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How much Faith is needed? - 11/16/2008 9:31:01 AM
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mvic
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Jesus often said to people: Your Faith has made you well. Your Faith has healed you.
But, how much Faith is needed for Him to hear your prayers and heal you?
There were occasions in Christ's life when people were dead. So obviously, they had no Faith (being dead) yet Jesus relied on the Faith of others to raise those people from the dead.
In the case of His friend Lazarus, he'd been dead and buried for a while. So there was no Faith there, from either Lazarus, or his sisters and friends. Yet Jesus raised him.
When the father of a sick child said: I do have Faith, but not enough. Help me to have more. (Mark 9:24). Jesus had pity on him and healed his son.
So my question:
Does it matter how much Faith you personally have? Or is it enough for someone else praying for you to have Faith on your behalf?
_____________________________
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RE: How much Faith is needed? - 11/16/2008 9:34:28 AM
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1love1God1way
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This may not be a Scriptural stance, so I won't pretend I have the "proper" answer.
I have always just felt that if you have enough faith to ask the "Invisible God" and the "Unseen Other" for a miracle, you have enough faith for that miracle to occur. The rest is up to Him.
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love.ben
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RE: How much Faith is needed? - 11/16/2008 9:41:16 AM
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MrFribbles
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I would say - mustard seed.
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You're a door without a key,
A field without a fence.
You've made a holy fool of me,
And I've thanked you ever since.
- Aaron Weiss
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RE: How much Faith is needed? - 11/16/2008 10:48:16 AM
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Kat_D
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This is a WOF concept and this subject has been discussed at length in an ongoing thread in the Theo/Church folder HERE.
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~Kat
"...And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes...no more death, sorrow, nor crying."
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RE: How much Faith is needed? - 11/16/2008 2:13:29 PM
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figmentPez
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quote:
In the case of His friend Lazarus, he'd been dead and buried for a while. So there was no Faith there, from either Lazarus, or his sisters and friends. Yet Jesus raised him.
Martha had faith.
John 11:21-22
Martha then said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You."
Now, some may claim that she didn't have faith because she didn't understand that her brother would be raised that day, and thought she would have to wait for "the resurrection on the last day." However, lack of understanding does not equal lack of faith. Martha knew who Jesus Christ is, and believed Him to be trustworthy, that is faith.
John 11:27
She said to Him, "Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world."
_____________________________
I make this challenge to all Christians:
Read Daniel 7:13-14
And tell me: Who do you say that the Son of Man is?
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RE: How much Faith is needed? - 11/16/2008 4:39:56 PM
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LCannon
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It's not a question of 'how much' but 'in whom' we place that trust. Faith in Jesus' blood/sacrifice is absolute, one has faith or not, our obedience to that surety sometimes wavers principally because of our limited(or selfish)imagination and short term horizons.
_____________________________
"It may be that when the angels go about their task of praising God they play
only Bach. I am sure, however, that when they are together en famille they
play Mozart and then too our dear Lord listens with special pleasure."(Karl Barth)
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RE: How much Faith is needed? - 11/16/2008 4:53:52 PM
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Dancre
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Well, first of all, let's define faith. Faith is simply trusting God to do what He said He would do, like Abraham in Romans 4:20,21. Abraham was convinced God would do what He had promised despite the fact he was too old for babies and his body was way too old. Most folks AREN'T convinced God promised to do what He said He would do. This is why most folks don't get what they want from God even though He did Promise it in His word. They know God promised something, but deep down inside, they still doubt He'll do it. Too many people expect God to be like man. How many times has someone said to you, I'll do that thing, but never do. We take that same mentality into God. Maybe He'll do what He had promised and maybe He won't. This is doubt and this blocks the faith. So based on Romans 4:20,21, we can say Faith is being 100% convinced that God will do what He said He will do DESPITE what I see, hear, feel, etc. Most folks walk by sight, not by faith.
