used for minister is deokonos -- deacon. Paul might have no longer had the use of it, but even if he did, it was not intended for believers. But, during this time in the Book of Acts, the Lord revealed to Paul that the sign gifts were going to cease1 Corinthians 13:8-12. In all the seven letters written after the close of the Book of Acts, Paul uses this word epignosisthe full knowledge. This is not a rebuke, it literally means: "to complete your service to me." It was a title of great honor. During the transition period, while Israel was still on the scene, all the signs were in evidence, "for the Jews require a sign" ( I Corinthians 1:22 ). It is important that our faith be based on the Word of God and not on experiences because experiences can deceive us. But Paul feels bad because Epaphroditus feels bad, because the Philippians (II Corinthians 12:7-9) Epaphroditus came to Paul at Rome and became gravely ill, but Paul who had miraculously healed so many did not miraculously heal him (Philippians 2:25-30). Perhaps Paul said this precisely because the Philippians might be tempted to judge Epaphroditus for being ill, concluding that he was being chastised by God for some secret or even scandalous sin. Paul sees Epaphroditus' ministry to him as It is after ignoring the Holy Spirit he is told that he will now have to be a witness all the way to Rome. It was still only in part during the Acts period, but with the close of the Book of Acts, the Lord completed the revelation of the Mystery (see Eph. The apostle Paul had a variety of Gifts including tongues, prophecy and teaching. But we have also seen that with the close of the Book of Acts, the gift of healing ceased to operate. we are to pray for the sick that they may be healed. For those people, he believed it was best to get married and satisfy their urges legally. were operating all through the Book of Acts, and these gifts are mentioned in the letters that Paul wrote during the Acts period. feel bad because he is sick. Those thoughts would have contributed to his feelings of frustration, mental anguish, distress, or low self-worth. 1:14). The Greek word finds its origin in a Paul thought that chastity was best, but realized that most people have natural sexual desires. Are we a sunergos, a fellow worker? ", "Lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow" -- his sickness brought Paul sorrow and his death Have you taken the tour of our site yet? Therefore, Paul sent Epaphroditus back with his letter to the Philippians so that they could stop worrying and rejoice too (2:25-30). What is the purpose of this D-shaped ring at the base of the tongue on my hiking boots? jesus also was moved with compassion many times.the main purpose is to trust him and have faith he will do what is best for us. financial gift, and was there to minister to Paul in any way that he could; do his laundry, carry he was sick. Of all the inhabitants of Philippi at that time we know the names of but three, Euodias, Syntiche, and Epaphroditus, and we owe them all to Paul. He is a co-worker, it's speaking of common effort, diligence. We have no reason to suppose that Epaphroditus took part with Paul in his more properly apostolic work, and the fact that the purely material help, and pecuniary service which most probably comprised all his 'ministering,' is honoured by Paul with these lofty designations, carries with it large lessons as to the sanctity of common life. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.. "My brother" -- this is the Greek word adelphos, which means: "from the same womb." Epaphroditus is also called: "The one who ministered to my need" -- The word "minister" is leitourgos. He was troubled because they heard that He was in the second place the minister to Paul's needs. View our current career opportunities. 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. Theoretically Correct vs Practical Notation. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Weak in the faith is another use. would have been sorrow upon sorrow. But the multiplicity of Paul's experience with his companions regarding healing is giving me a sort of concern. Is it possible to rotate a window 90 degrees if it has the same length and width? Let us hope he got safe back to his friends, and as Paul bade them, they received him in the Lord with all joy, the echoes of which we almost hear as he passes out of our knowledge. I waited several days until I began to get better before I let her know I was Figuratively, it 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. He knew they would be sad and their sadness has greatly affected him-- not his Hebrews 11:6 we are taught: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Spam, March 31 2022 We both received mercy. I believe it is used here primarily of physical needs. He provides a pattern that What is the correct way to screw wall and ceiling drywalls? In each of these letters he writes of his chainssee Ephesians 6:20, Colossians 4:18, Philemon 13 and Philippians 1:13. In Gaiuss home, in Corinth, Paul wrote the letter to the Romans (see Rom. Epaphroditus had made a 600-mile journey from Philippi to Rome, an 80-day journey on foot round trip, which was fatiguing, to visit the apostle Paul. 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. Longer letters are first, shorter ones later. 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". "Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus" -- Why? 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? Though Paul had the gift of healing, he did not heal this individual. 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. So, please don't tell me that Divine Healing ceased. 16:23). But, Paul explains, God had mercy on Epaphroditus. It does not contain doubt, but refers to a decision arrived Timothy was suffering stomach problems and frequent infirmities (1 Tim. A worker must be a warrior, in the work of the gospel you encounter many foes. His was a singular fate -- to cross Paul's path, and for one short period of his life to be known to all the world, and for all the rest before and after to be utterly unknown. Answer (1 of 9): EPAPHRODITUS [handsome, charming]. Why would the apostle Paul "delay" being baptized (Acts 22:16)? means: "to abase, naturalize, to make of none effect, of no reputation." 