In the case of Philip, this was something God did to him, unlike when Peter walked on water.
Mmmm... iffy differentiation. By the leading of the Lord, Peter walked on water. It was not simply a self-motivated act. As such, Philip was also moving in the Spirit in ministry when he was translocated. Hard to differentiate either as not "walking by the Spirit," and hence following His leading.
John 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
LoL. Ok, then it just serves as another proof that Jesus and the Father are One, since Romans 8:11 says it was the Father who raised Him up : )
I don't discount the church today as so many do. I differentiate between the true and the false, but Jesus works in His people right now, and through them right now.
I don't buy into, "The Church has failed".
That's not really what I'm saying, though. My belief is that the church is caught up in superficiality in out time, and is not truly spiritually rich in any sense of the word because of it, though assuming she is. But that doesn't mean she will stay this way forever. "The church has failed" seems to have some sort of finality to it. I certainly don't believe that for an instant.
OK, but we're not on islands.
Mmmm... I think we are too fragmented, and those who walk in genuine supernatural gifts at the present time are too few and far between.
How do you know this if you aren't raising the dead? Isn't that the point of outpouring? All the signs miracles?
I'm referring to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, LoL. Something tells me that that may start an old argument all over again, but I'm simply saying that the outpouring will result in many being again baptized in the Holy Spirit, and
powerfully.
Again, I differentiate between the false and the true, and I will not malign nor impugn Jesus' ability to complete the good work in us that He does.
Again, not saying that. But I am saying that the vessels are not properly prepared.
That says a lot to me about how God works in His people. I suggest we begin to trust in His workmanship in us, that we will walk in the works He's prepared, even if they are not signs and wonders.
Ah, but we cannot simply be satisfied. To me that has been part of the whole problem. When it says "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness," it implies there must be a thirst for it. If there is no thirst and there is no pleading with God, it will not come. It is not a matter of God not wanting it for us. It is a matter of us not wanting it badly enough to accept the responsibility, and be ready and prepared to handle it when it comes.
Let's risk using an analogy: A car is a great responsibility, especially a nice one that can reach high speeds. If a father had all the money in the world and wanted his son to have a beautiful sports car, nevertheless he would not give it to him until he was convinced the son wasn't going to do serious harm to himself and/or others once he received it. Likewise the church has not yet come to that place where they could be entrusted with great power. We have ministers sticking their hand out and saying, "Thus sayeth the Lord. Pay me" just because they are a little charismatic and can entertain people superficially for 45 minutes and call it "preaching." Imagine what many would do if they could heal the sick and raise the dead?
We who? Who is this group you speak for? Why the assumption we are all failures?
Ah, come on. You gotta get off of thinking I am saying we are all "failures." I think people are doing their best in many ways at the current time. But I am especially not pleased with the leadership of the church. I mean, I can turn on the television and watch some local guy preach a message and just be astonished at how inaccurate he is in teaching the scriptures, yet no one seems to know the difference. I have hope for the future generations - at least those who will have the courage to keep standing for the truth in the face of increasing hatred and opposition - and that is what my eyes are on. As for us today, we should be seeking to prepare the way for them by what we teach and how well we did with what has been given to us.