Now if you get to where Abraham was at or the faith of the people whom Jesus helped, then yes, you will see God move for you. But you must be 100% convinced He WILL do it. Remember the woman with the issue of blood? She said to herself, If I just touch Him, I will be healed. Mark 5:25 She was 100% convinced He would do what He had promised. She wasn't like Thomas the doubter who said in John 20:19-31, I'll believe it when I see it. But that's not what Jesus said. He said Have faith first, 100% convinced, then you'll recieve. Folks put the cart before the horse and want to see it first, then believe. But that's pretty silly and Jesus rebuked Thomas for seeing, then believing. So you see, if you are 100% convinced and nothing can change your mind, then that's the kind of faith God is looking for. Capise? Also see Heb 11:1. :)
And may I also add, I'm pretty amazed that folks call this heresy. I guess God's word is now heresy. Whatever.  Anyway, MVIC, read Romans 4, that will help you. Also study the book of John, that will also help. Also go back and look at the people who did receive from God, like the centurien with the sick servant Luke 7:2. Notice he said to Jesus, you just say the word and it will happen. Again, he was 100% convinced. Capise?
quote:
ORIGINAL: mvic
Jesus often said to people: Your Faith has made you well. Your Faith has healed you.
But, how much Faith is needed for Him to hear your prayers and heal you?
There were occasions in Christ's life when people were dead. So obviously, they had no Faith (being dead) yet Jesus relied on the Faith of others to raise those people from the dead.
In the case of His friend Lazarus, he'd been dead and buried for a while. So there was no Faith there, from either Lazarus, or his sisters and friends. Yet Jesus raised him.
When the father of a sick child said: I do have Faith, but not enough. Help me to have more. (Mark 9:24). Jesus had pity on him and healed his son.
So my question:
Does it matter how much Faith you personally have? Or is it enough for someone else praying for you to have Faith on your behalf?
< Message edited by Dancre -- 11/16/2008 5:00:18 PM >
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RE: How much Faith is needed? - 11/16/2008 5:45:00 PM
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delete123
Posts: 985
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quote:
ORIGINAL: MrFribbles
I would say - mustard seed.
MVIC~
I agree with this, because the bible states that we are given a measure of faith. (each person) and also the man who was requesting his child to be healed said: Help me with my unbelief, was basically asking/praying for more faith.
FigmentPez gives a good example as well as AbbyGrace.
If you get a chance check out the words to D.C.Talks Mind's Eye, If you wish I can pm them to you
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RE: How much Faith is needed? - 11/16/2008 6:00:40 PM
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figmentPez
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Dancre
Well, first of all, let's define faith. Faith is simply trusting God to do what He said He would do, like Abraham in Romans 4:20,21. Abraham was convinced God would do what He had promised despite the fact he was too old for babies and his body was way too old. Most folks AREN'T convinced God promised to do what He said He would do. This is why most folks don't get what they want from God even though He did Promise it in His word. They know God promised something, but deep down inside, they still doubt He'll do it. Too many people expect God to be like man. How many times has someone said to you, I'll do that thing, but never do. We take that same mentality into God. Maybe He'll do what He had promised and maybe He won't. This is doubt and this blocks the faith. So based on Romans 4:20,21, we can say Faith is being 100% convinced that God will do what He said He will do DESPITE what I see, hear, feel, etc. Most folks walk by sight, not by faith.
Now if you get to where Abraham was at or the faith of the people whom Jesus helped, then yes, you will see God move for you. But you must be 100% convinced He WILL do it. Remember the woman with the issue of blood? She said to herself, If I just touch Him, I will be healed. Mark 5:25 She was 100% convinced He would do what He had promised. She wasn't like Thomas the doubter who said in John 20:19-31, I'll believe it when I see it. But that's not what Jesus said. He said Have faith first, 100% convinced, then you'll recieve. Folks put the cart before the horse and want to see it first, then believe. But that's pretty silly and Jesus rebuked Thomas for seeing, then believing. So you see, if you are 100% convinced and nothing can change your mind, then that's the kind of faith God is looking for. Capise? Also see Heb 11:1. :)
And may I also add, I'm pretty amazed that folks call this heresy. I guess God's word is now heresy. Whatever. Anyway, MVIC, read Romans 4, that will help you. Also study the book of John, that will also help. Also go back and look at the people who did receive from God, like the centurien with the sick servant Luke 7:2. Notice he said to Jesus, you just say the word and it will happen. Again, he was 100% convinced. Capise?
There are some important things to note here.
First, when did Abraham receive all that God promised him? The answer is that Abraham only received the fullness of God's promises after he died. Despite having great faith he "did not receive the things promised; [he] only saw them and welcomed them from a distance." (Heb 11:13) This is the general theme of Hebrews chapter 11. Sometimes having faith means knowing that God will fulfill His promises, but not always immediately.