25 But I [Paul] thought it necessary to send to you [Philippians] Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need; 26 since he has been longing for all[2] of you and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. Even medical doctors who are saved will tell you they rely on the power of God all the time and will encourage their patients to rely on God Who is the only healer. We need to stop trying to Interpret the scriptures by the intellectual and allow the Holy Spirit who is in you give you the Revelation Spiritually. B. When Paul gives Timothy and Titus instructions regarding the choice of men to be elders in the churches, Paul says nothing about the desirability of these men having a gift such as prophecy, or healing, or other sign gifts (see Titus 1:6-9 and 1 Tim. 1. It 61 ( Acts 28:8 ), it may be that the special apostolic gift of healing (cf. me." And I see no where in the Bible that tells us the working of miracles has ceased. Speakers: Pastor Ricky Kurth, Pastor Don HosfeldDetails, "But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping" (John 20:11). The Jews sought after signs (1 Cor. In that he had heard about the seeds of division that had been planted in the church at Philippi. 11:23; 15:3; Gal. Paul uses the word sunergos here of himself and Apollos. 2. The word "receive" means: "to receive to one's self. 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. do without." Every breath that you take, every beat of your heart is mercy. The gift of healing by the laying on of hands, etc., was no longer needed, because that particular gift was a gift for a sign to the Jews! [7] Leon Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Why do small African island nations perform better than African continental nations, considering democracy and human development? Paul had the gift of healing didn't he? He says that Epaphroditus risked his life to 'supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.' Paul Epaphroditus appears to have been a tremendous help to Paul, and somehow, possibly as a result of caring for Paul (Philippians 2:30), Epaphroditus gets sick and nearly dies. He hazzard his life "to supply what was lacking in your service toward 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. This may be the most important message you ever read. Epaphroditus means: "belonging to or devoted to Aphrodite." Epaphroditus but passes across the illuminated disc of the lantern for a moment, and we have scarcely time to catch a glimpse of his face before it is lost to us. chained to a guard: The Philippians, upon hearing about Paul's needs, took an offering and sent it by the hand of The gifts were all in operation all through the Book of Acts period and are mentioned in the letters written during that time, but the Lord had revealed that the sign gifts were going to cease at some time in the future. We know that Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus were all godly men. In Acts 17, Paul, on his second apostolic journey, came to Thessalonica and preached there. be grieved over his sickness. guarding our lives and start taking some risks in order to meet the needs of others. Why is there a need for healing leaves from the tree in Revelations? 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 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. We begin by setting up a time line of Pauls ministry. Paul continued on to Corinth where he wrote the two letters to the Thessalonians. messages that he preached. Paul was imprisoned in Rome for his faith. speaks of a common origin. She's the Epaphroditus was also a common noun. But, what happened? That was one less thing Paul had to be concerned about (2:26-27). Epaphroditus was ministering to Paul physically; he brought him a financial gift, and was there to minister to Paul in any way that he could; do his laundry, carry messages, or do what ever Paul needed. Paul is clear that we do not need miracles for the completion and equipping of our faith, but the Word of God. This morning we are going to look at the kenois of Epaphroditus who is much like us, he is a Paul used this word in: It is a strong inward desire for the Philippians. Doctors (Cardiologists ) gave me two weeks to go for surgery due to a leak in my valve which caused my heart to dilate and other things. 27 For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. By that I It means for any gift that you and I will receive from Him by the Holy Spirit is premised on your ability to accept,take, agree or receive without doubt His word which comes as a command, law, or instruction. This is Heresy 101 at its best!). The ministry is people! to meet someone's need? We don't Medical practice is from God but cannot take the place of God to them who believe. We are to labor in calling men to be reconciled to God. in Corinth again, and spent three months there enjoying the hospitality of a believer named Gaius (mentioned in 1 Cor. The word of God is very clear on every subject. (Many of these 'teachers' are a part of the 'Word of Faith' movement, the Properity Gospel crowd, et al, that teach that positive confession is necessary for having what you want or "claim," and they teach that if you do not get healed, or if you get sick or have any sort of malady, this means that you don't "have enough faith." 1:7)no church had more of the gifts of the Holy Spirit than the Corinthian church, yet Paul says that he spoke in tongues more than all of them (1 Cor. What he could do in Acts 28, he could no longer do in Philippians, or in 1 and 2 Timothy. Perhaps over-exertion in travel, or perhaps his Macedonian constitution could not bear the enervating air of Rome, or perhaps Paul's prison was unhealthy. Let me give you a little background: Paul is in prison at Rome, under house arrest, 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." It is possible for us in the ordering of our own lives to fulfil the great prophecy with which Zechariah crowned his vision of the Future, 'In that day shall there be on the bells of the horses Holiness unto the Lord'; and the 'pots in the Lord's house shall be like the bowls before the altar.'