll live. He says nothing of his own loss or of how much more lonely he would be when the brother whom he had praised so warmly had left him alone. No one was more charismatic than Paul, yet the Lord revealed to him that those sign gifts were going to cease: whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away (1 Cor. But Paul feels bad because Epaphroditus feels bad, because the Philippians Consider the Book of Mark chapter 16 verses 17-20. Possibly there were in Philippi some sharp tongues and envious spirits, who needed the exhortation. Paul could not heal Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25-27) "Yet I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger and he who ministered to my wants. Since then till now I have not allowed the healing scriptures to depart from me. How was the preaching of Christ supposed to add more afflictions to the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:15? Paul teaches that it's the "Word of Faith" which we preach. destruction and desolation. When Paul wrote now I know in part, he used the common word for know, the Greek word gnosis. Thanks for listening. He modeled the kenosis, he Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.. Since this book never appeared as Continue Reading, Under the Law of Moses, Gods people in Israel were told The problem with the death of a believer is that the separation hurts. We are to the average person can relate to. But with the close of Acts, God sets aside Israel for a time, and when God gave up on the sign people for a time, the sign gifts passed out of His program. Paul might have no longer had the use of it, but even if he did, it was not intended for believers. Vote Up 19:28). We both received mercy. So far as we read in these three letters, we wouldnt even know that there had been a gift of tongues.. Paul is saying,"God gave Epaphroditus mercy and he gave me mercy also. in Corinth again, and spent three months there enjoying the hospitality of a believer named Gaius (mentioned in 1 Cor. Is there a proper earth ground point in this switch box? Epaphroditus' parents were most likely worshipers of Aphrodite. all brothers, do we act like it? But when Epaphroditus fell sicknear to deathPaul was no longer able to heal him because the gift of healing had ceased to operate. He also raised Eutychus from the dead, he also was immune to snake bite etc. sometimes that may be a spiritual healing , but they will be healed. The If the Apostle Paul still had the power to heal why would he leave Trophimus sick, while Epaphroditus was also sick to the point of death in Philippians 2:27 and encouraged Timothy to use a little wine for his stomach and frequent ailments (1 Timothy 5:23)? The word "longing" is epipotheo, it In Acts 13,14 Paul and Barnabas went on their first apostolic journey which took them into Galatiacities like Antioch, Lystra, Derbe, etc. build ourselves and the church up while battling all that come against us. John 1:12 ). No wonder that men were eager to risk their lives for a leader who lavished such praise and such love upon them. somebody around an AIDS patient? 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Paul was a great theologian, he knew that death for a Christian was a promotion, an end of pain We'd like to help. This is a self-less man. Soon after Paul returned from this journey he wrote the letter to the Galatians (see Galatians 1:6 where Paul writes to the Galatians and says, you are so quickly turned.). from death it is mercy. Spam, January 24 2014 And in 2 Thessalonians 2:5 Paul reminds the Thessalonians of his teaching, as if it had not been very long since he had been with them. Three relate to his relationship with Paul and Galatians was written soon after Paul returned from that first journeysoon after Acts 14:27. The Lord warned that experiences can be deceiving: Many will say to Me in that day, `Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! goddess of love. Why did not the Apostle Paul ever say "In the name of him who says" (i.e., Heb. and thine often infirmities. The Apostolic Gifts are no longer in operation today: 1) Laying on of hands to heal someone (if this were still the case, then people could walk into nursing homes and hospitals and begin healing people left-and-right, but this doesn't happen. to, so much that he almost lost his life pouring it out in sacrificial service to meet Paul's physical That which is perfect was finally revealed in all its fullness to the Apostle Paul and at that moment, those things which were only in part passed away from Gods program. Epaphroditus' service to Paul was a spiritual priestly function. In other words, he is suggesting to use "medicine." messages, or do what ever Paul needed. It is also hard to identify with Timothy who was a duplicate of Paul, he's no easy The name Epaphroditus means "belonging to Aphrodite," which is ironic because his life certainly did not belong to the Greek goddess. For some, Pauls instructions to the prophets at Corinth will be pertinent: If anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge (epignosisfull knowledge) of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light (Col. 1:9-12). 8 Responses Gods sparing of Epaphroditus life was a tangible expression of His abundant grace to Paul. history, used all through the LXX to refer to the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant and the to worry about me. Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. In Acts 18 Paul spent a year and a half ministering in Corinthsee Acts 18:11. We are not to fear people, they can't hurt you. and stand against the social evils of our day. Please make sure you take our Tour. deliver the money and leave, he was to stay and to minister to Paul's needs. Why are you There would be many ways of serving the captive, looking after his comfort, doing his errands, procuring daily necessaries, managing affairs, perhaps writing his letters, easing his chain, chafing his aching wrists, and ministering in a thousand ways which we cannot and need not specify. gathered his congregation together and set them to burying the dead and nursing the sick in that He healed every sick person on the Island of Malta in Acts 28. The Philippian church would not have trusted a novice with ESV - Thanks for contributing an answer to Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange! The principle here is that "God exalts the humble." himself and God exalted him. His name appears twice in the Bible (Philippians 2:25; 4:18). 29 Therefore receive him in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard; 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. Epaphroditus was a godly humble servant of great courage. Let me ask a question: Acts 2:21 Peter is preaching after receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit: 21 and it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Whether we are well or sick, whether we are like Epaphroditus or like Timothy, we can always claim this promise from the Lord that His grace and strength are sufficient for us. He had an illness which was probably the consequence of his toil. We are to follow the example of Christ who "emptied God heals when it's in His will to heal; the difference is that the gift of healing (a man laying on of hands with instant healing) has ceased, and 2) so has the gift of tongues (it's no longer needed, but if it is used, I believe that God will allow it to occur, only when the church is edified, and only when there is an interpreter amidst the assembly! It only takes a minute to sign up. Let me give you a little background: Paul is in prison at Rome, under house arrest, It's nice to know that there are some people in the ministry compelled by relationships and not Why did she weep? we are to pray for the sick that they may be healed. However, God, who can do things as He chooses, chose not to immediately heal Epaphroditus. The fact that ancient people rarely recovered from serious illnesses and the Apostles specific language in Philippians 2:27 indicate that he is talking about more than just a providential answer to prayer. 11:23; 15:3; Gal. Answer (1 of 9): EPAPHRODITUS [handsome, charming]. It's only of God's sovereign honor him. "But God had mercy on him" -- God spared him from death and any time that God spares a life Once saved, his spirit is completely made Brand New, is this not a miracle? Vote Up He wasn't an incredibly gifted man but he was committed totally to Spam, "Let a search be made in the royal archives" Ezra 5:17 NIV, Pastor of the Community Bible Church in Aguila, Arizona, One beggar leading others to where the bread is. He didn't want them to But the promise that He gave to Paul is still our promise today in the dispensation of grace: My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. function. Epaphroditus wasn't the only friend The Hardison's are all fellow-laborers with me. Vote Up words, soon means: "with" and ergos means: "work, toil or labor." I mean, I was a 1% biker, I did many many bad things which I will not glorify. In the 3 Pastoral Epistles, as in the prison epistles, we do not read of tongues or the gift of healing operating at this time. The word of God is a Spirit. What is the correct way to screw wall and ceiling drywalls? (Phil. "Who ministered to my need" -- The word "need" is from chreia it means: "a need or Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. Philippians 1:25, and note), was not, it seems, continuous; both were exercised only in accordance with the revealed will of God and on occasions of especial moment. EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. This time he anticipates being beheaded for the Lord and writes the last letter, Second Timothy. Bible scholar J. This is Heresy 101 at its best!). The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preachI'm sorry, but there is no "Word of Faith Movement." And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. Paul uses this word again in: This is also primarily speaking of physical needs. However, Paul was often an instrument of healing. There is no record in Scripture of any of the sign gifts operating in any of the letters that Paul wrote after the end of the Acts period, and it is clear that the gift of healing had ceased since Paul could no longer heal even his closest co-workers after the close of the Book of Acts. That will tell you what an answer is. We are to fear God and Him alone. The fact that Paul performed many miracles means that he exercised divine power at the behest of the divine will.
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