Many many great heroes of the faith suffered things that God promises to remedy. Paul went hungry and thirsty, when Jesus Christ promised that "all these things shall be added unto you". Paul went through sleepless nights, when God promises sweet sleep. Stephen faced death at the hands of his enemies, when God says that He will make our enemies live in peace with us. Many apostles and disciples have faced imprisonment, when Jesus Christ says that He will set the captives free.
Hebrews 11 also tells us the reason why great faith does not always bring about immediate fulfillment of God's promises: "And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect." (Heb 11: 39-40) They suffered trouble in this world, so that others would believe and receive something better because of it. They had such great faith, that God used their obedience in order to benefit others. Like Jesus Christ suffered so that others could have life, so have many of His disciples.
So, if you see someone who you think hasn't received God's promises, think twice. If you see someone who is dying of cancer, think if maybe their obedient suffering is acting as a witness. That's what happened to my sister. She didn't lack the faith to be healed. She had so much faith that God used her trials to advance His kingdom.
No one on this earth will receive all that God promises. We will never be as healthy, as rich, as well fed, or as safe as we will be when we are in heaven. The healthiest man in this life, is on his deathbed compared to what life will be like in heaven. The richest man in this life doesn't have pocket lint compared to the treasures stored up in heaven. The most amazing food on this earth is dust and poison compared to what we will eat in heaven.
We must not let our faith be about what we can have in this life, because nothing in this life lasts. Our faith in God's promises must be a look at the eternal, and God's actions now to spread the Gospel so that as many as possible will receive His promises. Sometimes, advancing God's kingdom, means facing temporary hardship. That's not just persecution from unbelievers, it's all sorts of trials, including many things that God promises will be remedied.
_____________________________
I make this challenge to all Christians:
Read Daniel 7:13-14
And tell me: Who do you say that the Son of Man is?
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RE: How much Faith is needed? - 11/16/2008 8:18:06 PM
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bravjim
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If you have the faith the size of a mustard seed, without wavering, you have the faith to move mountains (overcome any circumstance no matter how big)
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I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfilll the lust of the flesh.
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RE: How much Faith is needed? - 11/17/2008 8:58:30 AM
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mvic
Posts: 1802
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Thank you all for your input.
Thank you Dancre for a full reply.
You say: "Faith is being 100% convinced that God will do what He said He will do DESPITE what I see, hear, feel, etc."
But some people do not have 100% Faith. They waver. In their illness, pain and suffering they pray, yet they still waver. They don't have that 100% certainty that others are blessed with. Maybe it's the devil playing tricks with their mind and Faith. Maybe it is just their human weakness.
So, does God ignore them for lacking Faith? Or not having enough? Whatever that measure is in relation to a mustard seed.
Jesus did not do so to the man whose son was ill. (See Opening Post). He had pity despite the man's limited Faith, and answered his prayer.
I'm not criticising you Dancre. Far from it. I respect what you say in these Forums and I've learnt a lot from your posts. I'm just asking "How much faith is needed" before God answers our prayers?
Thanx also FigmentPez for your responses. Thanx for sharing about your sister. You say she had Faith, yet God did not intervene or help in her situation. I understand that sometimes He does use people as a witness to His kingdom. Your sharing has helped a lot.
No one has attempted the second part of my question. What if the individual who is ill has little or no Faith, (maybe he's an un-believer). Does the Faith of someone else praying for him suffice for him to be healed by God?
Thank you for your contributions. God bless you.
_____________________________
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
My Book My Blog
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RE: How much Faith is needed? - 11/17/2008 10:21:58 AM
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delete123
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quote:
ORIGINAL: mvic
No one has attempted the second part of my question. What if the individual who is ill has little or no Faith, (maybe he's an un-believer). Does the Faith of someone else praying for him suffice for him to be healed by God?
The one thing that sticks in my mind on this, is a study that was done by New England Medical Center.
The did a study on prayers for patients. The first set of patients no one prayed for, the second set of people were prayed for, but were unaware, the third set of people knew they were being prayed for.
On the first set in which no prayed for, they health had declined
the 2nd set their health was improving
the 3rd set, many had a quick recovery.
So I would agree praying for someone
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RE: How much Faith is needed? - 11/17/2008 12:50:10 PM
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figmentPez
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quote:
ORIGINAL: mvic
Thanx also FigmentPez for your responses. Thanx for sharing about your sister. You say she had Faith, yet God did not intervene or help in her situation. I understand that sometimes He does use people as a witness to His kingdom. Your sharing has helped a lot.