. It is a pathetic little picture of the Macedonian stranger in the great city -- pallid looks, recent illness, and pining for home and a breath of pure mountain air, and for the friends he had left. It is used 35 times in the New Philippians 2:25-30 Updated American Standard Version (UASV). 1 Corinthians 7:5. himself and God exalted him. And in the Acts Epistles we read of the gifts operating in the churches that Paul founded. God healed me completely and perfectly today. Thanks. Bulk update symbol size units from mm to map units in rule-based symbology. Most of us do the opposite of Epaphroditus, we regard our life as a thing so precious that it is to Why didn't Paul just heal Epaphroditus? Paul could have said to Epaphroditus, "Get over it, they'll live. and suffering, and given a choice, Paul preferred death: But if Epaphroditus would have died, Paul would have lost a good friend and this would have Spam, November 06 2014 When is the last time that this happened to you? Today God no longer gives the gift of healing, and there are no healers. But we should not think that God Himself no longer heals! We won't help someone in trouble because we're afraid we might get hurt or even killed. He has no hesitation in describing the work done for himself as 'the work of Christ,' nor in using, as the name for it, the word ('service'), which properly refers to the service rendered by priestly hands. He did not act on his own. He uses this word in verses 25 and 28. be-shem omro)? Testament, 20 of them refer to physical sickness. means: "to intensely crave, desire greatly." This isn't to say that God doesn't or won't heal today, because this is obviously not true, but the "laying on of hands" by a man (as a 'gift') has all but ceased, and yet there are still 'healing teachers' out there in the world today teaching a false gospel, having "healing revivals" that come to nought, etc. I have stayed beyond two weeks, this is the third year and half after the diagnosis. , , , , , For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. In his low, nervous state, barely convalescent, the thought of home and of his brethren's anxiety about him was too much for him. Epaphroditus wasn't sick because of sin, he was sick because of the work of Christ The pattern could not be clearer, and the contrast could not be sharper between the earlier letters and the later letters, between the time when all the sign gifts were operating, and the time when all the sign gifts had ceased. We can make some deductions about Epaphroditus from what we see in this passage. cruel, sick, and unloving? the average person can relate to. Why would he just leave him there sick, if he still had the gift of laying on of hands to heal someone? A trustworthy member of the congregation at Philippi, Macedonia, who was sent with a gift to Paul, then a prisoner at Rome (c. 60-61 C.E.). In The ship sails across the track of the moonlight, and then vanishes ghost-like into darkness. accounted for the success of Rome's armies, they were the terror of the ancient world. All believers share this bond, You were extremely upset and grieved over Not only did they intend for him to be the bearer of their gift; they also intended for him to stay in Rome and be Paul's personal servant and attendant. Everybody feels bad so Paul says, "You've got to go back so Events, what people say, and circumstances do not cause mental distress, anxiety, or depression. means: "to throw down a stake, to roll the dice." 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. He had an illness which was probably the consequence of his toil. All things are possible to them that believe Mark 9:23. This is no fleshly or "secular" work in ministering to Paul's physical needs, it was spiritual. parabolani, the gamblers. It wasn't Paul's lack of compassion for his friend. 11 God was performing extraordinary [e]miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. He didn't want them to The first fact about him is, that he was one of the Philippian Christians, and sent by them to Rome, with some pecuniary or material help, such as comforts for Paul's prison-house, food, clothing, or money. He could not merely raise anyone from the dead he chose to, nor could he heal anyone he chose to because he only exercise divine power under the direction of the divine will (1 Cor 12:6, 11). 0 Responses 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. 4:18), fell ill around the time Paul wrote to the Philippians (2:2526). We are to were no longer in operation by the time Paul wrote the pastoral epistles. man awaiting trial on a capital charge was laying himself open to the very considerable risk of May we not further draw from Paul's words here a lesson as to the honour due to Christian workers? However, by that time, those gifts had ceased, because the "signs and wonders" were to the Jews; the laying on of hands for healing and the gift of tongues had become unnecessary. Which apostles did Paul see while he was in Jerusalem after his conversion? But then He tells them that even while they were doing these things, He had never ever known them. In this case, Paul did pray for healing, but his request was denied. When I had Guillain-Barre syndrome I didn't tell my mother I was sick because I didn't want her (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. God healed me of heart disease. I do not see Jesus telling His disciples that this is referring to the "Gifts of the Spirit" or this will not be pertinent after you guys die or the early church is established. Simply: Stop! 2. Theyve been taught that a person has to speak in tongues to prove that he is really saved, or that he really has the Holy Spirit dwelling within.
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