No worries.

Some good points, but types are types. Tongues were a sign to unbelieving Jews that the “Abrahamic divide” was being undone — a reversal of the Babel scattering. There is likely a corresponding type in each Christian life, but it’s not tongues.

I don’t dispute that God heals, but if there is any proliferation of it — of the kind we see in Acts — it is when the gospel is breaking new ground. And even then, it doesn’t seem to have the apostolic “volume.”

So, I guess it’s a matter of degrees. But this passage most certainly refers to the need for signs as a thing of childhood. God will give them to us when we need them.

Cheers,
Mike

Since you see patterns and types very well, consider this type. Before Christ came, there was the Law and the fleshly ordinances. In my life, before Christ came into it, my life was law, fleshly.. When Christ came into the world He introduced grace in a new living way. When Christ came into my life He introduced grace to me personally in a new living way. But the time when Christ came into the world there was an overlap between the Law and the spiritual kingdom of God. And the time Christ has come into my life there is an overlap between my flesh and the spirit. In AD70, the Law was fulfilled completely and done away with, leaving only the Kingdom of God. When I physically die, my fleshliness is completed and done away with, leaving only the spiritual.

Thus the time before the overlap in AD30-70 represents my life before Christ, the overlap period represents my current life, and the post AD70 time represents my life after death.

If this is a correct comparison (and I’m not saying it is), then I can follow up with some other things. Since tongues was a sign for the unbelieving Jews (Ishmael/fleshly/Law) of their soon destruction, then indeed, when AD70 came, Ishmael/fleshly/Law was cast out (fulfilled). So it stands to reason that corporate tongues had indeed fulfilled its purpose of warning of the coming judgment… corporately. In like manner since tongues would be a sign of the coming destruction of my flesh in death, then indeed UNTIL then PERSONAL tongues has not ceased. Instead it serves as a sign of my mortality, for me, personally.

There is a corporate tongues in 1Cor 14, and an individual worship tongues there as well. Otherwise it makes no sense for Paul to say if there is no interpreter to keep speaking in tongues privately to God and yourself.

Anyways, I personally have seen folks get healed WITHOUT me touching them. A young man & his friend visited me. He had injured his back playing softball. He was in pain. When I offered to pray for him, I stood up, and he stood up. I was reaching for him to lay hands on him in obedience to Jesus, and instead, he grabbed his back and his mouth dropped open and he exclaimed, “My back is getting hot and tingly!” It stayed that way for a good 5 minutes. When the feeling past, he was completely healed. No pain. He no longer needed therapy his mom was taking him to.

Healing is a daily occurrence in my life, dear brother. I know it is not me at all. It is Jesus in me.

Sorry for the long response.

Sounds like an interesting read. I don’t think many Christians would believe in an entire cessation of gifts, but of the apostolic gifts – gifts channelled through particular people. Doug Wilson is really good on this distinction – I’ll post a link if I can find it.

Well, I thought of that. So I did my own research. But then I discovered a rather remarkable book that has already done the detective work. The book is not really teaching you anything. The author basically writes an introduction arguing for the continuation of the spiritual gifts (sounds a little charismatic), but then the rest of the book is made up of JUST direct quotes from the “church fathers” starting with the first century and going forward through time. The excerpts are showing how every generation of church history is full of miraculous healings and gifts.

The book: Miracles and Manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the History of the Church by Jeff Doles.

Fascinating.

It’s a nice thought that the miraculous gifts should have continued as they were (from 30 to 70), but church history doesn’t reflect it. The passage puts faith, hope and love at Booths, as the true shelter. So these are the more mature gifts, and they are gifts we all have to give.

Also, the Old Testament history records many miracles, but they seem to occur at the beginning and end of Covenant cycles. There were times (such as two periods of 400 years) where God was silent, and there were no miraculous gifts.

But I do like the way you think.

Also, the manna was “bread from heaven” which Christ is the “True Bread from Heaven” (taken up a notch). The inspired writing of the NT during that transition from Old to New (AD30-70) was also like the manna (“bread” [Word] “from heaven”), and when AD70 came, that inspired writing was completed.

And as the writer of Hebrews says, they of the 1st century AD were only “tasting of the powers of the age to come.” When that age arrived in AD70, then the taste was over, and the fulfillment came. Now instead of just participating in the tasting of the powers of the age to come, we are actually living in the powers of that age.

Thus, miracles & healings did not cease in AD70, but rather, SHOULD ABOUND and be like second nature to a Christian (a son of God). With these supernatural powers of this age we should be instrumental in setting creation itself free from the bondage of corruption (i.e. healing the sick, etc.).

Just some thoughts, brother.

REALLY enjoying these patterns! I have read Bible Matrix 1, and have just bought 2. Really looking forward to Totus Christus either on Kindle, or I’ll just order it when I’m done with 2.