I should clarify a little. God did intervene and help greatly in her situation. I've given a slightly more detailed account of my sister in Post #2489 of the WOF/Prosperity thread. However, a few short points. The largest of my sister's tumors was right against her spine, it's growth crushed a vertebrae causing her to loose the use of her left arm, and threatening to paralyze her completely. During chemo, when new cell growth is considered medically impossible, God healed her broken bone. That was just one of the many things God did to provide for my sister. He gave her a family to care for her, and friends as well. He gave her comfort, through ups and downs in her condition, and many other things I probably don't even realize.
God did not give my sister complete and total healing in this life. Going through chemo twice (at God's command) got rid of the cancer, but not what the cancer had done to her body. She died the day before her 32nd birthday, after going into a coma the week before. She witnessed for the Gospel with her life, her obedience through trials, and God was not absent or distant. She is now with the LORD and will receive the fullness of His promises. She probably has great riches in heaven, because of what she endured for God's sake in this life. Not just wealth, but complete and total healing as well. A body with no scoliosis (she had that since she was a teen, very painful), no cancer, nothing wrong at all.
quote:
No one has attempted the second part of my question. What if the individual who is ill has little or no Faith, (maybe he's an un-believer). Does the Faith of someone else praying for him suffice for him to be healed by God?
I believe the faith of others can heal a friend, or even someone not a friend. Consider Matthew 8:5-13 or Luke 7:1-10. Jesus heals the servant because of the faith of his master, a Centurion. Also consider Matthew 9:2-8, Mark 2:3-12 or Luke5:18-26, where a paralytic is healed because of the faith of his friends. And Mark 5:21-24; 35-43 and Luke 8:41-42; 49-56, where Jairus's faith leads to his daugther's healing. Faith heals family, friends, even servants. I suppose faith could even heal an enemy, if it would advance the kingdom of God.
That's the thing though. God's work in this world is with a purpose. Faith and healing isn't a monetary transaction. You don't get X amount of healing for X amount of faith. God heals, and does other miracles and works of the Holy Spirit, in order to preach the Gospel. Our faith is supposed to be an example to the world, to show them the truth of God. True faith results in obedience to God, no matter what He has in store.
_____________________________
I make this challenge to all Christians:
Read Daniel 7:13-14
And tell me: Who do you say that the Son of Man is?
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RE: How much Faith is needed? - 11/17/2008 1:25:43 PM
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mvic
Posts: 1802
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Thank you FigmentPez for your response; and for the Link to your previous post about your sister.
I found it of great help; and I recommend others read your post in that Link too. Thanx again.
Thank you also Delete123. The study you mention is of great interest.
God bless.
_____________________________
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
My Book My Blog
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RE: How much Faith is needed? - 11/17/2008 8:17:36 PM
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Dancre
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Hi Vic,
Well, lets go through the word of God to answer your post.
Let's deal with this problem of God answering prayers. God's word says in 1 john 5:14 that God DOES hear our prayers. It's not a matter of how much faith you have in order for God to hear you. Don't you ever think God won't hear your prayer!! He will. He's too much in love with you to ignore you. :)
Next, let's look at Mark 9:24. Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" We also see this in Luke 17:5, where the apostle said, Lord increase our faith. Basically they were saying: HELP!! That is a legit prayer to God. And what did God do? He helped them. A lot of folks don't realize that God WILL help you in your faith. We have a measure of Faith, Romans 12:3 It's in there, just stir it up!! The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. When we are weak, He is strong. I've had to do this myself, cry out to God for help when I was weak in my faith.
Now as to Lazarus: Notice it was AFTER Jesus had told them what He would do that He was able to raise him from the dead. Again, God helped them in their weaknesses. And remember when Jesus went to His hometown and He couldn't do anything b/c of the unbelief? Matt 15:38.
As for Pez's sister, I think its very unwise to say that God counterdicted His word in saying He chose not to heal her. We don't know what was happening between the sister and God. But that's just my opinion. At this point, you have a choice. You can either follow the word of God, or not. IT's your choice, God will respect it. But I will always tell you what the Word says, not what others say. But that's just me!! :) Peace!!!
Opps!! didn't see this part. My bad. 
What if the individual who is ill has little or no Faith, (maybe he's an un-believer). Does the Faith of someone else praying for him suffice for him to be healed by God?
Yes, I think it does, based on His word. Look at the mother who came to Jesus regarding her daughter who was ill with a demon. Jesus told her, I can't heal her b/c I've only come to the Jews. Matt 15:27. She said, yeah, but even the puppies get to eat the crumbs. And Jesus healed the daughter. So, I say, YES!!! Are you wanting to stand in faith for someone?
kim
quote:
ORIGINAL: mvic
Thank you all for your input.
Thank you Dancre for a full reply.
You say: "Faith is being 100% convinced that God will do what He said He will do DESPITE what I see, hear, feel, etc."
But some people do not have 100% Faith. They waver. In their illness, pain and suffering they pray, yet they still waver. They don't have that 100% certainty that others are blessed with. Maybe it's the devil playing tricks with their mind and Faith. Maybe it is just their human weakness.
So, does God ignore them for lacking Faith? Or not having enough? Whatever that measure is in relation to a mustard seed.
Jesus did not do so to the man whose son was ill. (See Opening Post). He had pity despite the man's limited Faith, and answered his prayer.
I'm not criticising you Dancre. Far from it. I respect what you say in these Forums and I've learnt a lot from your posts. I'm just asking "How much faith is needed" before God answers our prayers?
Thanx also FigmentPez for your responses. Thanx for sharing about your sister. You say she had Faith, yet God did not intervene or help in her situation. I understand that sometimes He does use people as a witness to His kingdom. Your sharing has helped a lot.
No one has attempted the second part of my question. What if the individual who is ill has little or no Faith, (maybe he's an un-believer). Does the Faith of someone else praying for him suffice for him to be healed by God?
Thank you for your contributions. God bless you.
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RE: How much Faith is needed? - 11/17/2008 9:43:14 PM
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e.barrett
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There are many good answers in this thread. So I just want to add one thought to this conversation - sometimes faith isn't all that is needed for a prayer to be answered. God isn't some kind of magical coin machine that spits out an "answer" just because we insert the money of "faith". The Bible spends a lot of time talking about spiritual forces that are at work in our world. Which means that sometimes prayers won't get answered because there are other factors going on. This is one of the main points out of the book of Job. He had no idea about the conversation happening between God and Satan. No matter how much faith Job had, it was never going to be enough to solve his problems. Because his problems weren't an issue of faith.
_____________________________
R3 - a blog devoted to understanding how to live out a life of faith
Visit it at www.r3blog.net
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RE: How much Faith is needed? - 11/18/2008 12:23:58 AM
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donofhope
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Very good posts. We are told in the bible to pray for the sick. We should also pray for wisdom to realize the Lords will. Passing from this world without fear, and knowing our lord and cumforter is with us, is a healing in itself.
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RE: How much Faith is needed? - 11/18/2008 2:46:41 AM
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sledmt
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Interesting post.
I've spent time thinking about this very subject. Several things come to mind.
One.
In the Gospels, alot of the stories of healing involve someone having faith for the healing. But their is one case in the Gospel where the man that recieved the healing didn't know who even healed him. It was not until later that he meets Christ and then comes to the knowledge of who healed him. So who had the faith there??? Christ did.
Second.
In Matthew, we see the discplines getting rebuked for not having a enough faith to cast out a demon in a boy. This make me wonder, in all the stories in the NT, we see people coming to the Lord to get healed.
Is the faith of the person playing for the healing more inportant than the faith of the person recieving the healing. For example, you take a friend to recieve prayer for cancer. The mature Christian prays over the person with cancer that the Lord would heal him now. But the person doesn't get better. Who is at fault??? Did the person with cancer not have a enough faith or did the person praying for the sick person not have enough faith. In Matthew 17 I believe, the "blame" belong to the person doing the praying. Just a thought. I believe that a lot of "blame" belongs to the person doing the praying. We can see this principle in different places in the Gospel.
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RE: How much Faith is needed? - 11/18/2008 2:48:45 AM
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sledmt
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quote:
ORIGINAL: donofhope
Very good posts. We are told in the bible to pray for the sick. We should also pray for wisdom to realize the Lords will. Passing from this world without fear, and knowing our lord and cumforter is with us, is a healing in itself.
Actually we a told to lay hands on the sick and they will recover. Not try, but do. Not that I totally understand that, but I'm just telling you what the Bible says.
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RE: How much Faith is needed? - 11/18/2008 5:27:29 AM
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Little_1
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Re: OP
I think we often get feelings mixed up with faith. Feelings are interchangeable and are not a good nor reliable standard whereby to measure our faith against.
I could be going through a lousy time and feel absolutely rotten but regardless of what I am feeling, God's Word remains the same, e.g. "God promises He will never leave me or forsake me" and thankfully, God's promises and His Word are not reliant upon our feelings.
When someone is unwell, has received bad news, etc, they are not going to 'feel on top of the world'. This does not mean that God's Word has suddenly been re-written and He no longer loves them! It may 'feel' like such but God's love has not changed.
Faith is realising that God's Word and promises to us are not dependent on our circumstances or feelings. Faith looks every circumstance in the face and says: "My feelings may be shot right now and I may feel absolutely lousy but I CHOOSE to ignore my feelings and focus on the Lord regardless."
Faith chooses to focus on the Lord despite feelings (despair, fear, emotional bankruptcy, rejection, etc); when we choose to focus on the Lord, He will give us His strength, His peace and take away our fears. The enemy of our souls will continue to throw his fiery darts of fear, distrust, etc at us but choose to keep focusing on the Lord and you will find that your faith gets stronger with practice.
_____________________________
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RE: How much Faith is needed? - 11/18/2008 9:48:33 AM
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mvic
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Thank you Dancre for your second response. It makes sense to me.
Thanx also to all others who have responded. Your thoughts and views are very helpful. You make some very good and valid points.
Thanx Little 1 for making the distinction between Faith and feelings.
Therein our difficulties lie as humans. When we are hurt - lose our job, fall ill, or face other problems in life - it is our feelings that come to the fore. Denial, fear, doubts, anger etc ... etc ...
And whether we like it or not, intentionally or not, our Faith takes a knock. We don't mean to waver or lose our Faith. But the initial hurt claims Faith as its first victim as it were. We act like humans and lash out blindly at God for having let us down.
Of course, not everyone is like that. I've known people with long and very painful illnesses whose Faith has remained un-shakable throughout their lengthy ordeals.
Hence my favourite prayer from Mark 9:24 - I believe, Lord, help my unbelief.
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RE: How much Faith is needed? - 11/18/2008 10:11:31 AM
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d4nnyb0y02
Posts: 318
Joined: 9/24/2008
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quote:
ORIGINAL: MrFribbles
I would say - mustard seed.
Agreed. :)
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OSAS is the Gospel.
(Gal 1:6;5:4) I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace
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RE: How much Faith is needed? - 11/18/2008 1:34:26 PM
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figmentPez
Posts: 2113
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: TX
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quote:
ORIGINAL: sledmt
Second.
In Matthew, we see the discplines getting rebuked for not having a enough faith to cast out a demon in a boy. This make me wonder, in all the stories in the NT, we see people coming to the Lord to get healed.
Is the faith of the person playing for the healing more inportant than the faith of the person recieving the healing. For example, you take a friend to recieve prayer for cancer. The mature Christian prays over the person with cancer that the Lord would heal him now. But the person doesn't get better. Who is at fault??? Did the person with cancer not have a enough faith or did the person praying for the sick person not have enough faith. In Matthew 17 I believe, the "blame" belong to the person doing the praying. Just a thought. I believe that a lot of "blame" belongs to the person doing the praying. We can see this principle in different places in the Gospel.
When someone is not healed, whey does there have to be fault? Why must it be assumed that there was a failure of faith when someone is not healed? When Paul spent sleepless nights in the cold, went hungry and thristy, was shipwrecked and more, all in obedience to God and for the purposes of preaching the Gospel, was any of that because of a lack of faith? Most certainly not! If Paul's circumstances were not from a lack of faith, even though God specifically promises to protect against all those things, why should we automatically assume that a lack of immediate healing is because of a lack of faith?
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I make this challenge to all Christians:
Read Daniel 7:13-14
And tell me: Who do you say that the Son of Man is?
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RE: How much Faith is needed? - 11/18/2008 1:37:56 PM
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figmentPez
Posts: 2113
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: TX
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: sledmt
Actually we a told to lay hands on the sick and they will recover. Not try, but do. Not that I totally understand that, but I'm just telling you what the Bible says.
I disagree with your interpretation of scripture.
Mark 16:18
they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
This is a prophecy about signs that will follow the church. These signs most certainly have followed the church. However, this is not a statement that healing is always immediate. It is not a claim that laying on hands will always work, not even a claim that it will always work with enough faith. It is a simple statement that it will happen, and it does happen, but not always.
_____________________________
I make this challenge to all Christians:
Read Daniel 7:13-14
And tell me: Who do you say that the Son of Man is?
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